Elmore Leonard was born today in writing history, October 11. Celebrate the author’s birthday by learning more about his life and contributions to the writing world. Aspiring writers should also use this opportunity as a writing exercise. Look for inspiration today in writing history.

Writing Prompts for Today In Writing: October 11

Please take this opportunity to learn more about Elmore Leonard and his contributions to literature. The author’s ability to craft gritty and relatable narratives is a feat for all aspiring writers to study. His cinematic writing style draws readers looking to immerse themselves in the world of Leonard’s stories. 

What led Elmore Leonard to be a writer? Where did the inspiration to tell his stories come from? And what helped the author create his way of writing? Find inspiration about Leonard, learn more details about his life, and write!

Elmore Leonard Biography

Elmore John Leonard Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 11, 1925. His parents, Elmore John Leonard, Sr. and Flora Amelia, frequently moved the family to keep up with Elmore Sr.’s job with General Motors. The family would eventually settle in Detroit in 1934.

Leonard in World War II

Leonard graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 1943, at the height of the Second World War, and promptly sought to enlist in the Marines. He was rejected for his poor vision and would turn to the Navy. Elmore Leonard served with the SeaBees, the Navy’s Construction Battalion (CB), for three years in the South Pacific. 

After the war, Leonard returned home and enrolled at the University of Detroit. During this period of his life, the aspiring writer began taking his role as an author seriously, submitting his short stories to contests and magazines. Elmore Leonard graduated in 1950 with a BA in English and philosophy. He found work as a copywriter with the Campell-Ewald Advertising Agency.

Elmore Leonard’s Writing Career

Leonard’s interest in writing persisted, and he continued to compose short stories alongside his copywriting work. In 1951, his short story Trail of the Apaches was published in a magazine. Over the next decade, he continued to find inspiration for his aspiring writing aptitude, authoring over 30 short stories in the Western genre.

Elmore Leonard’s debut novel, The Bounty Hunter, was published in 1953. He followed the story with four more books. The author’s ability to captivate audiences with his western tales did not go unnoticed. By 1972, five of his novels had been adapted to film: The Tall T, 3:10 to Yuma, Hombre, Valdez is Coming, and Joe Kidd.

The author would break into the crime genre in 1969 with his book The Big Bounce. However, it was not until 1985, with his novel Glitz, that Leonard would break out in the crime genre. The story about a detective stalked by a man he put in prison, Glitz would make the New York Times Bestseller list and stay there for almost three months. The author continued to author crime narratives that would become bestsellers. 

Later Life and Death

Several of Leonard’s crime novels would also be adapted into film and television. Jackie Brown, Get Shorty, and Out of Sight became major motion pictures. The TV series Justified was also based on Leonard’s work and was an adaptation the author was very fond of. Elmore Leonard published his final novel, Raylan, in 2012. It was inspired by the show based on his short story Fire in the Hole. 

The author spent the last years of his life in Michigan alongside his family. On July 29, 2019, he suffered a stroke. Although he was reported to be recovering, Elmore Leonard died on August 20, 2013, from stroke complications. He was 87.

Elmore Leonard Quotes

1. My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

2. I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, ‘You got to have fun at this, or it’ll drive you nuts.’

3. If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

4. I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character’s point of view. That way, even narrative passages take on the character’s sound. I don’t want the reader to be aware of me, writing.

5. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.

6. I don’t believe in writer’s block or waiting for inspiration. If you’re a writer, you sit down and write.

7. Don’t worry about what your mother thinks of your language.

8. Using adverbs is a mortal sin.

9. It doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.

10. What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he’s already been told twice.

Elmore Leonard’s Writing Style, Realistic Realism

Leonard’s western novels tend to center around outsiders and underdogs. He is acclaimed for his ability to develop characters through dialogue and ways of speaking. In addition to Detroit, Arizona and New Mexico are popular settings in the author’s writing. Elmore Leonard attributes Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck as his primary literary influences. He found his niche in Westerns and crime thrillers, and authored memorable work that still entertains audiences.

Notable Nora Roberts Books

1953 The Bounty Hunters

1954 The Law at Randado

1956 Escape from Five Shadows

1959 Last Stand at Saber River

1961 Hombre

1969 The Big Bounce

1970 The Moonshine War

1970 Valdez Is Coming

1972 Forty Lashes Less One

1974 Mr. Majestyk

1976 Swag

1978 The Switch

1979 Gunsights

1983 Stick

1985 Glitz

1987 Bandits

1988 Freaky Deaky

1989 Killshot

1990 Get Shorty

1991 Maximum Bob

1992 Rum Punch

1999 Be Cool

2004 Mr. Paradise

2006 Comfort to the Enemy

2009 Road Dogs

2012 Raylan

Today in Writing: October 11 – Daily Writing Exercise

Now that you have done some reading, it is time to write. Aspiring writers should look to the stories from Today in Writing: October 11 and Elmore Leonard’s life for inspiration. Read his quotes and study his stories to understand the author’s writing style. 

Find a topic and freewrite for 10 minutes. The writing of Elmore Leonard is centered around genres he loved. His cinematic writing style has been portrayed several times on film, continuously growing his following of readers. In his words, “My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.” Aspiring writers should look for inspiration in this author’s style and start writing.

Don’t let any opportunity to write go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today. Celebrate Today in Writing History October 11.