by Christine Bode
Crafting romantic chemistry in fiction is like conjuring the perfect spell. It demands precision, harmony, and just the right touch of enchantment to leave your readers spellbound. As an editor, I help transform amorous stories into polished narratives that crackle with emotional connection and believable romance.
Whether the manuscript is as subtle as Jane Austen’s or as spicy as E.L. James’s, here are some practical tips to refine those sparks of passion into alluring romantic chemistry.
1. Focus on Emotional Depth
Romantic chemistry in fiction goes beyond longing glances. It’s about emotional authenticity. When editing, pay close attention to how characters’ emotions are conveyed. Are their feelings genuine and relatable? Are the stakes high enough to pull the reader into their journey? Is your protagonist someone the reader can root for? During editing, examine how feelings appear on the page. Do emotions feel earned? Are the stakes high enough? Can readers root for your characters?
Most importantly, do your characters evolve throughout their relationship?
Editing Tip: Use sensory details to immerse readers in the characters’ experiences.
Instead of:
“She felt her heart race.”
Try:
“Her chest tightened, and every heartbeat seemed to echo louder than the next.”
Visceral detail keeps romance grounded and believable.
2. Amp Up the Tension
A convincing romance thrives on tension. It’s the push and pull between characters that keeps readers flipping pages. Whether it’s unspoken desire, forbidden attraction, or witty banter, tension is the secret ingredient. Tension keeps romantic chemistry alive.
Editing Tip: Look for moments in the manuscript where the tension flatlines. Compose tweaks to dialogue, pacing, or situations to reignite that spark.
For example, add a touch of playful banter or an accidental brush of hands to raise the stakes during a mundane conversation.
3. Balance Show and Tell
Editors know the mantra: show, don’t tell. But in romance, finding the right balance is essential. While showing deep emotions through actions and expressions is powerful, a dash of “telling” can also provide clarity or reveal internal thoughts that enrich the chemistry.
Editing Tip: Evaluate passages where you might be overloading descriptions. Convey scenes where actions can speak louder than words—like a lingering glance or a hesitant touch—but also help your characters craft introspective moments to reveal hidden desires.
Original (Overloaded):
“Her heart pounded as she stared at him, her palms clammy and her breathing quick. Every inch of her screamed to move closer, but the fear of rejection rooted her in place. She felt overwhelmed by feelings of longing, nervousness, and a strange excitement she couldn’t name.”
Edited Version with Actions and Introspection:
“She clutched the edge of the table, her fingers pressing into the wood as if grounding herself. His gaze lingered, unspoken words dancing in the air between them. She took a hesitant step forward, only to falter, her pulse thudding louder in her ears. What if she misread him? What if stepping closer unravelled the fragile tension between them?”
This revised version strips away excessive description, letting the character’s actions—clutching the table, hesitating—convey her nervous energy and unspoken desire. The introspection adds depth to her emotions without explicitly listing them, leaving room for readers to interpret the chemistry brewing between the characters.
4. Ensure Authentic Dialogue
The heart of romantic chemistry often lies in dialogue. Flirty exchanges, heartfelt confessions, and heated arguments are pivotal moments that define a relationship. During the editing process, check that your characters’ conversations feel natural, distinctive to their personalities, and free of clichés.
Editing Tip: Be cautious of dialogue that feels overly formal or stilted. Express conversation that injects humour, vulnerability, or conflict to elevate chemistry.
Instead of:
“I really like you.”
Try:
“You drive me insane—but I can’t stop thinking about you.”
5. Strengthen Character Development
Romance is only compelling when readers genuinely care about the characters. Ensure each character is three-dimensional, with flaws, quirks, and dreams that make their love story more resonant. Editing is an opportunity to amplify the individuality of each character and show how their chemistry evolves organically.
Editing Tip: Look for scenes where characters feel static or lack motivation. Make revisions that deepen their interactions and reveal growth.
Scenario: A hesitant artist and an aspiring author.
The artist, Sophie, is deeply insecure about sharing her paintings after years of criticism from a former mentor. Meanwhile, Alex, the aspiring author, struggles with speaking publicly about his stories, fearing rejection.
Moment of Vulnerability and Courage:
One night, Alex stumbles upon Sophie sitting alone in her studio, staring at a partially covered canvas. She confesses, voice trembling, that she can’t bring herself to finish the painting because she fears it’ll never be good enough. Alex sees the raw vulnerability in her eyes, and something shifts within him. If Sophie—whom he admires deeply—can admit her fears so openly, maybe he can, too.
“I know what it’s like to be scared of showing people what you’ve created,” Alex says, his voice unsteady but growing stronger. “But … maybe what scares us is also what makes us brave. I’ll tell you what—if you finish that painting, I’ll read a chapter of my book at the next writer’s group meeting.”
Sophie hesitates but nods, sensing the sincerity in Alex’s voice. In that moment, her openness has emboldened him, and his offer to be brave alongside her sparks something determined in Sophie.
This example portrays how Sophie’s vulnerability in admitting her insecurity catalyzes Alex to confront his own fear. Their shared courage ultimately lifts both characters in a beautiful, mutual exchange.
6. Make Physical Moments Count
Physical intimacy is often the culmination of chemistry in romance, but it should never feel gratuitous. When editing, consider how moments of closeness—whether subtle touches or full-on passion—are framed within the characters’ emotional journey.
Editing Tip: Look for scenes where physical interactions may feel rushed or out of sync with the story’s tone. Consider ways to weave intimacy seamlessly into the narrative. A brush of fingertips in a quiet moment can express longing more powerfully than an elaborate kiss.
7. Polish the Pacing
A romance that drags will lose its spark. However, one that rushes can feel insincere. Pacing is critical to ensure the chemistry builds naturally while maintaining the reader’s investment in the story.
Editing Tip: Identify areas where the romance feels too fast or too slow. Rearrange scenes or add moments of reflection that let the chemistry breathe.
For example, if the characters declare love too early, add scenes where they grapple with misunderstandings or inner doubts first.
8. Celebrate Variety in Romance
No two love stories are alike. Your edits should embrace that diversity. Whether it’s an epic fantasy romance with star-crossed lovers or a contemporary tale of second chances, adjust your editing approach to honour the genre’s unique nuances.
Editing Tip: You can break the mould and celebrate variety in romance by employing these suggestions.
For example, when editing a fantasy romance, weave magical elements into the romantic tension, such as forbidden spells or an enchanted rendezvous.
Explore Unconventional Pairings
Instead of relying on traditional character archetypes, you can experiment with protagonists who defy stereotypes. For example:
- Pair a scientist with an artist for a love story that blends logic and creativity.
- Write a romance between characters with vast age differences, from different cultural backgrounds, or with distinct life experiences.
Embrace intersectionality by representing diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities in their love stories.
Blend Genres Creatively
Mash up romance with unexpected genres for a unique twist:
- Romantic Mystery: A couple solves crimes together, and their chemistry unfolds with each clue.
- Fantasy Romance: Introduce magical elements where love becomes a literal force that binds or separates realms.
- Dystopian Romance: Set love stories against a backdrop of societal collapse. Allow emotional bonds to become a rebellion against bleakness.
Play with Unusual Settings
Set your romance in a unique, untapped location that becomes a character in its own right.
For example:
- An underwater city, a celestial spaceship, or a vibrant carnival.
- Ordinary places made extraordinary—like a love story that revolves around the camaraderie in a bustling laundromat.
Focus on Diverse Love Stories
Representation matters. There’s room for romance novels to reflect a vast range of human experiences. Explore:
- Characters who fall in love later in life prove romance isn’t confined to youth.
- Stories rooted in non-Western cultural traditions, showcasing love customs, languages, and conflicts specific to those cultures.
- Relationships that don’t end in marriage or follow conventional “happily ever after” formulas. Think open-ended, bittersweet romance.
Invert Traditional Tropes
Take well-loved (or overused!) tropes and flip them to create fresh dynamics:
- Instead of the brooding bad boy, try the soft-spoken hero who surprises with quiet courage.
- A love triangle where all three characters explore a polyamorous relationship rather than forcing a choice.
- A “second chance romance” where the couple reconnects after personal growth rather than simply reigniting old flames.
Infuse Humour or Satire
Examine playful or satirical takes on classic romance setups. For instance:
- A protagonist who falls for a rival in an overly dramatic workplace competition.
- A tongue-in-cheek romance where magical misunderstandings (e.g., love spells gone wrong) lead to hilarious chaos.
Challenge Norms of Power Dynamics
Write romances that subvert traditional power imbalances:
- The underdog falls for a seemingly unapproachable love interest. However, it’s the former who teaches the latter valuable life lessons.
- Partners equally share the spotlight and drive the narrative together, showcasing teamwork in love.
Crafting Alluring Romantic Chemistry in Fiction—Final Words
Crafting alluring romantic chemistry in fiction is about turning raw attraction into polished prose, ensuring every word resonates with the story’s pulse. Furthermore, romantic chemistry doesn’t happen by accident. It’s crafted through emotional depth, rising tension, authentic dialogue, and purposeful pacing. In this post, I explored how editors can help authors strengthen romantic chemistry by balancing show and tell, deepening character development, and ensuring physical moments feel earned rather than gratuitous. From sharpening dialogue and polishing pacing to celebrating diverse love stories and unconventional tropes, these editing strategies honour the many forms romance can take. The result is fiction that feels emotionally true, narratively satisfying, and impossible to put down.
Through Bodacious Copy’s literary alchemy, I can help authors shape love stories that linger long after the final page. So, pick up your metaphorical quill (or mouse) and let the magic unfold!