I've just found this again after a search through the Techniques Forum - it was posted originally by David Bruce last year, but I think it's worth reviving:

Ten Mistakes

Thanks Nell,

This is very imformative, I'm glad you pointed it out again. It would be such a shame for a treasure like this to be left in the dusty archives!

XXXInniXXX

Here's another ten rules by Elmore Leonard (apologies if it's been mentioned on this site before):

http://www.mysteryinkonline.com/writingrules.htm

Catherine

I'm glad you posted these again, Nell, because I hadn't bookmarked the page. I have now! The crutch words one is so revealing. O now have a list of words I use too much stuck to my monitor, and I ruthlessly go through everything deleting all the simplys, 'for sures, justs, and reallys.

Cas

Catherine, those are well worth bookmarking too. I keep meaning to read Leonard Elmore, but have never managed to get around to it. I'll make the effort now - he even makes a set of rules compelling. (No exclamation mark after reading that.)

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Cas, it's the perhapses and the possiblys that I have to watch. Obviously not decisive enough (possibly).

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Sorry, Elmore Leonard please forgive me.

Brilliant.I have just read through this and, along with Nell's comments as well, I am now embarking on a rewrite of the early chapaters of my book. I blush when I look at some of my first chapters. Thank you for finding this.