valentine staciIf you know anything about me, you know that I’m all about relationships. In my fiction, I write about all kinds: healthy ones, dysfunctional ones, romantic/familial/friend ones. To me, fiction doesn’t work unless you have strong characters and passionate bonds between them.

You’d think that would lead to a mushy post about love and Valentine’s Day, but to be honest, I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day fan. My husband and I give trinkets to our kids, and I usually bake a heart-shaped cake (a tradition passed down from my mother), but I think love should be expressed every day, not just on the day a greeting card company designates.

So, to that end, this year’s Valentine’s Day post is a simple infographic. Five tips for people in a committed relationship, five tips for single people who are happy to be single, and five tips for people who have recently endured a breakup. Just little suggestions for how to spend the “holiday” that many people stress over.

What should I give him?

What should we do?

Where can I go?

How will I get through the day?

The answers follow.

Valentine's DaySo, writers—Keep writing those relationships into your stories; play with the dynamics and really work your character arcs.

And everyone—Regardless of your relationship status and your feelings about the holiday, I wish you the happiest Valentine’s Day.

4 Responses

  1. We do not celebrate it Staci, although I do love your tips for each situation. I hated Valentines day when I was single. My hubby brought me wild flowers from our garden yesterday. He buys me flowers on other random days. Although I say to him don’t waste your money, I will never say no to chocolates any time of year.

    • Can’t go wrong with chocolate. And it’s sweet that hubby brings you flowers just because, rather than because society says he should. I’m all for celebrating love every day, not just on “holidays.” Thanks for sharing your story, Kath.

  2. I agree, we shouldn’t wait for a special day to express our feelings. I’m writing about my Valentine’s Day plans next week. (Special event that just happens to occur on Valentine’s Day.) And, if I were superstitious, as this is Friday the 13th, I would think that I had just jinxed my plans by saying that. 🙂

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