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Monday, February 7, 2011
It's on! . . . It Was a Dark and Stormy Blogfest Contest
THE CONTEST IS CLOSED - GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Yay! It Was a Dark and Stormy Blogfest Contest is finally here. So, today and tomorrow, February 7th and 8th, post your first lines on your blog and go hop around to the other participants' blogs listed in the linky below to critique. Polish your first line and post it in the comments below starting now until February 9th at 8am EST EXTENDED TO 8PM EST when the contest WILL BE CLOSED.
Post your first line in the comments below like this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Brenda Drake
Title: Annika Britanika: Around the World in 80:45:07
Genre: MG Steampunk
Maximillian Drayson didn't quite like girls, but he figured Annika Britanika was different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And to remind you, our fabulous judge is agent Weronika Janczuk with D4EO Literary Agency and she's giving out these great prizes:
1st place -- a critique of the first 50 pages + query
2nd place -- a critique of the first 25 pages + query
3rd place -- a critique of the query
To give Weronika plenty of time to read--along with all her demanding agent duties--the winners will be announced on the blog by Monday, February 14th.
Also don't forget that there will be an additional editing prize from CA Marshall given away to a follower at the new DNA Writers blog.
ONLY POST YOUR FIRST LINE ENTRY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH @ 8AM EST
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 8PM EST
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 8PM EST
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Coming up in March
Cassandra Marshall's site
Shelley Watters' site
On DNA Writers Blog now ...
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110 comments:
Okay I'll be first...
Name: Erica M. Chapman
Title: Anomaly
Genre: YA Thriller
My mom always said, “Never fart in front of a boy.”
Name: J. L. Jackson
Title: Gift From the Gods
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
I have always feared this room.
Name: Florence Fois
Title: Lizzie Brogan and the Broadway Ghost
Genre: Paranormal Romance
I loved to play in the dark corners of the attic, peeking into the boxes of my sister's and brother's childhood keepsakes, an old prom dress that Moira had worn, my brother Michael's football uniform, trophies and photographs, dusty lamps and some old furniture.
Name: Margo Kelly
Title: The Education of Thia
Genre: YA Contemporary
Some old dead guy once said a journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.
Name: Donna Earnhardt
Title: When Rhubarb is on the Menu
Genre: Picture Book (quirky/humorous)
On Monday, Mom cooked 8 pounds of rhubarb.
Fun! Here's mine:
Name: Patricia Lynne
Title: Being Human
Genre: YA paranormal
It's said vampires forget their human lives.
Name: Laura Diamond
Title: ZODIAC COLLECTOR
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure
The Renaissance Faire wrecks my birthday every year.
Name: Miss S Louth
Title: Choas with Siz
Genre: Gay fiction.
"Gay chicken," he added.
Name ~ Angie Ledbetter
Title ~ {Afraid to write it, fearing someone
will love it and use it before me. LOL}
Genre ~ Womens Fiction
If Candy could open her eyes and see the dry-eyed faces staring down into her casket, she might well die of madness – not the coo-coo for Coco Puffs kind of insanity, but the anger that makes you want to spit nails and kick ass.
Name: Miss S Louth
Title: Chaos with Six
Genre: Gay fiction
"Gay Chicken," he added.
Name: Lindz Pagel
Title: The Blood Wind Saga
Genre: Fantasy
The night moved with fateful lethargy, and by the time the sun skirted the horizon Queen Malwen could barely hold on.
Name: Christi Corbett
Title: Along the Way Home
Genre: Historical Fiction
Every Wednesday Kate stood on the same front porch, her knuckles poised inches from the door, willing herself to finally do the unthinkable--walk away without knocking.
Title: Crucifiction
Author: Luis Vendrell
Genre: Literary Fiction
Pastor Joseph's knees hurt.
Name: Kendal Ashby
Title: Trouble at Trinity
Genre: YA contemporary
I didn’t wear mascara to my brother’s funeral.
Name: Christine Arnold
Title: The Kingery Conservatory of Elemental Enchantment
Genre: YA Fantasy
I grabbed my backpack and glanced out the front window, half expecting to see a pair of eyes watching me from between the trees.
Name: Sarah Woodard
Title: The Secrets of Sisters
Genre: YA contemporary
All I can think about is how much I hate my sister as I find puke in the toilet again.
Name: Catherine A. Winn
Title: The Secret in the Cellar
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery/Thriller
I like Faye Nelson, I really and truly do, but it’s getting harder to ignore that jealous knot in my chest every time I see her.
Name: Kate Higgins
Title: Emerald Boots
Genre: MG historical/fantasy
Jade felt the balloon basket swing violently and scrunched far back into the dark corner hoping desperately to become invisible – stowing away on The Great OZ’s balloon really wasn’t one of her best ideas.
Name: Taryn
Title: Splashback
Genre: YA Contemp
The Sour Patch Kids in the bottom of Heidi Maverick's sparkly clutch probably bothered him the most.
Name: Stina
Title: Still
Genre: YA contemporary
My stomach clenches as Dad cranks up the volume on the TV.
Name: Kathryn Jankowski
Title: WORSE THAN WICKED
Genre: MG fantasy adventure
Any other morning, one of the scavengers sifting through the white sands of Palanga would have found the jewel first, but today Roze arrived at the beach before dawn.
Name: Lorelei Bell
Title: Vampire's Trill
Genre: urban fantasy
I could feel the cold, hard ground beneath me; my body felt as though every bone in it had been broken at least twice as I tried to remember why I was outside without a stich.
Thanks so much to Brenda for hosting this, and to Weronika for judging!
Name: Shallee McArthur
Title: Devolutionaries
Genre: YA dystopian
Grandad lied to me a lot.
Thank you Brenda and Weronika!
Name: Artemis Grey
Title: Evernow
Genre: YA Dystopian
Life is so much easier without underwear.
Thanks Guys. This is awesome.
Name: T.C. Mckee
Title: Will of the Walkers
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Freaking babies?
Name: Christy Hintz
Title: Solstice
Genre: YA Fantasy
I clutched the journal and pressed it to my chest, twisting it side to side as my feet pounded the frosty earth.
Name: Morgan Lee
Title: Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta
Genre: MG fantasy adventure
Gabriel paused mid-step, captivated by the radiant hues glowing beneath the frigid water.
Name: Gabriela Lessa
Title: Whatever You Call Home
Genre: Multicultural Humorous Women's Fiction
I never thought I would long for coach class seats, but then again, I never thought I’d even have the guts to board a plane like this one.
Name: Nathalie Bleach
Title: Liberty
Genre: YA Dystopian
Crumbling rock, dark recesses penetrated by cap lamps, explosives...and death.
Name: Elaine AM Smith
Title: ENCOUNTERS
Genre: MG SF (SCi-fi)
She imagined a house with foundations, not wheels, parents who worked as accountants and slices of death in thin, white sandwiches, only the break discs screamed.
Name: C Scott Morris
Title: Poets and Angles
Genre: Dark Fantasy/Steampunk
Ethan was drunk when he stumbled across the dead man.
Name: Lisa M. Basso
Title: Shimmering Angels
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Doctor Graham said I was cured the day he signed my release papers, but there was nothing like a big fat set of wings to pour on the doubt.
Name: Karen Harrington
Title: No Ordinary Girl
Genre: Women's Fiction
I am a woman who never sent a Mother’s Day card and never expects to receive one.
Name: Charles Rice
Title: A Good Daughter
Genre: Thriller/Paranormal
Three words that had haunted Detective Guevera for years, "Daddy help me. . ." was the only communication from Erin, and the only glimmer of hope.
Name: D. R. Rux
Title: The Seventh Seal
Genre: Paranormal/Occult/Horror
She couldn’t sleep because of the pain.
Name: Sharon K. Mayhew
Title: Everyone Did Their Part
Genre: HF Picture Book
It was World War Two and everyone was expected to do their part for the war effort, even Mummy and me.
Name: Heather McCorkle
Title: The First Dragonwatcher
Genre YA Fantasy
Chemier loved it when people ran; it made the hunt that much sweeter.
Name: Jen Duffey
Title: Boyfriends,Spies and Lies
Genre: Contemporary YA
Absolute freedom.
Name: Richard Levangie
Title: Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve
Genre: Late MG Adventure
Jacob Jollimore didn’t hesitate; his fight-or-flight instinct was missing the fight half.
Name: Stephanie Thornton
Title: Mistress of Byzantium
Genre: Historical Fiction
My life began the night my father died.
Name: Shannon O'Donnell
Title: Scott and the Naughty Boy factory
Genre: Chapter Book
I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata.
This is awesome, Brenda! Thanks.
Name: RaShelle Workman
Title: CONNECTED
Genre: YA SF
Like a new star, the arrow glowed—shiny and bright.
Name: Cheree Smith
Working Title: SHADOW EMBRACED
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Her blows come quick and hard, knocking me back into the fleshy wall of the crowd.
Name: Teralyn Rose Pilgrim
Title: Sacred Fire
Genre: historical fiction
The sun set above the river Tiber, its reflection making the currents into pink ribbons, and Tuccia clutched the edge of her seat; Rome was close.
Name: Holly Jones
Working Title: The One Before the One
Genre: Romance
Sitting down and concentrating very hard I wrote my reply, hoping it was legible and didn't scream drunken text.
Name: Shelley Watters
Title: BLUE LOTUS
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
The jagged rocks on the edge of the cliff sliced into my bare feet like razor blades.
Name: Kelly Bryson
Title: WAYS TO FALL
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My small lantern—one of many things Mother had salvaged from the Outside world—made a halo of light around my feet.
Name: Vicki Tremper
Title: Kwizera Means Hope
Genre: YA
I did not want to pick tea for a living.
Kathryn Sheridan Kupanoff
Name: Kathryn Sheridan Kupanoff
Title: The Travelers
Genre: Fantasy
To my left is an eerie light, glowing unlike anything you'd ever find down there on Earth.
Name: MaDonna
Title: Shaken
Genre: YA Contemp
“We’re moving where?” I say standing up from the couch hoping my six foot frame shouts adulthood.
Name: Gina Ciocca
Title: Life Before Death
Genre: Paranormal Romance
I was very relaxed for a girl with no idea where she was or how she got there.
Name: Loralie Hall
Title: Uriel's Fall
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cherubim longed for a name; a label to give it shape and definition like the seraphim it admired from a distance.
Name: Lauren Becker
Title: The Heartbreak Boys
Genre: LGBT Contemporary
Annabelle Williams gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Ryan; beautiful words for a heartless bitch.
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
Thanks ladies!
Name: Kerri Cuevas
Title: The Kiss of Death
Genre: Paranormal Romance
It was the old man's lucky day because I was his Grim Reaper.
Name: Jamie Manning
Title: Ever
Genre: YA Paranormal
I woke to an overpowering hunger and the coppery smell of blood.
Name: Tina Lynn Sandoval
Title: Ten
Genre: YA Paranormal
“What the hell am I doing here?” Mattie asked herself as she slid the car into park.
Name: Stephen Tremp
Title: Breakthrough: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan
Genre: Near Future Sci-fi
He carefully opened the floor safe in the Salon Suite on the fifty-fifth floor of the Wynn Las Vegas, one of the newer five star mega hotels on the Las Vegas strip
Name: Kate Haggard
Title: Everly (which is so provisional it hurts)
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Fifteen minutes more and Rayna would be free.
Name: Nora Coon
Title: Kinesthesia
Genre: YA Alternate History
Meri remembered exactly two brief, shining moments in her life when she’d thought maybe she could be happy after all.
Name: Angela Scott
Title: WANTED:DEAD OR ALIVE
Genre: YA Zombie/Western/Romance (Paranormal)
The zombie saved his life.
Name: Juanita McConnachie
Title: Phoenix's Ashes
Genre: YA steampunk-fantasy
Mira's dress swirled around her feet as she glided across the frozen lake, her skates leaving behind a shimmering trail of grooves.
Name: Maria Cope
Title: Bottom Feeder
Genre: YA Fiction
I fought overseas for twelve months, but Maddy battled a war at home her entire life.
Name: Sharon Johnston
Title: Mishca
Genre: Speculative Fiction (Science-Fiction and Horror with a paranormal feel)
First line: I always knew I was adopted.
Thanks for the feedback so far. I've been blog hopping and I like what I see.
Name: MarcyKate Connolly
Title: THE GHOST WRITER
Genre: YA Ghost Story
Two words were written on the paper: Help me.
Name: CA Marshall
Title: The Inside of Trees
Genre: MG Urban Fantasy
I squeezed my toes as hard as I could, a trick Mom had taught me to hide my nervousness or embarrassment; Everyone could see you cry, but no one knew if you curled your toes.
Name: Eleni Alexandraki
Title: The Gypsy Princess
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
I had warned my Dad about moving to Knoxville.
Name: Cynthia L. Moyer
Title: The Keepers of the Emerald Cave
Genre: MG Urban Fantasy
Bubbles slipped through the morning air, dancing past bouquets of flowers tucked in their paper cones.
Thanks again for this awesome contest and opportunity, Brenda and Weronika!
Name: J.C. Martin
Title: SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND
Genre: Adult crime/psychological suspense
I can tell from the way he stares at me, from the way he swipes at his beer-glazed eyes--as if rubbing them hard enough would erase my image from his sight--that Dan Stanton is starting to regret his sixth pint of lager.
Name: Amy Machelle
Title: Saving Elizabeth
Genre: YA Paranormal Romace
"Don't do it, Abby!"
Name: Hope Welsh
Title: Forever Again
Genre: Romance/Paranormal
Shawn knew if didn't get out of here soon, this masquerade party was going to turn into a massacre.
I tried to edit my other line with the suggestions--but blogger won't let me
Name: Mara Nash
Title: Faerie Fate
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Holly Reed slept curled in a tiny bundle reminiscent of the fetus she'd been only a week ago, unaware of the two women who stood over her, watching.
Name: A.L. Sonnichsen
Title: Seagull Rising
Genre: Contemporary YA
Give me a well-sharpened knife.
Name: Michael Di Gesu
Title: The Blinded Gardener
Genre: Y/A Contemporary
Meeting Danny altered the only life I knew: A breathing punching bag.
Name: Susan Sheehey
Title: Under the Covers
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
David’s heart drummed at the dreaded thought circling in his mind- he was right, again.
Thanks again for hosting this.
Name: Christopher S. Ledbetter
Title: Caenus and The Quiver of Artemis
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Prince Caenus deflected a thrust from his friend's sword.
Name: Nora Coon
Title: Kinesthesia
Genre: YA Alternate History
Meri remembered exactly two brief, shining moments in her life when she’d thought maybe she could be happy after all.
Name: DL Hammons
Title: Fallen Knight
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Today was the day.
Name: Trisha Wolfe
Title: White Flame
Genre: YA Steampunk
I was beginning to lose consciousness—if I could just wedge my fingers beneath his arm—it might loosen his grip from around my neck…
I need to change my entry! Can I? I missed the "finished" ms part of the rules. Oops. That's what I get for skimming.
Name: Misty Waters
Title: The End of Days
Genre: Adult Fantasy
"Death isn't what I expected."
Name: Elena Solodow
Title: The Whip-Slip
Genre: YA Fantasy
*italics are /text/
/They're coming for you, T.,/ She told me.
Name: Sam Witt
Title: The Bleeding Cure
Genre: Horror
Real friends are up for a kidnapping and won't complain too much when you get down to the bloodletting.
Name: Mandy Mikulencak
Title: Hannah's Half
Genre: YA Paranormal
I rarely asked questions anymore because the Visitors never speak.
Name: Susan Oloier
Title: Outcast
Genre: Young Adult
Emergency lights throbbed atop the ambulance, yet there was no sound.
Name: Carolyn Snow Abiad
Title: BURNT AMBER
Genre: YA Fantasy
Seyhan led us up the serpentine streets of Bebek to an unimpressive building Alexis and I would never have found on our own.
Hi Brenda,
Total dork reporting for duty. I didn't realize when I entered the contest yesterday the first sentence needed to belong to a completely complete MS. So, I'm going to change my sentence.
Name: RaShelle Workman
Title: DISTORTED
Genre: YA Crossover/Paranormal
A quick glance at the Ghost Busters watch on my wrist told me mom would be ticked.
Name: Amanda Hoving
Title: My Life as a Transgender Chihuahua
Genre: YA Contemporary
The room looked like it had been swallowed by a bunch of dizzy hogs.
Thanks for all those comments you pushed toward this revision!
Name: J.W. Parente
Title: Bond of Darkness
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Valence clenched his hands, the power crawling under his skin like a silky robe wrapped in thorns.
Name:Elaine Smith
Title: Edgware
Genre: YA Paranormal
Some people run towards things, others run away; I just run.
Thanks for extending! I thought it was 8pm- yikes : )
Name: Bekah Kritsch
Title: Parallel Earth
Genre: MG Science Fiction / Fantasy
A crystal marble sizzled with blue sparks under Wyatt Parker's desk.
Thanks again!
NAME: Erin LaVallee
TITLE: The Eyes Beneath
*Complete at 81,000 words
GENRE: A conglomeration of a YA romance & paranormal fiction
Some refer to me as the fallen.
Name: Cyndi Tefft
Title: Between
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Ravi’s lips were soft and familiar against mine, but my mind was elsewhere, obsessing about my upcoming finals.
Name: Holli Moncrieff
Title: Dragonfly Summer
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
I never believed in ghosts.
Name: Ariel Swan
Title: Distillation
Genre: Women's Fiction with a supernatural thread
My mother told me never to start a new endeavor on the full moon, but as was my nature then, I didn't bother to pay attention.
Name: Nata
Title: For Archar
Genre: YA Fantasy
I took a chance and ran away; finally letting the night swallow me whole.
Name : Roland D. Yeomans
Title : FRENCH QUARTER NOCTURNE
Genre : Urban Fantasy
FIRST SENTENCE :
It rained lies and death today.
Name: Tanya Reimer
Title: Surviving the Storm
Genre: Urban fantasy
first sentence:
Unlike my son, I liked the idea of not knowing who I was in past lives.
Name: Suzi McGowen
Title: Troll Wife
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
First Sentence:
I hadn't even been on the job a month and I had 14 bruises, a concussion, multiple cuts and abrasions, a broken arm, and now, a gunshot wound: being a Tooth Fairy shouldn't be this hard.
Name: Patricia Farnan
Title: SQUEAKY MCLEAN AND MOUSE TAILS
Genre: MG/humour
First Sentence:
Long, long ago in the city of Mouseratten, the hulking figure was scaring the fur off any who saw him.
Name: Tabitha Bird
Title: The exquisiteness of broken glass
Genre: Women's fiction
First Sentence:
One thousand black birds dropped from the sky the night I was born.
Name: Lisa Asanuma
Title: Jethro
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
“You know, Dad, we’re ruining a perfectly good prime number by coming back here.”
Name: Sarah Billington
Title: The Kiss Off
Genre: YA Contemporary
"What rhymes with 'douchebag'?" I asked as Vanya turned knobs and pulled the legs out on the tripod.
Ah, bummer. I missed the cutoff. But, putting it on here so I can cross it off my to-do list :)
Name: Syl DeLeon
Title: Adornable
Genre: New Adult
"Starting over is as easy as breaking into a new squat in a new city."
Name: Donna Hole
Title: Not Her Mother's Fate
Genre: women's fiction
Amy pressed back against the wall as another group of revelers stumbled towards the keg.
Brenda - My line was originally posted early on the 9th, and then I left to have surgery. LOL! I had no idea the blog went haywire. I hope you'll let me re-post late. I gave feedback on soooo many blogs. :(
Name: Corinne O'Flynn
Title: Wise Jim and The Expatriates
Genre: YA Fantasy (adventure)
After working with the tigers then getting a busted lip from my brother, I wasn't in the mood for the waitress who wrinkled her nose as I wafted into the diner.
Here's mine!
Name Lela Gwenn
Title Alamandine's Song
Genre Adult UF
I burst out of the door, all goosebumps and cold sweat, and held it closed behind me.
Eek, I posted to the original contest thread before the deadline, not this one!
Name: David F. Weisman
Title: Absorption
Genre: Science Fiction
At first the young girl's eyes looked identical, but when she glanced around the room the left didn't keep up with the right.
Name: RJ Dreyer
Title: Thorn
Genre: YA Fantasy
If you saw her, you would think there was no greater joy than to stand on a roof during a storm.
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