Suddenly, I turned, step by step
October 15, 2015 8:36 AM Subscribe
I have a specific question for those of you who have "The Silence of the Lambs" (novel) and/or "The Maltese Falcon" (novel) on an ebook or searchable device. How many times does the word "suddenly" appear?
I have been putting together an analysis of how often great authors in specific novels follow Elmore Leonard's ten rules for writing. Rule number six: Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose." Tracking this was easy enough when I looked at 19th century novels which could be downloaded. But when it came to these two specific books, I had to rely on my paper editions. So, do any of you have either of these two books in a searchable format?
I have been putting together an analysis of how often great authors in specific novels follow Elmore Leonard's ten rules for writing. Rule number six: Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose." Tracking this was easy enough when I looked at 19th century novels which could be downloaded. But when it came to these two specific books, I had to rely on my paper editions. So, do any of you have either of these two books in a searchable format?
Best answer: Google Books can do this. It looks like thirteen suddenlys in Maltese Falcon and seven in Silence of the Lambs.
posted by theodolite at 8:41 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by theodolite at 8:41 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also I'm getting 9 for Silence of the Lambs.
posted by griphus at 8:42 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by griphus at 8:42 AM on October 15, 2015
The Silence of the Lambs: 9 times. I think Google Books said 7 because it didn't include the capital-S instances.
posted by pipeski at 8:42 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by pipeski at 8:42 AM on October 15, 2015
On Amazon, for books that have the "Look Inside" feature, you can do a search for a word even if you don't have the book. Type the word in Search Inside This Book, on the left side of the screen.
According to this, "suddenly" appears 8 times in Silence of the Lambs and 13 times in The Maltese Falcon.
posted by lharmon at 8:43 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
According to this, "suddenly" appears 8 times in Silence of the Lambs and 13 times in The Maltese Falcon.
posted by lharmon at 8:43 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's one capital-S "suddenly" in Maltese Falcon as well which explains that discrepancy.
posted by griphus at 8:44 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by griphus at 8:44 AM on October 15, 2015
I'm getting 9 for Silence of the Lambs when doing a search via iBooks.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:56 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:56 AM on October 15, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you. I marked the first answer from theodolite/Google books as best because it seems to be generally applicable to other questions and it was fast at the draw and also the 13 from Maltese Falcon becomes it seems to be the consensus. But all of you were great. I've added the information to my post.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:06 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:06 AM on October 15, 2015
These counted examples leads me to ask: Is it ok to use the word "suddenly" a few times or should it not be used at all?
posted by Postroad at 9:43 AM on October 15, 2015
posted by Postroad at 9:43 AM on October 15, 2015
Response by poster: Postroad, the suddenly rule is for the most part expressing an exaggerated antagonism Leonard had toward unearned suspense. I think he would agree that suddenly has an occasional usefulness and it will show up, albeit rarely, in even the most tightly constructed books of any length.
Furthermore, Leonard was promulgating a particular style, Hemingway-like terse writing. You can pursue other styles, some of them at your peril.
(I say that, but in checking two works by Leonard, "suddenly" never appeared in Get Shorty or Stick)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:38 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Furthermore, Leonard was promulgating a particular style, Hemingway-like terse writing. You can pursue other styles, some of them at your peril.
(I say that, but in checking two works by Leonard, "suddenly" never appeared in Get Shorty or Stick)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:38 AM on October 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, he probably knew he'd get gigged for breaking his own rule, but I agree with dances_with_sneetches. Writers love to make rules, and it becomes something up with which you cannot put.
posted by randomkeystrike at 2:08 PM on October 15, 2015
posted by randomkeystrike at 2:08 PM on October 15, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by griphus at 8:41 AM on October 15, 2015