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Author Topic: Purpose of the first 13
Gideon
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I'd like to hear some other opinions on the purpose of the first 13 lines. Is it to inform, hook, explain, reveal, or other. (Yes, I know that some of those are redundant.) For me, I want to be hooked. I don't have to have all the answers up front. I did some research and even OSC doesn't tell all in the first 13. Read Ender's Game for an example. Ender isn't named until the second page and even then he is first called Andrew. The characters in the conversation we read on the first page stay anonymous, but we are hooked into reading more. Of course to do such a feat requires skill and talent like OSC's. Eager to hear your thoughts.

Gideon

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Kathleen Dalton Woodbury
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There have been several topics on this question in the past.

Two very good ones are "Why the problem with the 1st 13 isn't that it's too short"
and "Just tell me" .

Here's another one:

"Ideal first 13"

I strongly urge that you read those topics.

[This message has been edited by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (edited March 14, 2007).]

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pantros
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The first thirteen has only one real purpose to a writer - to keep the reader reading past them.

There are several things that are required to meet that goal and all of the above resources should explain that.

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RMatthewWare
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Generally, if there are major literary problems in the first 13 lines, they will continue through the manuscript. I think that's why some people are so hard in their feedback.

Matt

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MrsBrown
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The topics that Kathleen linked to are very good .. and encouraged me to quit worrying too much at this point. Basic skills and plot outlining are my current tasks.
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djvdakota
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YAY!!!

Thank you, Mrs Brown!!!

Don't forget how valuable critiquing of whole stories can be in helping you learn those, and many other writing techniques.

Thanks to Kathleen for posting those awesome links.

[This message has been edited by djvdakota (edited March 17, 2007).]

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