#310 | Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing

🎙 This week, we go off-script in honor of my 40th birthday to unpack Elmore Leonard’s famous 10 Rules of Writing. I break down how these lighthearted, practical guidelines help writers stay invisible, show rather than tell, and keep narrative momentum moving. Whether you're trying to sharpen your own craft or evaluate books with a cleaner eye, these rules offer a masterclass in writing and storytelling. Inside the Episode: (00:09) Off-Script Birthday: Celebrating a milestone by sharing one of the most useful, humorous writing guides ever written. (03:11) The Invisibility Test: Elmore Leonard's core philosophy on stepping out of the way so the narrative can breathe. (04:32) Strip the Fluff: Why relying on simple dialogue mechanics like "said" prevents writers from showing off or explaining. (08:42) Trust the Reader: The case for cutting excessive character and scene descriptions to let the audience do the work. (10:42) The Golden Rule: Why rewriting anything that "sounds like writing" is the key to seamless story rhythm. Links & Resources:  ✓ (Better) Books: Sign up at BooksforMen.org.  📚 Master Your Craft: AristotleforNovelists.com.  ⚡️ Connect: Instagram @douglasvigliotti | DouglasVigliotti.com.  💥 Featured Episodes: #119 LaBrava & #273 Get Shorty Life is too short to read sh*tty books. 🫠