Intro lengths?

[wizzy812]

The intro of my book is only about half a page long. I think it's the perfect length. But a friend of mine says it has to be 3 or 4 pages long. I'm worried if I make it longer people will forget the goal I'm trying to achieve.

[Midnight Star]

This is all preference, my friend. There's no right or wrong way to do it. If you think it's good at a 1/2 page long, then keep it that way. It's your story, not your friend's. There are going to be people who think it should be longer, those who think it should be shorter, and those who think it's perfect. But it's your decision.

[wizzy812]

Thank you midnight- I figure I can write anything I want. I even write messages to friends and family. I don't care if people don't like it. It's my book. I can write anything I want right?

How is it in Ga. ? I've thinking of moving there. I here people are hospitable there.

[Midnight Star]

That's the right attitude. :D

and Georgians are hospitable, but very, VERY annoying. You can't walk into the local store without a) seeing a guy dressed in hunting clothes, b) someone wearing a cowboy hat c) hearing country or rap music or d) all of the above.

[wizzy812]

That's the right attitude. :D

and Georgians are hospitable, but very, VERY annoying. You can't walk into the local store without a) seeing a guy dressed in hunting clothes, b) someone wearing a cowboy hat c) hearing country or rap music or d) all of the above.

It sounds like I would like Ga. I'm somewhat of a hillbilly.LOL

[Jamesaritchie]

Thank you midnight- I figure I can write anything I want. I even write messages to friends and family. I don't care if people don't like it. It's my book. I can write anything I want right?

How is it in Ga. ? I've thinking of moving there. I here people are hospitable there.

You can certainly write anything yu want, good, bad, great, horrible, mediocre, etc. But if you expect to have the book published, other people will have to like it as well.

Even if you don't want it published, it's still nice if other people like it, expecially if you ask them to read it.

[wizzy812]

You can certainly write anything yu want, good, bad, great, horrible, mediocre, etc. But if you expect to have the book published, other people will have to like it as well.

Even if you don't want it published, it's still nice if other people like it, expecially if you ask them to read it.

That's a good point. I do want it to be published. I sometimes wonder if the only reason I think it's interesting is because it's my book.

[Midnight Star]

Sometimes that is the case. You are your own worst critic, but you are your own #1 fan. Ultimately, it is you decision on how long the intro is. Some opinions may be helpful, though.

[Gillhoughly]

:editors hat on:

Unless your friend is a published professional with an impressive resume of sales that include lots of nifty intros, ignore him.

A pro will tell you an intro is only as long as needed to get across the necessary information, keeping in mind that it will probably be skipped by the reader.

If you don't NEED an intro, leave it out.

I did one intro for an anthology. It was about half a page. That was all that was needed. I think the collection would have been just as well off without it, but the editor wanted one and I wanted a check.

[Tepelus]

Georgians are hospitable, but very, VERY annoying. You can't walk into the local store without a) seeing a guy dressed in hunting clothes, b) someone wearing a cowboy hat c) hearing country or rap music or d) all of the above.


Sounds like Michiganders...minus the cowboy hat. :D



(I'm originally from MI)

[Midnight Star]

Sounds like Michiganders...minus the cowboy hat. :D



(I'm originally from MI)

Michigan must be quite an interesting place, then. Or annoying...

[Stijn Hommes]

People generally tend to skip intros, so don't sweat over it. If anything, it's probably too long rather than too short. A lot of introductions are not actually needed.

[Adagio]

:editors hat on:


A pro will tell you an intro is only as long as needed to get across the necessary information, keeping in mind that it will probably be skipped by the reader.

.

Hm ... why do readers skip an introduction or a prologue? That's what the pro's say? I never skip intro or prologues. If I open a book, I read everything that's in there, from the first page to the last. I assume that the writer knew what he was doing, as well as the publisher who'd decided to publish the book, that there's a story and everything is linked somehow.

Adagio

[third person]

Intro? Has to be? *facepalm*

[Bufty]

If it's only half a page why bother with an intro at all?

What's its purpose beyond telling me in advance that which I'm going to find out as I read?

[wizzy812]

I'm including the intro because I think it will gain the interest of potential readers. I want it to be short. I lose interest in long intros

[third person]

The first paragraph of chapter one should gain the interest of potential readers. Do you want to get right to the story, or make your readers think you assume they're not so bright by having to explain it beforehand?