My Memories of Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard at a book signing in Ann Arbor, MI

I feel a real need to write about the death of crime fiction novelist Elmore Leonard, who passed away yesterday at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. I had the pleasure of meeting Elmore Leonard years ago at Balthazar Korab’s home in Troy, Michigan. Elmore loved to write crime fiction and suspense thrillers; he’s perhaps best known for his book-turned-movie Get Shorty (1995) starring John Travolta (I loved it!). He was man who, undoubtedly, achieved true success by following his passion in life.

Elmore and Balthazar were ancient friends, which was not a surprise — the two were very unusual people. Together, they were always willing to be different and stuck it out in Michigan. Needless to say, I had one of my most memorable conversations with Elmore at a lively garden party while living in the Detroit area. Elmore was just so full of life. His annual New Year’s Eve parties had become legendary, with the event always held at his swank Bloomfield Hills home. Elmore would always end up renting vans to empty his house, a necessity to accommodate his breadth of guests.

“Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.”

–Elmore Leonard

Credit: JESSICA J. TREVINO/DFP
Photographer Balthazar Korab’s garden

The reason I write this is due to a moment I will always remember. Towards the end of the party, we were in a large bay window area of Balthazar Korab’s house. The spot had a low, built-in bookself in a U-shape. As Balthazar laughed with Elmore, he made reference to his many books — all of which were stacked side-by-side on the shelf. In that moment, I felt daunted by the sheer amount of books written by this man. And I realized then, on the spot, that success was an important aspect of life — but passion and the need to fullfil that drive was even greater.

Sadly, the last time I spoke with Elmore he was in the midst of a divorce from a short-lived marriage to Christine Kent. How sad, I remember thinking, to go through all of that pain at such a ripe old age. His divorce was finalized last year.

Elmore Leonard is survived by his five children and 13 grand kids. Personally, I will remember him as an author who was full of life — and a man who was always willing to go out on a limb.

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