I know you’re expected a show don’t tell king of blog post here, but not today. 🙂 The other day I posted a question on social media. I wanted to know readers’ favorite ways to show/read chemistry and build up of tension between the hero/heroin in a romance novel.
I got some great answers, so thought I’d start a list. That way when I get stuck or feel like I’m repeating myself, I’ve got a resource. So here we go, favorite ways to show chemistry:
- The moment when they’re eyes meet and they connect for the first time.
- The way they avoid each other, even though they are attracted to one another, but still have to be in the same room or elevator.
- The first casual touch. It doesn’t have to be sexual. (But not a handshake) It can be as innocent as a hand on the arm, or a hand on the lower back to guide them.
- Where you can tell they really, really want to kiss, but neither will make the first move. Then they’re interrupted and the moment is gone, but they’re both just SMOLDERING.
- That “will he/won’t he” moment when you’re hoping he will.
- When they’re laughing and then the chemistry kicks in and they stop abruptly
- That shared joke or inside piece of information that no one else in the room knows about, but you see them connect over it.
- When they share a vulnerability, fear, or experience that builds intimacy and connection.
- When the other person sees more than everyone else.
- Becoming hyper-aware of each other. Both physical – the sweep of her neck, the way she blushes, his strong forearms, and personal – the way she’s nice to everyone, how he defended her when he didn’t need to.
- A feisty dialogue exchange where the underlying tension just screams through both words and actions
- Their inner thoughts reveal that they both WANT but can’t HAVE, but still WANT
Okay – that’s what came from Facebook and Twitter (and me lol). What else? Help me add to it!
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