Thank you very very much for everyone who has entered the Surprisingly Essential First Page Challenge! There are many a Surprisingly Essential entry (around 400 between Blogger and Myspace), and the thread will be open for entries until tomorrow at 5:00 PM Pacific. Please continue to enter in the original contest thread and only in the original contest thread. Some people have missed the mark. I know the original post is getting so large that some people (especially those who are on dialup) are having some trouble entering. If you absolutely cannot make it work, you can e-mail me your entries and I’ll post for you. But for the sake of my inbox, please try everything short of summoning the entire Geek Squad of America to your house before you take that last resort!
In other news, I hope Holly will be speaking to me by the end of the week! Have you checked out her blog? Promised her cat toys and ski encouragement? I hope so! I seriously cannot thank Holly enough for agreeing to help out. This is quite a task.
And in other news, I hate to mar what has otherwise been an extremely fun contest that I am still very excited about (despite the morale meter dipping), but I think I need to address this, so here goes. Some people have expressed concern that their entries are being critiqued on other blogs, and that this isn’t something they signed on for. I’m sympathetic to these concerns — while this is a public forum and people can see their entries, they might not have known that others would be critiquing their efforts, and ultimately I’d just like everyone to feel good about participating. Yes, being critiqued is something that happens when you’re a writer, but this contest is just supposed to be fun. It’s not like anyone is getting paid for this.
So I proposed what I feel like is a very fair compromise: I asked people who were critiquing to please refrain from critiques for the moment, but since I know there are many people who would love to hear feedback, I’d be happy to mention their blog on tonight’s update to send people their way if people want critiques. That way, the people who want critiques can get critiques, and the people who don’t want critiques don’t have to be critiqued. Everyone wins! Even the monkeys, and they never win.
Unfortunately, while one critiquer was extremely gracious about bowing out (I really can’t thank her enough, she was very kind about it), another has disagreed, and UPDATE: Chro has agreed to pull unsolicited critiques and critique all comers! I wish him luck! Check out his blog if you want feedaback! But other than those who have agreed with the compromise, the critiquers aren’t excerpting material, and besides offering a compromise, my hands are somewhat tied here. People are going to do what they’re going to do, apparently. So I apologize to those who are uncomfortable with what’s happening, but I hope it won’t mar their enjoyment of the contest. I tried!
Ultimately, I hope we can move on from this — I hesitate to say there’s a lesson in this (there isn’t!), but from here on out I’m going to be deleting further comments that relate to this issue (I’m serious about this). Let’s just all enjoy the contest and let’s all just get along, and really: we need to remember that Spencer is the real problem here.
Thanks again to everyone who entered! Keep on entering (I didn’t plan on sleeping tomorrow night anyway… or the next day), and I’m seriously amazed and impressed by all the talent out there. You guys are awesome.
AmandaKMorgan says
Man. Spencer always messes everything up. đ
Jordyn says
Yay for the winning monkeys!!
And also… I WANT TO BE CRITIQUED!! Please. Anyone. I think I’m entry #117 on the original post.
Allen B. Ogey says
I’m another who would like as much feedback as possible – critique away.
Nathan – thanks for your contest and level headedness in trying to please most of the people most of the time, but I really must question your judgement in one critical area.
Single malt scotch would be a much better choice over bourbon for when your morale meter sinks to that level.
Nathan Bransford says
Allen-
I do love some Laphroaig when I’m feeling luxurious, but ultimately, I’m a man of the people, and when you’re feeling humble, bourbon it is.
Polenth says
There’s a positive side to lack of sleep. In that little bit of time before you go mad, you’ll be very creative.
Nadine says
Ugh, Spencer. I hate how I see the EXTREMELY posed pictures of him and Heidi everywhere.
As for the contest, I’m excited! Less than 24 hours to go!
Adaora A. says
Holly’s blog is pretty sweet, and now with your constant plugging it will get the traffic it deserves.
You’d better bribe her with an endless stream of cosmo’s and a greeting card with all her favorite words (mentioned on her blog). I am sure that will completely butter her up.
I never knew people were expressing concern but I understand why. Some people (as I think you said in a blog post early last year perhaps), that people have a nasty side to them that comes out on the internet. Annonymity lets the inner bitch out completely.
Quit saying sorry Nathan, you’re affording us all a great opportunity to get a critique from someone in the buisness, and not to mention how available you are on ‘our’ blog. Talk about above and beyond the call of duty.
I hope you aren’t suffering from insomnia afterwards. Perhaps we should all pitch in and buy Nathan a 1000 thread count matress. He’ll be out like a light.
Diana says
Wow, Nathan. Your Morale-o-meter really took a hit today. But at least there’s still some orange left, right?
Anonymous says
Hello — is it possible that there is a point where there are a max number of comments? For some reason, this graphic doesn’t show on the contest loop.
Thanks!
Gina
Other Lisa says
Wow. Best of luck to all of the contestants. And Nathan, I don’t have any bourbon, so I raise my glass of Spanish red in a toast.
~grace~ says
no Nathan, you are awesome.
and if there are any extra monkeys around, could you send them my way? I need them to type things for me…
oh, and as to the max number of comments question…didn’t the Snark Queen have like 500+ on her “I’m quitting” post?
Nathan Bransford says
We had 600+ comments on the First Paragraph Challenge when I was crazy enough to allow multiple entries, so I think we’ll be ok. Of course, if there’s a maximum word count on a Blogger thread we may be in trouble.
Adaora A. says
Make sure they are drunk Grace!
Nathan I don’t know if you are familiar with the blueboards (verla kay), but one member had trouble entering. Her entry didn’t come up. Equally though, people entering after her had no trouble. Perhaps it is an internet thing. Maybe if people are forced to live with dial-up (thanks to spouse, or parents), they should go to the library and bum off of their internet?
Yes it is quarter after 2 am here, I was tired but blogging woke me up.
Brigid says
When I first saw that people were doing their own commenting, that was my gut reaction too: “Hey! I didn’t sign on to be paraded around the internet!”
But…really, I did. I mean, it’s the internet. If you can get here, you know what that means for your privacy and your good intentions. People can say whatever they want, and by putting a piece of my work out there, I have to be aware that critiques (and worse) can happen — for good and for bad.
So Nathan, don’t beat yourself up about it. You can’t control it, and people signing on for a contest on the internet know what they’re in for. Thank you for all your efforts with the contest.
I mean, we’re all writers, right? What do you think’s going to happen when that baby is in print?
Anonymous says
The thing that concerns me the most with any internet posting of a work that hasn’t been published yet, is not the crtiques it might get, but the potential for idea theft or borrowing that it opens you up to.
I wouldn’t want to give my novel’s premise away on the Internet if the book wasn’t close to publication. Who wants to spend a year or more working on something and then find out that someone else has used the main concept before you got it published? So for a first page, I didn’t mind entering becuase the novel’s premise wasn’t disclosed in the first page…but if it were a synopsis contest, or query pitch…no freakin’ way. Don’t want to be paranoid, but also don’t want to be overly loose with ideas.
Angela says
I would welcome any critiques. I was number 350 â LIAR âYA.
Iâd also like to respond to the comments made by anonymous who worried about idea theft. I attended a workshop with two well-known YA authors. They shared outlines, synopsis, query letters etcâŚfor works under contract and works they havenât started to sub yet. They even tossed around a bunch of ideas for books theyâd like to write.
When someone asked if they worried about someone âstealingâ their idea, they responded, âNot at all. Itâs not the idea; itâs the writing.â
I wasnât sure about that at first. But at Rutgers some of the agents spoke about manuscripts they couldnât acquire even though they loved the idea. One agent said, âThere is a book Iâd love to sell. Itâs so original, but the writing just didnât pull it off.â He mentioned that the writer has tried to revise without success.
It made me realize the need to work on my writing, my voice. Make my manuscripts original -make it more aboutt the writing, not just the ‘idea’.
beth says
I’m all for being critiqued. Don’t know what entry # I am, but I’m fairly early on. The title is THE READ THREAD (typo…should be “red” not “read”). If you click on my name, I’ve got the first chapter of another of my books for critique…ANY feedback is always more than welcome! Critiquers may have to email their sites or something so we know where they are…?
Mary says
Holly has a wonderful blog! Itâs one Iâll keep on visiting.
Good luck to you both!
Aimless Writer says
What? You mean we post something on an open blog and its not there for a gazillion million peeps to see? Wow, who would have thunk it? Its like this internet thing has a life of its own.
Anyone want to critique me, have at it! I’d sell out da family for a good critique!
ink wench says
Yikes! Morale is crashing fast. Get Nathan some bourbon ASAP!
inherwritemind1 says
There are many a Surprisingly Essential entry (around 400 between Blogger and Myspace)
You’ve been Snarked!
What’s your beverage of choice?
Cat Schield says
Sir, you are a glutton for punishment. I did the math. At over 400 entries, you have the equivalent of 2 books worth of first pages. I hope you stocked your liquour cabinet.
sex scenes at starbucks says
See Nathan read.
See Nathan read.
See Nathan read.
See Nathan drink.
Go, Nathan, Go!
Jessica says
I’ve just posted my first page on the other thread, my first ever Nathan Bransford contest entry!
I had been dissatisfied with the opening sequence and this contest gave me the firm kick in the rear to get going on the revision of that scene. I pondered and rewrote and rewrote some more and am quite satisfied that my new opening fits better with the rest of the book.
At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, regardless of the contest outcome, I feel that I’ve won in that I now have a stronger opening.
Kelly Maher says
Thanks for this opportunity, Nathan! Contests/exercises like this allow me to play around with ideas I may not pursue otherwise. Oh, and for the critiquers out there, feel free to have at my entry, “Luck of the Draw”. I forgot to note that in the entry itself đ
Stew says
There’s a huge Absolute Write turnout. YOu should stop by our thread in Novels, Nathan.
You know, when you have time. :evil laugh:
Mark D. says
I hate to sound so computer illiterate, but can someone tell me how to delete a comment?
Thanks
Taylor says
Wow. getting close to 500 entries now. I admit this is pretty exciting to watch.
Also, anyone feel free to critique my entry, VALDEN’S HEIR. I am not afraid (Somebody hold me!).
Vinnie Sorce says
I’d love a critique as well. Search for the text “Jimmy Vincent” and you’ll find me!
Amy says
Nathan, if you’re going to delete entries about critiquing, how do we let people know we’re going to offer our opinions on *only those who want critiqued*?
Larisa says
Spencer. I knew it!
Did you know he has a PR company and lists himself as a client?
Just breathe and ask yourself: what would Lauren do?
WWLD?
Jordan says
This is ridiculously exciting. How is it possible that the entire internet writing community turns out and causes so much pain for a single man?
Ah yes, that’s right. He’s an agent.
đ
Good luck Nathan! Keep your chin up.
cat says
I’m all about the feedback. For God’s sake, feel free with the feedback! I can take it.
Probably.
As for this comment from Angela, posted in response to anonymous:
When someone asked if they worried about someone ‘stealing’ their idea, they responded, “Not at all. It’s not the idea; it’s the writing.”
Bra-VO. A novel can have the coolest concept, like, EVER– but without the voice to carry it off? Eh. Sad little concept.
Tiffany Aller says
Extremely fair way to deal with critiques by other bloggers, Nathan. Personally, I’m of the opinion that if I put myself out there, I am doing so expressly for feedback…but I can definitely understand how some other folks might not be so appreciative of what may be construed as unsolicited critiques.
Man, Nathan – have you started drinking yet? Your poor eyes. We should take up a collection to get you reading glasses after this!
Nona says
Who wants to spend a year or more working on something and then find out that someone else has used the main concept before you got it published?
My thinking exactly. In screenwriting it’s called the “logline” and it happens. That’s why I opted for the prompt. Maybe next time.
Sophie W. says
Yesterday I played with numbers. I drew random samples of the entries, counted up the words, and multiplied them by the number of entries (about 350 at the time). There were about 175,000 words in all.
I think we should have a moment of silence for Nathan’s poor fried brain cells.
Jennifer Walker says
I would LOVE a critique! I’m Flying Leaps, I think #158 by someone’s count.
benwah says
Reading these first pages has been interesting sampling of what people are churning out. I’m amazed at the number of people who write in the first person (not that there’s anything wrong with that by any stretch). So much YA, so much fantasy–I didn’t know it was out there. Simply reading the entries has been quite educational. Thanks, Nathan.
Scott says
My only problem with the critiques is that somebody might critique my entry and i won’t know about it, so I’ll miss out on some helpful comments.
Critique me. Please. But let me know so your critique will do me some good.
Anonymous says
:::bangs head on desk and curses dialup:::
There’s so many posts on the entry thread my dialup just gives up and doesn’t even load them all. Which means, the box to enter a comment (or first page) doesn’t show up.
:::stalks off growling:::
Sam Hranac says
May I begin the betting? I’ll say Nathan is looking at reading 300,000 words to judge this thing before it is over.
Linda says
HOLY COW!!!!
501 posts.
Nathan, need to borrow my bifocals? And, I’m a pharmacist, if you need something beyond booze to get you through all these…words… holler.
Thanks for doing this. You will climb to the next level in your next life. Peace…
Nathan Bransford says
Thanks Linda, but these eyes are 20/20. At least right now they are.
Jennifer Walker says
For anyone willing to do a critique but doesn’t want to navigate that mess of a thread, I’ve posted my first page on my blog. jenniferlwalker.blogspot.com
Adaora A. says
Best get them checked by Linda after the contest is over Nathan!
Are you and Holly reading them off of your computer screens? Yeesh!
Nathan Bransford says
adaora-
I’d have to kill a whole forest to print the entries out.
Jennifer Walker says
ACK after getting some feedback, I almost don’t want you (Nathan) to read it! I wanted to query you with this some day! ACK…when I do, be impressed by how open I was to feedback and improved on it, ok??
Snuggles!
Diana says
My Print Preview says 874 pages. Yikes! That’s about 23 CDs if you make it into an audiobook.
A Hopeless Writer says
I think it was on Absolute Write that you said you do these contests to give an idea of what you get on a daily basis. So many of these first pages are great – I don’t know how agents choose which writers to take on.
*sigh*
It just lessens my confidence that I will ever get picked up by an agent, or published.
*sigh*
Tom Burchfield says
I’m in, looks like around #524. Feel free to critique. I thirst and hunger for recognition!
Thanks, Nathan! We probably all owe you a bourbon!