Writing like Raymond Chandler
I just started reading House of Leaves, a newish, haunting novel by Mark Z. Danielewski, and was struck by similarities to the writing of Raymond Chandler. Both authors use spare, crisp language -- a no-nonsense approach. From Danielewski: "Flaze is part Hispanic, part Samoan. A bit of a giant you might say. 6' 4", 245lbs, virtually no body fat." From Chandler: "He was a big man but not more than six feet five inches tall and not wider than a beer truck."
Just another sign of Chandler's influence. Read Streeters have a bit o' Chandler in them, too, judging by responses to a recent writing game that marked the 50th anniversary of his death. We set up modern-day phrases that mimic the sharp descriptions he often laced with irony: "she was as cute as a washtub."
Here’s what some Read Streeters had to say: The waitress shoved the cup-o-joe in front of me; it was as bitter and cold as a Dick Cheney sneer. — Ed
as self-righteous as a Democratic Congress — Gail
as cheerful as a Gitmo cell — Fleisch
as unemployable as Rush Limbaugh at a nudist hemp-macrame collective’s job fair — Cornelia
as recession-proof as a back-yard still — Ellen
If you haven't played yet, here's the complete list. Just leave your suggestions in a comment:
1. as — as a Dick Cheney sneer.
2. as — as an A.I.G. bonus
3. as — as a Democratic Congress
4. as — as a Madoff expense account
5. as recession-proof as ---
6. as — as a Gitmo cell
7. as — as Obama’s teleprompter
8. as unemployable as —
9. as — as a Detroit assembly line worker
10. (provide your own here)
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
As luxurious as a Gitmo cell.
He was as hostile as a republican accepting the the new stimulis package.
Posted by: Diane | April 5, 2009 4:20 PM
as sincere as a dick cheney sneer. as far to the left as a democratic congress. as overheated as obama's teleprompter.
Posted by: Steve | April 6, 2009 3:44 PM
My suggestions for your Raymond Chandler contest:
!> As _____ as a Dick Chaney sneer
a> sugary and sweet
b> dripping with icicles
c> snidely condescending
d> so not a Shirley Temple smile
e> unfriendly fire
2> As ______ as an AIG bonus
a> bogus
b> biting the hand that tossed a lifesaver
c> a blood sucking vampire fang
d> Biblical plague proportioned
4> As _______ as a Madoff expense account
a> as Prada / Porsche padded
b> padded as a girl's bra at her junior high prom
5> As recession- proof as _______
a> a tax collector making coffin on the side
6> As _______ as a Gitmo cell
a> crowded as a time-share in Hell
b> Caribbean sun baked
8> As unemployable as
a> a female hooker at a GOP convention
b> a female hooker at a Vatican concave
9> as ________ a Detroit assembly line worker
a> disorientated
10> Create your own Chandler-ism
a> As spiteful as an oxycontin fueled Lard Rushbottom (aka Rush Limbaugh) losing his
GOP get-out-of jail card last November
b> As organic as a dried buffalo chip reconstituted by an April shower
Posted by: Gary | April 6, 2009 5:15 PM
2. As bloated as an AIG bonus.
9. As luckless as a Detroit assembly line worker.
1. As comely as a Dick Cheney sneer.
8. As unemployable as me.
5. As recession proof as a big bank.
Posted by: patrick k lackey | April 7, 2009 9:41 AM