> What should be in a good first 13?
Great writing, and something that would hook an editor into wanting to read the rest.
>Does the first 13 really have to accomplish anything besides getting the reading to want to read 14?
You could ask for comments just on that chunk. I do. Especially about the hook.
>What are some fine specimens of first 13s?
The start of anything I wrote. Seriously, the start of fine modern stories. (Older stories didn't need such immediate hooks, apparently.)
P.S. Looks like it's about 200 words.
Maybe I should begin my novel with the scene (which is currently 70% the way through) where the MC is thinking about committing adultery. Then she can think back over her history with men so far up to that moment, and things can proceed from there.
[This message has been edited by franc li (edited June 14, 2005).]