I’d just like to say, first of all, thank you to everyone who has entered so far. If you haven’t already entered, please enter only in the original contest thread. The deadline is actually THIS WEDNESDAY, not whatever date I had erroneously listed in the original blog post. Did I tell you those rules would change?
The second thing I’d like to say is that since I began reading entries this evening 21 more entries have come in, so basically, the rate of new entries is currently exceeding my reading speed.
The third thing I have to say is this:
That is all.
I was worried for you when I first saw May 28th, thank goodness that was a typo. Good luck keeping up with the entries!
They should change the name of Maker’s Mark to “Agent’s Assistant”.
Is that the new prize??
I have an unopened bottle of Maker’s Mark already in the house! If I Fedex the Maker’s Mark to you on Tuesday, it can be at your office Wednesday morning. Would doing so help my chances of becoming a successful, published author? Or even just my chances or winning the contest?
Wow… You really need a partner in crime for this one.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who had that for dinner.
You *did* ask for this, remember? What a trooper; I can’t believe you are willing to do it!
Hurrah for Nathan!
I do love your contest Nathan, but I am just to busy for the next couple of days to enter. The May 28th worked much better for me.
Good luck to one and all who enter, I will enjoy reading the entries.
Nathan, if one bottle is not enough let me know. I would be happy to send one overnight to you.
I’m having a great time! Has anyone else read a lot of the entries? I think this is the hardest contest to judge because it’s so tough without the contest. But it’s also a lot of fun.
I did read a lot of the entries. It will be interesting to see what you fancy.
Maybe while your reading, your next blog entry could have poster share books they’ve read with outstanding dialogue.
I mention this because I just read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter Thompson. The best dialogue I’ve ever read, laughed my whole way through the craziness. Absolute best dialogue I’ve ever read, pure randomness.
Thanks for the contest.
I’ve been trying to keep up with them as much as possible. There’s a lot of talent, and it’s fun to see how many genres are represented.
Great contest. Not sure I’ll enter, but I look forward to the entries. And the bourbon. I have plenty on hand.
Psst. Nathan, do you mean “context”? And, yeah, it’s more challenging without the story behind the conversation.
Ha! Yes, I meant context, although I suppose it would also be difficult to read the contest without the contest.
Well nigh impossible.
When I read the original date I thought, Wow, I hope he has lots of free happy hour coupons!!
Good luck!
I’ve been reading the entries. There’s some good stuff here. The one by Ulysses, where Leo audits the dragon, just cracks me up!
But some of the ones without context are the best! Random lines of dialogue that just have me cracking up and saying, ‘Where can I read more?’
I think getting to read all the entries is almost as fun as getting to enter. But, ohmyword, hope you didn’t have anything planned for the next couple of days…
Er…just so you know that no devious insult is intended.
I picked the name of the villain before I found your blog.
I love reading all the entries.
Thanks, Nathan!
Damn! I go to a writers conference for one measley weekend, and I come back to find a contest. *scurries away to evaluate dialogue for an appropriate entry*
Question: If I would win the contest (ha, ha), would that partial critique have to be the same manuscript in which the winning dialogue appeared, or could it be something different?
It better be a different manuscript, what I have finished and the DL I entered just aren’t the same piece (almost finished! almost!).
Nathan, you have lots of of good karma coming your way for sorting through this. Thank you in advance.
And, good luck.
I was worried when you gave it an extra week as well.
And Nathan, where’s that spicy food when you need it hmmm?
“Riley” is the new beige as far as names goes. Who knew?
Good luck, Nathan!
And I’d like to apologise for the number of exclamation marks in my entry. Sorry.
“…the rate of new entries is currently exceeding my reading speed.”
I’ve never seen the life of an agent described so well.
I really liked not m/m enough storage’s snippet.
the “you hit me” line is very effective and the ice cube and blue ball-point pen detail is perfect!
Linda
“Hey, Hollywood.” Despite the walking cast on her left leg, Claire Kincaid started dancing in place as Kate jogged over to join her. Swept into an exuberant hug more appropriate for a reunion after years of separation instead of a few weeks, Kate grinned. That was Claire. Nothing less than 200%.
“How’s the leg?” she asked when she finally disentangled..
“A pain in the ass. Literally.” Claire thumped a small fist on the cast. “Do you know how hard it is to sit or sleep with this? And no pants will fit over it.” She frowned at Kate. “Those jeans are fab. Where did you get them?”
Kate shrugged, shopping was way down her list of fun excursions. “You can have them. I have more.”
“Oh, sure, like I could squeeze my butt into something of yours.” Claire shook her head. “I’ve probably gained twenty pounds since I broke my ankle. I’m afraid to get on the scales.”
“You look great. Why do you and Mom obsess over every calorie.”
“Because, unlike you, we have DNA cells that attract every food morsel straight to the hips. Better question: How do you stay skinny as a snake? “
“Guess I took after Daddy’s side of the family.” Which, of course, was true. Her red hair, pale skin and freckles were pure O’Donnell. So were the lanky body, southpaw and quick temper. “New shoes?” she asked, changing the subject.
Please remember to post in the main contest thread!
“You’re scaring me, Nathan.”
Hey, Nathan,
Wanted to recommend this book and wasn’t sure you ever checked your older comments 🙂
Great contest, btw.
The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev
I read this before I read Into Thin Air, and I think it’s def worth your time, if you’re interested. Enjoy!
Note from word limit police: 250 is the word limit, but some entries are way over that.
I’m sure Nathan will take it into account.
Right?
Right?
Right.
233 entries! Holy smokes. Quit drinking from glass, chug the bottle!
Quick Question: Does 250 words include the description of the dialogue? I hope not.
Sigh.
I’d LOVE to read all the entries. Gotta get that WiFi service set up and move on from the dial up.
One more: “Thank you, Nathan. Good luck getting through them all.”
Supporting description is included in the 250-word limit. Otherwise someone could submit an entire chapter where people don’t talk much. 😉
Geoff Pullum has a great post on Language Log on what passes for dialogue in The Oxford Murders, at https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=172#more-172.
That’s just nuts!! Over 230 entries. Now I feel so bad for Nathan I’m sorry I entered.
Erm, to be sure…I deleted the other one and posted 250 words exactly. Hope that’s ok.
Yow Nathan – 257 and counting, imagine what would have happened if you let people send as many as they liked!
You are a brave, brave man. Thanks again for this, some of these entries are unbelievably good.
If you’re going to pass out whiskey–or pass out on whiskey–make mine MacAllan’s 12
I agree with Jessica and her longhorn. Very fun to read outside of context. 🙂 I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. I’ve growled in frustration. No not really, mostly just laughed.
To be exact, it’s a Highland cow, bethanne. 😉 Crazy critters….
Hmm. Must time my entry correctly. Is it better to submit it before you’ve had the Maker’s Mark, after you’ve had enough to loosen up a bit, or after you’re totally soused? Or maybe I’m the one who’s supposed to be drinking it. Oh, now I’m all confused. Maybe I should pour myself a glass just in case.
Holy Guacamole… 361 at 8:45 pm EST.
Them’s a lot of words, Nathan. And all by yourself.
You need to upgrade your beverage of choice – and more than one bottle. Mainline the stuff?
Thanks… this is fun reading. Peace, Linda
I was always partial to Johnny Walker Blue myself…
And I loved the snippet from mih (19 May in the evening some time)
I had a doctor’s appointment *just* like that—chickenpox and all.
I thought my doc was gonna have a cornary from laughing!
Linda
I am so new to the blogging I don’t even know where to post! Sorry. Posted my entry here yesterday. Reposted to the ORIGINAL contest blog today. Hope that doesn’t disqualify my entry.
I will work really hard to blog better in the future.
OMG it’s about to break the 500 barrier :O
250 words X 500 entries… 125,000 words–a whole manuscript!