March 14, 2008
Excerpts
An excerpt from my coming-soon release has finally been chosen, with a little help from a couple of sources in this process. 
I don’t think I’ve ever asked for advice in the chosing of an excerpt before, but for some reason this one was tricky for me. Or maybe I just decided to take it more seriously. After all, it involves carving out a chunk of your prized manuscript to represent the whole, and often having people decide whether they might be interested in reading based on those few words.
It’s a fairly short book, so there was only so much to choose from.
It also seemed difficult to find one 1500-word passage that captured the “flavor” of the story. It was hard to find something that seemed both sexy and sweet, silly and potentially serious, and hopefully intriguing but didn’t give too much of the plot away. 
So naturally, it stirred my little gray cells to ask the question:
What do you look for when you read an excerpt from an author’s book? What’s too long, too short? Is there anything you occasionally find that turns you off, or a particular something you find lacking in some of them?
Just as in your excerpt, I look for something with dialogue and character interaction with a hint of where it’s going. You made a good choice.
hmm….. I don’t like it when it gives too much away–or not enough to give you a “feel” for the book–but y’know, that is one of those things that you realize after you’ve read it–der, I’m no help!
As a reader I’m looking for an intriguing story. Character’s that I’d want to read about. And I’m all about the funny. If an author can show me that then I’ll likely get the book. If I have to know what happens next it’s almost a sure thing. But I do need to say it doesn’t take make much to have me buy a book. I have this certain addiction….
Great question, Raine. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately (for obvious reasons). I noticed that quite a number of excerpts are sexy/hot. If they’re too hot, it kinda turns me off, makes me think that this is the biggest element of the story. But I know for others a really sexy excerpt clinches the sale, they want to read something hot(!). I want to get a good feeling for the characters and the author’s skill/wordcraft and it should be a situation/scene that’s intriguing, and/or emotionally charged or suspensful in some way. I should really want to know what led the H/h to that point in the excerpt, and REALLY want to know what happens next.
Hey, Randy, great comment. I agree with everything you said, dawg.
(oops!
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I agree with everything you said, dawg.
Well I for one thought it was horrendous!
Excerpts……a sense of voice, a sense of what the story is about, a sense of writer’s skills. I’m BIG on voice–I know like that’s a huge shocker, huh?
Sometimes it’s a little pitchy for me, but i like your shoes–er um anyway
I like short excerpts, a taste to whet my appetite. I dont want long ones (it’s like a long blog post you lose me real easily) and please DEAR AUTHORS make them easily readable.
Double Space, a nice sized font, easy on my 38 YO soon-to-need-computer-and-or-reading-glasses eyes, okay?
>>I have this certain addiction….
Melissa yeah no sh*t?! I was reading the TImes List and Jodi Picoult has a new hardcover out. I’m so freaking broke but I want that damned book and I’ve never read her before–I keep meaning to try her but…..
Thanks, Bernard.
And thanks to Ames for a thumbs-up and to my editor for a right-on suggestion.
I know what you mean, Dennie, lol.
Yes.
***If I have to know what happens next it’s almost a sure thing.***
Good point, Mel. Leaving the writer wondering and wanting more.
Yes, um…Randy…I know “hot” sells, but I also need more than that. A strong sense of the characters, and whether they’re appealing, for example.
Didn’t know you were so articulate, dawg!
Well geez, Vanessa—you could’ve come up with your own comment.
Just riding Randy’s coat tails like that…shame on you!
***I dont want long ones (it’s like a long blog post you lose me real easily) and please DEAR AUTHORS make them easily readable.***
Good point again. And if the excerpt loses me, I’m sure not likely to pick up the book.
>>Just riding Randy’s coat tails like that…shame on you!
Wanting to know what ( or how) happens next.
A sense of story - which is why a purely erotic scene is often not a good choice.
Your excerpt supplies voice, character, story, world, with a lovely lack of cliche.
I’m honored, Bernita.
And your point about the purely erotic seems to keep recurring. I agree.
I like excerpts to be short and to the point. I don’t like to read page after page of anything because I have no connection with the characters to want to read that much. I just want a slice of the author’s style to give me an indication as to whether I should read more.