It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.
Bulwer Lytton wrote this opening sentence in his book "Paul Clifford" 1830. I own one of his books, the title of which I cannot recall at present. However, his books were famous for wordiness, having lengthy dedications and re-dedications upon issue of second, yea even third publications. He also wrote lengthy prologues, and epilogues etc. Victorian authors tended to wordiness because they were paid by the word.
San Jose College? University? has sponsored the Bulwer Lytton contest for several years. I occasionally remember to check out the winners. The rules are simple, submit a long wordy sentence, if it includes an awful pun, so much the better.
The grand prize winner this year is Tanya Menezes, 17,who wrote:
“Cassie smiled as she clenched John’s hand on the edge of an abandoned pier while the sun set gracefully over the water, and as the final ray of light disappeared into a star-filled sky she knew that there was only one thing left to do to finish all this wonderful evening, which was to throw his severed appendage into the ocean’s depths so it could never be found again—and maybe get some custard after.”
There are many more category winners, go on, you know you want to Google the contest. Enjoy!
Bulwer Lytton wrote this opening sentence in his book "Paul Clifford" 1830. I own one of his books, the title of which I cannot recall at present. However, his books were famous for wordiness, having lengthy dedications and re-dedications upon issue of second, yea even third publications. He also wrote lengthy prologues, and epilogues etc. Victorian authors tended to wordiness because they were paid by the word.
San Jose College? University? has sponsored the Bulwer Lytton contest for several years. I occasionally remember to check out the winners. The rules are simple, submit a long wordy sentence, if it includes an awful pun, so much the better.
The grand prize winner this year is Tanya Menezes, 17,who wrote:
“Cassie smiled as she clenched John’s hand on the edge of an abandoned pier while the sun set gracefully over the water, and as the final ray of light disappeared into a star-filled sky she knew that there was only one thing left to do to finish all this wonderful evening, which was to throw his severed appendage into the ocean’s depths so it could never be found again—and maybe get some custard after.”
There are many more category winners, go on, you know you want to Google the contest. Enjoy!
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