Romantic chemistry with someone does not mean it is reciprocal. It’s not that tangible thing that two people must feel for you to feel it. You can have chemistry independently, and the other person felt nothing. So writing romantic chemistry is not easy as you think. But it will be easy to write if you follow some basic rules. Do you want to know the rules/tips? If you want then stay with me.
How to write romantic chemistry?
We’re talking about chemistry, namely how to create great chemistry between a character and their love interest. For many people, the romantic plot or subplot of a novel is their favorite part, and there are few things more disappointing than a romance that doesn’t quite cut it. The characters are one-dimensional. They only like each other because they’re hot. Don’t do this!
I will give you 5 tips on how to build romantic chemistry that your readers will devour. These tips will help create a realistic bond between your characters, but most importantly, it’ll get the readers rooting for their relationship.
1. Build the anticipation
When you write scenes with your characters, make sure they learn about each other, like their personal life and behavior. Naturally, there are other factors to the progression of any relationship, depending on the external plot. Sometimes it’s not a great time for one or both characters to put their full focus on romance. There can be life-threatening situations, family drama, and other stresses that can slow things down.
Who likes an instant romance? A whole lot of no one, and it’s not only because they’re unrealistic. It’s because you’re not giving the reader any time to get to know the characters. Readers want a reason to be invested in the relationship. They want evidence that these two belong together. So give your characters time to flirt and to connect.
- Give them opportunities to build trust.
Some relationships move quicker than others, and outside influences such as danger or drama can affect the progression of a relationship. But you should still try to be realistic. Take a look at your characters and think, Would I be falling in love with this person at this moment if they only met? The answer is no unless you’re out of rule.
Additionally, if you want to create sexual chemistry between your characters, you need to build suspense and anticipation.
- Don’t make them kiss at the first possible opportunity, tease the moment and then separate them.
Go to your corners. The reader will be excited when the kiss finally happens or when other things finally happen. If you have your characters rush through all the romantic milestones, it will not be fulfilling to read.
Also, it will not get your reader rooting for the romance because there is nothing left to root for. They already did all the things. So take your time, build the connection, and allow the anticipation to awe readers before slapping them with the big kiss or the big bang.
2. Make them complement one another
Many writers like to make their characters opposites because opposites attract, and you all can think of opposite pairings that we’ve seen before. One character is rich, and the other is poor. One character is good, and the other’s naughty.
But you’ll probably notice that sometimes these pairings work, and sometimes it’s a big fat fail. That’s because it’s not enough that the characters have a few opposite traits. These traits need to complement one another. For those who aren’t following, complimenting someone or something means bringing them to perfection.
In other words, your characters are better when they’re together now. It doesn’t have to be this way from the start. Many characters have friction when they first meet, but eventually, those opposing traits should be something that works for them. It should give them a sense of harmony.
Say one character is an introvert, and the other is an extrovert. Maybe the introvert can provide that gentle, calm their partner always needs. On the other hand, the extrovert can bring their partner out of their shell because the characters are different.
They can bring out a new side of their partner or add some enrichment to their lives that they didn’t have before. Their differences stop being a source of conflict and start acting as a catalyst for growth both internally and within the relationship.
3. Make them equal
Your characters don’t have to be identical. They don’t need to be in the same social circle. Also, they don’t have to be at the same intelligence level, but they have to bring an equal amount of strengths and baggage. How often have you read a book and thought, What does she even see in him? You think that because the characters are not evenly matched, the emcee is a dumpy, boring turd of a person and their love interest is the embodiment of perfection.
- Remember, the reader needs to believe that these two would be interested in one another.
That means they both got to bring something compelling to the table. No human turds are allowed.
4. Give them common ground
Some goal or struggle connects the MSI with their love interest. That goal or struggle is usually the plot of the novel. Maybe they’re mourning a horrific loss or fighting to overthrow an evil government. This shared goal is the key to writing great chemistry because it gives the characters a reason to bond and showcases how well they work together.
- Allow them to lean on one another to support.
You never want one character doing all the work while the other one’s dead weight. You want them both to be participating toward the goal, and you want them to do it as a team.
5. Make them like each other
I have lost track of the number of stories I’ve read where two characters are madly in love, but you can’t figure out why all they do is hump like bunnies. Many newbie writers fall into the habit of expressing their character’s love for one another through sex or fighting, which is weird because neither of those things is necessarily an indicator of love.
You don’t have to love someone to fight with them. If you want to convince the reader that your characters care about one another, they have to act like it. Romantic relationships thrive on a solid friendship. So naturally, characters who have great romantic chemistry are also great friends. Make them have fun together.
Last words
Romantic chemistry is the key. Include these five factors in your romance, and it’s sure to be hashtag a couple of goals for your readers. Ensure your characters go through the natural rites of passage to love or hookup.
If you want to make your readers believe your characters have chemistry, they like one another as people. Creating chemistry between characters is super important. So make sure you respect the natural growth of their connection. Make sure your characters are better when they’re together and for the love of God.
Read romance books:
10 Childhood Friends To Lovers Books
10 Christian Romance Books Like Redeeming Love
10 Books About Soulmates Romance
Learn more writing tips:
15 Advice To Write Enemies To Lovers
7 Tips To Write Friend To Lover Romance
15 Tips To Write A Romantic Comedy
7 Advice To Write A Slow Burn Romance
15 Advice To Write A Strong Female Character
6 Steps To Write Reverse Harem Books
5 Key Tips To Write Angst Romance
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