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Yes,

It's worth noting Leonard is described as "hard boiled crime writer" and his rules for paring down writing to the minimum seem for the kind of writing that moves the reader relentless forward, not wasting any time to "stop and smell the roses". That legitimate approach - just not the only approach.

I've always seen these rules as defaults. If you break them with a purpose then it can work, but otherwise they form a good basis for your writing.

> What works for one writer won't work for another.

And he specifically mentions Barry Lopez and Margaret Atwood as writers to whom certain of the rules don't apply.

But not everyone can describe the weather or location like them. These rules are for those who can't.