Writing Compelling Character Relationships | Writing Tips

[@DanTasticEntertainment]

I really enjoy sibling relationships between people who aren't actually siblings. Seeing how they develop that bond even though there is no blood relation. To me, that goes so much deeper and is far more satisfying.

[@LordTravisBruh]

Had us in the first half ngl

[@ladyvader2648]

One of my most favorite is Anakin and Ahsoka from TCW

[@teamawesome5153]

Me too. Especially when they're really close to each other but outside forces are keeping them apart

[@gailasprey7787]

@@ladyvader2648 YES.

[@_-drowsy-_]

I hate writing romantic relationships between blood siblings, but I have to 😭 (Greek mythology)

[@UdyKumra]

The “what do they reveal about each other” point is probably the most important to me, personally. I feel that characters are most complex when they are slightly different in most situations and every relationship, and if you can do that with your characters, then you can create extremely complex and well developed characters. Using relationships to define characters is really how I build characters in a story while writing, I think.

[@razkable]

true..compelling romance writing comes down to how opposite the people are but how they are in love have similar core values/morals and thus look past the surface level differences to share the same feeling where they do come to a similar inner and external feelings based understanding..usually some conflict whether it be internal or external occurs and keeps it interesting to read/watch or you watch them get together which taskes time......i could not watch a romance focused story for example between two characters dating/being married that are the exact same who never go through anything..how boring would that get?

[@abbiepancakeeater52]

actually i think having very similar characters is better because it forces them to see their own flaws and grow as people

[@abbiepancakeeater52]

@@razkable the conflict doesnt have to be relationship related. i would personally love to read about a couple who brings the best out in each other and only conflict is surviving life and its struggles, together.

[@quintessembo]

Yes! When characters change their behavior based on different characters they are interacting with, it makes them so unbelievably real!

[@everydaytwiceonsundays4498]

Fun fact: you know how the lancer/second character in an ensemble cast is called a "foil"? That term comes from jewelry-making, because jewelers would put a small piece of foil under some rocks (diamonds?), so that it would reflect light and add to its sparkle. In the same way, the second character stands apart from the first character, adding contrast to them, allowing them to be seen more fully.

[@writeitdown2013]

I love tip number two, that the characters need to exist outside of the relationship, as well. I imagine a story where there's a crazy Aunt who's very very cynical and funny and always arguing with the protagonist. That can be really fun, but then I ask myself: how can I also reveal a deeper level to the Aunt outside of that relationship. Just a small detail, or a brief line to show who they are on the inside

[@TomorrowWeLive]

This is very important for romances!

[@elisa4620]

Not just romance but yeah, this is a recurring issue in romance arcs

[@leech1355]

My guess was either going to be sPeCiFiCiTy or some kind of reference to History of Wolves. Whenever you get a twinkle in your eye I know what’s coming

[@ShaelinWrites]

adsjk they are my two greatest passions in life

[@wonderlust1308]

I’m getting closer and closer to the idea of buying the book because of Shaelin!

[@leech1355]

@@wonderlust1308 I bought it on Shaelin’s recommendation and it’s now my second favourite book and I read it once a year haha. If Lit Fic is your vibe then definitely check it out.

[@wonderlust1308]

@@leech1355 I’ve never read a Lit Fic before but I think it’s my calling. I’m sure it’s the vibe I’m looking for in books. The website I usually buy books from has it but it’s expensive for me :/ but you’re really convincing me, I’m 99% there lol

[@UdyKumra]

My favorite character relationships are actually the opposite of yours-I really like strong, close sibling relationships in fiction. I’m always on the lookout for those, especially in fantasy.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Realistic close sibling relationships are amazing!! For some reason I just tend to gravitate towards reading about awful people haha ooopssss, but there is nothing like a fun sibling dynamic.

[@UdyKumra]

@@ShaelinWrites hahaha I feel that. Usually I like to accompany my close sibling dynamic with an absolutely fucked parent or two to balance it out. The siblings often have to stick together to make it through.

[@ciaratc]

Me too! My brother and I have always had a great sibling relationship and that's something I want to portray in my stories~

[@UdyKumra]

@@ciaratc Yeah it was my sister and I for me. I'm basically writing stories about my sister and I going on adventures hahaha

[@razkable]

that can get close to incest territory really fast in fantasy..be careful

[@yapdog]

I just had a surprising relationship forming between 3 characters. Each pair has their own relationship, but the trio has a very dynamic energy. I just could never have predicted what they would be like as a group... because I never actually intended them to be a group. It just worked out that way... for the better _(much better than what I had planned)._

[@_-drowsy-_]

Omg dude same!!

[@juliarose3826]

This got me thinking a lot about how I personally build character relationships, which I don't really do intentionally, they just tend to emerge from each character's personal goals within the plot. So I wrote a paragraph for each of my central characters for what their relationship with each other is to them, and I realized there's basically always three components to my character relationships: what they like/dislike about each other and what they enjoy/dislike about being in their company, how they are tied together by circumstances, and what they feel they morally owe the other person (help them because they helped you, general friendship, vengeance, a safe place to stay if they need it, a knife in their chest, a lit match to their home, what have you). So that's pretty cool and useful to be able to deconstruct as I could potentially use that as a method to approach creating character relationships in the future. Very good video on the topic, thought provoking.

[@意地悪ちゃん]

this sounds like a great character exercise! i think i'll try doing that actually

[@juliarose3826]

@@意地悪ちゃん cool! hope its useful/fun for you. let me know how it goes if you want :)

[@Диана-я5э1к]

I am completely in love with the relationships in my book! For me, personally, if the relationship is so complex that I can't even label it, that's where it has me

[@ShaelinWrites]

Yessss I love this!!

[@tsentenari4353]

Absolutely! My personal go to example for a unique / "delightfully specific" relationship that is almost impossible to lable, just like you described, is the one between Penny and Sheldon in "The Big Bang Theory". What type of relationship is this? It's definitely not a romantic relationship. Is it a friendship? Well... It changes a lot in character over the seasons. Initially, it is rather combative, with Sheldon pushing Penny's buttons / Penny reacting defensively to his put-downs, and Sheldon maybe starting to understand when Penny is taking the piss, and how she is a great source of expertise on everything he's trouble understanding, like relationships and human interactions. "The way they annoy each other paradoxically also brings them closer together." As the show progresses, there is more and more mutual respect, and even a kind of developing dependence on each other. 7 or 8 seasons in, everyone agrees they have a special relationship, there are things that Sheldon will only accept from Penny, while Penny, conversely, adapts an almost somewhat motherly / protective role towards him, where she will let him get away with surprisingly much. There you go, I am feeling that I am doing a terribly clumsy job of describing it ---- which very much proves your point! The most interesting relationships are the ones that are hard to lable, and that have a strong component of combativeness / conflict to them, that may then change into something a little more appeciative and interwined over the course of time.

[@Диана-я5э1к]

@@tsentenari4353 Wow, this is so cool. I watched some eps from The Big Bang Theory, but never really paid attention to it. Great analisis! I have a special fondness for my protagonist and antagonist relationship as well. It's a mixture of infatuation, respect, affection, admiration, resentment, all of that. When people ask me what the nature of their relationship is, I'm tempted to say "a little bit of everything" haha.

[@salenna6840]

All my stories so far are mostly character driven, so every conflict is caused by the characters so I write LOTS of relationships. And I'm not sure if I have a favorite. I love exploring all different kinds of relationships and how they affect these characters. My favorite is probably romantic, though. More specifically, subtle romance. Small acts that could be seeing as platonic that grows by the time and when the characters less expect, it's like: “Oh. I guess I like this person.” I also love “amicable rivalry”, characters that love to get at each others nerves and are always bickering and trying to one-up the other but still care about each other.

[@DarwinRoger893]

I love subtle romances so much, they're quite underrated in the romance genre. I've always gravitated to the unconventional, subtle romances with lots of queer undertones that don't end with dating/marriage exactly. Romance where the characters aren't interested in each other because of their physical description and instead focus on the deeper, meaningful and very intimate relationship they have with each other.

[@blueknees6383]

scary how on the second day of writing a story that stems from a character relationship, you come up with this video. YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER THANK YOU

[@UdyKumra]

I just want to say that the thing that got me watching your channel was that I had, on my own, started to realize that specificity is what made stories more interesting. Then I found your channel where you said this in every video and I subbed. You were talking a LOT about a conclusion I had stumbled onto by accident and your words influenced my writing a ton, even though I’m in a totally different genre from you (sci-fi fantasy).

[@JessicaKomguen]

"Don't repeat the purpose of the scene" is exactly what I needed to hear. Your channel and advice are precious to me :)

[@jennal5657]

I loved what you said about the depth of a character coming from what you reveal about them as opposed to how they change. Thank you for putting that into words!! It always bothered me how people take "good character development" to ALWAYS mean "the character changes by the end of the story."

[@traceyking7299]

Grandmother and granddaughter because they can teach each other things. They are quite unusual in fiction. I have written six short stories and two of them are a relationship between granddaughter and grandmother. I have written the manuscript to be published in three months. I am watching all of your videos. I am learning so much from you. I can't thank you enough. I have never written a story in my life. I am great at writing academic work, so this is far removed. I have discovered that I am great at stories, plots. I shall do much, much, more! I am setting up a ghost writing company and writing myself. Thank God for KZbin!!!

[@dukeofdenver]

My favourite character relationship to write are rivals who are forced by circumstances to work together

[@mummytrolls]

I loveee that trope especially when we see them as rivals for quite a while

[@tia2108]

another lover of complex and messy sibling relationships!! there’s so much nuance and potential in writing siblings and i wish more people would see it.

[@nocturnus009]

About 12:29 the thought of a relationship as it’s own character makes sense. The relationship between Circe & her father comes to mind. The 5 boroughs & their avatar in The City We Became is another. I imagine one could think of a stasis point for personification or a relationship, think through how it needs to face change from It’s established norms and develop a plot embryo for how it regresses or progresses.

[@RebieaZedits]

My favorite relationships to write are unexpected friendships, where characters who are kind of opposites end up with super strong bonds (Maybe I've watched too many Disney/Pixar movies). They're hard because they have to be carefully crafted and earned, otherwise they feel forced, but they can be so rewarding. They have the intrigue of how these characters ended up friends, as well as potential for conflict. And they can encompass almost any relationship, like best friends, romance, and Found Family (my other favorite relationship).

[@maya-gur695]

I enjoyed this video so much! I think I read literature for the characters more than anything else. Getting to know another person, even if they're fictional, so intimately is the best thing about reading and writing for me.

[@ShaelinWrites]

I totally agree!

[@sumayyahkhan8897]

You know what in my opinion a brother and sister relationship is just the best. Especially when they start of hating each other and then end up loving each other. It may he a bit overused but it never gets old to me.

[@dorothykern8537]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm currently writing a story centered heavily around two characters that uses almost only dialogue, and this was really helpful.

[@everydaytwiceonsundays4498]

Something I learned from series: when bringing in a new ally, whenever possible, position them as an antagonist first. It gets things moving, adds conflict, pushes your protagonist, allows you to show both of their personalities/abilities more fully. Then, you make them into allies (a common goal works well, a common enemy works better).

[@KaichouClips]

I like the way this is done in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Most of the main cast only comes together after fighting, overcoming their mutual wariness and finding something in common that allows them to work together. It shows their abilities and personalities, changes their personal trajectories, and leads nicely into the actual antagonists.

[@MerweenTheWitch]

Yeah now that I think about it, I'm really all about bittersweet relationships, how to move forward and find new ways to find trust despite the hurt and despite the grudge. This comes back *a lot* in my writing. Thank you for the video Shaelin!

[@yawningmimi6787]

Thanks. You’re so good at explaining things!

[@52Paulis]

I like the questions you are asking. I am also into what-if questions of my story. Opposites attract is something I like to explore I also like to explore outside-the-box relationships, not just the other side of the tracks but the nerd and jock, or a lost soul and someone popular. This one got me thinking. Again if start teaching or mentoring again I will point that writer to these videos.

[@dukeofdenver]

I'm going back to my novel after a long exam, and this is just what I needed. Thank you

[@christofellukas2390]

Just discovered Your videos recently, the tips on creating complex characters really help me, literally wrote 8 pages of 1 character file so far, U Go Girl!!

[@valhatan3907]

How to get that kind of determination? I can't get out from my _"I'm watching KZbin for research!"_ habit

[@wellwell7429]

@@valhatan3907 we just have to close KZbin for a day or two or how many we need, there's no easier way about it

[@christofellukas2390]

@@valhatan3907 well for me i write those stuffs after i watched these videos because watching these videos gave me ideas and knowledge on how to put that ideas on to words, plus when I write i usually listen to other videos because sounds just makes me focused

[@annyfriday6559]

I watched this video taking notes and it inspired me a lot, thank you!! Your channel is invaluable to me. And my favorite relationship to write is probably intergenerational friendship. Also, "I'll never tell you this" is breathtaking!!!

[@apocalypsereading7117]

i'm close to finishing my first novel and it's turned out to be all about messed-up sibling relationships... if i get around to writing another i'm planning to try my hand at cousins coz that's something i find fascinating but never read about like ever. thanks as always for a lovely and thought-provoking video!

[@ramantinuwal1810]

I really love writing siblings n best friend... Like being constantly annoying n prickly with each other but never letting anyone else do this ... That is DYNAMIC

[@52Paulis]

Relationships are like onion layers and interwoven. Each character may have secrets from the other. I have always wanted to write a story about sidekicks all of them are sidekicks to someone else. Usually, I do a bit of character backstory before I do the first draft and then add as I go. Recently, I had a minor character exploded into a major character with their own key subplot. I am primarily a plotter, I like a roadmap but I'm always open to discovery. This character's conflict and story opened an additional flavor to the story.

[@iridescentdemon]

making characters interesting outside of their relationships is something I need to work on for several of my side characters, and the revealing things about each other

[@abiade9614]

since I'm just starting to write I'll say I really enjoy reading friendships that have a soulmate dynamic? It follows a similar setup to a romance spurring except everything is platonic. I like it because I'm respectfully a simp for soft, wholesome and intimate tropes without the intensity a lot of popular romance literature/media has.

[@heavilydeformedbirchtree6278]

This helped me SO MUCH i have so many new ideas now aaa

[@Raven_102]

Old video but, I remember the first writing of my OC relationship. I think when writing, my brain got too focused on the relationship part. So I just had to tell myself to pretend like the other didn’t exist for a second so I could write them as separate people first. Once I did that, the pieces just fell together naturally after some tweaking and formed a positive/healthy relationship where they raise the other person up and have a positive impact on the other, not become part of them. I always went by the “make it so your character wants the person, not need them”. So they don’t need each other to stand on their own, they can stand on their own two feet, but they want each other and the relationship

[@billyalarie929]

i feel like every time i come to a shaelin video lately it's always so intuitively ingrained that i forget that it's a topic that needs to be thought about. also: first tip: specificity? yep. nailed it.

[@emrysrhodri9572]

Everyone telling me they absolutely love the love interest and that he feels like the protagonist was a sign I needed to really build the main character up more 😅

[@bryonnamcalister9904]

I love writing positive fathers/father figures and sons! Idk what it is about a teenage boy breaking down and crying in his father's arms, but I love writing those moments.

[@arimcphail4124]

I love writing an adoptive parent and child dynamic, there is something so loving about someone not tied to you by blood deciding to care for you like a parent

[@maddy.g.s]

i'm working on a story right now and i'm in the stage where I'm exploring my characters a bit and their relationships a bit deaper and this was so helpful! thank you so much!

[@marvamason]

This video is so helpful. My WIP is about two female cousins, a few months apart in age who spend all their time together.

[@wrigleyextra11]

Thanks Shaelin. That revelation vs growth in characters is a paradigm shift!

[@tsentenari4353]

Great topic, loved to watch this! "A character relationship is its own character - take that and run with it as you will." Here is my personal take on what makes them similar for me (you already mentioned many of those): In real life, every relationship is unique - just like every character. It gets born, has a certain life span, and perishes. (A relationship that "dies young" can leave a feeling of loss and tragedy within the surviving characters.) The character of a relationship develops over time, just like the one of an individual character. (The character of the relationship between Ross and Rachel in "Friends" was very different towards the end than it had been in the beginning, and a number of different flavors in between.) Even good relationships --- particularly good relationships, if you will --- are a great source of conflict, as you mentioned. Not all relationships are equally interesting from a story telling point of view, some are far, far more intriguing than others, and, oftentimes, the relationships we find particularly compelling to watch, can to be very different from the relationships we want to experience in our own life. (Just like with characters. ) My personal favorite: Most good stories will contain an element of surprise, a case of expectations getting foiled. While I am not a huge fan of "surprise twists" a la "Eren is actually a titan", one way to do this that I find as subtle as I find it satisfying as a reader, is to introduce a character in a certain way, that makes people think in a certain way about them --- only to then foil their expectations, by revealing them to be surprisingly different. Not totally different, but sufficiently different. (Great example: Lieutenant Daniels in "The Wire".) Similarly, I love when an author foils my expectations about the character of a relationship --- like, say, by having to arch enemies having a short moment where they bond with each other over something. Like Cerseis and Robert almost bonding in that one famous dialogue scene in Game of Thrones that they just because they didn't have enough footage to fill the episode or, similarly, Cersei and Sansa, Cersei and Tyrion. Or Zuko's relationship with the Avatar possy.

[@michaelcain9324]

The husband/wife writing team Ilona Andrews (the best urban fantasy) is a master at showing dynamic characters in great relationships. Lovers, friends, packs, and in her newer Hidden Legacy series, a family of 7 eccentric, hysterical yet deeply loyal characters. And slowly, through the books, you get extended family too, as they pick up people they care about and they become part of their PI firm.

[@mari_golds-bleeding-ink]

Personally I like the pinning relationships, where two characters fall in love with each other but due to internal conflicts aren't able to get together without a lot of angst. I find it interesting that my two favorite ships have these elements in them, but the conflict is specifically caused by the (usually negative) ways they'd interacted in the past, and the way they resolve the conflict through the realizations of their crushes, usually with a happy ending. It can be a real slowburn, (one of them is two decades long and still not together lol) But it's worth it to see the ways they develop because of and for each other. Especially if it starts off a bit onr sided at first, like one side gets the crush first and then the other follows. Or one side has the crush and the other reciprocates later on. Like that. I've probably rambled enough but as this dynamic and the two ships I've seen it with are all topics I'm passionate about, (especially cause one is a rarepair) I really wanted to go in depth.

[@karenrosenberg383]

One of my favorites that you've done. Really got me thinking. Thanks!

[@LmaoMeowz]

Dude i keep watching videos about character relationships and side characters and comparing 3 of my characters and their relationships to the points made in the video and even though i’ve never watched or read anything before making the story- everything is _spot on._ Apparently i’m good at making stories lmao

[@goodmanticore]

My favorite relationship to write is between characters who hate each other, but in a playful way.

[@wonderlust1308]

Oh my God, I thought I was safe inside my mind but I guess not - Shaelin is able to read it!

[@shark1nfested6rain]

I’ve really been wanting to make ocs but I don’t know what to make the story about and designs etc so watching your videos have been giving me some ideas that I think are pretty cool! Thank youuuu!

[@phlegmatic2641]

Love this! you’ve been helping me write my own comic way better with every upload 😁

[@Maxarcc]

I feel like Hegel is a great philosopher to help us understand the "character relationship is a character in and of itself" thing. Hegel's concept of recognition is the idea that the outside world is a mirror, and we can only know who we are in contrast to others. Others either reject or affirm certain parts of us, and it is in the contradictions between us where we realise our wants and needs. When you think about what two characters affirm and reject of one another, you get a clearer picture of how their relationship is a character. They are freely allowed express certain aspects of themselves, while they must suppress others.

[@N.Traveler]

*Shaelin drops video on a topic I've been struggling with.* *Takes notebook out of drawer* My favorite character relationships were in Breaking Bad. That show taught me a lot. Would highly recommend watching for reference (even though it's screenwriting). Edit, after watching the end of your video lol: My favorite type of character relationship to write is (surprisingly) mentor-student. I love how it's often the mentor that learns more from teaching the student than the other way around. Plus the often large age gap creates some generational tensions which can inspire hilarious situations. It's also fun to create a mentor who is younger than the student or a completely different species (if it's fantasy). So many possibilities in this type of relationship alone.

[@dorothyinman4632]

This is so helpful. I'm revising/rewriting my novel which sibling relationships play a heavy part. Especially with the protagonist's two twin brothers - one Jekyll and one Hyde. I'm at the part where I'm trying to determine if each scene/interaction is redundant or aids to the agenda of the novel. So stumbling across this is very timely. I love the kind brother but like writing the mean brother's shenanigans. Listening to your vlog made me realize his issues with his younger sister have nothing to do with her but really they are about who he is. So thank you. This has really gotten me thinking.

[@josephedmondson1969]

I kinda like surrogate family and/or rivalry kind of relationships. Even if the characters aren't related, they can still act like they are family in way. One character can be a narrative foil to the other all the while having a rivalry with each other. It's a goldmine of character development!

[@IsabelA-hp9yt]

Always here for specificity, and great advice as always. I love writing very close friendships (or romance) that have to weather contempt of some kind. Those are also really good for plot twists and I enjoy the conflict between characters who love each other but can’t quite make it work despite their efforts

[@joemoya9743]

The characters and relationships that readers "love to hate" are the most complicated and difficult to write.

[@razkable]

the moth to the light scenario where the main character knows its bad to be with another but does it anyways despite consequences and knowing about possible problems...and making us want that to be the endgame is very hard to pull off well...or make us like it in the moment beat by beat...

[@chelseadanico877]

Very great writing advice, I definitely needed this for my book. Since I’m only on chapter 1, I haven’t actually thought of my characters relationships yet. This video definitely really helped me out a lot on getting me started

[@francescaellis8893]

this video is coming at the perfect time!! i'm having so much trouble with the main relationship in my current wip *big hug of gratitude (if you like)*

[@nazmul9609]

1st, Thanks a lot, I was struggling to write a novel for 2 years But after watching Your vidieo's about short stories i realised Short stories are best for me. Thank you very very very much. 2nd, Nice outfit

[@lianxie5582]

I really loved this video topic - it's like you read my mind and what my story needed! I developed it so much better after this

[@n3000ad]

Shaelin, your videos amaze me. You've helped me so much on my writing journey!

[@galaxy_tripod0_0]

Crazy how this is exactly what I needed-

[@richardgnann5092]

Another good one! Maybe you'd also consider a video on what KZbinrs you follow - writing KZbinrs of course is what I'm thinking, but I'm sure you will be yourself which is what we love. (If you vou've done this and I missed it my bad. I'll review.)

[@barbaralong5154]

Shaelin, this is one of the best posts you've made! So often I finish reading stories feeling cheated of well-rounded depth in relation to characters and their relationships to one another--as if the characters were merely plot devices to serve the story rather than real people reflecting the deeper meaning of stories and their themes. I wonder if this is most common in romance because of the (misleading) mantra that romance novels MUST be under, say, 75,000 words. Maybe writers of this genre have sacrificed dynamic, fleshed out characters and their relationships to others to keep word counts "acceptable"-- A shame, really. Thanks again--Love your insight (and your beautiful writing)!!

[@eastward98]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you for outlining such an easy to follow list of avenues to explore 😊👍💖

[@paenowl4530]

There is always something to pick up on from each of your blogs and I really enjoyed this one. Funny enough a month ago I meet one your fans and she just went off on a tangent about SPECIFICITY!!! Dude I was like if I didn't know you I'd think she was you lol

[@ngtskynebula]

Lots of precious advice here. Thanks a lot! ❤

[@augusthawley5504]

if the answer isn't specificity, someone replaced you

[@ShaelinWrites]

This is how you will all know if I am ever replaced by a spy

[@moitbeans]

@@ShaelinWrites *the KGB takes notes*

[@Mr_Alba_Zoa]

4:55 Millie from helluva boss is a good example of not existing outside a relationship

[@skywa7183]

U know what. I needed this. Thank uuuuu

[@wisha4046]

I haven't watched this yet but thanks a lot for this topic because I really need some advice for it 💞💞

[@RoseBookblood]

Me, looking at my two WIPs with found family and enemies to lovers tropes: Well, if it isn't the video I've been waiting for. I love writing really close friendships and people who hate each other's guts (talking about opposites), they are both fun but in very different ways. Since we're on the topic, what makes a character feel real to you? I'm curious to know your opinion, especially because your characters always feel fully-fleshed to me. (Btw, you really did something with the relationships in I Will Never Tell You This.)

[@ShaelinWrites]

I think the thing that really makes a character feel real is kind of hard to articulate, oftentimes a book with really good characterization simply has characters with that spark of life to them, and how exactly that's being achieved is very subtle and hard to pinpoint, you know? But for me, the characters having interesting but nuanced thoughts and emotions is very important, since a character's thoughts and emotions are such an intimate aspect of them, and so if they're written with the amount of messiness but also complexity that reflects a real person, and that's paired with some strong concrete detail, I think that can be very effective!

[@RoseBookblood]

@@ShaelinWrites I totally agree, most of the time I can't really put my finger on what makes my favorite characters so complex. And for sure the ones I love most are those who feel nuanced and multifaceted. Sadly, reading mostly YA and fantasy/sci-fi, I find that authors don't put as much thought into the characters' complexity as litfic writers do.

[@booklanerecommendations]

@@RoseBookblood That's interesting, because I actually fell in love with fantasy precisely because it seems to focus more on characters and their relationships, at least if you know where to look for character-driven fantasy. A lot of recent adult fantasy seems to be character-driven, especially Brandon Sanderson's books. If you're more into YA fantasy, I'd recommend The Raven Boys and the Six of Crows duology: I had some issues with the plot in both series (especially Raven Boys), but the characters were great.

[@RoseBookblood]

@@booklanerecommendations I've already read (and loved) Six of Crows and I'm reading The Raven Cycle! The thing is, they've always felt like exceptions to me. I've developed a pretty good radar for character driven fantasy, but it's a long process, since I have to skim past well known books (which are usually a) plot driven or b) just plain bad) and dig to find less popular ones. It can be a bummer.

[@booklanerecommendations]

​@@RoseBookblood I understand that, but I wonder if you'll find more character-driven books in recent adult fantasy. Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie all write really good characters. I would hugely recommend Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series if you love really good, complex character work.

[@alexrediger2099]

I'm learning a lot from your series. Thanks!

[@Rozitaaah]

'Broad topic' but but...specificity

[@olivierballou392]

Really helpful. I was just grappling with this.

[@ertandbernie7706]

I think the character relationships is one of the reasons stranger things is so good. The groupings are written so well.

[@sheepwolf9387]

your brain is like the greatest. thank you for this amazing channel!

[@AdamFishkin]

Specificity. BY GOD I SAW IT COMING.

[@darkdaughter5966]

Shaelin: "Here's how to write such a compelling relationship." Also Shaelin: "My book titled: Siblings trying to kill each other"

[@probablyabtsfan1715]

I'll have 6 characters as a main cast. My plan for their dynamic is that every other character have another character that have similarities with them and another that oppose one of their characteristic so there are characters that are closer together and those who would argue even if they are friends. Uh... My story will also have incest, sister complex, sibling rivalries, fake friends, more toxic relationship, etc💀💀

[@joy941]

This is what I needed! Thx!

[@StellaDonna88]

Hooray for found families!

[@rockbandny]

For having each scene doing a different thing I'd say Dr korzcaks example is great. I did this for my drama GCSE and each relationship grew every scene

[@brigittegerlach]

I enjoy writing about becomming friends. Though it's difficult.

[@brigittegerlach]

Ps. Editing about a grey character temporarily reforming. Through Relationships. ( First Time she really gets unselfish support) and the fear of being cast out in Winter. Is that realistic? I wonder. Any good ideas?

[@raphaelmotta7630]

This was amazinlgy helpfull! Thank you so much Shaelin!

[@AnimeFanX11]

Hmm, how should I go about writing a character relationship that's not quite blatant/on the surface? Ex if some siblings all disliked each other but pretended to get along in front of guests, and the MC is a guest visiting, how should I go about showing that sort of thing?

[@billyalarie929]

oh yeah, i forgot to ask: if you have 3 scenes to develop the relationship dynamic or whathaveyou, where it starts to bog down the book, do you think there's a way to take aspects from the 3 scenes, and make THOSE the one scene? like, is there a way that each of the 3 scenes are saying something slightly new/different about the same thing, that you can take the "something" within each of the 3 scenes, and condense it all into one scene? or is it mostly, "there's really only one thesis here, and you have to pick the way you want to portray the scene, so pick 1 out of the 3 scenes"

[@ShaelinWrites]

If you feel three scenes are serving almost the same purpose, even if it is slightly different, I would just take the best aspects of each scene and combine them into one scene. Ultimately it is a matter of better judgement and problem solving like most editing decisions.

[@Jacklo-the-catsect]

Thank you, I've been trying to build a whole town/country of people, and it's hard to figure out how some people know some people, some relationships, that aren't just boss/crush/lover/sibling

[@bree9035]

"The characters need to have a life and be interesting outside the relationship." I'm looking at you two, Bella and Edward.

[@HighMaintainanceMachine]

"A character relationship is its own character" *Everyone looks at Steven Universe*

[@emacopek9508]

You inspired me thank you hihi!

[@G-Blockster]

Key Takeaways: * "Specific is terrific." * "Characters need to be 3-D." * "Relationships reveal character." * "Scenes should be strategic." * "Relational conflict is inevitable." * "Each relationship is unique and has its own dynamic." * "Conflicts are based on fears, differences of opinion, a lack of understanding, and a lack of communication."

[@yapdog]

For me, predefined definitions of relationships never live past their "real-time" interactions. They just decide for themselves what their relationships are. And whenever I attempt to force my definitions upon them, it never works out.

[@ryderdoessomething3890]

12:30 *quietly* like Steven universe

[@DEEZNUTS-yo1dx]

I'm not even an author or do i want tp write, i just really like good charecter

[@jillianh7565]

I’m in a dungeons and dragons Curse of Strahd campaign right now and I wanted to work with a handful of people to build character relationships between the party members, the main villain and our allies. Two or three relationships I wanted to focus on are my character’s friendship with a vampire (another party member) who saved her life in our last game session. My character is a half elf noblewoman. I also wanted to build the relationship between the main villain of the campaign, Count Strahd Von Zarovich, and each member of the adventuring party. Our dm has told us that each character is connected to Strahd in some way so….Yes, I know this is basically D&D’s Dracula story. How can I, as a player, make the story more interesting and horrifying for both our dm and the party?

[@jen4443]

One of the questions you brought up was "What aspects of themselves does the relationship bring out or suppress?", but I have trouble understanding what that means. Can you elaborate? Or are there other resources where I can learn more about this? Thank you! :)

[@ShaelinWrites]

Hi! There aren't really any resources I can direct you to on this, it's just a question I like to ask haha, but it basically just means what traits or qualities in your character are brought out more when they're with this other person. So what side of them or traits in their personality comes out, and at the same time, what traits do they maybe try and suppress around this person.

[@jen4443]

Thank you so much for replying, this helps a lot!! :) I understand it now. By the way, is your tumblr still active? I‘m asking because you haven’t posted in a while, but you mentioned people can send you asks. Anyway, thank you for all your amazing writing tips. I love your videos ❤

[@ShaelinWrites]

@@jen4443 Sorry, my tumblr isn't active anymore! This is an older video so at the time I made it my tumblr was still active, but I didn't have the time to manage it anymore.

[@ChroniclesOfGui]

This video is gold!

[@evilgenius97]

I like the enemies turn friends. I dislike enemies becoming 100% BFFs all of a sudden through some small detail. I like building relationships not "suddenly change"