1. photo:GeraldReichert
Elmore“Dutch”Leonard doesn’t have a bucket list. Never did. Dutch has al-
most always been doing exactly what he has wanted to do: tell stories. And
according to a few hundred million readers: the fella is awfully good at it.
Dutch’s history is well documented. Google his name and you get
480,000 hits for a man who still lives by pen and paper.
These days you’ll find him in his favorite place at home, in his
den at his desk, with cigarette in hand. Endless sheets of paper, his ashtray,
an analog clock, an electric typewriter, a landline (no voicemail, no cell
phone), an address book, and the box where he tosses notes and phone
numbers are strewn about his desk. Many a journalist, filmmaker, family
member, or guest has sat next to that desk asking questions. Dutch recalls
all with unwavering enthusiasm, captivating his audience with his story-
telling ease.
The back office stores all of his work, from his first, Bounty
Hunters, a 1953 western, to everything since. A shelf holds a picture of
famed 1949 Cubs pitcher Emil John“Dutch”Leonard, from whom a child-
hood pal suggested they coin him the nickname.
Dutch wrote his first play in the fifth grade based on All Quiet on
the Western Front. His cast of fellow fifth graders performed the play for an
audience of two. He wishes he still had that play. “It’d be worth a pretty
penny now.”
Fast forward to 44 books, 20 plus short stories, novelettes, maga-
zine stories, screenplays, nine television films, three television series, and one
short film all inspired by his writing.
Not to mention the 21 feature films. Jackie Brown was his favor-
ite. And for Get Shorty, when John Travolta was brought up for the role of
Chili Palmer, he was against it, until he saw Travolta’s work in Pulp Fiction.
“Elmore was so gracious and validating of my work in Get Shorty, he re-
versed the flow of admiration I had for him,”said Travolta.“His writing, it’s
crisp, fresh, and smart, that is why I’m a fan of Elmore and his work.”
October marked the release of his 44th book: Djibouti. With
Djibouti, Dutch changes up from westerns and crimes in Detroit and
Miami to a more contemporary style. Besides the new book, Dutch is an
executive producer for Justified, a TV series based on his short story Fire
in the Hole. Dutch didn’t see“much appeal”in writing for television until
television started developing programs with more character-driven roles.
“I’m a fan of Elmore Leonard’s because he’s an unrelentingly en-
tertaining writer. He’s surprising, shocking (I often have to read passages
twice — did he really just kill that character off?) and funny,”states Graham
Yost, Justified writer.“And, he writes just about the best dialogue anywhere.”
Elmore recalls flying out to L.A. to meet the cast and crew. On set
he noticed that everyone was wearing‘WWED’bracelets.“I wanted some-
thing to remind me and the other writers that Elmore is the reason we’re
doing this show, and when in doubt,”explains Yost,“we simply must ask
FAMED MICHIGAN WRITER ELMORE
LEONARD HONORED WITH FESTIVAL
LITERARY
LEGEND
ourselves,‘What would Elmore do?’”
November 10 kicks off the four-day Elmore Leonard Literary Arts
and Film Festival at the Birmingham Community House.“I told them that
they can’t call it a‘literary arts’festival because there’s nothing literary in it.
It’s all film.They just haven’t changed it yet,”said Leonard.
“Elmore has graciously lent his name so that we can continue to
highlight our Michigan film industry,”says Kathy Wilson, event co-chair.
“This is perfect timing to inspire young writers to see how their work can
be made into a film or TV series.”
In typical Dutch form,“I’m going, but I shouldn’t be involved, I’m
getting more lifetime achievements this year. It’s a bad sign,”said Leonard
with a laugh.“I got one from PEN and two others. I just go and smile and
say,‘Thank you.’”
At 85, Dutch shows no signs of retiring. He still keeps his sev-
en day a week writing schedule.“I don’t eat lunch.” His process hasn’t
changed. Get the first 100 pages in, then outline, then a final pass on his
IMB electric. His daughter Jane transcribes to digital.“I don’t own a com-
puter or cell phone. Easier that way.”
Elmore Leonard may not have a bucket list, but I have to admit ...
I do. And he was on it. – Jennifer A. Champagne
elmoreleonard.com
citizens
Elmore Leonard
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