I learned about character chemistry the hard way–after writing 300 pages only to discover the love scene didn’t work. What do you do when you put your hero and heroine in bed and learn that they weren’t made for each other?
At the time, years ago, I didn’t know. So that book joined the hundred of other novels I’d started and never finished. I knew something was wrong, but not what and certainly not how to fix it. That was when writing was a hobby, so figuring out those pesky whats and whys didn’t matter.
As a reader, chemistry between characters is essential for a satisfying read. It doesn’t matter how original the plot is, how intriguing the mystery, or how deep the protagonist; if the characters in the book don’t generate fire or ice when they’re on page together, the book might be good, but not a keeper.
Take the master (mistress?) of characterization, Nora Roberts. In her JD Robb books, not only do you feel like you personally know Eve, Roarke, Peabody, Mavis, Baxter, Dr. Mira, etc, but you can feel the chemistry between them.
The obvious chemistry–Eve and Roarke–is so well developed that, like Kasey Michael’s Maggie series, I expect them to walk right off the page and into my living room. (Please, Roarke, please walk off the page and into my living–make that my bedroom.)
Not only do we, as readers, believe that Eve and Roarke should be together, we enjoy learning about their complex and developing relationship.
Chemistry doesn’t have to be sexual. And in fact, the “chemistry” between the main protagonists to all the other characters is as important as the chemistry between hero and heroine.
There’s Roarke’s chemistry with Sommerset, his majordomo–a mentor and father figure. It’s Eve’s chemistry with Peabody–a sidekick turned friend. Eve’s chemistry with Dr. Mira–the mother she never had. The large cast dynamic as well as the one-on-one relationships make the In Death books one of the few continuing series that are not only consistently good, but seem to be getting better and better.
But chemistry is not just the complexities of relationships, both sexual and platonic. How the villain interacts with both the victims and the protagonist is crucial to a “keeper” novel. By “villain” I don’t necessarily mean a serial killer–I mean anyone in the book who tries to keep the protangonist from reaching her goal, or trying to keep the hero and heroine apart. A two-dimensional “evil” villain is unworthy of a good hero. But a villain who either has a personal stake with the hero or develops one over the course of the book is far more compelling. Believeable chemistry between the protagonist and the villain is essential.
One day, after I had gotten serious with my writing and finally completed several manuscripts, I picked up that 300 page partial book and re-read it. I still remembered the characters, and the story premise intrigued me. But now, I saw the problem almost immediately. With my marginally experienced eye, as soon as the hero and heroine were on scene together, I knew they didn’t have the right chemistry.
And I knew how to fix it. Create a new hero. I was nervous introducing them, because what if I was wrong? But as soon as they were on the same page, I felt the chemistry. And in fact, it was better than I had hoped. This ended up being the first book I sold.
Other than Eve and Roarke, what COUPLE has the best chemistry? In a series or a stand alone book. Not the best hero, or the best heroine, but the best couple.
The floor is yours.
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[...] Today, at Romancing the Blog, I wrote about Chemistry. Head on over and tell me who your favorite fictional couple is and why . . . [...]
Since I just saw Pride & Prejudice (which was great!), I have to say Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Her quickness of mind and gift of laughter is exactly what he needs. His thoughtfulness, gravity and willingness to be charmed by her is what she needs. As for villians, opportunistic Wickham with his easy charm is the opposite of Darcy. Without Wickham, Lizzie might never have seen Darcy’s virtues.
Oh, this is a great column. I would say Suzanne Brockmann’s Sam and Alyssa are another couple with obvious chemistry. Even when they are pissed at each other, they are very much engaged and curious about the other.
By the way, I’d love Roarke to show up in my bedroom, too.
I agree on Roarke and Eve! I personally liked Oliver and Annie from Jayne Ann Krentz’s Wildest Hearts. A hero who thinks comparing the heroine to a fern is the ultimate compliment? Jayne made me buy it.
Many of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ characters jump to mind. In Heaven, Texas, Bobby Tom shines on everyone around him with Texas-sized charm and he fools just about everyone, too. Except for Gracie Snow — the quiet, supposedly-out-of-his-league woman who sees beneath the surface shield. Those two people who should have been completely opposite and unsuited for each other shared amazing chemistry.
Zach and Julie in Judith McNaught’s “Perfect”.
I loved those two together.
Edie, I never saw the movie but I loved the book . . . that’s a great romance.
Alyssa, Suzanne Brockmann is fantastic with chemistry . . . on all levels, her H/H and her large cast of characters.
I LOVE Jayne Ann Krentz. But you know what? I particularly love her Jayne Castle books. The chemistry between her off-planet psychics is fantastic. I read WILDEST HEARTS years ago, and don’t remember the story, but I do remember that SOFT CELL was one of my favorite of hers.
SEP is one of the finest writers out there, and she always has compelling characters.
I haven’t read PERFECT, Elisabeth, but I might have to pick it up!
I’m totally agreeing with Edie on this one. Keira Knightley & Matthew MacFadyen have awesome chemistry as Elizabeth Bennett & Mr. Darcy.
Eve & Roarke probably have the best chemistry of any characters I’ve ever read though. You know they love each other, but you can also see that they do drive each other nuts sometimes. Just like a real relationship!!!
I also wanted to add that I love the MacGregor series by Nora as well. The chemistry between the family is awesome! Makes me sad that there won’t be anymore. There need to be more, man!
Another author who has great chemistry in characters is Mercedes Lackey, especially her Valdemar series. Chemistry between the Heralds is really great too.
[...] Allison Brennan wrote about chemistry between characters in a Romancing the Blog article the other day. It got me thinking about other elements of a good book. The most obvious one that springs to mind is plot. I got a fantastic idea for a new book this morning. It quite obviously didn’t spring fully-formed from my mind like Botticelli’s Venus from the waves, it had been incubating in my head without me knowing it since last week, as it is very loosely based on a concept I read about last Wednesday and found interesting. Later today, I was hit with sudden inspiration for a great twist in the story, and every free minute I get I think about what I’ve got so far and whether it all adds up and is possible. [...]
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is not romance, but Claire and Jamie are fast becoming one of the most beloved couples in modern literary history. Talk about chemistry!
Beth’s on to something I think. Some of the most intensely charismatic couples aren’t in Romance, or at least not traditional one book per couple romance. Beyond Dallas and Roake (who of course are shelved in mystery) I’ve got two recent favorites, Keri Arthur’s Riley and Quinn in her March release FULL MOON RISING (full disclosure, she’s my author but she’s so good I’d buy the hardcover even if she wasn’t) and Eileen Wilks’ Lily and Rule from her DANGER series (not my author but if you like paranormal romance or urban fantasy, you should buy her books). Both of these are couples who span more than one book and whose relationship grows and changes. In one point in the MORTAL DANGER, the most recent book, Wilkes writes: “Yes,[Lily] thought. Yes. This is what she needed… the quiet turning to the other in the middle of the night, the wordless meeting of lips, skin, breath. The trust, unfurling one pale petal at a time, that he would be there.”
With all these couples there’s a story beyond their relationship, be it mystery or things that go bump in the night, and maybe that’s what allows their relationships to grow and change without getting stale. We don’t need drama between them every moment just to have a story, so we can enjoy their close moments as well as their tense ones or even their sensual ones. The best thing I think is that Wilkes IS being published as romance by Berkley and now Harlequin is looking for loves that span beyond than the first flush of passion. I hope this is a trend that will grow and enrich just what a HEA can be.