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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
3rd S-o-A SUFPC Update #1
We've already blown well past 1,000 entries, and... I am unfazed! Bring it! Bravado!
Please do continue to spread the word about the contest, because after all: the only thing more fun than winning a contest is winning a contest that has very strong competition. And then bragging about it.
A few updates and requests from your contest organizer:
- E-mail subscribers: you must must must must must enter in the official contest thread. Please do not e-mail me your entries! If you need help leaving a comment, please consult this post.
- Please please check and double-check your paragraph before posting. If you spot an error after posting: please do not re-post. I go through the entries sequentially and the repeated deja vu repeated deja vu from reading the same entry only slightly different makes my head spin. But fortunately:
- I'm not worrying about typos. A certain winning entry had a typo last year and that turned out just fine.
- Several people have noted that quite a few of the entries are not actually paragraphs and are instead strings of dialogue, poetry, multiple paragraphs, and other non-paragraph concoctions. All I can say is: welcome to my world.
- I'm on Twitter! You can find me at @nathanbransford. I will be posting assorted updates as I'm reading the entries. Also probably complaining about the crazy rain we're having in SF. Because that's what Twitter is for.
Thanks again to everyone who entered! I can't wait to read the paragraphs. And read and read and read and read......
156 comments:
- Margaret Yang said...
I think I just heard Miss Snark laughing.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Best success, contenders! Some fantastic paragraphs are coming in.
Hope the power stays on in your bunker, Nathan.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:15 PM
- Jo said...
I think you must be just a little bit insane.And perhaps masochistic. But awfully nice.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:15 PM
- annerallen said...
The rain is pretty fierce. But welcome. We sure do need it.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:16 PM
- Joanne Sher said...
Thank you. WOW. What an undertaking (and what a nice guy to do it!)
- October 13, 2009 at 1:18 PM
- Merry Monteleone said...
Hi Nathan,
Fantastic contest - as always, and some of the entries are amazingly good.
Just wondering, are you drinking yet or saving it all up for the last night?
Good luck.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:20 PM
- Rachel said...
You're not reading these comments, are you? I can't imagine how you'd have the time.
But, just in case, thank you for being so generous to us. This was fun to enter.
Good luck reading! And remembering what you like!
- October 13, 2009 at 1:24 PM
- Yamile said...
I'll certainly enter, one entry among hundreds andhundreds night have a chance. :-)
- October 13, 2009 at 1:25 PM
- Natalie Whipple said...
Oh, the typo. I'm still cringing over that, even if it didn't matter in the end.
I can't wait to see the finalists this year! Serious bragging rights indeed.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:25 PM
- Alessa Ellefson said...
I'm glad you're having so much fun. I was wondering how you would react to the overwhelming response to your contest :)
- October 13, 2009 at 1:27 PM
- Katie said...
This is literally incredible! So fun that so many peeps are entering and you are brave enough to keep it open. hilarious!
I'm curious. Is this normal for you? How many entries were in your other two contests?
Is this the biggest one ever??
- October 13, 2009 at 1:27 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
The last contest had 1300+ entries, but it looks like this one is going to top that.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:29 PM
- ChristaCarol said...
You, my good sir, are a reading fiend. Not sure how you do it...but then again, I'm a mom of two youngun's and go to school, so maybe I AM sure how you do it but am still put to shame.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Once again, o sage Nathan, you send me on a spiritual journey of the parts of speech. This lesson (a deep one):the paragraph.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:46 PM
- Ash. Elizabeth said...
I think you're going to break some sort of comment record in the blogging world from the contest! I've never seen so many entries on a blog before. . .blows my mind!
- October 13, 2009 at 1:47 PM
- Tammy said...
Although I think you're a raving lunatic for doing this, I so heart you! :) Oh, yeah, I did enter, by the way! lol
- October 13, 2009 at 1:47 PM
- Katie said...
Maybe blogger will break due to comment overload. *giggles
- October 13, 2009 at 1:49 PM
- Sara J. Henry said...
Bet you didn't know you had to define paragraph.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:49 PM
- T. Anne said...
I'm glad you're unfazed! I've already stumbled across several exceptional entries. You have an amazingly talented readership.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan - it's totally fun to see how much fun you're having. :)
Thanks for doing this - it's very generous and fun for everyone. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM
- Maya / מיה said...
If an author posts an entry, spots a typo, reposts and then DELETES the previous posting, the author doesn't give you deja vu, right?
Hypothetically speaking.
Those four "deleted posts" before my entry are from my evil twin.
(On behalf of the evil twin, sorry!)
Thanks for running this contest! Nothing helps me critically examine my writing like the three seconds after I click "submit." :)
- October 13, 2009 at 1:53 PM
- Kate said...
Heard that! It's raining CATS AND DOGS up here in Sonoma. Fall is officially here! Pass the Prozac.
Haha....just kidding.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:56 PM
- the Lola Letters said...
Yay! This is so much fun! I have only read the first HUNDRED or so entries thus far and my head is already swimming. I guess you've built up some serious stamina over the years, eh?
Love it.
- October 13, 2009 at 1:57 PM
First paragraphs that are in the first person aren't going to get penalized as being dialogue, right?
Haha, and I guess I shouldn't be posting here. Like you don't already have enough comments to read ;)
- October 13, 2009 at 2:00 PM
- Reesha said...
Hahaha. I love your attitude Nathan.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:04 PM
- Dara said...
I'm amazed you can read all of those without your eyes falling out :P
- October 13, 2009 at 2:06 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Yes, if you're able to delete them before reposting it's okay. But ones left as anon can't be deleted by the author so I opted for a blanket rule to avoid confusion.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- Erasmus said...
Querido Nathan,
Good luck finding the needle on Haystack Planet! Ay, ay, ay!
- October 13, 2009 at 2:09 PM
- Josin L. McQuein said...
Admit it, Nathan. You got a new intern and this is a hazing ritual to see how long the poor guy can last before running out of the room with his hair on fire. :-P
- October 13, 2009 at 2:12 PM
- Other Lisa said...
I would totally be cowering in that bunker by now.
Some great entries though!
- October 13, 2009 at 2:17 PM
- Jacque said...
I enjoyed reading the paragraphs too. Well, some of them. I am no Nathan. But I thought most of them were good (or at least better than mine which may not be saying much). So my question is, are they typical for the slush pile or are NB readers just the cream of the crop?
Thanks for hosting the contest. It's been fun. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 2:19 PM
- Hobert said...
Nathan has a USB port built into the base of his skull. San Fran is always so technologically cutting edge.
Good luck!
- October 13, 2009 at 2:20 PM
- Becca Cooper said...
Hehe. I had to deal with SNOW this morning.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:24 PM
- Terry said...
Super contest, so much fun!
You are a great guy to do this.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:26 PM
- Bane of Anubis said...
I put the over/under at 1500, yesterday, but I'm thinking I should have set it closer to 2k :)
- October 13, 2009 at 2:31 PM
- The Rejectionist said...
We are happy to help with the slush. Er, inbox. You, sir, are a SOLDIER OF AWESOME.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:32 PM
- Charlie said...
I'm laughing at Josin's comment.
It's probably true.
- October 13, 2009 at 2:33 PM
- Susan Quinn said...
Is there a pool going on how many entries you'll get?
I'm guessing 2x on last year, so 2728!
- October 13, 2009 at 2:39 PM
- Anita Saxena said...
It's raining here in Alabama too!
Thank you so much for hosting this oh so fun event. I've really enjoyed reading the entries. Granted, I don't think I'll get to read ALL OF THEM. I'll leave that to you. =)
- October 13, 2009 at 2:56 PM
- Aimee States said...
But I like my non-paragraph concoction! Mostly.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:17 PM
- Marsha Sigman said...
My head started hurting after reading the first 200...then when I refreshed there had been an additional 200 that had posted in the time it took me to read them.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:21 PM
- Ello said...
Dude - you are amazing. INsane, but amazing.
I wish you luck reading. I posted in at 1176. Hopefully you won't be hating life so much that you hate everything that comes after 500.
Good luck!
- October 13, 2009 at 3:21 PM
- Christa said...
Natha, I had to laugh at the "welcome to my world" comment. I also noticed the rather broad range of paragraph definitions and chalked it up to a perfect example of what you and other agents complain about.
I have no idea how on earth you can pick one winner...based on a paragraph! I found several that I felt tied after reading only a few pages of comments. And you have to choose from over a thousand...my head is swimming just thinking about it.
I've also realized I could never be an agent. I don't think I could say 'no' when I should.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
- DG said...
Thanks Nathan for such an interesting post and contest. Win, place or show, I've learned so much from reading all the comments. Really interesting to see what people are passionate about.
I wonder how many times entrants have gone back to re-read their own comment (paragraph entry). I'm way too embarrassed to tell you how many times I've done it.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
- Charlotte said...
You are one brave Nathan!
- October 13, 2009 at 3:28 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
Your enthusiasm is contagious, Nathan! You're wonderful for running this contest with so much enthusiasm!
I found this contest inspiring. Kept waking up all last night with the idea that I needed to write the beginning to a short story about Africa. The words to the first paragraph kept coming into my head. I kept thinking that I needed to get up, see the words on the computer, edit; but I kept drifting off to sleep, worried that I'd forget the story. Woke up this morning, pounded out a new flash fiction piece set in Africa that I may expand into a longer piece. Thanks for running such an inspiring contest!
For anyone who wants to read the first paragraph to my Africa story (Nathan's eyes probably glazed over the minute I said the words "first paragraph"):
The sun is angry now. It punctures the sky: bloodred bullet hole through pale skin. Droplets spatter upon mountains. In the heavens, there is a blind eye.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
- Lydia Sharp said...
I already have a few favorites picked out from this one. One of my faves from the last one ended up as a finalist, but didn't win. I'm curious to see how my choices rank this time around.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
- sex scenes at starbucks said...
You're really something else, you know that?
- October 13, 2009 at 3:38 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
I did that, too. LOL. Didn't realize others might be doing the same thing. It was driving me nuts. I kept thinking: I gotta write another first paragraph, and another. But then told myself we could only enter once anyway and I had already done that, so I settled on writing a few paragraphs in a story about a woman and child fleeing a militia in Africa.
- October 13, 2009 at 3:40 PM
- firstname.lastname@example.com said...
I keep looking at mine, too, DG! And all I can think is: If I HAD to create a dialogue paragraph concoction, did it have to be an awkard dialogue paragarph concotion? I'm dying to change just one word, but I'll live. :D
- October 13, 2009 at 3:52 PM
I have to say there are a couple paragraphs in the contest that I would love to know more about. There's some serious fun floating around this here web page....
- October 13, 2009 at 4:40 PM
- K Hoss said...
Just had to add my .02 cents.
Thanks Nathan, this is great. Whether I win or not really doesn't matter, (well, it does), just submitting an entry was fun.
Hope you don't burn out before you get through them all.
(It's been raining here in North Texas for the past 4 days! We may get to see some sunshine by late Thursday. Talk about saturated!)
- October 13, 2009 at 4:47 PM
- lora96 said...
I have loved reading the paragraph entries.
And, yeah, I noticed some really LOOOONNNGGGG entries that would not meet my elementary school grammar book definition of a traditional paragraph.
But I woulda tried the same thing if I thought I could get away with it! I don't blame them a bit...I'm a teacher and I can testify with authority that lots of very smart and talented people suck at following directions. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Why not start a people's choice comment thread?
- October 13, 2009 at 5:14 PM
- Mary Danielson said...
Wow, I'm with Susan - this could double last year's total, for sure. You're a total superstar for doing this, Nathan. Thanks!
- October 13, 2009 at 5:16 PM
- jjdebenedictis said...
We've already blown well past 1,000 entries, and... I am unfazed!
Just start crying now. We know you want to.
- October 13, 2009 at 5:18 PM
- Leigh Lyons said...
Are you kidding? We need the rain! I was so happy to see the Bay Area was going to be hit with a major storm. We've been needing it.
- October 13, 2009 at 5:24 PM
- Cheryl said...
How does one prepare themselves for so much scrolling? I had to give up by post 582. Now I fear the scroll control on my mouse and my index finger will never be the same again. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 5:25 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
No doubt!!
Rain = love
Rain + wind = soggy
But we need it.
- October 13, 2009 at 5:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oops, that was meant for Leigh!
- October 13, 2009 at 5:27 PM
- Cheryl said...
For one bright shining moment, I felt the love. And now.... not so much. :(
- October 13, 2009 at 5:29 PM
soggy paragraphing
- October 13, 2009 at 5:31 PM
- Alexis Fleming said...
Nathan, thanks for hosting this contest.
You want to borrow my glasses? lol Because I think you're going to need some help before you get through all the entries. Totally awesome! My hat's off to you.
- October 13, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- Mira said...
Marilyn, I love that paragraph.
This is fun. I looked at my old stuff and didn't like any of it. So, I wrote something new - still working on it.
And I'm weird, but I love the rain. Nice and cozy. But I do have a car - that definitely helps. I don't envy those on public transport. If you need a ride anywhere, Nathan, give me a shout out. Really. I'll only pitch you 15-20 times. It's not fair to do more than that if you're trapped in a car.
One last comment - where are all these people in the regular threads? I really wish some of the lurkers would post more regularly.
- October 13, 2009 at 6:01 PM
- Amber Tidd Murphy said...
Is flattery allowed? If so, um, you have really pretty eyes, Nathan! If not, your eyes are just a'ight. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 6:09 PM
While at work today, I started thinking about this contest and thought maybe we had to officially join something, like the google blog thingie to be officially entered.
I don't have one yet, but would be williing if it is required to enter. This is the only blog I lurk around.
I have spent hours reading the paragraphs. They are amazing in many ways, both directions.
Your job is no easy task.
- October 13, 2009 at 6:19 PM
- Scott said...
Looking through the entries, I found a few I really liked. I also found it highly unnecessary to read every word of every one. Most barely got as far as a full sentence. I bet any agent worth his weight in stickies can breeze through 1k in less than hour. Eh, Nathan?
Not that I'm trying to belittle the effort, which is still fun and gracious to a fault. ;^)
- October 13, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Scott, I find it interesting that many books, both best-selling and literary, don't have great beginnings. Many books start out just so-so and build.
- October 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
- DebraLSchubert said...
Man, talk about fierce competition!!! Thanks for doing this, Nathan. It's fun reading the entries. (Even the "strings of dialogue, poetry, multiple paragraphs, and other non-paragraph concoctions!")
- October 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
- Kat Sheridan said...
Great contest, Nathan. You certainly are a glutton for punishment (which is kinda endearing). I've already found a couple of entries that are intriguing, well-written, KNOW WHAT A PARAGRAH IS, etc. But I'm with Scott. A lot, I never made it past the first sentence. A writing group I'm in is already playing "are we as good as an agent", making guesses on which ones final. Others, we just want to gather up, offer help, and teach them that before you can break the rules, you need to learn to FOLLOW THE RULES!!! LOL!
You needed better rules. We did something similar to this in the wrting group, with a stipulation that the paragraph be no more than 99 words. Really forces you to focus and choose your best words.
Good luck to all the entrants!
- October 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
- Arik Durfee said...
Sarah W said...
"How do I feel about my mother?"
Just had to say that I loved this one. Such a great first sentence! Nice, Sarah.
- October 13, 2009 at 7:17 PM
- Linguista said...
I've been reading the paragraphs, and to my untrained eye, there are quite a few good ones. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes! There's a lot of talent out there. Agents have it hard!
- October 13, 2009 at 7:18 PM
- Scott said...
Anon @ 3:39 PM:
I agree. My comment wasn't so much about which paragraphs blew my socks off, nor was it meant to be overly critical in terms of the quality I'm seeing, but this is a contest and even a novice like me can tell where the bar is being set and which fall below it and which push it higher.
What I really like about this contest and why I'm very grateful to Nathan for hosting it is how much one can learn about the craft by sampling hundreds of short entries by different authors. So few are alike, but each finds its level in this very special context.
I'm convinced MBA programs should make everyone act as an agent for a significant portion of the curriculum. It's like using another part of the brain––the kind that gets you published.
- October 13, 2009 at 7:38 PM
- Scott said...
Oh, and well said, Kat Sheridan. :^)
- October 13, 2009 at 7:40 PM
- ryan field said...
Wow. I read through a few and liked them. So many are neat and tight. But they all look good, and the effort that people put into this really shows.
- October 13, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Kat and Scott, many recently published books don't have great opening paragraphs. It's the book as a whole that rocks. How did those books get published? Obviously, more than the first sentence or paragraph was taken into account. A literary agency that allows the first 20 pages to be included with authors' queries recently got a 6-figure deal for a debut author. Wonder if it was the first sentence, paragraph, or later in the first 20 pages that caught their interest? Nathan's contest also rocks, but Scott's observation brings up some interesting points.
- October 13, 2009 at 7:58 PM
- Mary Danielson said...
Kat, I love the idea of playing "are we as good as the agent." I may gather up my other writer friends and do the same. There are so many great paragraphs, so it will be intriguing to see which ones rise to the top.
- October 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
I announced Nathan's contest in one of my awesome writers' groups tonight. With so many entries, I hope that's OK, but Nathan did say, "We've already blown well past 1,000 entries, and... I am unfazed! Bring it! Bravado!" Just tryin' to do my part to make this one of the biggest, baddest, most kick-ass contests ever ... although I think it already reached that point a long time ago. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 8:20 PM
- A Paperback Writer said...
Have we not now created almost an entire BOOK made up entirely of first paragraphs?
All we need now is a catchy title and a publisher.... After all, we HAVE the agent.
Seriously, Nathan, you're not REALLY going to read more than about 200 of the entries now, are you?
- October 13, 2009 at 8:24 PM
- Elaine 'still writing' Smith said...
I read every entry up to about the first six hundred ... then my brain turned to mush.
Speaking of weather, which I guess you were in passing... I shouldn't, on 13th October, have been able to do playground duty in a short sleeved tee-shirt. That's just globally warming!
- October 13, 2009 at 8:45 PM
- J.J. Bennett said...
Nathan, at first I thought you were crazy for this undertaking. Then I see all you have coming and and believe it can be very entertaining...in oh so many ways.
- October 13, 2009 at 9:15 PM
- Michelle said...
You, sir, are either made of awesome or crazy.
Maybe both. :)
- October 13, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I've been playing "be an agent" too. But that's just because that's what I'm going to school to become and I wanted to dip my toes into the waters a bit.
I only read the first 200, but I have to say that I now understand that my (hopefully) future job will be more difficult than I once imagined. I liked so many of them!
Good luck to everyone who entered, and much, much luck to Nathan. It took me a few hours to read what I did, I can only imagine how long it will take you to read over 1400!
- October 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
- Dawn Anon said...
Well, thank you so much for hosting this contest!
I followed a link from the Murder by 4 blog. What a great day to discover your blog!
- October 13, 2009 at 10:26 PM
- kathy said...
Lots of intriguing beginnings. It's interesting. I scanned through about 200 of the entries both at the beginning and end of the thread. Two or three jumped off the page, and I would love to read the rest of the story.
- October 13, 2009 at 10:54 PM
- Victoria said...
HOLY DUCKSHIT! 1500 + entries!!!It won't go unsaid, but let me add my voice to the chorus of people thanking you and admiring you Nathan. What a Herculean task you've taken on.
What I have noticed are a lot of really excellent opening paragraphs. I mean... a lot of them are intimidatingly good. Many were good enough they had me wanting to read more... and at least one added an eerie overlay to my dreams last night.
Some quality work to wade through. I'm betting seeing what you come up with as finalists will be interesting and educational both.
Vic K
- October 13, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Someone mentioned having a post for us to comment on the entries, which I think would be awesome. However, I think it would boil down to the first 200 getting lots of comments, and the rest not getting very many. I read a lot of people saying "I only got through the first 200 comments before I had to stop."
- October 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Wow. I have had my eyes opened and I am awed by you and what you do. Thank you soooo much for this contest. It was with a sort of abandon that I posted a first paragraph. Well, I agree with whoever wrote, you're probably not reading these comments, how could you be? But I want to let you know how much fun this is. These paragraphs are incredible. I lost track of the ones I want to read more about. (grammar?) I have applied all my best skills to my critical reading but in the end it tends to be a gut thing. My eyes are starting to bleed. Thanks again.
- October 13, 2009 at 11:33 PM
- Arik Durfee said...
Nathan, I'm hoping when you announce the finalists that you'll talk about the criteria you used. Like a lot of others here, I've been reading a bunch of these, and I have no idea how I'd narrow it down. I'm curious if, as an agent, you develop a subconscious (or conscious, I guess) criteria for judging writing--specific things that say to you, "This is good writing. I should represent this."
In other words, could you please reduce good writing down to a simple mathematical formula that I can then follow and thereby become rich and succesful as an author?
- October 13, 2009 at 11:52 PM
- Linguista said...
You know, reading the first paragraphs has got me to thinking about the importance of the first paragraph and great first paragraphs/pages. When you buy a book without a reccomendation from a friend, you usually read the first page or so. That should mean a lot to a writer, you have to catch a reader on that very first page. I've been re-reading the classics lately.
Tolstoy's "Happy families are all alike." Dickens " It was the best of times" Catcher in the Rye's "... and all that David Copperfield kind of crap" and To Kill a Mockingbird "When he was nearly 13, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken..."
I don't think I had realised how much you could do with your opening lines... Back to the drawing board!
- October 14, 2009 at 12:21 AM
- Lea McKee said...
this was an amazing idea, but i can't imagine ever putting myself through what you are going through, i feel for you Nathan!
I noticed a few people stated that their paragraphs were YA, i didn't see whether we were supposed to include that in the rules so i didn't, but i am proud to say i am a YA writing for YA. :)
Good luck Nathan, my heart goes out to you!
- October 14, 2009 at 1:08 AM
- Amanda said...
I am going to echo all the other posters and just say -- wow! There is some awesome talent out there!
- October 14, 2009 at 1:44 AM
- Literary Cowgirl said...
Some of these paragraphs have gripped me in a way that I will not be able to forget. So much can be said with so few words.
The paragraph that stuck with me the most (even 15+ years after first reading it) is the final one in "All Quiet on the Western Front". I knew it by heart after my first reading of the book.
Any chance of a last paragraphs contest, if you're eyes haven't melted into their sockets from this one?
Thanks for giving a venue to showcase all of this amazing talent.
- October 14, 2009 at 3:53 AM
- Poisonguy said...
Hey dude, what were you, you know…like, I mean, man, you are totally and I mean totally…. Dude!
- October 14, 2009 at 4:41 AM
- Andrew said...
I don't normally go in for the hand slapping, high-fiving, overt kind of congratulations (I am English - a nod is all you need) but, hey, anyone who undertakes a project this massive and this informative, well, thanks and good luck!
Couple of points that's actually 1 point, but from 2 angles.
Firstly, anon 3:39 is right. The first paragraph is probably the least fifth or sixth reason why a book is sold in a bookshop. Front runners will be:
- Hype
- Recommendation
- Knowledge of genre (kinda hype but generated by the buyer themselves)
- Title
- Back Cover Blurb
- Cover Art
It takes all these things to get the book in someones hands first.
Having said that an agent see's the book in all its naked glory (As does a publisher, with a little Agent hype swirled into the mix) without all the marketting ploys; you have a query letter then the MS is on its own. So while I am still a little skeptical as to the real importance of the first paragraph, I understand that this is waaaaay more important to an agent that any consumer.
But by the same token, a simple straightforward paragraph comp does run similar risks. For example,
....you get a first para that seems a little like hackneyed romance. It's written well enough but you feel it's old hat. You leave it. What you don't realise is that it's actually about 2 dragons falling in love in 1948 in the aftermath of the second world war after the Alliance forces have just prohibitted mating between nazi and aliied dragons....now without the backcover blurb, genre, book title, etc etc all that info gets missed; what at first seems an good but unimaginative beginning takes on a whole new context.
I'm not complaining....after all I entered within 2 nanoseconds (for the record my novel is NOT about the burgeoning love of a German dragon and a British dragon in the face of a unjust, but necessary global ruling) I'm just saying that while there's a first paragraph to catch the eye, there's also many other factors involved.
- October 14, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Isn't this contest just training us to first paragraphitis? Doesn't that do more harm to us as writers than good?
All publishable stories have publishable first paragraphs (from adequate to memorable), but it ain't so the other way around.
- October 14, 2009 at 8:00 AM
I agree with anon 3:39 too, but I always want to see what Nathan will pick and put them up against the ones I would have chosen.
It's fun to see what other people are writing, and there are those paragraphs that just smack you upside the head in that good way.
(I tend to go for the serious ones a little more, not the talky, chummy ones. There's hardly anyone in life that is really chummy, but in books it seems like MC always are, unaturally so.)
Yay Nathan!!!
- October 14, 2009 at 8:02 AM
- Gina said...
Nathan -
just read your twitter that you´ve read 400 and the most common opening is dead body/ blood.
I´ve read 600 so far and have noticed that people running/ fleeing is also very popular.
And what´s with all the stuff set in Belgium???!!!
Word ver: curses!!! I´m not kidding.
- October 14, 2009 at 8:08 AM
- Kat Sheridan said...
Andrew, (and others, here's my take on the importance of that first paragraph. Andrew, you mention stuff like dust jackets, and back cover blurbs, and hype, etc. All that stuff has to do with a *bookseller or customer* buying the work. Long before that, you have to convince an agent to take you on, and that person has to convince a publisher to do the same.
My take is that what we're seeing here is the same as a slushpile for an agent/editor. They'll have your query letter, so they'll know the premise of the story (because you studied the agent and know they want a one or two paragraph description of the MS as part of the query letter--another outstanding reason to know what the heck a paragraph looks like).
OK, so they made it through the query letter (imagine each of these entries ALSO has a query letter, so now you've doubled the amount to be read), so then the agent/editor turns to the actual MS. Honestly, if you can't hook them in three lines, are they really, truly going to wade through until page 20 (or however many pages you sent) before they find something that hooks them?
An agent or editor has a million things to do in a day besides reading the slushpile. Even the assistant assigned to reading the slushpile has other duties. I think that if you can't hook them (hook being the operative word) in the first paragraph,they'll never see the unfolding of that soaring prose that occurs on page 20. If your work really doesn't take off until page 20 (or the 5th paragraph, etc.) cut out everything before that.
- October 14, 2009 at 8:57 AM
- JJ said...
Thank you so much for doing this! You are almost better than chocolate!
- October 14, 2009 at 9:13 AM
- Scott said...
Again, to the anons who expressed concerns about the first paragraph not comprehensively representing the entire work: I agree. It's more the language, the sentence structure, and spark of voice that I'm responding to. Of course, if you can also whet the appetite with an interesting bit of narrative, that's even better.
In other words, your first paragraph may not indicate what's to come in terms of story, and that story may be very strong. But what I found so interesting was how, in this specific vacuum of entries, it didn't take long to discern which stood out.
I wouldn't despair if yours (or mine) isn't picked, of course. Chances are single paragraph novels won't be all the rage anytime soon. :^)
- October 14, 2009 at 9:17 AM
- Jason said...
I think Arik Dufree asks a great question...what are the criteria for selecting finalists? I'd bet Nathan has a simple formula, but I'd like to hear what it is too.
For me, a good first paragraph would do BOTH of the following:
1.) Tell me something about the novel as a whole. I'd want to know a lot of about the storyline after reading the first paragraph.
2.) Leave me wanting more.
Good writing is just a given and so I don't include it in the criteria.
A paragraph can be well written, but if I have no idea what's going on, you've probably lost me. But if I know what's going on AND I care about it, that would take the paragraph to a whole new level in my mind.
- October 14, 2009 at 9:44 AM
- Eden Glenn said...
Nathan, thanks for the peek into your world. I've read through quite a few of the contest entry posts. The one liners, short paragraphs, prose and (sigh) short stories.
Your world is a funny, scary, exciting place.
OMG It's like herding cats in your world! Does anyone follow directions?
Then I saw the big picture. Panning for gold. If you swirl the sluice through the water just right. . . the nuggets will appear. Then, you just have to pick them up, one by one.
Brilliant contest!
- October 14, 2009 at 9:47 AM
- Jason said...
Scott, I just read you latest entry...I think we're on the same page.
- October 14, 2009 at 9:47 AM
- pjblair said...
How about if you have allow people to comment on a shortlist of say, 20, once you whittle the submissions down?
- October 14, 2009 at 9:52 AM
I'm amused by the paragraphs that start with such flair, such detail and atmosphere that you think, wow, this is beautiful. Then you get to the end and you still don't know who the main character is (man, woman, boy, girl, dog?), what the setting is, or what in the bloody hell is happening.
I used to write "beautiful" like that. One day I realized it made no sense. Then I stopped. If only I had Nathan's First Paragraph contest back then, I'd have saved myself a world of hurt. Yay for progress! And THAT is what is great about this contest. Forget winning or losing, you get to pay attention and LEARN something!
- October 14, 2009 at 9:54 AM
- Mira said...
You know, I haven't even posted mine yet, but I do wish people wouldn't post critiques here.
There is a contest going on.
I would wish people would save the critiques for after the judging.
- October 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Mira -- (was your comment directed at me? i don't know) But my opinion was just an overall observation, not a critique of any one entry. You have to admit that the big bonus of reading lots of first paragraphs is that you are able to break some of them down into what you do or don't like. Then, you can use that as a barometer to retool your own paragraph or way of writing. Of course people should enter whatever type of first paragraph they want. I look forward to your entry.
- October 14, 2009 at 10:14 AM
- Brad said...
I just want to say how much i have enjoyed reading everyone's stories.
I never thought that people could be so varied and so brilliant.
Passionate too! Makes me want to be a writer.
Agent blogs don't usually do that to me.
- October 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
- Susan Quinn said...
I do hope when you post your finalists (and of course the winner) that you will give some insight as to what your thinking was when you read them. I agree with several of the comments below about the difference between drawing in agents, and attracting readers.
Because I like classifying things, I've seen three types of opening paragraphs (not in the entries, but in the books that I like to read):
1) The Slow open - where we are setting mood, world building or otherwise placing the reader in the context of the story, but no overt mention of the real plot.
2) The BAM! open - where we're thrown into the plot conflict immediately - dead body on the floor, turmoil raging all around, etc.
3) The Existential open - where we are told, often in the protaganists voice, the essential theme of the story, or perhaps the conflict. My favorite one of these comes from Haddix's Shadow Children series: "Sometimes he whispered his real name in the dark, in the middle of the night."
Last year's winner, the delightful Ms. Whipple and Relax, I'm a Ninja , seems like an Existential open.
So, I'm wondering if agents (or let's just say YOU) have a preference for (or against) a type of open?
- October 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM
- Brad said...
I know everyone says that reading the slush pile is sooo crazy bad.
But i secretly really would love to be a slush pile reader.
Love it
Love it
Love it
like in a Indiana Jones kinda way.
- October 14, 2009 at 10:22 AM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 14, 2009 at 10:28 AM
- Paul Neuhardt said...
I know the odds are against me for a win, and for two good reasons which both earn you my thanks.
First, there are so many entries that the numbers are against me. Lucky for me, I get to see so many other writer's work that I am learning a great deal as I read.
Second, it is clear that there are many paragraphs better than mine. Again, lucky me gets to learn from those paragraphs to make mine even better.
Thanks not only for the contest but for the educational opportunity. It's going to make me a better writer.
- October 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM
- Mira said...
Let me take something out there...
otheranon - well, it was alittle directed toward you, since I have a chatty MC (always, that's my voice) and plan to post that paragraph - well, when I've finished it.
So, I had a moment of "gasp", oh no, now Nathan won't like my paragraph because it's chatty.
But it's not just you - I think it's almost irresitible to start commenting, and I know that Nathan can make up his own mind, but - you know, there is a contest going on. Can't we just wait until Friday for critique?
Maybe I'm wrong about that, but that's how I feel....
- October 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Hate to be such a naysayer, but this strikes me as a rather pointless exercise.
So long as the para numero uno isn't terrible (and few that I have sampled here are) then who cares how stupendous it is? I can't recall being blown away by any first paras of any great books I've read. All it needs to be is good, simple as that.
Saying that this one particular one is "The Best" out of 2000 or so entries is completely, I dunno, I hate to say, but well, wrong. No such thing exists. Some may be objectively poor, others maybe better than others, others may stand out, but to say one or some few are "the best" is just pointless and silly.
Its just one person's opinion anyway, which seems to hint at the real purpose, which is to drive traffic to this blog and elevate this one's ego to a pedestal whilst basking in all the superlative gushing nonsense about how "insanely awesome" etc this one person is.
Because he can read and has an opinion?
- October 14, 2009 at 10:39 AM
- sex scenes at starbucks said...
We should have a pool on how many entries there'll be.
I'm going for 2500.
Let's say about 100 words per.
Nathan gets to read two sizeble books worth of entries! It's doable, if you're SuperAgent!! :)
- October 14, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Anon 7:39 --
But he IS insanely awesome! Ha!
I've been repped by an agent that wouldn't even answer my own emails, about my own ms that she was supposedly trying to sell. What other agent out there pays attention to his own clients AND does fun stuff like this for others that he doesn't rep?
And I still think people are missing the point. Your odds of winning are 1900 to 1. The point is you get to read a bunch of paragraphs, pick your favorites, enter one if you want, and have fun.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:09 AM
- Scott said...
Anon at 7:39, you make some interesting points. I suppose in the end, just like in publishing, all things being equal (and we need to get them that way to start) decisions are made with more than a little subjectivity. But a well-written opening paragraph––one with something special––can still be singled out. Several to review will no doubt lift us in the same way a few good tunes on the radio do.
I disagree about being unable to learn something. I learn a great deal by another's written expressions by comparing them to mine, i.e. Would I have chosen this word, or arranged this sentence in this way. These little editorial decisions go through my mind at rapid speed. What I like, I like. What Nathan likes, he likes. How close our lists are will teach me something, as well. You can always learn something. Always.
Jason, I hear ya.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:11 AM
- AR Travis said...
I'm trying not to read these at work. I'm trying not to read these at work. I'm trying not to read these at work...aw darnnit...
- October 14, 2009 at 11:13 AM
- Josh said...
Very confused. I've posted a paragraph in the contest comments twice now (and looked to confirm it was there), and each time I've gone back to check, my entry is nowhere to be found. Is it being deleted for some reason? Or is there some technical error on my end?
- October 14, 2009 at 11:14 AM
- Ink said...
Anon 7:39,
It is a contest. For fun. And even, occasionally, enjoyment. And maybe people can learn something from seeing all those first paragraphs. I'm pretty sure Nathan (and the rest of us) know this is subjective and that the choices do not actually determine some sort of universal talent ranking handed down from on high.
You know, just fun. People enter, have a good time, someone wins a free book and critique, everyone chats about what they liked and why and then they go home and mull over what they might have learned and how they might apply it to their own writing.
Just my take.
Bryan Russell
- October 14, 2009 at 11:17 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Lots of interesting discussion here! I'm withholding most of my thoughts as the contest is still going on, but let me just say that the purpose of this contest is certainly not to elevate the first paragraph, nor should it be taken as a sign that I ever make a decision about a manuscript off of just one paragraph. There are plenty of great books that have decidedly ho-hum first paragraphs and that doesn't make those books less great.
So yes - it's a first paragraph contest, but let's not treat first paragraphs as more important than they really are.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:21 AM
- Mira said...
Well, since Nathan just opened the discussion for critique, otheranon, I think you can totally ignore me.
Never mind. :)
- October 14, 2009 at 11:22 AM
- s.w. vaughn said...
"Dear God," the literary agent mumbled, "it's a good thing they can't see my face while I'm typing this."
Ha! 1700 entries - is that the best you can do? Bring it, ya bunch of writers!
He shut his eyes tight. When he opened them again, none of the eleventy billion first paragraphs had managed to vanish into the ether.
What had he gotten himself into?
Eat your heart out, Miss Snark. I must be breaking some kind of record here. Boo-yah! Is there an award for this?
At least he'd never announced a deadline for determining a winner. He published today's blog post, shut the computer down and went to see if there was anything left to drink. All that night, a single thought taunted him from the dark corners of his mind.
Eenie meanie miney moe . . .
[Nathan, you are a brave man. Best of luck to you here. :-)]
- October 14, 2009 at 11:23 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
There have been millions of books published over the years and people still compile "top 100" lists. Is that pointless too?
Relax, have some fun, enjoy the contest. It's not like I'm killing puppies or something. It's just a contest, and whoever said contests aren't subjective? Did the Booker judges have a formula that I don't know about?
- October 14, 2009 at 11:24 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oops, that should have said anon@7:39
- October 14, 2009 at 11:24 AM
- Mary Danielson said...
Josh - I remembered seeing one by you in the comments this morning, so I checked again and it's there! (Somewhere on the the 1400-1600 page.) When you submitted them, did you then click over in the comments to the newest ones? If not, just the first 200 show up.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I don't disagree with all aspects of the exercise, Nathan, certainly.
I guess I have always seen the western psyche's penchant for "ranking" everything as illogical whether it be top 10 books of all time, or the sexiest man in America, or the greatest rock song of all time, etc etc etc. It has always struck me as pointless. There are "greats", yes, but no singular "greatest" across all realms since the individual things can only be judged within their own context, not across decades, or in this case, across 2000 different works.
Its a western phenomenon, and more so an American one. It has to do with a cultural emphasis on the individual,competitiveness, and a need for a sense of hierarchy to make things more comfortably ordered in our simple finite minds. The American psyche just can't tolerate there not being a singular greatest anything.
There is certainly no problem with competitiveness except where we impose competition where there is none. Such an imposition is when the level of subjectivity is so great that the outcome becomes so individualized that its arbitrary, hence - pointless.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:41 AM
- Ink said...
It's not pointless... you win free stuff!
I'm totally for free stuff. I mean, you should see my bank acount. I'm all about the free.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:46 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Not sure I follow. Contests and sports are universal. Is it just Americans who figure out who the winner is? Does everyone else in the world just call it a tie?
- October 14, 2009 at 11:48 AM
- Ink said...
Though, for what it's worth, I do sort of agree that western culture is a little obsessed with winning and ranking... I just don't see it applying much to a fun contest which everyone knows is subjective.
Whatever finalists Nathan picks, everyone else will have their own favourites, their own list to champion. People will agree and disagree. That's part of the fun! Writing is subjective, and that's what makes the discussion interesting. If there were simply some formula, some objective measurement, then we would calculate and go "Oh, okay." And that would be it.
Just, um, more of my thoughts. Take 'em for what they're worth. I know, I know, the exchange rate is down, I'm sorry.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Nathan, Reread: "There is certainly no problem with competitiveness except where we impose competition where there is none."
I'm not speaking of football games here obviously.
Football game = competition with stringent objective criteria with an irrefutable (99.99% of time) outcome = no problemo
"sexiest man in America" = a competition based on total subjective criteria with a completely arbitrary outcome = pointless competition where there is none.
This first para thing falls in between, but 90% closer to the "sexiest man" side of the spectrum
- October 14, 2009 at 12:04 PM
- Ink said...
I struggle with that breakdown. I think this contest is very specific. He's offering a prize many of these people would love to have - Nathan's insight about their work. They're willing to compete for it. Nathan's willing to decide on a winner. Yes, his opinion is subjective, but an educated subjective. And that subjectiveness is clearly defined in the contest rules and all contestants are aware of it.
He's not universally determining the quality rankings for all people. And many of the people who enter or read will find something very useful from the experience.
Plus it's fun, which is a worthwhile end in its own right.
So I struggle with the whole pointless thing. 1800 writers have thought it worthwhile to participate. I think that says something.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:16 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
If you think sports don't involve subjectivity I would like to point you Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers where the officials were watching a completely different game than the rest of the world.
Or any soccer game.
Just about every type of contest and sport is a mix of objectivity and subjectivity.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:23 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oh - and I do understand what you're saying and agree there's a spectrum, I just think sports are much more than 0.1% subjective, and this contest is more than 0.1% objective.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Nathan, once again, reread what I wrote, because I actually I this comp. is 90% totally subjective, not 0.1% objective.
(You are likely suffering from reading overload, which increases subjectivity ironically.)
And my football number is accurate as well. If you have 100 football games, the outcome of 99+ will not be disputed.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:33 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I meant to change that to 10%, but I'm multitasking, and yeah, overload!
- October 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oh, and as for football, this is the last I'll say about it but the outcome is in doubt a lot more than .1% of the time. That would mean that only one out of one thousand football games are disputed by a bad call, and it happens far more regularly than that. Just ask Ed Hochuli. Not to mention all of the in-game calls that don't necessarily directly decide to the final outcome but are momentum killers and otherwise change the course of the game.
There's a reason that complaining about the refs is a national pastime.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM
We're splitting hairs here a bit, who knows what the exact number is, but looking at ALL football games played, its 1 out of 1000, maybe 2, 3, or even 5, but still less than 1%.
In totality, that makes the likelihood of any given game overwhelming objective, not subjective.
- October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
- Maggie said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:27 PM
- Maggie said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Nothing has been deleted. Please enter in the contest thread. Only the first 200 comments will appear when you click on the contest post, you may need to click "newest" to view your entry.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:29 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Maggie, your post is here.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:31 PM
- Maggie said...
Thanks, and sorry for my mistake, Nathan. Duh.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Anon 946 -
You're trying to win this debate and I bet you think you have, although that win is subjective. Continue by all means to try and win something that is not possible to win - but again, by all means, go for it. I like a good vigorous debate.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:50 PM
- jenniferwilke said...
Edwin flew toward the sun, his heart racing, his yell echoing against the shale cliffs of Mirror Lake. Starlings took wing. Maybe this time he would fly forever. His thrill of fear was the price of freedom, but at the rope's highest arc, the Earth made him let go. He plunged into drenching darkness. The only sound was the pounding of a heart. His arms and legs churned the deepening water until he was released and began to ascend. His lungs demanded life. He raced back toward the world that held its breath waiting for him.
- October 14, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Jenniferwilkie -
I think you need to enter your paragraph on the other thread; Nathan might not catch this here.
- October 14, 2009 at 2:11 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
anon is correct.
- October 14, 2009 at 2:12 PM
- Susan Quinn said...
Ink -
I love your attitude! Just one more thing to like about our neighbors to the North . . . they know just how serious to take things . . .
- October 14, 2009 at 2:17 PM
- Ink said...
Humour is far more warming than seriousness. I mean, what happened to October? It got hit on the head and woke up as November. Very discouraging. Blunt force trauma is no fun.
- October 14, 2009 at 2:36 PM
- Mira said...
Yeah, you're right, Ink. I'm feeling tense myself - which I usually don't during Nathan's contests. Usually, I just get into the fun, and root people on, and am not that invested in the results.......
I'm not sure why this feels more....weighty. Maybe it's just that it's been awhile since Nathan had a contest...or maybe I decided the stakes were high - like all the other people who won this got published or are his clients, etc., etc.
Well, this isn't the only way to be published. It's not do or die here. :)
So, thanks for the reminder - :)
- October 14, 2009 at 3:08 PM
- florkincaid said...
"If you spot an error after posting: please do not re-post. I go through the entries sequentially and the repeated deja vu repeated deja vu from reading the same entry only slightly different makes my head spin."
Sorry, Nathan! I was probably one of those people. I didn't realize you'd already begun reading the entries when I deleted and reposted.
The numbers daunt me. You are braver than I.
- October 14, 2009 at 7:08 PM
- Carolyn B said...
Thank you for doing this! I've been trying to drop in and read a few throughout the day. Makes me humble (or insecure?) to see how much competition there is out there.
- October 14, 2009 at 8:41 PM
- Matera the Mad said...
Minez iz a reel parrygraf.
- October 14, 2009 at 11:38 PM
- wendy said...
Oh, and I meant to say thanks for organising this, Nathan, and for making it so much fun.
And, also, some really whizz bang paragraphs have been entered. Competition is feisty.
- October 15, 2009 at 7:37 AM
- France or bust said...
Vote for Maya.
- October 18, 2009 at 12:53 AM


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subset: commoncrawl


text: Rest In Peace Dad I love and miss you I've never mentioned my Father during my time on this board, but he's the reason I have such a passion for the Cowboys. Anthony Scott Otero, 46, a resident of Alamogordo, died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at his home. Anthony (Tony) was born Feb. 1, 1965, in Tularosa. He graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1983 and served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1987. Tony worked for many years in the security industry, and was recently employed as a transport driver. Tony was an outgoing and fun loving person who never met a stranger. He did not hesitate to stand up for what he believed in, no matter the circumstance. Tony will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends. Survivors include three sons, Anthony Jr., of Alamogordo, Aaron and his wife, Leah, of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and Steven, of Alamogordo; two granddaughters, Ariel and Sophia; three brothers, Manuel Otero and his wife, Tina, of Alamogordo, John Otero, of Las Cruces, and Lonnie Richison and his wife, Linda, of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Brenda Otero and her companion, George Santa Cruz, of Alamogordo, and Karan Johnson and her husband, Dale, of Atlanta; and his former wife, Sonia Otero, of Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio A. and Edna M. Otero. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the Alamogordo Funeral Home with Pastor James Forney officiating. Visit/Sign Guest Book


text:
'A hooking penalty to Boyd Devereaux put Buffalo on the man advantage and Derek Roy capitalized, finding the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. A few minutes later, another Toronto penalty, another Buffalo goal. With Leafs center John Mitchell watching from the box, Paul Gaustad tied the game 2-2 with only five seconds remaining in regluation time. It didn't take the Sabres long to end it in the extra frame. Ales Kotalik ripped the game-winner past Pogge just 1:03 in.'
The Sabres Report - September 28, 2008


text:
ByBrian R. Fitzgerald
Apple emailed invites to a Sept. 9 event, confirming a date many had already circled on their calendars.
There was no explicit mention of the purpose of the gathering. "Wish we could say more," Apple says in the invite, which is white and grey and shows a portion of the well-known Apple logo. The event, which comes about three months after Apple's popular developers conference, is expected to be the launchpad for the company's annual iPhone upgrade. Apple is expected to show two new smartphones with larger screen sizes — there are no names on these phones yet, even though they are routinely referred to as the iPhone 6.
Apple is also expected to show a wearable device that many have been calling an iWatch.
There was no mention of whether the video of the presentation would be streamed live. In the past, Apple has allowed people to watch the keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference — itself a product showcase in front of thousands of employees and fans. But Apple has kept a tighter lid on the September events. Like last year, the event is taking place in Cupertino, Calif. — though at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, and not at Apple's headquarters nearby. Apple has also held events in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. (Update: Apple is planning to show a live video stream of the event here.)
Chief Executive Tim Cook has said Apple would break into a new product category this year – its first since the iPad was introduced in 2010. For years, Wall Street analysts and fans had speculated that Apple's next category would be a smart television. But that talk changed ever since smartwatches and the Internet-connected home became reality.
Unveiling a smartwatch Sept. 9 will give Apple a chance to spend more time talking about new features like HomeKit and HealthKit that are planned for the next refresh of its mobile operating system, iOS 8. (Apple will probably announce a release date for iOS 8 at the event, too.)
Senior executive Eddy Cue has touted Apple's pipeline as its best in decades. That pipeline is expected to include not only a wearable device and larger-screen iPhones, but a bigger-screen iPad and MacBooks with sharper displays.


text:
Ps3Fanboy-The lid on Heavy Rain will be blown off this week at Leipzig Games Convention. To get you ready, check out this newly released interview from Gamereactor TV, taken after Sony's secret behind-closed-doors showing at E3 earlier this year. The interview doesn't reveal much: it shows the same screenshots that were leaked a few weeks ago, and all video footage is of the game's very early tech demonstration. It's interesting to see how confident Quantic Dream is about their upcoming project, saying games like Uncharted only managed to get "some" things right. Other than that, they promise that Heavy Rain has "no competitors."
We here at Sony are confident as well. Just you guys wait.
...King Kong sized bold a$$ statement! Proof as they say is in the pudding.
how can it have competitors if nobody knows what the gameplay is about. If we were to judge the game from what we saw so far we would assume its an emo simulator.
Wow, if Sony Rep's genuine, I should inform him that the LAST thing he should be telling people to do is WAIT...it's [the PS3] nicknamed the 'Delaystation' for a reason.
Really, that's rather an ill-judged choice of words
hey soccomnick
try watching the interview, they state that it is going to be the same formula as Faranheight, only this time they've got experience, criticism's and have a lot more knowledge over how to create their vision.
They asked the dev if he thinks there are any competitors. As far as every game he knows about, he thinks not. I'm sure he has some insight into his own game. What we know wasn't the question, but I'll leave you to your fanboy-logic.
see that there's not many games of it's kind........If so?? Say so.
No matter what it looks different from what anybody else is doing in the Gaming Industry.
uncharted was one of the most advanced games in term of graphics and animations.
no other console game can come close to Uncharted in HDR lighting,Highres textures even in far objects..etc (NO OTHER GAME on 360 and PS3)
I believe in Quantic Dream , and Im sure they have sth Ultra amazing under their sleeves :) ..
MGS4>Uncharted.Im sorry..but as good and amazing as Uncharted is.MGS4 is just better.(In my opinion)..(tho im a huge MG/MGS fanboy..)
Uncharted is a great game all around (graphics and gameplay), but MGS4 takes the cake by far.
oh...I'm a MGS fanatic!!!!
It's textures aren't as robust as Uncharted. Uncharted's textures are unparallel even gears 2 can not compare with that kind of Hi end texture seen in Uncharted. and believe me i own both Uncharted and MGS4, uncharted in the hands down winner in textures, simply the best i've seen on PS3, how ever on teh PS3, MGS4 is the close second.
Can some one point me in the direction of someplace that may sell this game? I've heard a lot about it but have not even seen it or played it.
edit: ok, is it Fahrenheit or Indigo Prophecy? Are they one in the same?
@Blackmoses: If you are from the US, the game's title won't be "Fahrenheit", but rather "Indigo Prophecy"... You should be able to find it used at a local GameStop...
EDIT ADDED: Yup... They're one in the same..
MGS4 beats Uncharted in overall graphics and character models,but Uncharted has the best animations I've ever seen: more than 3000 animations with many combined at the same time! It has also the most impressive textures on any platform: 9 layers of textures over one seen texture! If you don't believe check this (at min 2):
the american version has no sex though. I think that's the only difference.
also MGS4 gets stomped by uncharted in graphics. Neither has especially impressive textures, but uncharted more than makes up for it in models effect, and lighting.
uncharted is an amazing game and mgs 4 is even more amazing
love both
what the.. Uncharted is far superior to MGS4 in terms of the textures and the lighting. Seriously, go look at some of the levels like chapter 5,6 and many others. it's simply fantastic. and the lighting NEVER breaks, on MGS4 the lighting breaks at so many points and sometimes is just a bunch of lines ( like shadows from wires ) Lets not forget the lighting from the torches and such.
lighting is not close to comparable on Uncharted and MGS4
I've always argued with myself over this one..
MGS4 wins as far as Quantity of visuals, It loses with in game animation though. The cut scenes, nothing can touch.
Uncharted has second to none textures/shaders that aren't necessarily realistic, but they are beautiful. The animation is also second to none, the water is inspiring.
You really would have to break up different sections and grade each to find a winner.
But either way, they are both games that are impossible on the 360.
I dunno the lighting when its on point in MGS4 is amazing. Those south america levels are amazing with the redish dirt... God I want to play it now.
Too close to call for me. Both are two of my favorite all time games. But given the amount of things going on in the environments, we can forgive MGS4. A lot more overall action, characters, explosions, and particle physics not to mention guinea pigs and humming birds.
Heavanly Sword still has the best facial animation, easily. Even Uncharted isn't as good. Some of the jokes in the cutscenes are pulled off simply with a raised eyebrow or snarled lip. Sublty that hasn't been matched yet. Heavy Rains graphics are awesome, I hope that move as well as HS.
Is a beautiful game.
What makes it stand out is the way it MOVES.
The animations are unmatched.
Why is everyone talking about textures and lighting???
Yes Uncharted is an amazing game.I own it,and love it.
But im talking about gameplay.MGS4 wins hands down.
The end of act three..was the most action packed emotional chapter that has ever been made.Rivaled only by the next 2 chapters after it..
The stealth camo,OctoCamo,Bandana,huge variety in guns and great combat system.Just such an amazing game..
Uncharted is indeed AAA,but to me MGS4 is AAAAAA+
Yes, I agree, Uncharted is five-star game and MGS4 is a seven-star game!
That's a pretty bold statement. They have impressed me so far with how far they have taken there engine, now I would like to see wth the game is about.
I'm pretty sure that when they're talking about having "no competitors" they're talking about making a game that provides a more "emotional experience", good story telling, and a strong characterization rather than graphics.
EDIT ADDED: Yeah, they were talking about story telling when relating to Uncharted and having "no competitors". (Starts at around 5:50 minutes in...)
So in other words, having more meaning to the game than just the shooting, driving, jumping, and fighting, which many games out there already provide.
What I loved about Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit was the story telling and the emotional aspect (with exception of the last part)... And hopefully Quantic Dream's next game will provide an even better experience.
He was just saying Uncharted scraped the surface of where they are going specifically with this game. This game will be more movie centric from the way he is talking about it. Character building, full range of emotions, and lots of Mo-capped what ifs to make sure the correct emotions are being displayed upon the choices that you make.
At least that is how I perceived it. It sounds interesting and I will wait to hear more about it at Leipzig. I'm definitely looking for new games that aren't the same ole same ole. :P
-Comment reported as SPAM-
...After Playing 'Too Horrendous' on the xBox 360!!! ;-D
(Sorry i meant 'Too Human') ;-D
I have Laughed SOOOO much today it Hurt!!! ;-D
Can't wait to See 'Heavy Rain'!!! ;-P
Another intelligent comment coming from a PS3 fanboy.
jenzo thats seriously all you say man either say something worth while or gtfo
To own a PS3
Edit: Uncharted was one greatawesomfantasamazing experience......But MGS4 is something special beyond short bus special...
was saying that Heavy Rain is the only game of its type out there that he knows of.
its not like M$ have ever gave Sony much competition is it?
welcome to the next-gen Xbots!
Unlike Dyack the devs of Quantic Dream actually know how to make a masterpiece.
While I have no doubt that Quantic Dream will deliver. I loved Indigo Prophecy. The whole fiasco with Denis Dyack should teach developers to keep such comments close to the vest. I would hate to think that Heavy Rain would have a stigma before it was released simply because of the developers boisterous attitude towards their product.
Flop Flop Flop Flop Flop Flop Flop! Hahaha do they really tghink the PS3 can handle this? It'll probably end up a 360 exclusive!!! HAHAHA
poor guy, his machine RRODed on him, now hes being delusional. Please people, dont end up like this man by buying an xbox. dial 1-800-3fix-meYo
RROD damage causes:
Brain Damage
Heart Attack
Heat Stroke
Vomitting MS lies
Cure for symptoms, get a PS3
So its true. Every 360 owner was indeed dropped on their heads when they were born.
dude, you really are on some sort of drugs....
sorry about ur "too Human" game. the reviews are just getting worse.
AAAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! A '360' EXCLUSIVE!!.....YEAH RIGHT!! LMAO, Quanatic Dreams ditched the 360's 'STONE-AGE' hard ware years ago, it couldnt even handle the tech demo LOL!
Wow...I hope I hear more of what this game is about.
Hot damn, Sony is not screwing around this time. o.o
Of course this game has no competition, just like with most other PS3 exclusive.
Tomb Raider Underworld beats uncharted hands down
played with Lara Croft down in his uncharted "underworld" with BOTH HANDS DOWN... if you know what I mean.
I love the part where he says; Sony has no intention of rushing it. All publishers should have this attitude. It would create a lot more triple A titles.
Good things come to those who wait
But seriously; I want a new Jak.
Nearly every other franchise has jumped onto PS3 from PS2 now.
I've waited enough...Uncharted just kick started my love of Naughty Dog's games again, well, not that it died. I just had no new ND games to play UNTIL last year.
Heavy Rain does look mightily fine though; I'd just like to understand just how it'll play.
It's good to see that Quantic Dream is confident, but Uncharted was a whole different kind of game. Uncharted was more of a action adventure game, but a game like Heavy Rain is really built for storytelling and characterization.
If he thinks that Heavy Rain will have no competition, then I guess he doesn't consider Alan Wake a threat either.... I wonder what he has to say about it. I wonder if Microsoft is afraid to show Alan Wake because it's not quite up to par with Heavy Rain yet or because the game really isn't ready to be shown? Who knows.
I'm definantly ready to get my hands on a game like Heavy Rain though... 2009 couldn't come any sooner.
Another game getting overhyped by sony droids which will end up as another sad flop
This man is experiencing the symptoms right now, Vomiting MS lies. Hurry and dial the 1-800 number before its too late for you.
i think your in the wrong article this isnt about too human.
Hmm New name??? Did the Mod's finally Ban your other one???
LMAO >>> http://www.metacritic.com/g... you LOSE PPpp AKA pp AKA custard Pie face
Damn, do I love Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. I wish Uncharted 2 is at Liepzig. I can't wait to see Heavy Rain. It will be hard to get me more excited than I am for Uncharted 2. :)
I love my PS3... :)
Edit: and to the peasant who disagreed...go play Denis Dyack's masterpiece...lol
free online
big budget games
more exclusives & new games than you can think of
only on ps3!
get yours.
Yet another dev singing Sony praises. He loves the fact that Sony is their publisher because they are the console holder and they are interested in creating the best games they can possible can and Sony don't rush them.
Sony is about pushing the envelope and creating fresh and new gaming experience. Sometimes they fail because they take alot of risk but most of the time they succeed. Sony understands that if you create quality you will recieve alot of respect and financial gain. Look at games like Flower, LBP, Heavy Rain, MGS4. MS don't have games like these. The only thing MS is interested in is working with know formulas like FPS. Take the Biggest MS game this year. Gears 2. What will that game bring to the gaming community this year that is new?. The only thing Cliffy has been talking about is better story and more badass weapons and enemies.
Sony will always gain the respect of most game devs because they are really about quality.
When I heard that Heavy rain had bustling shopping malls and other busy open areas, I was froffing at the mouth! Almost reminded me of Shemnue - and I loved that game.
Shemnue style game with awesome graphics? Yes please!
this is one of the few developers, where when they make a statement like this, I can believe them.
This will make you Xbots cry:
i am confident in QD. i think the game will be awesome.
as far as graphics go, i think their game will look better than uncharted. But i also think that uncharted 2/jak 4 will top even that. Dont underestimate naughty dog, i couldn't believe they had jak 3 with those graphics running perfectly on the ps2...


text:
'Buffalo is squeezing the salary cap and a significant deal might have to feature high-priced No. 2 goalie Martin Biron. It would be a big gamble for Regier. Even if he could obtain another backup goalie, he'd pray for Ryan Miller to stay healthy during the stretch run and playoffs. Who knows how many more times the Sabres will be on the cusp of winning their first Stanley Cup? It could be time to go for broke.'
The Sabres Report - February 17, 2007


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|Latest & Greatest
Spectra Watermaker
By Capt. Patrick Sciacca — September 2002
However, if you don't have the room or just want the freedom that comes with producing your own water onboard, Spectra Watermakers' Newport 400 Aqua Flex System can produce 17 gallons of pure water per hour or 400 gallons per day. Because the 400 Aqua Flex is preplumbed, it can be installed in a variety of ways to accommodate your boat's space considerations. For example, the pump/valve module can be afixed to a bulkhead or shelf-mounted horizontally or vertically without affecting the unit's performance. In addition, Spectra says that its new, patented Clark high-pressure pump allows the unit to run quieter than previous models.
The 400 Aqua Flex comes with an LCD readout and the MPC-300 electronic controller lets you control functions remotely, reducing trips below decks to adjust settings, and it displays data such as prefilter condition, feed pressure, water-flow rate, water quality, and the volume of water in the tank. The 400 can also be programmed to start and stop at specific intervals, just like your coffee maker at home. Pricing was unavailable at presstime.
Spectra Watermakers Phone: (415) 526-2780. Fax: (415) 526-2787. www.spectrawatermakers.com.
This article originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.


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Thank you for considering your student's request to study abroad
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Rochester Amerks averse to run-and-gun play style (Rochester D&C)
Archives for December 2012
Monday's Rochester Coverage
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks' blue-liners learning as they go (Buffalo News)
Rochester Amerks fall behind early in loss to Senators (Rochester D&C)
Richardson pleased with Binghamton Senators' solid start (Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin)
Amerks see three-game home win streak halted in 2-1 loss to B-Sens (Amerks.com)
B-Sens top Amerks, 2-1 (BinghamtonSenators.com)
Hodgson puts on crowd-pleasing show in Amerks win
'"I kept in good shape," said Hodgson, who skated with a long list of people that ranged from Sabres skating consultant Dawn Braid to the Amerks' defensemen to the coaching staffs of Rochester and Buffalo. "I've probably been on the ice more than I would have if I'd have kept playing, but I feel comfortable out there and things are clicking."'
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Hodgson puts on crowd-pleasing show in Amerks win (Buffalo News)
Winger Flynn makes most of opportunity (Buffalo News)
Rochester Amerks top Lake Erie Monsters in Buffalo (Rochester D&C)
Amerks' Brennan making strong case to stick with Sabres if NHL season starts (Olean Times Herald)
Amerks Draw Sellout At FnC, Defeat Lake Erie 4-1 (WGR-AM)
Hockey is back in Buffalo for the night (WIVB-TV)
Amerks top Monsters in front of record-setting crowd at First Niagara Center in Buffalo (Amerks.com)
Monsters Can't Stop Amerks Offense (LakeErieMonsters.com)
Sabres prospect Brennan staying on point for Amerks
'"Things have just been going my way, I guess, so far. The main thing is just to keep working hard and realize where my success has been coming from."'
Friday's Rochester Coverage
Sabres prospect Brennan staying on point for Amerks (Buffalo News)
Buffalo game offers peek at top goal for Rochester Amerks (Rochester D&C)
Amerks not expecting another crazy affair (Olean Times Herald)
Amerks at First Niagara Center: 5 (or so) Things To Watch For (WGR-AM)
Pominville nets winner in Spengler Cup opener
'The Buffalo Sabres' captain scored in overtime for Adler Mannheim, leading the German team to a 2-1 win in their opener in Davos, Switzerland. Boston's Tyler Seguin scored for Canada, which also features NHLers John Tavares, Jason Spezza and Ryan Smyth. The Spengler Cup is an annual six-team tournament that began in 1923.'
Thursday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Amerks rally for OT win over Lake Erie (Rochester D&C)
Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)
Lake Erie Monsters lose to Rochester in overtime, 7-6 (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Brennan's monster five-point night powers Amerks to 7-6 OT win over Lake Erie (Amerks.com)
Offensive onslaught ends in overtime loss for Monsters (LakeErieMonsters.com)
Sabres fans keep faith and tickets
'The Sabres have 15,400 season ticket-holders and more than 3,000 others on a waiting list for tickets known as the Blue & Gold Club. Even though the lockout has stretched past 100 days and wiped out more than half of the 2012-13 season, the team reports just 15 accounts have canceled – accounting for fewer than 50 tickets.'
Wednesday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Amerks players prize championship belt (Rochester D&C)
Sabres prospect is captain of World Juniors team
'Buffalo Sabres prospect Jake McCabe has been named the captain of the United States team that will be playing in the World Junior Hockey Championships in Ufa, Russia, starting later this week.'
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Amerks fall in Binghamton (Rochester D&C)
Strong start powers B-Sens (Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin)
Amerks head into holiday break with 5-1 loss to B-Sens (Amerks.com)
B-Sens rebound against Amerks, 5-1 (BinghamtonSenators.com)
NHL lockout takes toll on charities
'The foundation's main fundraisers require hockey. The charity makes money from game-worn jerseys, ticket auctions, road trip parties and in-game raffles, among other things. With hockey gone, so are the fundraisers.'
Sabres' Ott believes new CBA needed 'in next 10 days' to save season
'"We've been waiting for that to happen for the last five months," Ott said. "That's how that script has been running, and that's what's the most frustrating part about the script, because now it's crunch time and now we can kind of, I guess you could say, expect kind of a good offer coming at us to hopefully save the season. "If not, I mean, it's ridiculous. I mean, at this point it's completely ridiculous."'
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Amerks top Binghamton Senators in shootout (Rochester D&C)
BSens' magic runs out against Rochester Americans (Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin)
Amerks Best Senators Behind Sundher's First Goal (WGR-AM)
Amerks top B-Sens in high-scoring affair (Amerks.com)
B-Sens fall to aAmerks in Shootout, 6-5 (BinghamtonSenators.com)


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text: Business Class is available at participating Radisson hotels in Asia Pacific ("Participating Hotels") for a Qualifying Stay between 1st September and 30th November 2011. A "Qualifying Stay" is one or more consecutive nights in the same hotel for which the guest specifically booked the "Business Class" offer online or requested the "Business Class" offer via phone at the time of the reservation. Complimentary Evening drinks and canapés are available for 2 hours from 6pm to 8pm at hotels that have a Radisson Club Lounge. Guests who book a Business Class room during a Qualifying Stay will receive complimentary breakfast for a maximum of two persons per room, per day for double occupancy at the designated food and beverage outlet at the Participating Hotel. Guests will enjoy free pressing of 2 garments for the entire Qualifying Stay. 2,000 bonus Gold Points offer valid for Club CarlsonSM members only and only one Club CarlsonSM account per stay will be credited with the bonus Gold Points. Member must provide Club CarlsonSM number at the time of reservation or at check-in. Allow 6-8 weeks for Gold Points to appear on account. Gold Points are subject to all Club CarlsonSM Terms and Conditions. Rates for each night may vary. Business Class is subject to availability and the number of rooms available at Participating Hotels may be limited and will vary by hotel. Business Class amenities and services vary by hotel and are subject to relevant policies of the Participating Hotels. Participating Hotels are subject to change at any time without notice. Cancellation policies apply and vary per Participating Hotel. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discounts, promotions or offers, and cannot be exchanged for cash or other products.


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She'd been asking for years. My firstborn, with the red hair and creamy skin, wanted a tattoo. For years she's been asking.The child who, if she could, would paint her room a different color every other month. The child who, if her parents could, would ask them to rearrange the furniture in her room every other week. The child who, as a pre-teen, declared matter-of-factly, "I require constant change." The undeniable implication was, "Is that so wrong? Is that so difficult? Why is nobod … [Read more...]
My Tattooed Teenager
November 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment


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For those that don't go over to EFN forum, here are Faixa Rua's inimitable thoughts on the bjj stripe system. I wonder if Creonte has any thoughts..
frens is import for get strips for sure
faixa branca
1 strip- for do submission in academie
2 strip- for do sweep an then submit in academie
3 strip- for be able no get tap by small faixa azul in academie
4 strip- for smash MMA cock faggot who make mistake an put on kimono
faixa azul
1 strip- for tap judo faixa preta in academie
2 strip- for do big hip throw in party on karate guy when drunk
3 strip- for double leg big cock faggot on beach who steal your wave
4 strip- for go other acadamie an smash faixa roxa there.
faixa roxa
1 strip- for do flyin headybutt in disco an shout JIU JITSU!
2 strip- for do vale tudo fight an submission
3 strip- for put on 10 kilo muscell from dead lif an squat
4 strip- for do no gi tournament an tap faixa preta
faixa marrom
1 strip- for win mundial
2 strip- for teach many classes when faixa preta feel lazee
3 strip- for buy faixa preta PS3
4 strip- the faixa preta jus stalling you now


text:
Former WaPost Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter: "limousine reporting" led to Iraq War
In an interview [1] posted on PBS' Need To Know Voices blog and flagged [2] by Politico's Patrick Gavin, former Washington Post Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter turned novelist Lorraine Adams is highly critical of the evolution of reporting since the days of Watergate.
Responding to a question about a character in her new novel -- The Room and the Chair (Knopf, 2010) -- that resembles legendary Post reporter Bob Woodward, Adams offers up the following critique of "limousine reporting" that she says led to the Iraq War (emphasis added):
I think if you're a student of American journalism, Bob Woodward is an undeniably potent figure. I felt that if I was going to write about [Beltway] journalism, to not have him in it would be ridiculous… I thought adding a wife that was so obviously not his real wife added a little lightness, and Mabel helps us get at Woodward's practice. Most people in Washington don't talk about it. Joan Didion talked about it in the New York Review of Books, but it's obvious she didn't know him. I worked with him in passing at the newsroom, actually I worked with him on a few stories so I knew him better than that. I think he practices access journalism, which is different from what I did at the Post. [I] would talk to the people who have no power and who are affected by the people in power, and that gives a much more useful picture of the way policy affects the human soul. Woodward, who started as a reporter who did that, who knocked on doors and talked to people on the ground, became a celebrity. In becoming a celebrity, he invariably saw it as a much better deal for him, in terms of making money, to talk to other celebrities inside Washington: presidents, their chiefs of staff, vice presidents, their chiefs of staff. We have learned that Deep Throat was an FBI official, not an agent, an official. He was on, what we call, the 7th Floor. I think Woodward's capitulation to interviewing people in limousines, as opposed to people on the subway, is something I feel is partly responsible for the fact that we ended up in Iraq. Because so many reporters, Judith Miller is the most egregious of them, spoke to Scooter Libby and some other higher officials, and never spoke to intelligence people on the ground. They swallowed wholesale Colin Powell at the U.N., and [ultimately] their limousine reporting meant that 100,000 Iraqis lost their lives. I don't think anything can be so neatly drawn, but I think in this case it can be neatly drawn.
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DJ, Weatherman, Breakdancer: The Many Alternate Career Paths of Prince Charles
Prince Charles has been trying his hand at some alternate careers lately. Videos inside!
-Lucia Peters
When it comes to the British Royals, we hear a lot about William, and Kate, and Harry, and occasionally Beatrice and Eugenie (largely due to their outrageous headwear), mostly because they are all young and hip and the future of a nation and all. But lest we forget the older generations, let's take a second and give someone else his due: Prince Charles.
You see, in addition to being the heir apparent, William and Harry's dad has lately been exploring some alternate career paths. During a four-day trip to Toronto to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this week, for example, he tried his hand at deejaying. At an employment skills workshop on Tuesday, DJ Loquenz took the 63-year-old Prince of Wales through the basics of mixing, and by the end of the day, he was scratching and fading records with the best of them:
Well, maybe not with the best of them, but he did manage to get it right on the first try!
Read Get Kate Middleton's Stunning Day and Night Looks for Less
Not too long ago, he also gave meteorology a shot. He and his wife, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, visited BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters earlier in May; and during their tour of the facility, Charles got to do more than watch. BBC newsreader Sally Magnusson handed over the reins to the prince, who then read Reporting Scotland's lunchtime weather against the backdrop of a weather map:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
And hey, guess what? Once upon a time, Prince Charles even dabbled in breakdancing! Witness this video from the '80s in which Charles gets down on the dance floor:
What happens in the '80s apparently doesn't stay in the '80s.
So, hey, just in case this whole Prince of Wales thing doesn't work out, Charles has some alternatives he could turn to. Which do you think he's best suited to?
Oh, and while we're at it, here's wishing the Queen a happy Diamond Jubilee!
Lucia Peters is BettyConfidential's associate editor.


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All eyes will be on two highly publicized players in middle linebacker Manti Te'o (Notre Dame) and cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (LSU). Teams will grill these two, peppering them with questions surrounding what transpired with each away from the game.
How will Te'o answer the questions regarding his online girlfriend that was actually a hoax? Has Mathieu changed his partying ways after being dismissed from the Tigers for drug use?
It's not just Te'o and Mathieu. Highly touted players like middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (Georgia), cornerback Greg Reid (Florida State), wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers (Tennessee Tech), and many others, will each have their own opportunity to prove to all the NFL General Managers, coaches and scouts, that the past is the past and it's time to move forward.
How they handle the interview process is huge in the evaluation process. Big money contracts are on the line and GMs can't afford to make that critical mistake of a player that could cause problems down the line.
A good example is what happened with Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict last season. While he had a good career for the Sun Devils he had issues off the field. He came to Indy for the Combine and didn't interview particularly well nor did he test well. He fell in last April's draft and signed with Cincinnati as a free agent. Ironically, he had a terrific rookie season with the Bengals with no problems off the field. But what he didn't do at this event one year ago cost him a lot of money.
And for the players cited above, how they handle themselves and the interview process could go a long way to where they are drafted in April.
The QB race
This isn't 2012. There isn't an Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin, III in the 2013 draft. But there are a handful of quarterbacks that are getting all the attention in Geno Smith (West Virginia), Matt Barkley (USC), Mike Glennon (N.C. State), Tyler Wilson (Arkansas), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), and Tyler Bray (Tennessee), to name a few.
Smith appears to be the guy, at least at this point, that can make the biggest jump. He has the size (6-3/215), the arm and athleticism. Smith can make all the NFL throws and he can run. He's not RG3 or Michael Vick but he's plenty fast and quick in and out of the pocket. This is a guy that had a brilliant first half to the 2012 season but the Mountaineers struggled down the stretch. He still finished with 4,205 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
As we all know, the NFL is a quarterback driven league and teams will overdraft for a quarterback. Kansas City desperately needs a signal caller and they have the top pick. Buffalo GM Buddy Nix has already said publicly that he wants to draft a franchise QB. The Bills pick in the eighth hole. Other teams need a quarterback.
Smith didn't participate in the Senior Bowl last month so this will be his first action in front of the NFL in 2013. What he does this week and at his pro day later this spring could certainly push him into the first round. How high is yet to be determined.
Speaking of quarterbacks Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson had a super career in Ann Arbor as a quarterback. But to play in the NFL Robinson will have to make the move to wide receiver. This is the position we projected him at coming out of Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School. But he wanted to be a college quarterback and stuck to his guns. No regrets for Robinson, as he made some dazzling plays and created many memorable moments for the maize and blue.
But Robinson struggled in Mobile at the Senior Bowl at his new position. He dropped too many passes and muffed too many punts. He really needs to have a big bounce back this week in Indy and follow it up with a solid pro day at Michigan later this spring. You would think at the very least that he should test very well this week.
Remember these names
The great thing about the NFL Combine is that is gives everyone a platform to show their athletic ability. For the mid-major prospects or low D1 guys it's even a bigger stage. Here are some names to keep an eye out for.
Three prospects that had very good weeks at the Senior Bowl were wide receiver Quinton Patton (Louisiana Tech) and Aaron Dobson (Marshall) and safety John Cyprien (FIU). Their stock is certainly on the rise and each needs a good week to keep their momentum on the upswing.
There are a trio of interesting and athletic offensive tackle prospects to watch for this week in Jordan Mills (Louisiana Tech), Terron Armstead (Arkansas Pine Bluff) and Mark Jackson (Glenville State). All three look good on tape.
Remember the name of Gavin Escobar. He's a talented tight end prospect from San Diego State that has size (6-6/255), speed and soft hands.
A very intriguing player is Branden Williams. He's a D2 defensive tackle from Missouri Southern State that had a very good Senior Bowl week. At 340 plus pounds he's ideal as a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
Forty times and the bench press
It seems that Cordarrelle Patterson has emerged as the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in this year's draft. But Keenan Allen (Cal) could emerge as the guy. How these two run this week could sway the guys from the NFL one way or another.
?Speaking of running a good 40 there are a handful of players that have a chance to blow away the competition. Keep an eye on Denard Robinson, Tavon Austin (West Virginia), Marquise Goodwin (Texas) and Ace Sanders (South Carolina).
And how about Alabama defensive lineman Jesse Williams? It has been rumored that he has bench pressed 600-pounds in Tuscaloosa. Could he break the Combine record of 51 reps in the bench press?


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