Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Starts of Authors

This is topic Starts of Authors in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Phanto (Member # 1619) on :

I thought it would be a great idea to post the first thirteen lines of books which we love, and discuss the techniques the author uses to draw us in.

Would this be legally allowed?

If so, it should be informative and interesting to do so.

Posted by Jerome Vall (Member # 1905) on :

So long as we limit it to 13 lines, and so long as we state both author and work, it shouldn't be a problem. However, if we do this, we should probably stick to one intro per thread. Things would get too confusing if we're talking about several different intros. Since this is your idea, Phanto, why don’t you start.

More difficult, but perhaps more fruitful, would be a “reading thread.” What I mean is this: We pick a novel (preferably a short one) and discuss it at, say, one chapter per week. It wouldn’t matter if you’ve already read it so long as you’d be willing to reread it.

Is this something you all would be interested in doing?

Kathleen, what do you think?

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

I agree about limiting the quotes to the first 13 lines, and about having a different topic for each story. I could see about setting up a separate discussion area for this. Any ideas on what we could call it?

As for the reading thread idea, there would be no postings of lines from the books, but discussing the books chapter by chapter sounds fine. A good way to learn from what has already been done.

Posted by TruHero (Member # 1766) on :

This may be corny, but You could name it:
INTRO: Hook, Line, or Sinker.
It would be easy to term it this way too. Three definitions as follows:

Hook: It definately hooked me.
Line: Eh? It's ok, just some lines.
Sinker: I thought it sucked, too boring.

You could add AUTHOR OR PRO in front of INTRO to clarify a bit more.
Good or no? I thought it was kinda catchy!

[This message has been edited by TruHero (edited February 02, 2004).]

Posted by PE_Sharp (Member # 1654) on :

How 'bout Hook, Line, and Floater. Eh... maybe not.

PE Sharp

[This message has been edited by PE_Sharp (edited February 02, 2004).]

Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :

quote:
Any ideas on what we could call it?

I would assume that "Writing Class" is there for that purpose. If you are looking to keep this concept separate, how about "Dissecting the Beginning" or just "Beginnings". Or someone could come up with a better one...

Posted by Jerome Vall (Member # 1905) on :

Kathleen,

The title needs to indicate that we are studying the works of published stories; we are not looking at our own work. Why not call it DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PUBLISHED FICTION. It’s not very sexy, but it precisely indicates the goal of the discussion area. You'd probably need a caveat indicating that the discussion area is dedicated to discussing ONLY published fiction, both short and long.

[This message has been edited by Jerome Vall (edited February 02, 2004).]

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

The pun-lover in me likes TruHero's idea of "Hook, Line, and Sinker" (though I'd change it to "Hook, Line, and Stinker"), but I think Jerome Vall is right.

I've decided to archive the Writing Decision Stories discussion area and I'll turn that into a Discussions about Published Fiction area. ("Been there, done that" appeals to me, too; but Jerome Vall's logic wins out.)

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Okay, it's up, under the title of "Discussing Published Hooks."

Thanks for the idea and suggestions on what to call it.