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Please help Edit this one paragraph

Marius-6 ๐Ÿšซ

I am self-editing a story that I hope to post just after Thanksgiving. However, I am stuck on this one paragraph.

I like many bits of it, but it is too wordy, and over-all something seems off, at least to me.

The young woman had been reclining on a couch in a languid pose, her feet tucked under legs; until she had contorted herself to look at me. I took a moment to check her out. She was significantly better attired than the others in the room. She wore what appeared to be quality black slacks, accented by a black leather belt with a silver and turquoise buckle. A form fitting teal cashmere sweater accentuated a firm bust, each the size of half a cantaloupe. Teal contrasted well with her fiery ginger hair. Her fair complexion was enhanced by a subtle application of cosmetics, adding a touch of color to her cheeks, enhancing her blue-green eyes (I couldn't quite tell), and making her eyelashes lush. I would bet that her cosmetics concealed freckles, typical of redheads. Her ginger mane was simply, but elegantly coiffed.

It would be easiest for people to post suggestions in this thread. Thank you.

Even after I post the story, I would appreciate any suggestions. I could either Update my story; or just learn some ways to improve my writing.

Replies:   irvmull  Mat Twassel
irvmull ๐Ÿšซ
Updated:

@Marius-6

Unless those specific items of clothing are important in the rest of the story, why are they even mentioned?
And the makeup, as well, since many, if not most, women wear some. And someone can detect a "subtle application of makeup", but not be sure of the color of eyes?

Would not "a well-dressed, shapely redhead" have sufficed?

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son ๐Ÿšซ
Updated:

@irvmull

Would not "a well-dressed, shapely redhead" have sufficed?

My opinion, to the extent that the detailed description of clothes in the OP may be a bit much, reducing it to "well-dressed" goes too far in the other direction. Is she wearing a no-nonsense pant-suit? a sexy dress? casual clothes? Either omit any mention at all of what she's wearing or at least give a general style.

Mat Twassel ๐Ÿšซ

@Marius-6

The young woman had been reclining on a couch in a languid pose, her feet tucked under legs; [comma, not semicolon] until she had [omit "had"] contorted herself to look at me. I took a moment to check her out. She was significantly better attired than the others in the room. She wore what appeared to be quality black slacks, accented by a black leather belt with a silver and turquoise buckle. A form fitting teal cashmere sweater accentuated a firm bust, each [missing word โ€“ "breast" is one possibility] the size of half a cantaloupe. Teal contrasted well with her fiery ginger hair. Her fair complexion was enhanced by a subtle application of cosmetics, adding [which added] a touch of color to her cheeks, enhancing [enhanced] her blue-green eyes (I couldn't quite tell [Couldn't tell what?]), and making [made] her eyelashes lush. I would bet that her cosmetics concealed freckles, typical of redheads. Her ginger mane was simply, but elegantly coiffed.

[What did the contortion involve?]

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