Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Two Sentence Tuesday

Two lines from THE WAY SOME PEOPLE DIE, a Ross Macdonald story that I recently blogged about, keep coming back to me:

His skin was fresh and boyish, but there was something the matter with his eyes. They were brown and wet and protuberant, as if they had been dipped in muddy water and stuck on his face to dry.

*

My two are from a western short (super rough) tentatively called Cash Laramie and the Masked Devil:

A horned figure with a dark crimson face and black flowing cape, theatrically waving a glimmering cutlass, barreled down on the trio of lawmen. Boland reached for his peacemaker.

The ladies at Women of Mystery can supply you with more Two Sentence Tuesday here.

16 comments:

Corey Wilde said...

I need to read that MacD book all right.

Leah J. Utas said...

I want more of this horned figure.

Don said...

I am with Leah and wondering if this is mythical style western?

David Cranmer said...

Corey, It's a fabulous novel and Ross Mac needs to be elevated to his proper place alongside Chandler and Hammett as an equal. He took what he learned from them and built upon their legacy. THE WAY SOME PEOPLE DIE is every bit as good as THE BIG SLEEP.

Leah, I'm working on getting it out by week's end and hopefully I will be able to tell you soon where it's going to be published. (keep your fingers crossed.)

Don, Well, all westerns are myths for the most part but I understand what you're asking and would say it leans toward Robert Conrad's James West character. But not as much satire.

Scott D. Parker said...

David - Man, I am SO there with your twofer! Bring it on ! I've only read the first Lew Archer book. Liked it but didn't love it. I've been told it too MacDonald a few novels to find his voice. I'll be reading more, however.

David Cranmer said...

Scott, I remember you mentioning that about Macdonald's first book before. Interesting, because he had a couple of short stories featuring Lew Archer prior to that. I'm wondering if he found it difficult switching to the longer format and like you said found his voice after a few novels.

pattinase (abbott) said...

My eyes look like that too. It's called allergies in my case although his might come from something else. I think I read every McDonald book 20 years ago. Loved every one.

Clare2e said...

I'm guilty of not reading enough MacDonald, too. Gonna fix it though.

Your title is classic, and goes with the glimmering cutlass!

David Cranmer said...

Patti, Traveling from Texas/Louisiana-Virginia-NY-Maine and back has my allergies/ sinuses a thumping. The Sudafed PE works best for me.

Clare, I'm glad you liked the title. I was going for the old pulpy titles of yesteryear.

Joe Boland said...

I hope Boland is quick on the draw.

Charles Gramlich said...

Love the lines from Ross. That eye description will stay with me. I'm seeing a devil zorro in your stuff. Sounds interestingly weird.

Reb said...

I can see where that eye description would stick in your mind.

Your lines are intriguing, I like the idea of glimmering cutlasses.

David Cranmer said...

Joe, I needed a strong sounding name and that Zero-Sum World blogger had it. Ha! Well, this Boland is quick on the draw but unfortunately still loses his head. Cash Laramie of the title avenges him nicely by story’s end.

Charles, It’s borderline weird but is grounded on the believable side. The lines that I posted today have already changed dramatically as I type away into the afternoon. I promised the editor I would have it in by this weekend and its going to be close.

Reb, Yes, glimmering cutlasses and capes are always very picturesque.

Barrie said...

I love reading these Tuesday posts and keep thinking I should join in.

Barbara Martin said...

A horned caped figure waving a cutlass...you've got me David. I, too, want to know where to read all of it.

David Cranmer said...

Barrie, I hope you do. It's easy to pull together and a lot of fun.

Barbara, Hopefully I will be able to tell you real soon.