When searching for that special someone in the dating world, it’s always good to have an image of what he should be like. I didn’t start out by coaching women in their love lives; I started out coaching men. It’s funny when I think about it, because what women want from a man is what I was trying to teach them all along.

In any case, there are quite a few qualities that make a man great. In reality, looking for a guy who has these qualities is not as hard as people say. But if you want to have a higher chance of finding love, identify the ones that matter to you most and stick with them. In my personal opinion, all men should have these qualities and I don’t associate with nor respect ones that don’t.

1. He’s a gentleman. A great guy needs to be polite, respectful, considerate, and attentive to a woman’s needs. This includes classic gentleman behavior such as pulling out a woman’s chair, walking on the car side of the street and taking her coat. I personally believe that if all men were gentlemen, we would live in a better world. Today, this is far from the truth, so guys who do have this quality stand out. It’s also worth noting that great guys never cross the line of being inappropriate.

Read 7 more ideal-man characteristics at YourTango.com: Finding Mr. Right: 8 Qualities That Define A Great Guy

More from YourTango.com:

• I Love You: 15 Ways Guys Say It Without Saying It
• 7 Sex Positions Men Love
• Should You Go Natural For Your Next Hair Removal Session?

— By Alex Matlock for YourTango.com

Getting bored of the usual dinner and a movie date? Us too. There are plenty of other ways to get to know each other and strengthen your bond. That’s why we came up with these fun date night ideas you and your guy will both enjoy.

Sex: Expert Advice & Tips

From wine and beer tours to volunteering, these are exciting adventures you and your guy will remember forever.

Love: Tips & Expert Advice

From getting silly (and in touch with your inner children) to volunteering together, see all the creative ideas to spice up your date nights at YourTango.com: 25 Date Night Ideas That Aren’t Cheesy

More From YourTango.com

• 50 Love Quotes We Adore
• 7 Sex Positions Men Love
• 5 Unique First Date Ideas To Try Tonight

Taylor Swift and Fun. (Larry Busacca/WireImage.com)

1. “We Are Young” – Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe

record of the year, song of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

2. “Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean

record of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best urban contemporary album

3. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift

record of the year

4. “I Will Wait” – Mumford and Sons

album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best Americana album

5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson

record of the year, song of the year, best pop solo performance, best pop vocal album

6. “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys

record of the year, album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

7. “Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye Featuring Kimbra

record of the year, best pop duo/group performance, best alternative music album

8. “Payphone” – Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

9. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band

best country duo/group performance, best country song

10. “Madness” – Muse

best rock song, best rock album

11. “Wide Awake” – Katy Perry

best pop solo performance

12. “Love On Top” – Beyoncé

best traditional R&B performance

13. “Wanted” – Hunter Hayes

best new artist, best country solo performance, best country album

14. “The Motto” – Drake

best rap song, best rap album

15. “We Take Care Of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen

best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

Photo by Dominick Guillemot/Contour by Getty Images

Oh, what a night! The ladies came out in full force last night. It was the first all-female celebrities final we’ve ever had, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how the night went. It wasn’t a 10-fest, but it was a great night of dancing. When I got home my twitter was exploding with comments—it is without a doubt the most intense night on twitter every year. The fans are so passionate about who they want to win, it gets heated! Everyone gives their commentary on who should win and why we should have scored differently and why the judges are so biased. The insults get hurled and I try to correct the ones whose facts are off but I love the passion and interaction with the fans. We wouldn’t have a show without them, so it’s only right to take some time to interact with them.

I do block cruel and inappropriate comments about anyone. I don’t think public spaces or the internet is a place for harsh name calling… there really is no place where I think that’s okay. But there are young kids reading and I think that’s what the block button is for. So for those who get a little “over –heated”—you’ve been blocked. What I do love is spirited conversation. I answer questions, give feedback and sometimes I explain rules and reasons. I like the questions and I don’t mind taking the time to answer. I know our fans are truly dedicated and rooting for their favorites and I support that. We can’t all have the same opinion—that would be boring! I know that the audience doesn’t always agree with us judges, but that’s just part of the process. It’s still wonderful to see the fans come out and support, and I say support with a capital S! They give SUPERSIZE SUPPORT (to continue the theme of the night).

And speaking of supzersize…how incredible were those freestyles? Wow! Usually one of the contestants in the finals loses it with their freestyle and makes a creative choice that no one else understands. I have to point out here that Marie Osmond (as much as I love her) goes down in DWTS history for the “most creative” (to use kind wording) freestyle. Do you all remember the wind-up doll? It was a regrettable choice and yet I must say, it was great TV. Thank you Marie!

ABC/ADAM TAYLOR

Since this is my last blog of the season, I want to say that I hope the best woman wins. I can see all three of them taking it home for very different reasons. Kelly and Val could win because of their incredibly unique and passionate journey. I still don’t know if that’s a real relationship or not, but it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it brought out her best and she has continued to grow as a performer right up until now. Every time she gets on the dance floor she grows a little more, and she’s blossomed into a winner under the tutelage of the incredible Latin master, Val. Melissa and Tony could also take it home because she’s proven herself to be a gorgeous and lyrical dancer who’s developed depth in her performances. Her incredible lines and graceful fluidity have enabled Tony to give her his best choreography yet, which she performs with flair and ease. They work so well together and have such a fresh, easy-going approach. Everything they do has a sense of fun…and winners have fun! And finally, Shawn and Derek have set the bar and the standard for this season in general. They pushed every boundary and took huge risks. Sometimes the risks paid off and sometimes they didn’t, but I admire and respect their courage to push and push. Derek has given us exceptional choreography again this season and as far as partnership goes, they’re are a match made in heaven as well. They have the best synchronicity of all of our couples and have never missed a step or gone out of step with each other. Creatively, they caused a lot of arguments between the judges, but after it’s all said and done they’ve earned our respect.

I think all three couples are winners—they each have a separate style and appeal. If you’d asked me during week three who the final three would be, I never would have guessed these three. But here they are and they all deserve it. I wish them all a wonderful finale tonight and I can’t wait to see what incredible performances are in store. Buckle up… we don’t want any of you falling out of your seats!

Thanks for tuning in. See you in March for Season 16!
xxoo

LHJ recently kicked off their second annual Personal Essay Contest, where the lucky winner will win $3,000 and the chance to have her essay published in the Journal. Many women (like you?) want to write. They have a story to tell, and they love playing with words and making their prose sing. But chances are, a good portion of women who want to share their writing with the world won’t write an essay for this contest. Why?

Here are the top excuses that hold writers back — and how to bust them.

Excuse #1: You Have No Time

If writing is important to you, you can make the time. You may need to write during your toddler’s nap, during your break at work, early in the morning, or late at night. You may have to give up some TV time or stop surfing the Internet, or say no to obligations that get in the way of your writing time.

The writers who actually, well, write don’t have more time than everyone else — they just know how to use their time wisely, and they don’t compromise on scheduling “butt in chair” time to do the writing they love.

Excuse #2: You’re Afraid of Rejection

If you send a story to a literary magazine and it’s not accepted, or write an essay for a contest and don’t win, it’s not a reflection of you as a person or the value of your writing.

The hard truth is, all good writers get rejected. Heck, the first Harry Potter book was rejected by 12 publishers before it found a good home — and became a sensation that made JK Rowling a very rich woman.

To keep up your motivation to write, you need to develop a thick skin and realize that rejection is nothing personal. Your writing didn’t work for a particular editor or judge or critiquer at a certain time. That’s all. But if you keep trying, chances are you will hit the right person at the right time with the right story.

Excuse #3: You’re Not Sure How to Get Started

No doubt about it: Crafting pieces that people want to read —  that resonate with readers and sparkle from beginning to end — isn’t easy! But the good news is, you don’t need any kind of credentials to tell your story in writing. Many writers are self-taught; for example, the most recent essay that made me cry was written by an architect with no other published writing to her name.

Luckily, if you want more help, resources abound that can show you how to improve and polish your writing, from books and magazines to blogs and e-courses. And many of these are free or cheap!

Browse the writing shelf at your local bookstore for books like Stephen King’s On Writing, check magazines like Poets & Writers on the newsstand, and Google blogs that address the type of writing you want to do — whether it’s fiction, essays, memoir, or poetry. You’ll also find teleclasses, webinars, and more.

I challenge you to ditch the excuses and get working on your essay for the Journal contest. Beyond the chance to win an impressive prize, it will be a learning experience and an opportunity to tell your story to the world.

Let the writing begin!

Linda Formichelli runs the Renegade Writer blog and has written for more than 130 magazines. She offers two free e-books for writers, teaches an e-course on how to break into magazine writing, offers phone mentoring for writers, and is the “Other Den Mother” at the Freelance Writers Den.

For our second annual Personal Essay Contest, we want to hear about a memorable moment in your life — the day, or the hour, or the second that changed everything. We urge you to be poignant, reflective, funny. Make us howl with laughter. Make us blubber in our cubicles (we can take it!).

Ladies’ Home Journal is a community that shares stories — and we’re dying to hear yours. If you win our essay contest, we’ll give you $3,000 and the chance to have your essay published in the Journal. You’re free to interpret the topic in whatever way you like, but remember that we value creativity and clarity above all.

Essays will be judged on their emotional power, originality, and the quality of their prose. They should be no more than 2,000 words and ideally typed or written in a Microsoft Word document.

You can enter the contest by e-mailing your submission as an attachment (with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) to LHJessaycontest@meredith.com or by mailing a copy to Personal Essay Contest, Ladies’ Home Journal, 805 Third Ave., 26th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Entries are due by December 7, 2012.

Visit lhj.com/essaycontest for official rules and answers to frequently asked questions.

(Photo credit: Flickr user jonas.lowgren)

For our second annual Personal Essay Contest, we want to hear about a memorable moment in your life — the day, or the hour, or the second that changed everything. We urge you to be poignant, reflective, funny. Make us howl with laughter. Make us blubber in our cubicles (we can take it!).

Ladies’ Home Journal is a community that shares stories — and we’re dying to hear yours. If you win our essay contest, we’ll give you $3,000 and the chance to have your essay published in the Journal. You’re free to interpret the topic in whatever way you like, but remember that we value creativity and clarity above all.

Essays will be judged on their emotional power, originality, and the quality of their prose. They should be no more than 2,000 words and ideally typed or written in a Microsoft Word document.

You can enter the contest by e-mailing your submission as an attachment (with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) to LHJessaycontest@meredith.com or by mailing a copy to Personal Essay Contest, Ladies’ Home Journal, 805 Third Ave., 26th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Entries are due by December 7, 2012.

Visit lhj.com/essaycontest for official rules and answers to frequently asked questions.

(Photo credit: Flickr user wrumsby)

For our second annual Personal Essay Contest, we want to hear about a memorable moment in your life — the day, or the hour, or the second that changed everything. We urge you to be poignant, reflective, funny. Make us howl with laughter. Make us blubber in our cubicles (we can take it!).

Ladies’ Home Journal is a community that shares stories — and we’re dying to hear yours. If you win our essay contest, we’ll give you $3,000 and the chance to have your essay published in the Journal. You’re free to interpret the topic in whatever way you like, but remember that we value creativity and clarity above all.

Essays will be judged on their emotional power, originality, and the quality of their prose. They should be no more than 2,000 words and ideally typed or written in a Microsoft Word document.

You can enter the contest by e-mailing your submission as an attachment (with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) to LHJessaycontest@meredith.com or by mailing a copy to Personal Essay Contest, Ladies’ Home Journal, 805 Third Ave., 26th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Entries are due by December 7, 2012.

Visit lhj.com/essaycontest for official rules and answers to frequently asked questions.

(Photo credit: Flickr user SuziJane)

Official Rules

I was so impressed by both Chris and Arie, the lucky guys who scored one-on-one dates this episode. But I have to say I am leaning towards team Arie right now and I’m pretty sure he hit a home run last night. Go Arie!

It was so adorable watching the guys play at the park with the kids, but I suspect that a few of them were putting on a show for Emily. Speaking of…is it just me or does Ryan give you guys the heebie-jeebies too?

Poor Tony! I think Emily made the right decision to send him home sooner rather than later. It was nice to see Doug there to support Tony since he’s a single dad too. After tonight Doug definitely earned a spot in my good book.

I was so confused by Kalon’s moves; I have no clue what he’s thinking. This dude is walking on thin ice. I’m pretty sure he’ll be firing up his chopper next week to head back home.

I also must say, it was great to see some fire in Emily—I didn’t think she had it in her. These guys are going get put through the ringer, and rightfully so. She deserves the world! I remember during my journey on The Bachelorette, that this was around the time when I started to get fed up with the guys who I knew weren’t there for the right reasons, so I started to get a bit feisty. And I think that’s a good thing, because it means Emily knows what she’s looking for! It looks like Bermuda is on tap for next week…and that means more boys with less clothes, hehe!

Until next week,

Jillian

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page!