Writing about your passion

Leave it to eHarmony. The first essay, "What are you most passionate about?", can be a great vehicle to generate intrigue.

And, luckily for you, it rarely is.

The average chump is extremely vague when they answer this question.

Some respond with one sentence, or even one word.

Other people respond with laundry lists of things they enjoy, but don't demonstrate any passion or emotion beyond the "I like".

And when you demonstrate no passion over the thing that you say that you're most passionate about... you either look like a phony, or a passionless robot.

And that's what most people do. So, you're going to do better, and you're going to start this essay on a strong foot.

What subject do you talk about most? The one that makes you excited, that you can talk forever about?

You probably have several subjects like this. Pick one, and do what you naturally do - write about it, be emotional, and capture your audience with the emotion you naturally project.

A few pitfalls here:

• If you have several passions, great. Say it. But only talk about one passion. Make her wonder about the other ones you may have!
• If possible, it's best to avoid the superficial. Guys can get emotional about things like cars, sports, stereo equipment, and so on. But it's not an experience most women can share.
• Especially, avoid "geeky" topics like science fiction, comic books, role-playing games, or computers. They're also superficial, and, even if you can make one of these activities look significant, you're fighting the perception that you're socially inept. Even among women who might share your interest!
• If you talk about work, make sure that people can see that it's important, and also see that you have a life outside of work as well.
• Unless you're only looking for women who agree with you, don't choose narrow political or religious doctrines. (If you are... more power to you. Speak with passion.) Sometimes, you can salvage this by backing down a few notches (for example, talking passionately about how having a spiritual life is important, rather than about religious doctrine)... but it takes some skill.
• And, for Pete's sake, don't talk about meeting your next girlfriend or wife in this section at all. Few women want to be the only thing in a man's life, and you don't want to meet the ones that do!

I don't believe that this is a section where specific examples can be successfully given... If you think you have a winner, put in the comment section! If you think it needs work... put it in the comment section. I'm sure we can give each other some great feedback!