4 Secret Agent

TITLE: THE LONG ROAD TO HEAVEN
GENRE: Literary

APRIL, 1975 -- It didn’t matter if this stranger intended to kill me. Death would have swept away the shattered remnants of Heather Montgomery – an identity I no longer wanted.

Without questioning his motives, I had traded the sleet pelting my face for the sting I felt between my legs while sitting in the passenger seat of his car.

I nodded when he asked, "Are you okay?"

But it was a lie. The bruises on my face screamed the truth.

I shrouded myself in silence as we drove, as we entered his apartment, even as he draped a blanket around my shivering frame.

“Is there someone you should call? You know, your mom? Maybe just let her know where you are?” His voice sounded foreign in my ears.

I shook my head and cocooned myself in the quilt.

Resting a hand on my belly, I worried, doubted.

The trembling wouldn’t cease, neither would the scenes – painful, frantic – reeling inside my mind.

Swinging fists.

Icy fingers at my throat.

The stench of whisky so heavy I tasted it.

The blur of darkness above me.

You ain’t nothin’ but a dirty little …

“What about your dad?”

My stomach lurched.

Tossing the blanket from around me, I rushed to the bathroom before becoming ill, but the frightened girl on the other side of the mirror replaced the nausea with tears.

"I didn’t mean to make you cry," he said from the doorway.

“It’s not your fault,” I whispered, but not to him.

3 Secret Agent

TITLE: FUGITIVE FAMILY
GENRE: COMMERCIAL LITERARY


It took Tuesday two days to notice her father had moved out. Their paths didn't cross much at home so his absence revealed itself in subtle ways. The framed picture of her family at the beach, the one with Tuesday's legs covered in sand and shaped into a mermaid's tale, vanished from its usual perch atop the end table in the living room. Her dad's chipped Pasadena City College coffee cup disappeared from the drying rack by the sink. The front hallway became a leather junkyard of discarded purses and shoes. When her mother started smoking indoors, something her father expressly forbid, Tuesday finally thought to ask, "Where's Dad?"

"Sit down, honey," her mom said, motioning with her cigarette to the seat across from her at the kitchen table. Her ash fell to pieces on the stained tablecloth. Tuesday sat in the wooden chair, which creaked under her weight, and looked out the window at the colorless morning sky. A hummingbird floated up to the empty feeder hanging under the porch awning and then disappeared.

Tuesday waited for her mom to talk but she was too busy examining the raw edges of her fake nails. Another clump of cigarette ash dropped, this time on her mom's skirt, causing her to jump up and brush herself off. She reached into a cabinet, pulled down a purple glazed ceramic bowl and placed it between them on the table. Her mom tapped her cigarette into it and said, "Your father left us."

2 Secret Agent

TITLE: GMAIL
GENRE: YA MYSTERY

The unopened e-mail taunted me, sitting bold-faced in my inbox. It didn't move or disappear or do any of the creepy things I'd expect an e-mail from a ghost to do. It just sat there.

Existing.

I squeezed my eyes shut and held the air in my lungs until it burned. I was terrified to open my eyes and see nothing but an empty inbox. But the prospect of reading the e-mail was equally terrifying. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know what my presumed dead ex-best friend would have to say to me on the anniversary of her disappearance.

I let the air out of my lungs and opened my eyes. Yup, still there. Cue the men in white coats because it was entirely possible that I, Kate Lowry, had officially lost my mind.

Of course, even if this was some type of prolonged psychotic episode, I still had to read the e-mail. I mean, if I was going crazy I might as well go crazy. Go big or go home, right?

I'm not sure if it was the dense September air or the emotional shock, but the walls of my already cramped bedroom seemed to close in on me. Okay, deep breaths. I steadied my hand and clicked on Ava's name.

To: K8Lowry@gmail.com

Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM

From: AvaW1993@gmail.com

Subject: (no subject)

I'm here…

sort of.

Find Christian.

He knows.

I shouldn't be writing.

Don't tell.

They'll hurt you.

1 Secret Agent

TITLE: ORACLE
GENRE: YOUNG ADULT URBAN SCIENCE FICTION

Something warm and moist stroked her fingers. Lexi rocked in and out of awareness, trying to decide what it was—and whether or not she cared. Finally she recognized the feeling. Rheanna was licking her hand.

She peeked through her eyelids to see the sunlight streaming in the window. Ugh—what time is it? Rolling over, she sat up in bed. Pushing her dark curls out of her face, she forced her eyes to focus on the clock.

Wow, it's already almost eleven. She never slept that late.

"Alright Ree, I'm up," she said, blinking her bleary blue-gray eyes at the dog. "Let's get something to eat."

She stood up, stretched, and then strolled leisurely down the hallway to the kitchen. It was Saturday. There was no need to hurry.

Ree hopped around her feet excitedly. Laughing, she rubbed the dog's head. Convincing Ree to take it easy would be another matter entirely.

Glancing at the counter, she wasn't surprised to see a note from Gwen.

Al,

We will be at the Spring Inn Condos in Flagstaff.

If any of Lincoln's computer clients call, just take a message.

My art exhibit ends on Sunday night so we should be home by 10 on

Monday morning.

If you need anything or just miss us, please call.

Be careful and have fun!

Love ya sis!

Gwen was the only one who called her Al. It made Lexi smile. Her sister had tried so hard to fill in as the mother figure since their parents' accident six years earlier.

SECRET AGENT: And away we go!

Okay, the submissions will post shortly.

Just a few notes for the newcomers:

* Everyone who had submitted an entry is requested to critique at least 5 other entries.

* Using "ANONYMOUS" as your screen name is not allowed. Kindly choose a name by which we can all identify you (choose the third sign-in option in the comment box).

* Be kind and helpful, honest but not critical. (If something doesn't work, say so. But don't make sweeping statements like, "Your mother should have removed your fingers at birth.")

And for those of you who have entered: If you notice any egregious formatting errors on your submission, please email me and I will fix it. I know how important it is for your work to be beautiful and readable. (Notice I didn't say "perfect.")

Okay, enjoy!!

Pre-Contest Jitters and a Possible "Heads Up"

Well, I don't have jitters -- but I think 60 of you just might. *grin*

Your energy is literally seeping out of my keyboard, dripping from my monitor, and invading my psyche. Awesomeness abounds!

The tiny "heads up" is this: There's a chance I may start posting entries later today. Our Secret Agent expressed an interest in possibly getting an early start (how cool is that?). I'm waiting for a final word.

If you don't see anything happening on here, assume that we'll be starting on schedule tomorrow morning at 9:00 Eastern Time. And remember that everyone is warmly invited to critique -- not just the Secret Agent and our contestants.

So many new folks this time, too! Welcome, welcome, welcome.

That's my news bulletin for Tuesday. I'm off to scrounge up some lunch. (The cashews are gone.)

Oh, and THANK YOU to those of you who purchased Agent: Demystified yesterday. May the "pearls of wisdom" therein propel you into Agent Nirvana and Beyond!

Okay, here is what I am going to do:

I'm going to accept 10 extra submissions and hope that my Secret Agent doesn't send me poisoned chocolates.

I never expected it to fill up this fast, and I wasn't at my computer when the 50th entry made its way through the portal. So entries 51 through 60 will be receiving confirmation emails shortly. Please note that these entries made it through before I posted the "Submissions Are Now Closed" announcement. Entries kept rolling in after that point, and I am sorry to say that these entries will have to be excluded.

And just so you know...

I. Hate. Leaving. People. Out.

This is killing me, folks.

But...it's not like you all paid an entry fee. Yanno? That's what I keep telling myself.

And this is, after all, a One Woman Show. And 99.9 percent of you are absolutely amazing -- supportive in every way possible.

Anyway, if I didn't love this, I wouldn't do it. Call me a glutton for administrative overload.

So. Go pick up a copy of my e-book (those who haven't already!) while you're waiting. Then I'll feel much better. Ever so much better.

And yes, Heather, I've been eating cashews. *grin*

YES, You've Overwhelmed Me!!!!!!!

But it's not a bad thing. Your excitement is palpable!!

Okay, bear with me.

Please don't keep refreshing your email...I've haven't even begun sending confirmations.

Please (PLEASE!) don't resend. Please. PLEEEEEEEEASE. *friendly smile*

Please send food. I'm going to be here for a while.

And I LOVE the comment thread under the call for submissions post. Y'all are making me laugh with your verification words!

Right. Taking a deep breath and diving in.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Oh my gosh.

I wasn't at my computer. We're already way over.

More later. Gonna be a busy day 'round these here parts!

Love you!

Call For Submissions: Can you hook a SECRET AGENT?

Submissions are officially open.

The guidelines:

1. Please submit the first 250 words of your COMPLETED NOVEL to facelesswords(at)gmail.com.

2. Submissions must be received IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:

Screen Name (PLEASE list this first, as it's easier to swipe the text below without including it)
TITLE:
GENRE:

(Please -- no bold, underlines, or strange fonts.)

(Also -- please, NO CENTER-JUSTIFYING!)

*Submission in a normal font (NOT Courier, Comic, or anything that is outside the realm of normal in the publishing world), 250 words (your first page)

3. This month's contest will include the following genres:

Commercial (literary and mainstream)

Women's fiction (including chick lit in all its varieties)

Romance

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Young Adult/Middle Grade

If your novel does not fall within one of these genres, please do not enter.

4. Entries will be limited to a 24-hour submission window, or 50 submissions -- WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

5. All submissions will receive a confirmation email containing your post number. If you do not receive a confirmation email, I did not receive your submission.

6. I LOVE your personal notes -- I really do. But please refrain from sending a "thank you" email after I've sent your post number.

7. NO ATTACHMENTS. Please send your submission in the body of your email.

8. By entering this contest, you are agreeing to the public posting and critiquing of your work.

9. If you are chosen as a winner of this contest, you will agree to the terms of the prize as laid out by our Secret Agent, or your prize will be subject to forfeiture.

If we reach our 50 submission limit before 24 hours have ended, I will let you know. Otherwise, submissions will close tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:00 am

Heads Up: Secret Agent Next Week!

Seems like we've just finished a round, but here comes another one! Full submission guidelines and the official call for submissions will be posted Monday, February 9, at 9:00 am EST.

Note: I know we're spanning the globe and it's hard for some of you to submit because it's an odd time for you. I'm trying to figure out how to remedy this. In the meantime, I'm keeping it the way it is (9:00 am) because, well, since I'm running the contest, I kind of have to be awake. And at my computer. Feel free to email suggestions on the time zone problem to facelesswords(at)gmail.com.

In the meantime, here are the genres included in this month's Secret Agent: Are You Hooked? round:

Commercial (literary and mainstream)

Women's fiction (including chick lit in all its varieties)

Romance

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Young Adult/Middle Grade

Leave your questions in the comment box here.

Wonderful Opportunity For Our Secret Agent Subbers!!

If you were one of the 51 participants in our recent Secret Agent contest, this post is for you!

Our own Sarah Jensen has graciously offered to host a REVISED PAGE FEST on her blog next week!

Here are Sarah's instructions:

All participants who have done revisions on their first pages since last week's contests are invited to send their revision 250 words to msfvrevisions(at)gmail.com by Tuesday, January 27 at 9 pm MST. Important: PLEASE INCLUDE THE POST NUMBER OF YOUR ORIGINAL ENTRY HERE ON MISS SNARK'S FIRST VICTIM. Please also include the title/genre at the top of your entry, the same way you did when you entered the contest. Sarah will provide a link back to the original page along with your revised page.

She will begin putting the pages up on Wednesday the 28th and they will be ready for comments on Thursday the 29th.

You will be able to view and critique the revised pages next week at Legend of the Protectors. (I'll post a reminder here.)

Leave your questions here in the comments box for Sarah to answer. And a huge THANK YOU to Sarah for doing this!

New Rule For Secret Agent Contests

Most of you do not have to read this post.

Effective immediately: All critiques signed "Anonymous" will be deleted. If you do not want to use your real name (and, hey, who am I to argue?), please choose the third option in the comment box, which is "Name/URL." You are not required to enter a URL -- just a name will do. Any name. Something by which you can be identified and recognized on this blog.

Otherwise, your words will be zapped.

Are you dying to know why?

It seems one of our anonymous critters decided it was okay to make snarky comments in the Secret Agent's direction. Subtle, perhaps. Unnoticed by the masses, perhaps.

But noticed by Ms. Davies. And pointed out to me.

I was not amused.

While it's perfectly fine to disagree with the comments of our Secret Agent (agents are not, after all, demigods; you know this, of course, if you have read AGENT: DEMYSTIFIED), it is not perfectly fine to make disparaging, rude comments that dis our Secret Agent or agents in general.

Comments such as:

"For someone to say it's cliche is not overly smart." (Posted after our Secret Agent had pointed out a cliche.)

And...

"I think the problem with literary agents they forget who the audiences are. Now as far as getting an agent to open their [sic] eyes and use some brain cells, I don't know what to tell you."

Frankly, I'm appalled.

It's bad enough to spout negative comments toward an agent who is graciously giving us her time and expertise. To do so anonymously is cowardly to boot.

So. No more "Anonymous" in the signature lines, please.

The publishing biz is a "small world." If you're going to give yourself a reputation for snarkiness, be kind enough to attach your name to it. That way, the agents and publishers can give each other fair warning when you're walking their way.

Can you tell I have no patience for this? None.

As for our Secret Agent? Her main concern was that the Anonymous poster wasn't the same person she had chosen for her first place winner (she wasn't). Why? Well, who wants to work with someone who has just left a trail of rude, inappropriate comments? It isn't just about the writing. It's about whether you are someone an agent wants to work with.

Symbiotic, almost.

Ninety-nine percent of you would never dream of being rude to one of our Secret Agents. Ninety-nine percent of you need absolutely no reminders to be polite and helpful during your critiques. I have never felt the need to "police" you during our contests. This is truly one of the most amazing communities I've ever seen spring up online.

I mean that. And I hated having to write this.

So. Let's end on a positive note: I'm super excited about February's Secret Agent contest (okay, when am I not super excited about a Secret Agent contest?). And as for the remainder of January: We'll be having another First Chapter critique next week! So roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig into to another whole chapter.

Hugs and chocolate to you all.

And The Winners Are.....

These are truly the most fun posts to write. You know what's especially fun? Reading comments from winners before they know they've won. Makes me feel kinda....omniscient. *grin*

Without further ado, here are this round's winners, hand-picked by Sarah Davies:

Honourable Mentions (spelled the British way, in honour of Ms. Davies) -- who, in the words of Ms. Davies, will receive "no prize other than the joy of having piqued my interest!":

#51 – THE ONLY WAY FORWARD by Siobhan

#48 – EDEN by English151

#39 – DAMAGE CONTROL by AmberJ

And here are the CONTEST WINNERS:

Third prize: #46 – THE MIRROR by ElanaJ

The prize: Ms. Davies will read the first chapter – or 10 pages, whichever is shorter.

Second prize: #11 – THE BIGGEST WEIRDO IN THE WHOLE EIGHTH GRADE by onetiredmama

The prize: Ms. Davies will read the first 3 chapters – or 50 pages, whichever is shorter.

First prize: #27 – FOREST FOR THE TREES by Ink Wench

The prize: Ms. Davies will read the full manuscript.

Place winners: Please email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com for submission instructions.

Also, Ms. Davies has asked that I let you all know that, while other entries were well written, she went for the ones that felt most commercial to her.

Congratulations, everyone!

Secret Agent Unveiled: SARAH DAVIES

A round of applause for our feisty and ever so helpful Sarah Davies of the the Greenhouse!

Sarah's Bio:

Sarah Davies runs the Greenhouse, a full-service literary agency exclusively for authors of fiction (though not picture books) for children and young adults. Greenhouse launched in January 2008 and has already developed and sold a number of debut authors. With offices in Virginia (just outside Washington DC) and London, the agency represents both American and British authors and sells direct to both markets. Foreign rights are handled by sister-company Rights People – a specialist children’s rights-selling business with a fast-growing reputation for selling literary properties around the world.

Sarah has more than 25 years’ experience of children’s publishing, moving to the USA from London in 2007. She started her career at Collins (before it was HarperCollins), followed by a spell at Transworld/Random House. In 1994 she joined Macmillan Children’s Books in London as Fiction Editor, rising through the editorial ranks to Publishing Director and member of the management board, where she was involved in all aspects of business strategy and development for an award-winning list which published 200+ titles per year, from novelty/preschool books to sophisticated teen fiction. She held this position until 2007 when she left to start Greenhouse.

Sarah has worked with and published many leading authors on both sides of the Atlantic. Americans include Judy Blume, Meg Cabot, Sharon Creech, Carl Hiaasen, Karen Cushman, David Baldacci, Sarah Mlynowski, and Gary Paulsen. Brits include Philip Pullman, Peter Dickinson, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Eva Ibbotson, and Frances Hardinge. She also has considerable experience in contract negotiation, marketing and rights, as well as a strong understanding of digital developments. Excellent publishing contacts in both the USA and Britain - and homes in both countries - give her a uniquely transatlantic vision. She makes regular trips to New York and London, and in 2007 was a member of the judging panel for SCBWI UK’s first-ever writing competition, which resulted in the anthology ‘Undiscovered Voices’.

Married to an American, Sarah has twin sons who are more-or-less grown-up now, but who taught her much of what she knows about children and reading. She attends major international book fairs and trade events and loves meeting new authors and nurturing fresh talent. She says, ‘Everything I’d most like you to know about Greenhouse is embodied in its name. You’ll find my Ten Top Tips for writing children’s fiction, and lots more info, on the Greenhouse website.

What Sarah is currently looking for:

• Smart, high-concept tween fiction with a strong voice and lots of commercial appeal.

• Strong middle-grade fiction, with adventurous storylines – perhaps with supernatural/spooky plots, if really original. Boy protagonists, international settings, historical/magical threads are all interesting. Strong characters that leap off the page.

• Teen novels that are arresting, dark, superbly well written and linger in the mind and heart.

• Other fiction I would love to find: A great story set in the Middle East with authentic characters (a KITE RUNNER for young people). A big and important novel with themes that engage and challenge the intellect; this could be futuristic or perhaps have political or racial issues woven into the storyline. A ‘novel for our times’!

And there you have it -- another successful Secret Agent round under our proverbial belts! Many thanks, Sarah, for your time and effort.

Stay tuned! I know you're all dying to know who the winners are. They'll be announced shortly.

51 SECRET AGENT

TITLE: The only way forward
GENRE: YA


One minute before nine. And the feeling was getting worse.

"One more minute until my doom." I muttered. My fingers were gray and trembling. The room was frigid with over-zealous air-conditioning.

"No, one more minute until my doom." Sylvia whispered back. I glanced at her. She looked perfect as usual, her brown hair perfectly styled and gleaming under the fluorescent lights. She even had make-up on. Who wore make-up to take a final exam?

"Please put all your study materials away now." Mr. Johnson announced. The class made a collective groan and, for a moment, there was no sound except for the swish of paper as Mr. Jones passed out a thick sheaf of test booklets.

The exam slid in front of me and my eyes shot to the first question: 'We know from Einstein’s Theory of Relativity that time is relative to the speed at which one is traveling. What other forces affect the passage of time?'

My heart flubbed a beat, and then began to pound frantically. The pencil I was clutching fell from my fingers and clattered on the floor.

"No. Not now, not now." I whispered. But it was too late. The walls of the room darkened and seemed to move farther away, as though I were falling into a tunnel. And then there was pain.
The pain came so quickly it felt as though I had gotten stabbed in the chest. I collapsed onto the floor, my arms pressed against my heart.

50 SECRET AGENT

Title: Perdy's Secret

Genre: MG Historical Fiction


My fingernails dug into my palms as my eyelids tried to shut out every twitch and pain of the past twenty-four hours.

I had spent last night and today locked in the stocks in the town square, meant to be a spectacle, a reminder to the community of what happens to traitors. But I was NO traitor.

I repeatedly relived my helplessness. Anger seethed inside, boiling like a kettle on Mam’s hearth. The thought of the jurors converging on me in the courtroom was etched in my memory.

“You will not escape unscathed, young lady,” snarled Constable Duffield. “Washington’s words spared your life, nothing more. Make sure she does not forget what happens to those who even think of betrayal.”

Two jurymen held me while others cut my hair. I struggled vehemently, twisting beneath their grip, screaming for them to stop. My efforts only insured my hair was shorn in uneven tufts close to my head. I must have looked hideous.

Once released, the length of my rejection would be determined by the how long it took my hair to grow back. They couldn’t go against the word of General Washington, but they could make certain I’d be shunned by the entire city.

Darkness crept into Philadelphia. I could not stop shivering. I thought it was nerves.

Why did they accuse me?

I struggled to stay awake. It would be easy to fall asleep and hope the cold would take me. But, I couldn’t die now. Abby needed me.

49 SECRET AGENT

TITLE: Crevan Fox
GENRE: Middle Grade


Crevan Fox strutted away from the beach of Crescent Moon Bay, shaking the sand off his feet once he reached the sidewalk. He looked back at the red and white striped lighthouse at the other end of the beach, shook his head in disgust.

“It had better only be a rumor,” he said to himself. “Dad will know.”

A laughing toddler ran right into him, spilling her root beer float down Crevan's leg.

"What in the heck are you doing?" Crevan barked, stepping back as she dropped her cup on his foot. He scowled as the girls' bottom lip quivered. Great, here come tears.

“Stupid tourists," he mumbled as the parents ran over. “Making me late.”

"I'm so sorry," the mom said, frowning. She took napkins from her husband, shoving them at Crevan.

"This wouldn't happen if you'd watch your brat better," Crevan said, snatching the napkins.

The man picked up his weeping daughter and patted her back. "Settle down, son. Accidents happen. She’s just a baby,” he said, bouncing her around. He scowled at Crevan. “You weren't watching where you were going either. I saw you admiring the lighthouse."

"Admiring?" Crevan snapped. "I was not!" He bent to wipe at the sticky mess on his foot and flip flop. "I mean look at it. There’s no windows, no doors. It's never been used." He stood up, gestured at the lighthouse. "No one even knows who built it. It's just a big stupid eyesore."

48 SECRET AGENT

Genre: Mainstream YA

Working Title: Eden

Seven o’clock, Sunday morning, my mother clipping peach-colored roses from the bushes, humming to herself. I slip past her unnoticed, slide in through the den window, brushing the last of the dry field grass from my shoulders, my hair, my pants.

Silently pad by the kitchen where the dog sleeps near the stove and my father reads the paper with his back to the door. Careful up the carpeted stairs, avoiding the two creaky spots until I reach my room.

I ball up my clothes, put them beneath a pile of towels and pull on my nightgown. I take the long one with sleeves that skitter down to my knuckles. I have just pulled the quilt over my shoulders when someone knocks.

“Come in,” I call.

“Oh, you’re awake,” my mother says, “I knocked before, but you were still sleeping.” She is holding the roses. “I cut these for you. I thought they would look so nice on your bureau the way they match the smaller roses in your wall paper. Look here, Missy.” She taps at tiny roses on the wall. “At these.”

“Yeah.” I slide further down into the quilt.

“Well, you don’t seem excited, but I guess that’s to be expected at your age.” She comes nearer to me on the bed. “Why are you wearing a winter nightgown on such a warm morning, Missy?”

“Cold last night,” I murmur. I want to say, I’m wearing it to hide my arms, Mom. I cut them for you.

47 SECRET AGENT

TITLE: Playing with Matches
GENRE: YA

Heinz Schultz’s word could send a man to prison. Though only fifteen, the Nazi party had empowered him. He was strong and tall, just a few years older then those of us he led. I esteemed him. I feared him. And I wanted to be just like him.

“We are leaders,” he told us, “not followers. One day the youth of Germany will rule the world!” His voice had recently lowered an octave making what he said sound more severe. “Give me examples of our superiority.”

Heinz’s brother, Rolf raised his hand, “We are white, Aryan and not Jewish.” He said this like the rest of us were too dull to know the answer. He may be Heinz’s brother but he still sounded like a girl.

“True,” Heinz agreed. “Others?

Friedrich thrust his long skinny arm in the air. “We are athletic and fit.”

Moritz shifted uneasily in his chair; he wasn’t exactly the most coordinated person I knew. I raised my hand.

“Emil?”

“We are intelligent.” All eyes were on me. With the flick of an imaginary switch I flushed red. Should I present an example? A model glider hung above the table prompting me. “We built the Luftwaffe.”

“Indeed,” said Heinz. “The mightiest air force in the world!”

“One day I will be a pilot in the Luftwaffe!” I boasted.

“A noble goal, Emil,” Heinz said then nodded to Johann who picked up his guitar. We sang with heartfelt gusto: Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles.