I use this one other method of writing dialogue without stopping for "he said", "she replied" or such. So I just write how it would flow.
I do this alot as well. It's effective and, in my experience, does very little in the way of slowing down edits.
Interesting about the 500 words. I just read my description, and it's only 97 words. I hate the thought of padding it, because I think it might make the book sound boring. I wonder if the situation might be different for fiction versus non-fiction.
CH, my descriptions are always much longer but not for the reasons stated by the other poster above. I see this kind of advice in various places and it's pretty much useless IMO. I would never write a description to try and game an algo. No one really understands these things or knows anything about them anyway.
If you need proof, look at the bestselling writers, there is absolutely zero correlation between doing any of these kinds of things and making lots of sales. Sure, pick good keywords and put your book in the best possible category but beyond that, there's not much that remains to be done.
I guess what I'm saying is... write your descriptions for people, not machines. And, then write another book, and another, and another...
Perhaps include the first chapter or introduction/preface?
I wouldn't do this. SELL your story. That's what the description is for... When a movie studio puts out a new flick, do they just show the first 15 minutes on TV?
Heck no! They show you hints of the best stuff... The stuff that makes you want to get your butt in there and see it.
THAT is how you should write your descriptions - tantalize, tease but NEVER, EVER tell!
Do you let others read? How good is "good enough?"
My wife edits them. When she's done, it's "good enough" and we put it up for sale. It'll never be perfect so you just have to kind of let it go and publish...
I don't know what the right answer is to the body part question
Whatever sells.
I have sold a handful of the two stories I've published so far
Terrific, way to go! Looking forward to hearing more from you.
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