Chemistry on the Page

Chemistry is fascinating. I say this as I have one child in the tween years and another on the cusp of entering into the tweens, and boy are they curious. Of course it isn’t only them, I’m watching this same evolution happen all around them. The boys are suddenly very aware of the girls and the girls, well to be honest, they seem more aware of the boys a couple grades ahead of them.

As a reader a writer of romance, I can’t help but watch all this play out with fascination. In the books I read, I always found it incredible when an author did a good job at building a relationship, and really pulling you into the world of your protagonist, especially when building chemistry in a romance. Too often, stories can feel very flat or lacking in dimension if an author doesn’t do a good job.

In life, the chemistry between those in a couple is so natural or at least should be if it is to progress. And it has to build as you go along. Our attraction to others is programmed into us from a young age. It needs time to develop in life and in a book but in a book, you need to time it just right so it doesn’t go dull for the reader.

Writing this out (Creating a scene with chemistry between protagonists) is a great exercise to try even if you don’t usually write romance. It’s a skill but the build up and microtension can play out in so many situations and it just may help you be a better writer. Give it a try and see what your friends or family think.

Happy writing this week!