How to Write Character Chemistry
Great character chemistry can turn a good story into one that readers can’t forget. It’s a spark that makes your characters’ relationships seem real and exciting. Let’s look at how to make your characters interact in a way that feels natural and keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
Behaviour
- Have characters unconsciously mirror each other’s actions.
- Include small acts of intimacy, like sharing inside jokes or personal anecdotes.
- Show characters prioritising each other’s needs or sacrificing their interests for the other.
- Develop unique habits that characters only exhibit around each other.
- Use consistent, unique actions or quirks that reveal a character’s feelings.
- Create scenarios where characters defend each other’s viewpoints or actions to outsiders.
- Allow characters to show vulnerability around each other.
- Have characters unintentionally adopt each other’s mannerisms or phrases over time.
- Have your characters make an effort to engage in activities they don’t typically enjoy, just to be with the other person.
- Show characters naturally falling into synchronised rhythms, like walking in step.
Interactions
- Lace your dialogue with subtext.
- Have characters finish each other’s sentences or speak in unison without planning it.
- Include playful banter and light teasing.
- Allow for moments of comfortable silence that show a mutual understanding and connection.
- Conflicts should be heated, but often end in mutual respect and a stronger bond.
- Write intimate conversations where characters share secrets or dreams.
- Develop scenes where characters work together seamlessly, anticipating each other’s moves.
- Write moments where one character can tell what the other is thinking just by looking at them.
- Have interactions where characters seek each other out for advice or comfort.
- Create situations where characters celebrate each other’s achievements genuinely and enthusiastically.
Body language
- Subtle touches like brushing hands or a gentle push that lingers just a moment too long.
- Leaning towards each other while talking, showing attraction or interest.
- Describe the way characters mirror each other.
- A characters’ eyes lighting up or softening when they look at each other.
- Positioning themselves between their partner and a threat.
- Unintentional proximity, like standing or sitting closer than necessary.
- Nervous gestures that characters show only around each other, like fidgeting or playing with their hair.
- Warm, genuine smiles that are reserved for one another.
- Instinctively reaching out to comfort each other in times of distress.
- Relaxed posture in each other’s company.
Attitude
- Show a respect for one another that they don’t show with others.
- Are consistently patient with one another’s flaws.
- Willingness to compromise or find middle ground.
- Giving each other the benefit of the doubt in misunderstandings.
- Unconditional support during difficult times.
- Take pride in each other’s accomplishments, without jealousy.
- Consistently have faith in each other’s abilities and decisions.
- Openly express admiration for one another’s talents or character traits.
- Maintain a positive outlook on the other’s intentions, even when they make mistakes.
- Show an understanding between characters that goes beyond words.
Positive story outcomes
- Stronger alliances or partnerships.
- Romantic subplots that add depth and interest to the main story.
- Believable character development as they influence each other positively.
- Moments of triumph where their combined strengths overcome obstacles.
- Deep, meaningful friendships.
- Can easily resolve conflicts that seemed insurmountable.
- Celebration is more impactful due to their shared success.
- A fortified sense of trust that can be pivotal in critical story moments.
- Enhanced reader investment in the characters and their relationships.
- Openings for sequels or spin-offs based on popular characters dynamics.
Negatives story outcomes
- Conflict arising from misunderstanding or jealousy.
- Unresolved tension between characters on the outside.
- Can lead to unnecessarily complex emotional entanglements
- Creates obstacles due to the characters’ strong connection being exploited by antagonists.
- Tragic outcomes when the chemistry between characters causes them to make irrational choices.
- Intense confrontations that threaten the relationship.
- Betrayals that are more impactful because of the depth of their relationship.
- Unforeseen sacrifices that characters make for each other.
- Heightened stakes when the wellbeing of one character is tied to the other.
- Unexpected changes in the character when relationships are cut short.
Helpful vocabulary
- Smitten
- Love
- Afffection
- Desire
- Charisma
- Intimate
- Playful
- Magnetic
- Affectionate
- Devoted
- Engrossed
- Dynamic
- Mesmerizing
- Empathy
- Kinship
- Enthralled
- Spark
- Trust
- Harmony
- Synergy
- Supportive
- Heartfelt
- Genuine
- Symbiotic
- Unbreakable
- Deep-seated
- Fascinating
- Bonded
- Authentic
- Obsession
