When writing characters who are in a relationship or have a strong friendship, it is easy to fall into cliché. Sure, it might be ‘cute’ to have the characters finish one another’s sentences or refer back to an in-joke from earlier. However, you must be crafty if you want your audience to remember the relationship. One example of this would come from the Into The Spider-Verse series. The relationship between Miles Morales and Gwen Stacey is instantly memorable. 

Why? Because there is chemistry. They understand one another. They share similar issues and challenges and can bounce off one another. Yet, they are different enough that they create a positive contrast. How can you try and mimic that kind of loveable relationship in your own characters? 

Ensure The Characters Feel Real

The first step to creating relationships is to ensure they are real characters. Many relationships fail to inspire the audience because it is pretty clear that the characters were written for the sole purpose of being together. This often leads to personality gaps that the other fills in, creating vacuous and unrealistic characters.

Characters need to be relatable to the audience but also authentic. They need to feel like actual people. Ensure that the characters have strengths and flaws – but not strengths or flaws that the other person in the relationship can magically fix. 

Create Common Goals And Values

The best relationships work when the individuals involved are broadly different but share the same common goals. You do not want the two characters to feel like a carbon copy of one another. While they should share individual plans and have similar values, there should be enough difference here that the characters can have authentic interactions.

They might be coming together to help one another or even clashing over a disputed opinion. However, when their ‘true’ goals and values come to light, they should be there for one another.

Make Dialogue Feel Realistic

One of the easiest ways to make a relationship forgettable is for the dialogue shared to feel like it is only there to build the plot. Think about the most valuable relationships in your life: how often do you discuss nothing of importance?

The best relationships in writing or on screen can feel realistic. As such, the dialogue should not always drive the plot. It can be the kind of jokes and japes we share with the people we love most. Do you talk to your closest friends or loved ones only about serious matters? If not, why would your characters?

Create Conflicts With Satisfying Resolutions

You should also clearly focus on the kind of conflicts that are shared. Consider your arguments with your most beloved relationships: it is often because you have let yourself or them down. Or because you failed to act when you said you would. Or perhaps because you failed to stand up for what you genuinely believe in. These are realistic conflicts that can cause schisms.

The same should go for the resolutions. If the conflicts are based on something that could actually take place, then what of the resolution? Not every resolution has to be a ‘happy ending’ either. Sometimes, unforgettable relationships end – but if the journey from their first union to their ending feels realistic, it can still be unforgettable for the audience.

Form An Emotional Connection That Resonates

Lastly, ensure that when creating a relationship, there is a reason for that emotional connection. Many character relationships fail to catch the attention of the audience because the reason for their emotional connection feels forced and artificial. What is the emotional connection that binds these people together?

Why would they fight to preserve their relationship or come back together in the event of a schism or conflict?

Many relationships feel put together simply because the writing needs two characters on a journey together. If the emotional connection feels forced or limited, that might not work as well as one would hope. You should ensure that the emotional connection feels genuine and that it gives the audience a sense of understanding of why those characters fight through thick and thin for one another.

Use the above to your advantage, and you should find it easier to create realistic and enjoyable relationships.