How to Write Better Character Chemistry & Craft ADDICTIVE Relationships

I enjoy fathoming about the magic that brings characters together. When different paths come together to achieve something fantastic that wouldn’t be possible without each other. It’s a beautiful thing!

I'm writing a story where the Mc and the love interest are already together , but you get to see their relationship grow and strengthen throughout the story.

I would also point to the short-lived series Firefly as a great way to write character chemistry. They are able to do so both overtly and subtly, from the Kaylee/Simon will-they won't-they romantic tension to even Jayne, who really never overtly shows affection but has subtle moments that shows how much he cares. spoiler alert In the original pilot, Kaylee gets shot and there is a scene of her getting medical attention. You see the otherwise brutish and stoic Jayne crouching near a window looking in on the procedure while biting his thumb, really the only instance of showing his affection for his crewmate. Prior to that he had embarrassed her with a lewd comment about her sexual desire toward the doctor that got him banished from the dinner table in a very awkward moment, but in this later moment you see his relationship in a subtle but not unintelligible way.

I think about relationships as two things. How are they similar to each other and how do they complement each other? In Star Trek Voyager, B'Elanna Torres and Seven of Nine are highly motivated achievers and because of it they both clash and respect each other. They are similar in the way that sometimes makes them difficult to deal with, and their qualities are not so good complements to each other. Tom Paris whom marry B'Elanna Torres has a very easygoing and relaxed personality which is an excellent complement to hers.

❤ I use music. My stories have to play out as a film of sorts in my mind. I do love stories mainly as plot A, chaos as plot B. So my lovers need chemistry. They talk to each other while I'm in the shower, washing up, walking home from work. Then, it clicks - I like them. Time to put on music and let them play out as if in a film. Goosebumps when they kiss? Goosebumps when they cry, get closer, touch..... Has to pass the music test and then I'm on itttttttttt😊 Great video ladies! Thank you for sharing your passion and art.

I love "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" and I wish more people would watch it, so loved seeing it as an example here! This was a great episode.

It's so much fun to write about the chemistry and dynamics of characters! And It's a joy to read it done right! Honestly I love reading and writing books with a group of characters, like Mistborn. The chemistry is super addictive!

27:14 About that i remember Zoro and Sanji fron One Piece, in general the crew chremistry is amazing, but in fact those two have this cat and dog figths always even when they have the same goal in some aventures, and the reason of that ethenal figth are actually their belives, specially when it comes to women: Zoro saw how misogeny destroy his best friend and idol, A talented girl, and promise he never treat a woman diferently cause her gender. Sanji its a womanizer, but also its a gentleman and has a preferential treat for women, even putting them in a pedestal and let himself being hurt to death for them. And its weird but this works in their relationship with the crew and their own friendship

Made me think of the Crows from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, the whole cast are all multi-layered and SO much fun to read and watch on Shadow and Bone. They zing with that magic.

This was my favourite podcast yet! So so so good!! I cannot WAIT to develop my hate to love friendship!!!

9:54 I think back to some of my favorite close, loving parent/child dynamics on TV like on Gilmore Girls with Lorelai & Rory, or in Castle you've got Castle with his daughter Alexis, where they explicitly show in the pilot how comfortable these characters are with physical touch and playful hugs and dance so there's no hint of these actors having just met kind of a thing. I have seen the Gilmore Girls pilot countless times and I know it's a little out of character compared to the character voice later established, but nonetheless you've got moments that reference prior specific conversations of theirs that happened before the pilot, well established patterns between them, it's very well done to create that magic chemistry of mother/ daughter in so many ways, right away.

Dear Kate and Abbie: Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I just purchased 100 Days of Sunlight, and The Blood Race for my daughter. I appreciate your videos. Cheers

Babylon 5 has some of the best character development I’ve ever seen; the characters interact with each other in distinct ways, change over time, and change the way they interact over time as well. Each of them has clear ties to the world, interact with the story in meaningful ways, and it feels like many of the characters could change the outcome based on the choices they make. Plus, the characters have a variety of strengths and vices, different backgrounds, different views on morality, and different goals. The show takes an obviously comedic character, and allows you to watch as he makes a series of choices which lead to him becoming a tragic villain, and then continues to allow him to develop and change as he struggles against the fate he has forged for himself. I know it’s kinda old, but it’s worth checking out. (Also has one of the best time travel stories I’ve seen, but that’s beside the point.)

I mean I once wrote a Wattpad fic where the only way the female mc gets together with the male mc is because he gets therapy and becomes a better person. But then idk I killed them both off since it was a tragedy and not a romance. Also I was 12 and thought death was pretty metal

Great characters make you feel things to make you laugh or cry.

1000 thank yous for switching my daughter and I on to Miss Scarlet & The Duke. Oh my days, we love it! ❤️

beginning the challenge of trying to build distinct personalities and voices for my characters when i don't even know what mine is, wish me luck lol

Ladies, your podcast have been a great help in my writing journey so I would like to thank you.

Very helpful!!!! Love the exmaples too that really helpsss thanks so much

Great suggestions and ideas as always!! Looking forward to having more time to write over the Winter holidays. Merry Christmas to you both and your family!!