210 words on

Love:

A while back, someone asked me a big question.

“What’s it like being in love?” they said.

“Oh,” I drank some beer. “Big question.”

“Ya,” they said, “I guess so.”

I felt shy, so I looked down.

So, I said.
Sometimes, I wake up and
She isn’t there.
She’d already left for work.
So I roll over onto
Her side
Of the bed and hug her pillow
Because it’s cold and comfortable and
Smells like her shampoo.
And then I fall back asleep,
Thinking of her.

I looked up.

It was quiet.

“That is what it’s like?” they said.

I nodded and had more beer.

“Ya,” they said. “I get it.”

You know, it’s just a moment, what I described.

It’s just this small thing that reminds me of my wife. But it also represents a huge, universal concept, something almost too big for words, much less a sentence.

The next time you need to efficiently articulate a huge concept—whether it’s about love or business or anything else—zoom in. Zoom in on a specific moment tied to that concept. Focus The Reader’s attention on that one spot.

If The Reader can relate, the moment will carry weight. If she can relate, it will tell your story better than you think.