Be a novel, not an encyclopedia.

When you read something for pleasure, do you like to pick up an encyclopedia, or a novel?

Encyclopedias are great tools. When you want an answer given to you quickly, you can look it up. Then you put the encyclopedia away, and leave it alone until you have another question.

They provide good answers, but little entertainment.

When you read a novel, though, you don't get instant answers. A good novel will dangle unsolved questions in front of you. They'll give a few false leads. And, every once in awhile, just to keep you from becoming completely frustrated, they'll throw you a piece of the puzzle. But you won't see the resolution until you're done with the book. Or, if they're particularly cruel, a series of books.

Good novels keep us in suspense. And we enjoy reading them.

So, what does this have to do with eHarmony?

Well, if you haven't noticed, you're getting asked a lot of questions. And, since we're guys, we usually answer questions like we do at work - Answer the question quickly, succinctly, and completely. And it's the right thing to do at work - who wants to waste time?

But, when you're trying to attract a woman, you want to be the novel.

Don't completely frustrate a woman by providing non-answers. And don't be dishonest. You want to look real and genuine.

But you don't always have to provide complete answers. Just enough to keep her interested. And you can throw a few tangents into your answer. Things like, "You know, this reminds me of _____. I'll have to tell you about that sometime."

Be a good novel, and she'll keep reading. Be an encyclopedia, and she'll lose interest quickly.