Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

Okay, so a big part of a lot of novels I read (and write) is the classic love triangle. It’s so fun because there’s automatic conflict and someone ends up having to make a big important choice.

triangle1 Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

You have three major players in the triangle. Now, I am not saying it’s always the same, but most of the time it’s pretty similar.

(You can enlarge the pictures to read the type.)

triangle2 Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

That pretty much sets up your classic triangle. The thing about the triangle though, is that it requires a mutual attraction to work. Sort of a give and take if you will.

triangle3 Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

You see the problem, don’t you? Um… what the heck? There is an obvious problem here. The bad boy and the good guy–yeah, they don’t have a crush on each other. In fact–they probably hate each other. Big time.

triangle4 Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

This triangle thing doesn’t work at all. Who came up with this crap? Why is this like common literature knowledge? We need a new name, a new system…a new something!

triangle6 Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?

I propose to you the love point. I thought about turning it upside down and calling it the love V, but um–I think that’s something else.

jamiec Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?
Have a Nice Day and Watch out for the Big Yellow Chicken.

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29 Responses to “Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle?”

HWPetty March 10th, 2010 at 11:42 am

Your dedication to MSPaint is, um… well, it’s there. And that’s something.

But, in all seriousness, I am now desperate to write a book where the Good Guy and Bad Boy fall in love with each other and pitch the heroine for awesome hot-boy makeout sessions.

There has to be a market for this. THERE JUST HAS TO BE!!
.-= HWPetty´s last blog ..Are you looking for a role-model? =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:43 am

@HWPetty, I can’t tell you how much I love MS paint…

and, am I crazy for TOTALLY wanting to read that book?!?!?

[Reply]

HWPetty Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:47 am

@Jamie, I will send you chapters as they are completed. EXPECT MUCH KISSING.

I think I’ll call it THE KISSING TRIANGLE <– best sellers list, here I come.
.-= HWPetty´s last blog ..Are you looking for a role-model? =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:50 am

@HWPetty, YES! I can make the cover in paint, right?

[Reply]

HWPetty Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:56 am

@Jamie, Um… well… How about this: Once it is an international best seller, I’ll buy you a copy of Adobe Illustrator!! (And send you somewhere exotic for classes.)
.-= HWPetty´s last blog ..Are you looking for a role-model? =-.

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Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 12:02 pm

@HWPetty, haha it’s a DEAL.

I am definitely going to need those classes though… and I sure hope there’s a doodle feature :)

[Reply]

Aimee Bartis March 10th, 2010 at 11:44 am

LOL! You are great with the pictures and such. By the way, my StorySaurus shirt arrived a while back. However, THE MAN (Texas Educational Agency), conspires against me. So, I haven’t been able to wear it to school yet. I’m so going to wear it and then send you the picture. Maybe I’ll trick it up with graphics, too
.-= Aimee Bartis´s last blog ..Lisa Schroeder =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:45 am

@Aimee Bartis, You tell the MAN I said the storysaurus shirt needs to be worn as a teaching aid!!!

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Aimee Bartis Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:48 am

@Jamie, that’s the point…no teaching aids during TAKS test. And lately TAKS = jeans. StorySaurus needs jeans…khakis distract from his awesomeness
.-= Aimee Bartis´s last blog ..Lisa Schroeder =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:50 am

@Aimee Bartis, ugh I hate TAKS monitoring. It’s the LONGEST days in the WORLD!!!

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Jamie (@JamieDeBree) March 10th, 2010 at 11:46 am

LOL – I came from twitter for the pics…and was *totally* not disappointed. Very nice (and good point, too). ;-P
.-= Jamie (@JamieDeBree)´s last blog ..Writer, Brand Thyself: Blogging Tip Sheet & Twitter Intro =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:47 am

@Jamie (@JamieDeBree), hehe so glad I didn’t disappoint!

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@jmartinlibrary March 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

I want to make sure I get this right. Does it matter if the triangle is scalene? What about acute angles?

Then again, I might be overanalyzing the love triangle thing. After all, I am pretty obtuse.

;)
.-= @jmartinlibrary´s last blog ..D is for Didactic =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 1:29 pm

@@jmartinlibrary, haha you definitely win nerdiest comment of the day! :)

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Jason March 10th, 2010 at 3:05 pm

I love Triangles of Love. :-|
.-= Jason´s last blog ..Let’s just see how well this whole “Web 2.0″ and Social Media really works =-.

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Jamie Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 3:46 pm

@Jason, why are there not more SQUARES is what I want to know!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle? =-.

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Deena Mauldin March 10th, 2010 at 6:56 pm

Actually, the classic love triangle DOES involve three way action. In Jean-Paul Sartre’s play No Exit, there are three characters, and each is attracted to the one who is not attracted to him or her. Perfect triangle. In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena is attracted to Demetrius, who wants to marry Hermia, who is in love with Lysander. The triangle is therefor supplied by a fourth party. This isn’t unusual, either. You’re looking too much at modern fiction and not enough at classic literature.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:13 am

@Deena Mauldin, Now, that seems like a love square…. oh the drawing possibilities…
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle? =-.

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Tawna Fenske March 10th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Wow, triangles and dinosaurs? Can hardly wait to see what’s next. The ham sandwich of plotting? The floor lamp of romantic tension?

Tawna
.-= Tawna Fenske´s last blog ..Sometimes, you’ve gotta get your hands dirty =-.

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:13 am

@Tawna Fenske, Let’s talk more about this floor lamp :)
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle? =-.

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Ally March 10th, 2010 at 9:47 pm

I have to say, I love your blog aides. They are insanely funny! (and thought provoking – bonus!)

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:13 am

@Ally, hehe thanks! I try, I try. :)
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle? =-.

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Kristie Cook March 11th, 2010 at 9:01 am

Thanks for the laugh this morning. Love your visual aides, especially the comments. I think @Deena is right about the classic triangle. Funny how it’s evolved over time…not funny enough for me to look into more, though. So I will adopt the Love Point and say I “knew” Jamie when she first proposed this iconic idea. =)
.-= Kristie Cook´s last blog ..Head-Injury Ramblings =-.

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Jamie Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:14 am

@Kristie Cook, haha yeah I think there were more players involved in earlier more complicated versions of the triangle, but now we kind of dumb it down :)
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Why The Heck Do We Call It a Love Triangle? =-.

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Chantal Kirkland March 11th, 2010 at 10:43 am

Ms. Harrington:

I am writing this letter to inform you of the unfortunate situation your recent ‘love triangle’ blog has caused. You killed me.

That’s all. Thanks for the great visuals–truly original artwork is never appreciated by the masses…right?

[Reply]

Jamie Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:44 am

@Chantal Kirkland, but but but if I kill you, then who will drive to fort worth with me and buy me starbucks.

Crapola.

[Reply]

Elana Johnson March 14th, 2010 at 11:39 am

You are so right! I’ve never thought of this before — but it’s true!

Great illustrations, BTW. :) :)
.-= Elana Johnson´s last blog ..Poll, Opinion, Whatever =-.

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In the Blogosphere: 3/15-3/19 « Ricki Schultz March 27th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

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