A Writer's Definition of Love

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! In honor of this special day I thought I would write a little bit about love. But not in the way you might expect.

Last year, my mother suggested I find some sort of writing contest to enter. After extensive browsing I finally found something that fit my narrow criteria. The prompt, was this: Write about your definition of love. That sounded easy enough, so with minimal research I wrote a one page essay which, at the time, I thought accurately, and effectively explained my definition of love. To be honest the hardest requirement of that assignment was writing something in less than 1,500 words. Can you tell I like to write? Now however, my writing has become far more succinct, and I can usually write a descriptive essay in three simple paragraphs. But where was I going with this...oh yeah.

Since then I have grown a lot. Both as a person and a writer. *Cue the rolling eyes* Looking back on that essay now, I see room for improvement. Don't get me wrong. I in no way regret entering the contest because if I hadn't, I would not be able to grow, and learn from my mistakes. So let's take a look at together and see how a slightly more mature Karoline can help her younger self.


Here is a snippet from the second paragraph:  "Most would agree that there are two types of love: Affectionate and romantic love." Okay honey let me stop you right there. In the first part of my sentence I stated the topic of my current argument: love. So was it necessary to reiterate that when writing, "'Affectionate and romantic love?'" No. It would have been better if I had simply written: "Affectionate and romantic." Okay moving on.

"For those fortunate humans with a heart, they have most likely felt both during their lifetime." This sentence makes me cringe for a number of reasons. Number one, "humans?" Why would I use a lifeless word like "human" to describe loving people? I might as well have said Homo Sapien! And second, the overall structure of the second produces no melodious or particularly informative affect. Let's try and re-state it. Although, it might be a better idea to omit it altogether. How about this instead: "Most people will experience both in their lifetime." Or maybe, "To experience both is a fortune open to anyone capable of feeling." Yes, I think either one of those would have been better.

 Continuing, "However, upon closer examination, I have concluded that each type of true love possesses characteristics common to the other. Whatever the motives, true love is always, selfless and unconditional. Anyone who doubts this has clearly never known true love. Think about the person dearest to you. Would you take a bullet for them? Would you continue to love them despite their imperfections? Here is a truth that may enlighten those who answered “yes” to both: feelings do not make you suddenly behave with respect.  Neither does emotion alone cause you to sacrifice that which you before considered life-essential. Resolution invents noble decisions." So this last passage was not quite as flawed as the previous ones. But I did notice I used the word 'you' an awful lot. For example, in this sentence, "Neither does emotion alone cause you to sacrifice that which you before considered life-essential." Instead, I could have said this: "Neither does passion inspire sacrifice." 

Well, I think I've picked up on a few tips and tricks since then. However I think it is worth pointing out that even though so long as you keep writing you will get better all the time, do not let that hold you back from writing now. In a year I will probably read this blog post and be shaking my head at myself. But that's okay. If I did not dare to stink, I could never grow.

Written By: Karoline Kingley

Oh, and if you steal any of this content, you better hide yo kids and hide yo wife cause I'M GONNA FIND YOU! 

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