or the underappreciated "310 to yuma." >> when i'm researching a character or a particular role, a bail bondsman or a cop, i never model my character after someone i meet. i make up my own. >> leonard's idea flowed so freely from his pen, he began many of his 45 novels by writing them long form. yes, for over half a century, the author stayed true to his low-tech technique, purchasing up to a thousand unlined legal pads each year for his fictional work, something he found much more enjoyable than scripting for the movie history. >> the whole idea of writing fiction full time is you're on your own and you can write whatever you want. but then as soon as you become a screenwriter, you're writing on assignment, even if it's an original. >> leonard brought his story