Whether it’s romantic love, friendship or the love of a parent for a child, love is one of the most complex emotional experiences. It’s no wonder that it has been the subject of countless poems, songs and films. Romantic love in particular has captivated people since the dawn of history, and its various forms are still the focus of debate, research and art.
But what is love exactly? There is no definitive answer, but it can be broken down into a few different categories. One view holds that love is simply a feeling, a reaction to hormones and neurotransmitters triggered by positive socializing. Depending on your own chemistry, the feelings of love can vary from excitement and attraction to comfort and trust. Another view focuses on the actions you take in the name of love. This could be anything from a willingness to put in the work required of a relationship to a commitment to helping someone who is struggling.
Yet a third view sees love as a choice, or even a set of values and standards to live by. If you choose to love, you commit to doing whatever it takes to keep that love alive, including embracing challenges, being vulnerable and treating others with respect and empathy. Finally, there is also the idea that love is a spiritual experience, where you are open to God’s love for you and believe that you can receive it.
For some, these ideas are not enough to explain the depths of love they feel for friends, family or partners. This is often the case when people have been hurt by previous relationships or have had their own feelings of rejection and fear. In these cases, it can be difficult to trust that their next relationship will be healthy and happy.
It is for this reason that many people turn to books and movies to find hope and guidance on the topic of love. They hope to find a better understanding of how to build loving, lasting relationships, or they want to learn how to heal from the pains of past relationships.
As writers, it can be tempting to simplify the complex emotions and interactions of love in our stories. But if you want to capture the full depth of a character’s love, it is best to write about them in a way that allows your readers to become immersed in their experience and feel the emotions with them. For example, instead of simply telling your readers how a pair of characters feels about each other, try to show them through their actions and interactions. This will make them feel more connected to the story and give it more life. It’s like the difference between a postcard and a photograph. The latter will be more likely to leave a lasting impression.
