This is a list of the seven things you should avoid or be sure to do in your e-mails.

He can start the conversation, but so can you. Show initiative and start the conversation. In life being passive never pays so if you're interested write him and say so. You could write something like: "I'll tell you the boldest thing I've done if you tell me yours. I'm interested in getting to know you."

Ask a lot of questions. It's a huge turnoff to date someone that only talks about him or herself. Wait for him to ask you specific questions before you go into the "soabout me" speech. He saw your profile. He knows about you. He'll be psyched if you show you're interested by asking him why David Sedaris is his favorite author or how long he lived in Japan.

Keep him guessing about you, but not for that long. It's good to keep him intrigued, but if you wait too long to return his e-mail or call he may forget about you and move on to the next match. If you ask him to tell you about the boldest thing you've ever done, be sure to tell him about yours within a few days after he does. In this same vein, if he asks for your number or to meet you, don't wait a week to respond.

Avoid an e-mail affair. When you log into your e-mail it's exciting to see three e-mails from the interesting, new guy who gives great e-mail. It's disappointing, though, to meet Mr. Great E-mail Guy and have zero attraction to him. Instead of falling for the online version of him, meet him after the first five or so e-mails so you won't be bummed to lose your e-mail lover.

Don't copy and paste. As tempting as it is to use the same "about me" e-mail with three potential online matches, it's easy to make mistakes this way. A friend of mine did this and sent the same e-mail to a guy twice AND she forgot to change the name at the top.

Who talks more, men or women? I've seen studies that prove men talk more than women, but I know from experience that some men are turned off by a chatty Patty. Keep your e-mails to two short paragraphs until he writes you a long e-mail. If he ever does, then you know he has patience for chatter.

Send an e-mail after the first date. I think it's nice to get a follow up e-mail even if I'm not interested. It's a polite thing to do.