Ask the characters

Largely inspired by a single line from Mr. Gene Hackman in Heist (‘I imagine what a smarter man would do, then do that’), it’s a great philosophy of writing. This is what Mr. Elmore Leonard seems to do effortlessly, not care what happens. The characters go where they want, because we’re not here to see a great story. We’re here to see what happens to our buddies. And when it’s unfair, or they cheat, we check out.