Well, wasn’t January the longest and shortest month in the history of time? No, just us then! In this week’s article, we’re going to be delving into a new topic for us on how to write beyond romance, and give you some insights into how you can develop those deep, personal connections between characters, and keep it platonic.
Both Dan and I write in genres other than romance—fantasy for me and horror for Dan—but we wanted to have a look at how you, as a writer, can create love-filled relationships between your characters, without it going all steamy-steamy, wink-wink behind the door.
1. The Power of Platonic Love
Ever found yourself lost in the pages of a book, captivated not by the sizzling romance, but by the profound camaraderie between characters? Welcome to the extraordinary realm of platonic love in literature, a force so potent it transcends the clichés of conventional relationships.
By exploring timeless examples, from the close connections of Frodo and Sam in “The Lord of the Rings” to the unwavering support between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, authors will grasp how platonic love becomes the heartbeat of a narrative. These relationships breathe authenticity into characters, resonating deeply with readers on an emotional level.
Here’re some practical tips on how to create platonic love in your own writing.
Diverse Characters, Diverse Bonds
- Populate your story with characters from various backgrounds, interests, and personalities, as this really represents the world as we know it.
- Explore how distinct personalities can form unique and interesting platonic connections, and how they can cause conflict.
Dynamic Friendships for Character Growth
- Develop friendships, both inside of their circle, and outside, that grow and contribute to the improvement of your characters.
- Showcase shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs to strengthen the bond. The reader loves an inside joke, even if secondary characters don’t.
Mentorships that Leave an Impression
- Create mentor-mentee dynamics that go beyond the traditional teacher-student trope.
- When you do, make sure you highlight the impact of mentorships on both characters, which represent mutual growths for each character.
Communication is Key
- Explore the power of communication and the power it holds over each of your characters in platonic situations.
- Make sure you showcase characters openly expressing feelings, vulnerabilities, and support for one another to increase the depth of their relationship.
2. Developing Authentic Connections
Now, it’s time to dive into how you can develop authentic connections between your characters. We typically think of a connection in the romance setting, but it’s the camaraderie and banter between characters that really resonates with readers.
Consider the enduring friendship between Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Lucas in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” or the complex familial dynamics within the Corleone family in Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather.” These relationships breathe life into stories, creating an emotional resonance that lingers long after the reader turns the last page or the credits roll.
Here are five examples of how you can elevate your writing, drawing inspiration from the diversity of genuine relationships and experiences.
Shared Vulnerabilities, Shared Strengths:
- Unveil characters’ vulnerabilities, fears, and insecurities.
- Showcase how these shared aspects strengthen the bond between characters, forging a connection built on authenticity rather than perfection.
Nuanced Conflict Resolution:
- Introduce conflicts that arise from misunderstandings or differing perspectives.
- Explore how characters navigate and resolve conflicts, emphasising growth in their relationships rather than relying on predictable resolutions.
The Unspoken Language of Actions:
- Embrace the power of non-verbal communication between characters.
- Showcase how actions, gestures, and expressions convey emotions, creating a layer of depth that extends beyond explicit dialogue.
Evolution of Bonds Over Time:
- Develop connections that strengthen and transform throughout the narrative.
- Showcase the passage of time, illustrating how characters grow individually and collectively, mirroring the organic nature of real-life relationships.
3. Overcoming Common Pitfalls
Embarking on the delicate terrain of platonic and familial relationships in literature, authors often tread a fine line between authenticity and pitfalls. Picture the intricate dynamics between Anne Shirley and Diana Barry in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables.”
These relationships, while poignant and captivating, also highlight the challenges authors face in portraying nuanced connections. In our exploration of “Overcoming Common Pitfalls,” we delve into identifying and addressing these stumbling blocks, and give you some advice on how you can elevate your story beyond the ordinary.
Overemphasis on Idealisation:
- Pitfall: Creating characters with flawless personalities can lead to idealised relationships that lack depth.
- Solution: Infuse flaws and imperfections into characters, fostering genuine connections that mirror the complexities of real-life relationships.
Forced Conflict for Drama:
- Pitfall: Introducing contrived conflicts solely for dramatic effect can feel artificial and disrupt the narrative flow.
- Solution: Develop conflicts organically, arising from character differences and genuine misunderstandings, ensuring they contribute to overall character growth.
Neglecting Secondary Characters:
- Pitfall: Focusing solely on the main characters can cause underdeveloped secondary relationships, diminishing the overall authenticity.
- Solution: Invest time in developing the dynamics between secondary characters, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Relying too heavily on Tropes:
- Pitfall: Falling back on overused tropes can lead to predictable and uninspiring relationships.
- Solution: Subvert expectations and introduce unique elements to defy genre conventions, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging.
Ignoring Character Development:
- Pitfall: Neglecting the growth and evolution of characters throughout the narrative can cause stagnant relationships.
- Solution: Showcase character development over time, allowing relationships to grow naturally and authentically.
Navigating through these pitfalls requires a keen understanding of the intricacies of relationships in literature.
By recognising these challenges and implementing the provided solutions, authors can infuse their narratives with authenticity, creating platonic and familial connections that resonate deeply with readers.
So where does that leave us?
Well, hopefully with more information than you had before on how to write love beyond romance. It’s so important to showcase those relationships, even if they don’t end up under the covers.
Friendship, most times at least, keeps us going as people, and it should be the same for your fictional characters, regardless of whether they’ve got an enormous group of friends, or they just like talking to their pet dog.
So, over to you, how do you think you can create interesting characters and draw your reader into their relationship?
Still not sure, or want to discuss it with us in person, then why not jump over to our free Discord community?
You’ll get access to Founder and bestselling author Daniel Willcocks, as well as our diverse family of Activated Authors who each know what it takes to navigate the dizzy heights of creative success.
