jezebel has a great article on drinking games for readers (via a recent ny times essay):
“Geoff Nicholson extrapolates from writing-workshop maxims to create these drinking rules: ‘Drink what you know, drink regularly rather than in binges, avoid needlessly exotic booze, and leave the table while you can still stand.’ But why stick with what you know when you can challenge yourself — and your liver — with a game of William Faulkner or Ernest Hemingway? You can play these games in groups — by, say, having one person read aloud (this will probably get even more fun as the reader’s voice slurs and his/her eyes lose focus).”
jezebel already suggests some genius games, my favorite of which happens to be the william faulkner (“every time a sentence goes on for more than a page, drink the entire bottle. then make out with your sister.”) i’d like to add the justin cronin as it relates to the passage: drink whenever you encounter “thrumming”, “littles”, or “flyers” (the exclamation AND the being). or the jean-philippe toussaint: drink every time a character’s existential crisis spurs him to complete and utter inaction.
to return to nicholson’s essay for a minute – if we’re extrapolating drinking rules from writing workshop maxims, may i also offer the following additions?
* drink constructively, yet critically
* don’t say, “that’s a great drink!” explain WHY it’s a great drink – the layers of flavor, perhaps?
* justify a bad drink with, “it’s not my thing, but i can see how others would appreciate it.” if you’re bold, please add, “i wanted more from it.”
* avoid cliche in your drinking
and if you’re unsure as to whether or not you have overdone it…
* just get it out. you can always drink more – and better – later.