Episode 15: How to write great romantic chemistry

Just in time for Valentine’s day, this episode of Fable and the Verbivore discusses a framework for elements of interpersonal attraction and uses that lens to consider the art of creating and developing romantic chemistry in writing.

Love is in the air, as we call on some classic literary couples to lend some examples of character chemistry that demonstrate why these relationships “work” and feel so timeless. From Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, to Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, we explore both aversion and attraction as part of the relationship dynamics that ultimately bring couples together in a realistic and interesting character arc.

Notes:

There are a variety of theories and models that describe and define elements of romantic chemistry and interpersonal attraction. We choose one that spoke to us and made sense within our own life experience. The romantic chemistry framework using 4 types of attraction (Physical, Intellectual, Social, and Emotional) that the Verbivore mentioned comes from several sources, but was most informed by author Kristen Kieffer’s Well-Storied blog post “How to Craft Romantic Chemistry Between Characters”. Here are Kristen Kieffer’s definitions of the 4 attraction types:

  1. Physical Attraction: a desire to touch and be touched by another person, often in a sexual manner.

  2. Intellectual Attraction: a desire to engage with someone due to their intellect and/or interests.

  3. Social Attraction: a desire to interact with someone because of their social aptitude; their confidence, humor, ambition, likability, and/or particular social personality traits.

  4. Emotional Attraction: a desire to connect with someone on a spiritual level, an attraction often prompted by a person’s emotional capacity, attitude, beliefs, or shared experiences.

The research that the Verbivore cited regarding longevity and viability as a couple being tied to reacting positively when your partner makes a bid for connection came from the Gottman Institute’s research on marriage relationships. If you are interested in exploring this research, here are some links to additional information on this topic:

The quote that the Verbivore shared from Anne Lamott is taken from her book entitled Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace. Here is the full quote:

  • “We turn toward love like sunflowers to the sun, and then the human parts kick in.”

The “Welcome to Costco. I [We] love you.” quote is from the odd 2006 comedic, dystopian film Idiocracy.

Books Mentioned:

Favorite Movie & TV Versions:

  • BBC’s Pride and Prejudice - Epic 6-Episode Full Story Version

    • Starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth

  • Pride and Prejudice - Sweet and Stunning Cliff Notes Version

    • Starring Kiera Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, and Donald Sutherland

  • Pride + Prejudice + Zombies - Jane Austen plus a Zombie Apocalypse Version (Because why not?)

    • Starring Lily James, Sam Riley, and Matt Smith

  • Much Ado About Nothing - Filmed in the Italian Countryside Version

    • Starring Emma Thompson, Kenneth Brenagh, Denzel Washington, and Michael Keaton

  • Much Ado About Nothing - Black and White Joss Whedon Version

    • Starring Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg, and Nathan Fillion

  • Romeo & Juliet - Beautifully Acted “likely-seen-in-your-English-class” 1968 Version

    • Starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey

  • William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet - Baz Luhrmann Fever Dream Version

    • Starring Claire Danes, Leonardo DiCaprio, and John Leguizamo

Music from: https://filmmusic.io
’Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Bethany Stedman