Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Literary Lab Trivia Giveaway!

Welcome to the Literary Lab Trivia Giveaway.

Throughout the day (from roughly 9 am to 5 pm PST), we'll be randomly posting trivia questions about literature or our blog in the comments section of this post.

Along with each question will be a prize.

Be the first person to answer correctly, and you'll win the prize!

Easy, huh?

If you're ready, go to the comments section and check it out.

*Note: You won't be getting the prizes until after Christmas, most likely. Sorry! Oh, and there's no limit to how many prizes you can win!

224 comments:

  1. We haven't posted the first question yet...but you're in the right place! We'll be starting around 9 am PST.

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  2. You and your pacific and mountain timezones.

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  3. Someday our time zones will take over the world, causing all the suns on earth to rise simultaneously.

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  4. And so it was written: "On that day, forty suns shall rise as one, and the sky shall turn to steam, and all the seas shall be as deserts, and all snows shall be as lakes, and all the bread shall be as toast."

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  5. That should probably win you some sort of special prize right there.

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  6. And, here is the first question!

    In "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, what time do the clocks stop?

    The PRIZE for this question is a $5 iTunes gift card!

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  7. Jessica, you win! Send an email to ladyglamis@gmail.com. :)

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  8. another lit lab contest! I'm on it.

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  9. Yeah, I can't tell time or read. First I announce we're only allowing one prize per person (which is a total lie), then I announce the first question way before 9:00 a.m. PST. #LitLabCo-HostFail

    Anyway, the contest is on! Good luck, everyone!

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  10. Well, not waaaaaaaaaay before. Just. Before.

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  11. I think I know the answer. It's 42, isn't it?

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  12. Yes, Vin, if you answer that for all the questions you're a sure winner! *um, just kidding* :)

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  13. Next question:

    In C. S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Father Christmas gives Lucy what TWO objects?

    The prize for this question is a $7 Amazon gift card!

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  14. A dagger, and a bottle of the juice of the fire-flowers that grow on the sun.

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  15. A vial of healing potion and a dagger.

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  16. Jabez got it. Fire flowers? I forgot about the dagger, but now I remember what Father Christmas said to her about using it.

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  17. Mizmak, you win. Please send an email to dmalasarn@gmail.com and I'll get you the gift card!

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  18. I guess I forgot the fire flowers too.

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  19. Phil, the source of the potion was the fire flowers. Jabez's answer was also correct, but first come first served!

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  20. Well, I didn't know yours either, ha ha! Glad we're not playing our own game.

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  21. See, what you all need is bigger prizes so we could split them which might be fairer in this case, but it seems kind of silly to split $7 so I'll take it! Thanks!

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  22. Mizmak, we don't encourage sharing here in The Lit Lab.

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  23. Next question:

    What is a gerund?

    The prize is a fistful of colorful stuffed animals from IKEA, including a snake, a moose, a bear, and what I think is a dog.

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  24. anythign ending in -ing

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  25. A gerund is a word derived from a verb but still functioning as a noun

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  26. A gerund is one of those little yappy dogs that were bred to catch rats. Oh, wait: I'm not allowed to answer. Forget I said anything.

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  27. Davin, I thought it was Scott's turn. Where IS Scott?

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  28. I'm running late today; up too late with Mighty Reader watching the lunar eclipse.

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  29. We couldn't watch anything of the sort. Too many dang clouds and snow.

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  30. Lol so my answer was what came to head the fastest... My fifth grade teacher pounded in that short definition for so long, I don't think I'll ever forget it. If it's too incomplete, I understand! :)

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  31. The winner is Stephanie!

    thumbtak4k, speed is good, but we needed just a bit more! :P

    Stephanie, please send your mailing address to dmalasarn@gmail.com. I'll send out your prize just as soon as the holiday rush at the post office is over. :)

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  32. Hurrah! My turn! The question:

    Which writer said, "If a pistol is introduced into the story in Act 1, it must be fired by Act 3?"

    The prize: Something cool from this pile of stuff from Shiga's Imports!

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  33. I once got in a yelling match with my 7th grade English teacher and my principal in the middle because they didn't correctly understand what a gerund was and I did.

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  34. Jessica: I'm still waiting for your email so I can send you your prize! Please get that to me by 3:00 p.m. PST.

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  35. Nevets, it's good to yell.

    Scott, can Seattaleans see the moon ever?

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  36. thumbtack4k: Yes, that's right: Anton Chekhov. The rule is now called "Chekhov's Gun." It is of course a ridiculous idea if taken to an extreme. "If a donut is introduced in Act 1, it must be dunked by Act 3."

    Email me at scott@scottgfbailey.com with your snailmail address and I'll send you something cool and possibly Hello Kitty because Hello Kitty has no mouth but sometimes she has a gun.

    Domey: We had breaks in the clouds and watched the first half of the eclipse, up to total darkness (whatever that's called). Then it was too overcast, too late, and we went to bed.

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  37. thumbtack, that makes me think of Star Trek IV. Thanks for the giggle.

    Domey, I'll get that e-mail sent shortly.

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  38. Com-puter? Com-puter? Ah, a keyboard. How quaint.

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  39. Next question!

    Which three words in the English language contain all the vowels in the correct order? Please provide definitions, as well.

    Your prize is a Godiva chocolate bar. Yes, yes, delicious. You must also be in the U.S. to win this.

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  40. How's the patient, doctor?

    He's gonna make it.

    He? You came in with a she.

    One little mistake.

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  41. Wow. I guess we can't search for this answer. I need to have some pizza.

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  42. Haha, yes Stephanie. I aim to please. :)

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  43. Phil, it's a tough one, but it should be searchable. :)

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  44. facetious

    abstemious

    ugh! can't find a 3rd...

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  45. haha I think there might be more than three, based on what I was seeing searching around. :)

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  46. Nevets: You are correct - there are more than three.

    TJN: If you provide me with definitions, you'll win!

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  47. facetious

    1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
    2. amusing; humorous.
    3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person

    ab·ste·mi·ous   

    1.sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
    2.characterized by abstinence: an abstemious life.
    3. sparing: an abstemious diet.

    arsenious
    (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) of or containing arsenic in the trivalent state

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  48. The clocks stop at 1:17! Oh, wait. Wrong question. Never mind.

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  49. TJN: Send me your snail-mail address to ladyglamis@gmail.com and you'll be eating some fine chocolate by New Year's!

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  50. Scott, that is correct! But you're far too late, and aren't we voided from our own contest? :D

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  51. Whose got the bigger stick? Fed! Fed! Fed!

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  52. The next question I ask may or may not include a sparkly vampire action figure...

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  53. But my grammar was off, darn it.

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  54. Close enough for government work, as they say.

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  55. But enough on that, as Polonius might have said once in an aside to Reynaldo, his personal assistant. It's time for another question. And here it is:

    What book (by what author) features a talking cat with a pistol? Bonus points for the cat's name!

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  56. What's the prize for this question, Bai-man? Do people call you Bai-man?

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  57. Behemoth from The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov.

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  58. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

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  59. Yes, Scott, do people call you Man Paper?

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  60. "O hearts that break and give no sign Save whitening lip and fading tresses!"

    Maybe that's not the answer

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  61. Rats, I know that one - but the other Bulgakov fans beat me to it because they made me do some *work* here at work. Silly employers.

    Go Pilates!

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  62. Phil W: That's not the answer, but by God my next book will have a cat named Oliver Wendell Holmes in it.

    Nevets: Watch it.

    Lin: Correct, but Stephanie beat you to it.

    Stephanie: You win! TM&M is one of my favorite books. Mighty Reader and I watched a 12-hour Russian-language version of it about two years ago. The book, of course, was better but it was fun seeing Behemoth swing from a chandelier, shooting his pistol.

    So email me at scott@scottgfbailey.com to claim your fabulous prize!

    Domey: No, I don't know what the prize will be. Something cool, though! Don't you worry your pretty little head about that.

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  63. Hmm, but I wasn't thinking about the possible ways to read what I said other than innocent for once. Oops. Sorry about that.

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  64. Next question:

    In Marcel Proust's In Search Of Lost Time the narrator is famous for loving the taste of what treat dipped in a spoonful of tea?

    The prize is a paperback copy of Strunk and White's Elements of Style illustrated by New Yorker cover artist Maira Kalman!

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  65. Nevets: I'm just being twitchy. "Man Paper" really isn't offensive. Though it should be "Person Paper," of course.

    Domey: I only noticed your new coif because you emailed me all those photos. The highlights are festive.

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  66. Scott, I'm just saying it's nice to be appreciated every once in awhile, you know? I send my photos out to so many people, and most people don't say anything at all.

    TJN, congratulations! Now you have a nice book to look through while you're eating your chocolate!

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  67. Confession? I researched that one just because I was curious. Never heard of the book. I'll e-mail if I'm still eligible.

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  68. Domey, you should probably stop sending your photos to everyone by ant.

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  69. I should probably stop investing all of my income to the new ant delivery startups too.

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  70. Stephanie, You're definitely still eligible!

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  71. Stephanie: Like Domey says, you answer the question, you win the prize. I paraphrase, obvs.

    But! You should read the book. It's amazing and weird and hysterically funny. And, you know, talking cat with a gun.

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  72. Next question!

    In "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer, what is the original source of the epigraph at the beginning of the novel? You must give the COMPLETE source.

    Your prize is an Edward Cullen action figure! I'm not kidding!

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  73. I really like madeleines. I pulled the recipe from my French textbook in college and even bought a pan. Need more pans though because the recipe makes so many.

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  74. *googles* Darn, now I want a Madeline cookie.

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  75. The point of the question was to make you want to read Proust, not to make you want to eat a madeleine. Sigh.

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  76. Who needs to be forced into wanting to read Proust?

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  77. Seriously, NOBODY knows the answer to that question? Or is it the Edward doll? Hmmm, that might have scared everyone off. #shouldhavedonechocolateagain

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  78. You could dip the Edward figure in hot fudge.

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  79. You could dip the Edward figure in hot fudge.

    Whahahahahhah!

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  80. I want an Edward figure dipped in hot fudge! It would hide the shimmering.

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  81. I googled the answer but yes, it's the Edward doll. Run away!

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  82. I don't think anyone really wants the Edward figure. How sad for him.

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  83. Phrase it like this: the prize is an Edward doll you can collect and cherish, or melt in a YouTube video. Your prize -- your choice!

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  84. Literary Lab readers are Team Jacob, I guess.

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  85. Oh, Nevets, hahahaha. This does prove something very important, however, but I won't voice that point here.

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  86. Ummm I haven't googled nor have I read the book but it was in the movie right? Robert Frost?

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  87. (also if I'm right, I really don't want the doll but my cousin or my mom would like it)

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  88. Cee: Nope!

    The prize has changed - you may have your choice of a $5 iTunes card or the Edward doll

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  89. Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene VI

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  90. Ooo was I right? *bounces* I'll take the itunes card! :D

    Or was the nope meaning I'm wrong. >_>

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  91. @Domey - I'm team, "I have nothing against the books because I have never read them, but it is still fun to poke at pop culture bears."

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  92. Ooo I was wrong! Hehehe well...I shall take some pride in not knowing something about Twilight. :D

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  93. Cee: Oh, sorry, that was unclear! Nope, meaning you were incorrect.

    Jabez: Congrats! Please email me at ladyglamis@gmail.com with your choice of prize.

    The epitaph is:

    These violent delights have violent ends
    And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
    Which, as they kiss, consume.

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  94. Okay, so talking about a chocolate-dipped Edward made me want E. L. Fudge cookies.

    #crazypanda

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  95. Okay, let's get personal! Next question:

    Scott GF Bailey has mentioned playing the violin on a few occasions here. Michelle and Domey also play a musical instrument, the same one, as a matter of fact. What is it?

    The prize is a $10 gift card from Amazon!

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  96. Rats. Guitar? SHould I just keep listing instruments randomly?

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  97. Harp? Hammered dulcimer? Flute? Is this cheating?

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  98. And nope, it's not cheating. But it's Davin's question. He'll have to answer that for sure.

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  99. Nope, it's not cheating? Ha.
    I play the piano, just fyi.

    Harmonica!

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  100. Come on, somebody else guess other than me...oh, wait, Cee's on it...keep guessing, Cee!

    Saxophone?

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  101. No, Davin meant he and I play the same instrument. It's not the violin or the guitar. :)

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  102. Oh, I don't have time to search more for this.

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  103. Drums? I'm working my way through the orchestra...

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  104. Davin, where are you??? Aimee, you got it, but I'll let Davin tell you which one it is. :)

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  105. Whew! Congrats, Aimee! I was just about to flail wildly with the Great Highland Bagpipes. Close call.

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  106. Oh, I would love to learn the bagpipes! You know, with the last name of Argyle and all. :)

    Congrats, Aimee!

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  107. Yes, yes, it's the clarinet. The rest of you weren't thinking nerdy enough!

    Send me an email, Aimee, and I'll get you your card!

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  108. Thanks for reminding me to remind my son to go practice his clarinet!

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  109. Is the clarinet nerdy? *hangs head*

    sigh.

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  110. I took a six-week class on beginning bagpipes (with the last name MacKenzie and all) and it was a blast, so to speak. You start off simply with the chanter, and it's quite manageable. But for the full pipes, you have to have massive lung power, which I don't!

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  111. The clarinet also requires massive lung power, but probably not as much as the oboe. That thing is insane.

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  112. Rose plays the clarinet. It's a beautiful and utterly un-nerdy instrument.

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  113. Yes, brilliant people play the clarinet. And the violin... :)

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  114. Nerdy? Go check out Artie Shaw some time -- that man was a *hunk*!

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  115. Hee I like the clarinet! I don't play though. Recorder, piano, and viola for me. :)

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  116. Mizmak, a lot of people say I look like Artie Shaw!


    Okay, no one really says that.

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  117. Domey: yes, but do you *play* like Artie Shaw?

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  118. I play like a very drunk Artie Shaw. That's how I use to advertise my gigs.

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  119. Is it over? Did you all run out of prizes?

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  120. Nope, I've got a few more.

    For a signed copy of CINDERS (and this is a good prize because only a few more signed copies are left in existence...), answer the following:

    In which Tom Clancy novel (because I LOVE Tom Clancy!) do we first (chronologically) meet Domingo (Ding) Chavez?

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  121. Wow, Jabez, that was quick! Good job! Send me an email to ladyglamis@gmail.com with your snail mail address and I'll send your signed copy of CINDERS with some book swag. :)

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  122. It's STILL not over! Here's a tough question:

    One of the cool things that happened in 2009 (way back then!) was that Davin and I collaborated with 18 other people on a piece of fiction that was published in a cool nationally-distributed print literary journal. What was the name of the story? Extra points for the name of the journal and the name of the writing project.

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  123. Hey, I was a part of that, too, Mr. Bailey.

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  124. Clear and Present Danger is possibly my fave Clancy.

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  125. Michelle: Yes, you were! I got interrupted by a phone call (I'm at work, I tell you) in the middle of typing the question. A thousand apologies!

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  126. Meh, my part was extremely insignificant. I think I only had like 5 words in the whole thing, lol. It's a great piece, though.

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  127. Nevets, my favorite is Rainbow Six. <3 <3 <3 Tom Clancy. I need to do some sort of Tom Clancy marathon to get ready for MONARCH's release.

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  128. So does this mean the Edward doll is still available? *flutters lashes*

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  129. Tara, seriously, if enough people comment here that they still want the doll, it's up for grabs on my next question!

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  130. I need to catch up with later years Tom Clancy. I was with him tight through Sum of All Fears, and then whatever came after that was such a struggle for me to get through that I don't even remember what it was called.

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  131. Nevets, Rainbow Six is a beast, I'll admit. My hubby just got through it - took him forever. He kept saying Clancy needs to learn how to cut backstory and side plots. :)

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  132. I'm okay with his back-story and side-plots. What I got weighed down by was exposition.

    But I don't think I need to explain my feelings about exposition. :)

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  133. Nevets: Were you scared by an exposition as a child?

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  134. We talked about that enough last night. :)

    Why aren't you answering any of the questions, Mr. Nevets? You must know the answer to the last one! Scott has some fabulous prizes which may or may not remind him of zombies.

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  135. They do remind me of zombies. Adorable little zombies.

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  136. Yeah, people should be answering your question. Where is everyone?

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  137. @Scott - Yes. It was called Lord of the Rings.

    @Michelle - It's my own personal weirdness. I know there's nothing wrong with answering the questions, but I personally just feel weird working to drive traffic to the contest and then answering myself. *shrug* I have an easily guilty conscience. :)

    Which I have yet to reconcile with my writing...

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  138. I'd answer, but I'm ashamed to say I don't know the answer. (Besides, I've got two prizes coming to me so I think I'm going to bow out of the trivia contest.)

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  139. Stephanie, sweet! Great job, and thanks for participating today!

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  140. Nevets: I'm afraid that's the wrong answer. Michelle, Domey and I did not write The Lord of the Rings.

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  141. Sure thing! It's been a fun diversion as I chill out in front of the television. I'll keep hanging around to see what other questions are asked. Just for fun.

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  142. Oh, right I knew that. Too little coffee (or too much opium) can make a fella confused.

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  143. I'm busy at work and I can't play!! Arg!

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  144. Domey, too bad you can't join the mania.

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  145. I'll just sit here tapping my fingers until someone comes up with the answer.

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  146. I am uncertain as to how long it will take.

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  147. People are very UNCERTAIN about this thing. Maybe some opium would help...

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  148. Maybe you should ask another question, Mr. Bailey. I have some more to ask.

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  149. You should always do opium. Just on principle.

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  150. The hell with it. If nobody can guess by the end of the hour, the prize goes to Nevets. It's a matter of principle. Nevets, the prize is a Hello Kitty pen with a floating HK in the body. Way cooler than any pen you've ever seen and perfect for writing suspense stories.

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  151. Heisenberg could answer this question. Does he still read the blog?

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  152. My little heart beats fast at the thought of that pen. Nevets, you're one lucky man! Unless someone steals it from you in the next hour.

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  153. We'll see if the #HelloKitty tag gets someone over here. lol

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  154. In the next 6 minutes!

    Heisenberg can be seen at schroedingerscat.com, where he blogs about writing.

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  155. When you blog search shroedingerscat.com, it sounds like 200 fingers tapping.

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  156. How appropriate that your last comment was our 200th comment for the post, Nevets.

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