Putting Chemistry on the Page

Given the title, you probably expected a "show / don’t tell" kind of post, but not today. 🙂 Instead, I'm going with a feedback list.

The other day I posted a question on social media. I wanted to know readers’ favorite ways to read/experience chemistry on the page. That build up of tension between the hero/heroin in a romance novel that makes you keep turning the pages.

I got some great answers, so thought I’d start a list. That way when I get stuck or feel like I’m repeating myself, I’ve got a resource. So here we go, favorite chemistry moments in romance:

• The moment when they’re eyes meet and they connect for the first time.
• The way they avoid each other, even though they are attracted to one another, but still have to be in the same room or elevator.
• The first casual touch. It doesn’t have to be sexual. (But not a handshake) It can be as innocent as a hand on the arm, or a hand on the lower back to guide them.
• Where you can tell they really, really want to kiss, but neither will make the first move. Then they’re interrupted and the moment is gone, but they’re both just SMOLDERING.
• That “will he/won’t he” moment when you’re hoping he will.
• When they’re laughing and then the chemistry kicks in and they stop abruptly
• That shared joke or inside piece of information that no one else in the room knows about, but you see them connect over it.
• When they share a vulnerability, fear, or experience that builds intimacy and connection.
• When the other person sees more than everyone else.
• Becoming hyper-aware of each other. Both physical – the sweep of her neck, the way she blushes, his strong forearms, and personal – the way she’s nice to everyone, how he defended her when he didn’t need to.
• A feisty dialogue exchange where the underlying tension just screams through both words and actions
• Their inner thoughts reveal that they both WANT but can’t HAVE, but still WANT

Okay – that’s what came from Facebook and Twitter (and me lol). What else? Help me add to it!