𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘

creating character relationships

TIP NUMBER FOUR
CREATING CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS

Building character relations can be difficult, especially if you have to go backwards and explain their beginnings. So here is a (hopefully) helpful list on how to build character relationships!

one. know your character
this is super helpful in general but especially with writing relationships. sometimes as a writer you're extra cautious about your character and their love interest and how you build their relationship but forget about the others. build on the other relationships, give backgrounders when you can. don't just throw a friend into the mix and explain briefly how they met. also don't say that they clicked almost instantly for. anything ... love interests or friendships. just don't. especially if your character isn't a very trusting person, it wouldn't make sense for them to instantly meet someone and become friends.

two. body language
"and don't underestimate the importance of BODY LANGUAGE!" see ursula gets it. sure explaining how comfortable two people are with each other or speaking it into existence (as in, making another character point it out) show it. have one character play with the others fingers (that was weird to write) but you get the gist ... simple, subtle things show comfort.

three. reference
reference your own relationships. be honest, did you actually see your best friend and instantly become friends in the blink of an eye. maybe in the year two but as you grew older that probably didn't happen. reference to family relationships, how you interact with your siblings or how others interact with their own.

four. love language
does your character like receiving gifts? do they enjoy having other people do things for them? do they enjoy kind words? physical touch? whatever it is ... know it. have them mention it once or have their love interest realize it and then act on it. for example, your oc almost cried after being brought flowers or after her love interest cleaned her house (if someone cleans your house, marry them) but have their love interest remember how they reacted and act on it again.

extra !
this really has nothing to do with building relationships ... (well, actually it does) but can we stop having celebrities find really pretty girls on instagram and then falling in love somehow ... like ?!??!?