R.I.P. Elmore Leonard

(A/N- I know I've been promising some behind the scenes stuff... and I'm working on it.  I swear!  But after hearing the news today I had to reflect.

There are a handful of people that have died in my lifetime I regret never getting to meet.  Johnny Cash immediately comes to mind.  Now Elmore Leonard is on that list.  R.I.P. Mr. Leonard.)


     I was saddened by the news today of the passing of Elmore Leonard. While we don’t write in the same genre, I must admit I’ve always been fascinated by his ability to tell a story. His dialog was nothing short of amazing- gritty, realistic, and the best part of his work.

     Mr. Leonard focused on the not-so-nice people as opposed to telling a story from the voice of the baby face. Even his “good guys” walked so close to the edge the reader expected them to fall to the dark side. While focusing on primarily westerns and crime dramas, Mr. Leonard a lasting impression on the literary landscape. Books such as 3:10 to Yuma, Get Shorty, and Last Stand at Saber River were turned into hit movies gaining him an even wider audience.

     Recently Mr. Leonard had gained newer fans with the TV show Justified, a series on FX based on the character of Raylan Givens. Not bad for a man who’d been writing for sixty years!

     Elmore Leonard has been called “The great American writer” by Stephen King. He is survived by his sister, five children, thirteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was 87.