Perhaps he could swear like Dennis Farina, but Elmore Leonard is best known for incredible stories, snappy dialogue and brilliant characters.

Here is what I put together on a story based on information from reporter Ryan Felton and a sudden outburst of Twitter praise on the writer, a local for us at The Oakland Press and a beloved-by-the-world master of his art:


Popular crime novelist Elmore Leonard has died, according to his official website.
The longtime resident of Bloomfield Township, 87, had recently suffered a stroke. According to ElmoreLeonard.com, he "passed away this morning at 7:15 a.m. surrounded by his loving family."
See images of the popular writer from our photo archives.
The author of 45 novels, including several used as the basis for popular films, had been hospitalized earlier this month.
His novels include "Be Cool," "Get Shorty," and "Out of Sight." He started in the 1950s, writing westerns, such as "3:10 to Yuma," but drew massive acclaim when he focused his work upon crime stories. His wife, Christine Kent, died in 2011.
Fans are flooding Twitter with remembrances about the award-winning author:

• CullenCommunications ‏(@CullenComms): "40+ novels over 50+ years: RIP Elmore Leonard, the greatest crime writer who ever lived."
• Amanda Cuda ‏(@amandacuda)‏: "Sad to open up my Twitter feed and find that one of my favorite writers has passed. RIP #ElmoreLeonard."
• nationalbook ‏(@nationalbook)‏: "We grieve for the loss of literary lion and #nbaward Lifetime Achievement 2012 medalist."
• Justin V. Gray (@JVGray)‏: RIP #ElmoreLeonard such a diverse body of work. Loved the westerns.
• Saptarshi Ray ‏(@Saptarshi_Ray)‏: "He could write snappy, intelligent dialogue and extended even lowlifes respect they could still be likable and smart."
• Saptarshi Ray (@Saptarshi_Ray): "Not to mention the great characters he bestowed on the world: Chili Palmer, Ordell Robbie, Raymond Cruz, Jack Foley .... "
• Jennifer E. Smith ‏(@JenESmith): "The last piece of advice is especially great: 'Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.'"
• Marie Belanger ‏(@MsMarieB): "My mom loved #ElmoreLeonard. He died on the 9th anniversary of her death."
• Andrew Kavanagh (‏@kavatarz): "RIP #ElmoreLeonard. What a loss to literature... Your #writing tips will be sorely missed."
• Jacqueline Brel (‏@jbrelly): "Pretty amazing that he wrote 3.10 to Yuma (one of my favourite Westerns) AND Rum Punch AND Out of Sight, among others."
• Jeremy Elice: "Very sad day. Elmore Leonard passed away."
• Colleen Vanderlinden: "Oh, no. R.I.P. Elmore Leonard. One of the greats, and a huge inspiration to me."
• Will Brinson: "Damn. RIP Elmore Leonard. Man fired out some all-time classic crime novels."