Reading a book shouldn’t be work.

I’m reading a murder mystery right now, and the author is making me work, which I resent. Although it’s a compelling story, the author (and his editor) are in love with his original similes and metaphors. I’m not. Many seem contrived and, worse, a distraction from the story. I mean, how exactly do the breezes “jackknife”? I guess they change direction sharply, but if your reader has to stop and think, “What the hell?” you might consider using a different turn of phrase.

That, and 9 other guidelines, are presented here courtesy of a column by Elmore Leonard. Many thanks to Jane Friedman for the post.