I enjoy fathoming about the magic that brings characters together. When different paths come together to achieve something fantastic that wouldn’t be possible without each other. It’s a beautiful thing!
I think about relationships as two things. How are they similar to each other and how do they complement each other? In Star Trek Voyager, B'Elanna Torres and Seven of Nine are highly motivated achievers and because of it they both clash and respect each other. They are similar in the way that sometimes makes them difficult to deal with, and their qualities are not so good complements to each other. Tom Paris whom marry B'Elanna Torres has a very easygoing and relaxed personality which is an excellent complement to hers.
I agree! They're both very commanding, and I love when they learn to appreciate each other's strengths and have mutual respect for each other. I also love seeing B'Lanna accept Tom even though in many ways he seems opposite of her. He sure is filled with care for her though, and takes his responsibilities to his family seriously. In a way, his excessive playfulness makes his seriousness in those matters stronger.
❤ I use music. My stories have to play out as a film of sorts in my mind. I do love stories mainly as plot A, chaos as plot B. So my lovers need chemistry. They talk to each other while I'm in the shower, washing up, walking home from work. Then, it clicks - I like them. Time to put on music and let them play out as if in a film. Goosebumps when they kiss? Goosebumps when they cry, get closer, touch..... Has to pass the music test and then I'm on itttttttttt😊 Great video ladies! Thank you for sharing your passion and art.
I'm writing a story where the Mc and the love interest are already together , but you get to see their relationship grow and strengthen throughout the story.
@@robynevershed9292I think you’re going about this wrong. In my work, the most important lesson I’ve learned- the cure-all to breaking character, character chemistry, not glamorizing mental health disorders, etc, is as simple as this. Remember that your characters are human. This isn’t just some character you made up. This a real person that would act in accordance to their personal experiences, personality, and conscious. I feel like people overlook this often. Don’t try to shove your character into a trope. Let them be who they are, and play around with that. The results might surprise you!
@@robynevershed9292 tropes label what's already there. If you think of tropes first while developing a character's personality they'll come out very cookie-cutter
I would also point to the short-lived series Firefly as a great way to write character chemistry. They are able to do so both overtly and subtly, from the Kaylee/Simon will-they won't-they romantic tension to even Jayne, who really never overtly shows affection but has subtle moments that shows how much he cares. *spoiler alert* In the original pilot, Kaylee gets shot and there is a scene of her getting medical attention. You see the otherwise brutish and stoic Jayne crouching near a window looking in on the procedure while biting his thumb, really the only instance of showing his affection for his crewmate. Prior to that he had embarrassed her with a lewd comment about her sexual desire toward the doctor that got him banished from the dinner table in a very awkward moment, but in this later moment you see his relationship in a subtle but not unintelligible way.
Jayne's relationship with Kaylee reminded me of a crass jock brother and his sister. A good deal of mutual disdain thrown together with genuine affection, and they're still learning to get along with one another. Reinforced by Mal's role as space-dad and the setting around the dinner table. Yet they are distinctly *not* family, and Mal is *not* everyone's dad but an employer and commanding officer. It adds even more complexity to the situation than merely being Space Family Robinson.
My favorit is actually the Mal, Zoey and Wash non triangle with her being by fare the most competent person on the ship and therefor she should be in the lead but no, she is the leutenent and as such follow loyaly and without question the utter catastrophy that is Mal, very much to the frustration of her way less impressiv husband. Still, when she is faced with the choice of who to safe, the bad guys and many watching did not believe in which speed she happely left her dear captain behind in the dust. . . . and the captain is all for it. The best and worst thing about them is, the bond between Mal and Zoey is almost comically neither romantic nor sexual in any way and it drives Wash crazy, for that would be a thing he would understand, but also be angry about their battle bond does not allow though. I really like, that it is not a love triangle, never gets implied to be one, which is rare and I love how it validats that other relationships can be just as strong!
It's so much fun to write about the chemistry and dynamics of characters! And It's a joy to read it done right! Honestly I love reading and writing books with a group of characters, like Mistborn. The chemistry is super addictive!
idk I liked the show, but I found the duke incredibly annoying. every single episode he questions everything Elize does, because he doesn't see her as an equal. I found patrick a much better man. although a narcissistic asshole, at the very least, he doesn't look at her as just another stupid woman, unable to make a single decision on her own. Granted I wouldn't want her to be with him either, due to his toxic traits. the duke also betrayed her big time when he entered his relationship with Arabella, knowing full well that Eliza had beef with her.
I also love this show, but I actually like the Duke more than Eliza in the later seasons! Sometimes she strikes me as a bit immature for a young woman in Victorian England? I think if the show runners explored her ability to become more of an adult in that society without losing her individuality and detective passions etc, that would be beautiful. Honestly Eliza strikes me as a romantic so I see her figuring out how to share her life and heart with a husband (assuming the Duke, since its the title lol) without losing herself - obviously the Duke would have to also do the same with sharing his life and his heart with Eliza, including figuring out how to not give into fears and become more supportive (although let’s be honest, whether it’s the Duke or Moses, Eliza needs people to help protect and save her). As a woman with a doctorate degree, this is all stuff I had to learn … how to let people in/healing abandonment wounds, and how to let others help me, *without* losing my focus and passion on my career/education/projects. I am curious to see what the show would be like if it actually was ‘Miss Scarlett and the Duke’ working together, and I hope we can get more of that sexy tension back from season one!! If they worked with each other and stopped self-sabotaging so much we might actually get a show that reflects its title (at the point, I keep expecting the Duke to leave the show or become a background character).
27:14 About that i remember Zoro and Sanji fron One Piece, in general the crew chremistry is amazing, but in fact those two have this cat and dog figths always even when they have the same goal in some aventures, and the reason of that ethenal figth are actually their belives, specially when it comes to women: Zoro saw how misogeny destroy his best friend and idol, A talented girl, and promise he never treat a woman diferently cause her gender. Sanji its a womanizer, but also its a gentleman and has a preferential treat for women, even putting them in a pedestal and let himself being hurt to death for them. And its weird but this works in their relationship with the crew and their own friendship
disagree with this. You see even after their first fight with Sanji misunderstanding Zoro words about Nami chest size, which was super stupid 😂 after everything they got along very well in the after party and even drink together. The reason the fight actually start was when Zoro insult Sanji and drag him into a competition of who can hunt the bigger dinosaur = who have the bigger dick 😂 which no one ever won until this day. And that's it, the fights was on and both of them will never remember why they like to fight so much or on what, Only that they need to fight and compete. And that's their magic As much Zoro don't agree with Sanji about women, he mostly don't care and still respect Sanji.
I’m an astrologer and when I create main character birthdays, I print out their astrological birth chart and come up with characteristics, flaws and storyline. It’s usually mind blowing
9:54 I think back to some of my favorite close, loving parent/child dynamics on TV like on Gilmore Girls with Lorelai & Rory, or in Castle you've got Castle with his daughter Alexis, where they explicitly show in the pilot how comfortable these characters are with physical touch and playful hugs and dance so there's no hint of these actors having just met kind of a thing. I have seen the Gilmore Girls pilot countless times and I know it's a little out of character compared to the character voice later established, but nonetheless you've got moments that reference prior specific conversations of theirs that happened before the pilot, well established patterns between them, it's very well done to create that magic chemistry of mother/ daughter in so many ways, right away.
Dear Kate and Abbie: Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I just purchased 100 Days of Sunlight, and The Blood Race for my daughter. I appreciate your videos. Cheers
@@KAEmmons Hi kate & abbie! Im a new sub and have following up with your videos lately. I have one question. Theres too many chemistry lesson videos on youtube & im getting overwhelmed cause too many to watch. How do you settel that? Is it okay if i focus on lessons from you guys only?
@@KAEmmons I am working on a long-term project that focuses on three siblings; two of whom have a really great chemistry already, even in the development phase. One character is extroverted, outgoing, and jocular; he may unintentionally hurt your feelings, but he is just trying to be playful. The second character is introverted, independent, and sarcastic; his words often mean more than their surface value. To create these opposites I sort of "Jekyll and Hyde"ed myself, I am imagining a scene where the extrovert makes a joke and the introvert answers with some sort of Obi-Wan style dry humor. This would be hilarious to read and also write and I think it will be a lot of fun.
Babylon 5 has some of the best character development I’ve ever seen; the characters interact with each other in distinct ways, change over time, and change the way they interact over time as well. Each of them has clear ties to the world, interact with the story in meaningful ways, and it feels like many of the characters could change the outcome based on the choices they make. Plus, the characters have a variety of strengths and vices, different backgrounds, different views on morality, and different goals. The show takes an obviously comedic character, and allows you to watch as he makes a series of choices which lead to him becoming a tragic villain, and then continues to allow him to develop and change as he struggles against the fate he has forged for himself. I know it’s kinda old, but it’s worth checking out. (Also has one of the best time travel stories I’ve seen, but that’s beside the point.)
I am still working on the internal conflict of my MC, but came across a comment in the fb group that was very inspiring; I'm pursuing that angle today. Basically, there will be changes as to who does what, and this -- character chemistry -- will definitely add to the mix. Also making changes based on a few of Abbie's writing pet peeves. Kate, Abbie, if I ever finish this book, I hope to send you a copy for all your help.
Agreed with this recommendation (these new era of Hollywood writers especially for feminism should know it’s okay to show CHEMISTRY and sense of respect to relationships as not a weakness yet. A strength)
@@robynevershed9292expectations met. I expect a coherent plot, interesting characters and a believable world. A children’s tale can be simple but well written.
Made me think of the Crows from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, the whole cast are all multi-layered and SO much fun to read and watch on Shadow and Bone. They zing with that magic.
I like as part of my development to write each of the character stalk about the other. Things they would never say to eachother, but how they really feel, but also their personality on the situation
one of the best chemistry I ever read was between two characters, that verbaly are very abraisiv, both are cold, sharp and dismissiv people that often push people away through mean words and they seem to have a problem with eachother, but despite what they say, they can convincingly pretend to be a couple cause they know eachother well and are extreamly comfortable in eachothers physical spaces. The contrast between how distant they try to be rationally and how they unconciously gravitate to eachother is absolutly intruiging and makes one so very curious, why they try to enforce that distance! they are very much in denial about caring for eachother and just how they end up interacting is sooo interesting and often unexpected. Like she gets bullied and later beaten up by other girls and he knows that, but instead of helping her, he films that so she later has blackmail material before she beats up the girls in return which is just soo callous but actually solved the problem better, then if he tried to protect her casual unconcious physical closeness is one of the best short cuts to establish characters having history and a close bond without telling. it does not work for everyone but there are other small gestures, sharing food, knowing someones preference in food or drink, doing small things for them. sitting down in a way, that shileds someone anxious from strangers, walking on the side they prefere . . . small personal intmat details they are doing without even thinking about it. or show one being allowed to do something the other would not allow someone else to do. the only one who has their adress, who can touch them without warning, without having them flinch, steal their food, tough their things, use a nickname have it be an obscure nickname that is in a way an insider. Or maybe have one cut a conversation short, that would have lead to a sensitiv topic for the other in a way that in retrospective makes very clear, they knew something the others did not
Omg!! The time when I thought it couldn't get any better.... OMGGGG!! Thank you thank you, thank youuuuu!!!! ❤️ Please make a special about romantic chemistry too 🙏🙏🙏 (blushin blushing blushing)
Great suggestions and ideas as always!! Looking forward to having more time to write over the Winter holidays. Merry Christmas to you both and your family!!
Love your K. A. podcasts! This is totally off-topic, but you look SO MUCH like Jane Seymore in the Dr. Quinn TV series. It took me forever to figure it out, but the resemblance is amazing!😂❤️
Love this video!! Whenever i read books or watch movies or tv. I look forward to seeing the characters' relationships with each other. Because that's one of my favorite things in a show or in a movie.
You make me think of my favourite childhood manga, +Anima. Without getting too specific, when the protagonist and deuteragonist meet in the first chapter or two, the deuteragonist is only in it for his own gain and wants nothing to do with the protagonist. He has no intention of sticking together and nearly leaves the group soon after with very little prompting and little emotional attachment. His journey sees him come to understand and respect the other characters around him, even though he remains very standoffish and cold as a core personality trait throughout (as a brilliant foil to the unwavering, childlike wonder, gullibility and vulnerability of the other). At the very end, as he’s about to lose the protagonist, whom he’s complained about and scolded and reluctantly chased after through the entire series, he takes him firmly by the hand, and demands that he can’t leave, effectively because it would be hypocrisy. And he’s still pretty much finding a way to disparage him, but also saying something that he knows the protagonist specifically, personally cannot ignore, something that - despite everything - will still get through to him. And their characters and their relationship absolutely shine in that moment, because one has exploited the other’s infallible weakness for his own good, without having it in him to be any less blunt whether he wanted to or not. And it works because of the way they know each other and who each of them is and knows the other to be. I still cry over it :’D
The creators of the sitcom Frasier made the ingenious choice of making the brothers, Frasier and Niles, similar with each other as opposed to different from each other. The father was different; the brothers were the same. Both relations are important but often times it is the differences that overshadow the similarities.
the more different the characters are, the more obscure their shared traits are, the more backstory is needed to sell how and why they are close in a belivable way. for example in d gray man, allen and lenalee as well as lavi bond almost imidietly. All three are friendly reliable people, that have a strong drive to help others and have eachothers backs against the constant danger they are facing togeather. Each has their quirks and getting to know them you come to learn that the reasoning behind their sunny demeanors are pretty much the opposits of echother and every one of them has a good portion of play pretend in it. The off one out in the line up is kanda, serious, antisocial pretty much the sasuke of the group. He and allen need about 200 chapters to get anywhere near what one would call a friendship. Lavi is to easy going to get offended by the standoffish behavior and has fun with setting him of and lenalee and kanda go way back and share a lot of trauma, it also help she is the least annoying out of the bunch so they get along great, even if he does not act nice towords her in the traditional sense, they have an understanding. allen and kanda on the other hand rub eachother the wrong way in the worst of ways and fail to find a way to communicate, lacking respect for echother . . . until they come to share one increadably importent experience where allen proves his point to kanda and the later comes to both respect him, and feel like he owes him. they still fight, but it gets better for they now know, what is underneith the behavior and who the other is. while differences are interessting, you need to be aware they also men more work has to be put into a belivable relationship
I don’t need a ton of angry tension for my romances, but I like a little tension that mostly comes from the fact that one of the characters needs to grow/mature (I’m thinking “witch of blackbird pond”) in order for the romance to happen. Also while I’m reflecting on my favorite romances I think most of my favorites have very little romantic interactions, literally just crumbs. I reread those stories over and over again just for the two paragraphs worth of crumbs lol. The crumbs get me going. For me I’ve found that less is more in romance. But that’s not true for anyone! I like the idea of examining what sorts of things you personally like and writing what YOU like, instead of writing what you think other people might want
I love the podcast AND the mr scarlet and the duke so lets go! Tension is something i've been learning... what do you recomend (books for eg) to study that further? Give me homework.
The chemistry I seen and enjoy, that no one can top was Sanji and Zoro relationship from one piece. And it can be the best example for how to build chemistry. Every time they are in the same frame I enjoy their fights to no end. And it all started with who can hunt the bigger dinosaur 😂 yeas you can learn a lot from them about relationship and how they help/influence each other.
Honestly, Tessa and Weston are one of my favorite fictional pairings. My friend loves them and she only knows them from what i tell her, so- yeah, that's- yeah.
Omg this is everything !!!! She only know what y tell her how beautiful - same thing happened with me with GOT and it was bette than even watching the show
Thanks for this. Great stuff! I'm inspired to set aside some time to sketch out a character arc for the dynamics between the primary characters in my series. I'm also going to go back into the vlog archives to find out more about WWW. Sounds like there are some solid opportunities there for character development. 'Giving the reader a place in the story' has given me lots to think about. And I'm going to find the Musketeers and Miss Scarlet and the Duke. I was already a huge fan of Sherlock.
I think my favorite duos are link and Revali and master Kohga and sooga…yes, they are from the same game, but they are just so good at dynamics…except when it comes to romance, but we don’t talk about it.
I think with tackling the love triangle trope with my NaNoWriMo story, omitting the flashback device-which is a go to for me-was a good call. This presentation is affirming.
just as importend as differences are similarities in the characters or else they got nothing to bond over and relate to eachother. If they are just polar opposits with no shared traits, there is no way it is belivable why they are togeather and work. Sherlock and John for example are adrenalin junkies, they share the passion to solve cases even if their motivtions to do so re vastly different, one wants to help the other is just bored. Give is reasons why the charcters are investing in eachother! You usually are friends with someone of similar interests, a temperament you can at least sympathise with and if not shared values, at least ones you can respect and if there are big descrepancies, there usually is a very good reason behind how and why that works. Contrasting similar characters with less obvious but meaningful differences or finding the similarities with apparently polar opposites is so much more interesting, then trying to keep them as dissimilar as possible and killing the shared room thats needed for them to interact. A friend of mine and I are rather similar in world view, values, interests, being introverted in the sense of how our brains process stuff and how we prefere few valueable contacts over many shallow ones that just eat away our energy. Looking at us, we do not look that similar though for I am whip sharp, opinionated and eloquent while she is slow paced, hesitant to voice her opinion and much more mallow then I. She often relies on me to verify she understood something right or help her find the right words for what she wants to say while I apriciate her actually listening to what I say instead of making assumptions based on a subtext that does not exist and take her time to actually think about things. She also does not take my moods personaly. so one can compare us: sharp vs mallow fast vs slow mean vs meek dark souls vs hallow kitty but we both love well written whimsical kids books, ghibli movies, cats, calm piano music, candle light and sunsets, doing artsy stuff, overthinking the media we consume, . . . .
Late to this, but how do you go about developing a premise? I have been struggling with making up ideas and I have a hard time developing a story. I also can't develop my characters without having a base done. Do you have any advice to get out of this tricky situation?
Do you know the goal of your protagonist? What does he/she want or don’t want? What’s the setting? What are the things standing in your protagonist’s way. Use these as your building block.
And he does in the show too, although he doesn't like to admit it. People don't get what is actually going on in that scene because they only listen to the first part of Sherlock's question. Sherlock is detaching his thought process from his emotions, because he knows that the strong emotions won't actually help him make the right decision in this moment. You will note that his question is "and will caring about them *help me save them*?" Sherlock's chief concern in that moment is saving as many people as possible, preferably all of them. But for that reason, he needs to not engage with the anxiety and anger that Watson is expressing, because those emotions will not help them figure out the best solution to the problem. However, if he didn't care then he wouldn't be trying to save the people in the first place.
How do you know when a book, movie, tv show is written so well done to make an impression on you that gives the inspiration to write it into your story to make it so dynamic between characters?
I’m really struggling because I’m thinking of writing this book and I have the main character fully fleshed out, but I want him to have a partner on his journey. It could be friends or romantic, but I’ve never tried romance before. My protagonist is a dude and he is a very annoying thief who everyone hates. He’s not very compassionate but he is nice to the people he gets close to. The setting is a futuristic sci-fi cyberpunk world, but they journey out into nature. Please give me some ideas for the basic personality of character two
Make him get born again to LORD JESUS make the partner romantic He is stealing and being non compassionate - she falls in love with him upon meeting him anyway … they get separated he becomes born again Christian
I mean I once wrote a Wattpad fic where the only way the female mc gets together with the male mc is because he gets therapy and becomes a better person. But then idk I killed them both off since it was a tragedy and not a romance. Also I was 12 and thought death was pretty metal
You might want to avoid stories that start with any kind of dream or someone waking from one. It's become a cliche and a lot of readers could lose interest in your story. Of course, some stories that start with dreams or people waking up end up being great stories, but do be cautious if you choose to start your story with a character waking up from a nightmare. :)
For me personally it depends on the context. A story that starts with a nightmare scene that is only there to have an interesting hook or to create false suspense is an instant turn off for me. One of the books I recently had read began with such a scene: The protagonist - a flight attendant - experienced how the plane was crashing, a long and gory scene with a lot of body parts flying around unfolded till she woke up. This event had no further relevance for the plot or the protagonist. It was merely a tool that in the end only wasted the time of the reader. However if you can connect the nightmare to the story in a meaningful way (maybe there is something that haunts the MC?) it could work out just fine.
sure, but its a bit of an klischee and unless you intend to use dreams as a reacuing theme with meaning, it might be better you do not. you should start your book with something that tells the reader something that gives them a feeling for what is to come, not a fake out
I came up with a story while watching this video. A Korean criminal came up with a very cool idea when he saw this video while making a backstory for fraud. And he makes a lot of money to retire from the world of crime. Even after his retirement, he remained interested in making stories. He succeeded as a novelist, but the evil deeds of the past come upon him. What about this story?😄
Absolutely loved the Orchestra/Symphony analogy and it reminded me of the clip from "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty" where Danny Kaye is doing the "Symphony for Unstrung Tongue" number. th-cam.com/video/DP1J4pObRIE/w-d-xo.html
I'm always worried that enough people will watch these video come away with the bare minimum, do that, make a franchise that spawns a bunch of ripoffs or just similar works that inevitably do that exact same minimum to the point where doing almost nothing becomes the standard.
I enjoy fathoming about the magic that brings characters together. When different paths come together to achieve something fantastic that wouldn’t be possible without each other. It’s a beautiful thing!
We couldn't agree more! 🙏✨ Thanks for watching!
The #1 reason Subspace Emissary is awesome.
The amount of heartache this one comment made me feel is immeasurable. My got that hurt
she fathom on my magic till I achieve something fantastic
How do you make a pairing of a relationship that you love to write about and put their personalities into a trope?
I think about relationships as two things. How are they similar to each other and how do they complement each other? In Star Trek Voyager, B'Elanna Torres and Seven of Nine are highly motivated achievers and because of it they both clash and respect each other. They are similar in the way that sometimes makes them difficult to deal with, and their qualities are not so good complements to each other. Tom Paris whom marry B'Elanna Torres has a very easygoing and relaxed personality which is an excellent complement to hers.
I agree! They're both very commanding, and I love when they learn to appreciate each other's strengths and have mutual respect for each other.
I also love seeing B'Lanna accept Tom even though in many ways he seems opposite of her. He sure is filled with care for her though, and takes his responsibilities to his family seriously. In a way, his excessive playfulness makes his seriousness in those matters stronger.
@@CuriouslyCute Interesting thoughts
❤ I use music. My stories have to play out as a film of sorts in my mind. I do love stories mainly as plot A, chaos as plot B. So my lovers need chemistry. They talk to each other while I'm in the shower, washing up, walking home from work.
Then, it clicks - I like them. Time to put on music and let them play out as if in a film.
Goosebumps when they kiss? Goosebumps when they cry, get closer, touch.....
Has to pass the music test and then I'm on itttttttttt😊
Great video ladies! Thank you for sharing your passion and art.
I like that your drinks are coordinated with your outfits.
I'm writing a story where the Mc and the love interest are already together , but you get to see their relationship grow and strengthen throughout the story.
How do you find a pairing of relationships that you love to write about and put their personalities into a trope?
I writing a story where the mc’s love interest gets murdered
Awwwwww that’s so wholesome 🥹
@@robynevershed9292I think you’re going about this wrong. In my work, the most important lesson I’ve learned- the cure-all to breaking character, character chemistry, not glamorizing mental health disorders, etc, is as simple as this.
Remember that your characters are human.
This isn’t just some character you made up. This a real person that would act in accordance to their personal experiences, personality, and conscious. I feel like people overlook this often.
Don’t try to shove your character into a trope. Let them be who they are, and play around with that. The results might surprise you!
@@robynevershed9292 tropes label what's already there. If you think of tropes first while developing a character's personality they'll come out very cookie-cutter
I would also point to the short-lived series Firefly as a great way to write character chemistry. They are able to do so both overtly and subtly, from the Kaylee/Simon will-they won't-they romantic tension to even Jayne, who really never overtly shows affection but has subtle moments that shows how much he cares.
*spoiler alert*
In the original pilot, Kaylee gets shot and there is a scene of her getting medical attention. You see the otherwise brutish and stoic Jayne crouching near a window looking in on the procedure while biting his thumb, really the only instance of showing his affection for his crewmate. Prior to that he had embarrassed her with a lewd comment about her sexual desire toward the doctor that got him banished from the dinner table in a very awkward moment, but in this later moment you see his relationship in a subtle but not unintelligible way.
Yes! That show was great because the characters were lovable and all had great chemistry.
Jayne's relationship with Kaylee reminded me of a crass jock brother and his sister. A good deal of mutual disdain thrown together with genuine affection, and they're still learning to get along with one another. Reinforced by Mal's role as space-dad and the setting around the dinner table. Yet they are distinctly *not* family, and Mal is *not* everyone's dad but an employer and commanding officer. It adds even more complexity to the situation than merely being Space Family Robinson.
@@TroySpace I always felt like he was a tad jalouse of Simon cause there are several moments of him trying to impress kaylee
My favorit is actually the Mal, Zoey and Wash non triangle with her being by fare the most competent person on the ship and therefor she should be in the lead but no, she is the leutenent and as such follow loyaly and without question the utter catastrophy that is Mal, very much to the frustration of her way less impressiv husband. Still, when she is faced with the choice of who to safe, the bad guys and many watching did not believe in which speed she happely left her dear captain behind in the dust. . . . and the captain is all for it.
The best and worst thing about them is, the bond between Mal and Zoey is almost comically neither romantic nor sexual in any way and it drives Wash crazy, for that would be a thing he would understand, but also be angry about their battle bond does not allow though.
I really like, that it is not a love triangle, never gets implied to be one, which is rare and I love how it validats that other relationships can be just as strong!
It's so much fun to write about the chemistry and dynamics of characters! And It's a joy to read it done right! Honestly I love reading and writing books with a group of characters, like Mistborn. The chemistry is super addictive!
I've heard so much about Mistborn and it is def in my tbr
I was wondering, how do you know if a book, movie, tv show is well written that is an inspiration to write about?
I love "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" and I wish more people would watch it, so loved seeing it as an example here! This was a great episode.
Yes!!! It's such a great show - Abbie and I are addicted! 😍 Can't wait for the next season. Thank you for listening!
How funny that I just discovered the show last night!!
idk I liked the show, but I found the duke incredibly annoying. every single episode he questions everything Elize does, because he doesn't see her as an equal. I found patrick a much better man. although a narcissistic asshole, at the very least, he doesn't look at her as just another stupid woman, unable to make a single decision on her own. Granted I wouldn't want her to be with him either, due to his toxic traits.
the duke also betrayed her big time when he entered his relationship with Arabella, knowing full well that Eliza had beef with her.
I also love this show, but I actually like the Duke more than Eliza in the later seasons! Sometimes she strikes me as a bit immature for a young woman in Victorian England? I think if the show runners explored her ability to become more of an adult in that society without losing her individuality and detective passions etc, that would be beautiful. Honestly Eliza strikes me as a romantic so I see her figuring out how to share her life and heart with a husband (assuming the Duke, since its the title lol) without losing herself - obviously the Duke would have to also do the same with sharing his life and his heart with Eliza, including figuring out how to not give into fears and become more supportive (although let’s be honest, whether it’s the Duke or Moses, Eliza needs people to help protect and save her). As a woman with a doctorate degree, this is all stuff I had to learn … how to let people in/healing abandonment wounds, and how to let others help me, *without* losing my focus and passion on my career/education/projects. I am curious to see what the show would be like if it actually was ‘Miss Scarlett and the Duke’ working together, and I hope we can get more of that sexy tension back from season one!! If they worked with each other and stopped self-sabotaging so much we might actually get a show that reflects its title (at the point, I keep expecting the Duke to leave the show or become a background character).
My old teacher used to compare characters to painting. He said that for things to jump out you need contrast.
:0 what an interesting teacher
27:14 About that i remember Zoro and Sanji fron One Piece, in general the crew chremistry is amazing, but in fact those two have this cat and dog figths always even when they have the same goal in some aventures, and the reason of that ethenal figth are actually their belives, specially when it comes to women: Zoro saw how misogeny destroy his best friend and idol, A talented girl, and promise he never treat a woman diferently cause her gender.
Sanji its a womanizer, but also its a gentleman and has a preferential treat for women, even putting them in a pedestal and let himself being hurt to death for them.
And its weird but this works in their relationship with the crew and their own friendship
disagree with this. You see even after their first fight with Sanji misunderstanding Zoro words about Nami chest size, which was super stupid 😂 after everything they got along very well in the after party and even drink together.
The reason the fight actually start was when Zoro insult Sanji and drag him into a competition of who can hunt the bigger dinosaur = who have the bigger dick 😂 which no one ever won until this day. And that's it, the fights was on and both of them will never remember why they like to fight so much or on what, Only that they need to fight and compete. And that's their magic
As much Zoro don't agree with Sanji about women, he mostly don't care and still respect Sanji.
@@mayaha200 I agree with this too actually.
I’m an astrologer and when I create main character birthdays, I print out their astrological birth chart and come up with characteristics, flaws and storyline. It’s usually mind blowing
This was my favourite podcast yet! So so so good!! I cannot WAIT to develop my hate to love friendship!!!
9:54 I think back to some of my favorite close, loving parent/child dynamics on TV like on Gilmore Girls with Lorelai & Rory, or in Castle you've got Castle with his daughter Alexis, where they explicitly show in the pilot how comfortable these characters are with physical touch and playful hugs and dance so there's no hint of these actors having just met kind of a thing. I have seen the Gilmore Girls pilot countless times and I know it's a little out of character compared to the character voice later established, but nonetheless you've got moments that reference prior specific conversations of theirs that happened before the pilot, well established patterns between them, it's very well done to create that magic chemistry of mother/ daughter in so many ways, right away.
What does Kate and Abbie mean when a tv show, book, or movie being well written?
Dear Kate and Abbie:
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I just purchased 100 Days of Sunlight, and The Blood Race for my daughter.
I appreciate your videos.
Cheers
Thank you so much for your kind words and for being here! 🙏🌻
This is epic!!! This topic really isn't talked about enough, so hearing y'all's advice about it was awesome! Always so inspiring!! XD
Yay! We're so glad that you got something out of this episode! 🙏🎉 Thank you for listening
@@KAEmmons Hi kate & abbie!
Im a new sub and have following up with your videos lately.
I have one question. Theres too many chemistry lesson videos on youtube & im getting overwhelmed cause too many to watch. How do you settel that?
Is it okay if i focus on lessons from you guys only?
@@KAEmmons I am working on a long-term project that focuses on three siblings; two of whom have a really great chemistry already, even in the development phase. One character is extroverted, outgoing, and jocular; he may unintentionally hurt your feelings, but he is just trying to be playful. The second character is introverted, independent, and sarcastic; his words often mean more than their surface value.
To create these opposites I sort of "Jekyll and Hyde"ed myself, I am imagining a scene where the extrovert makes a joke and the introvert answers with some sort of Obi-Wan style dry humor. This would be hilarious to read and also write and I think it will be a lot of fun.
1000 thank yous for switching my daughter and I on to Miss Scarlet & The Duke. Oh my days, we love it! ❤️
Babylon 5 has some of the best character development I’ve ever seen; the characters interact with each other in distinct ways, change over time, and change the way they interact over time as well. Each of them has clear ties to the world, interact with the story in meaningful ways, and it feels like many of the characters could change the outcome based on the choices they make.
Plus, the characters have a variety of strengths and vices, different backgrounds, different views on morality, and different goals.
The show takes an obviously comedic character, and allows you to watch as he makes a series of choices which lead to him becoming a tragic villain, and then continues to allow him to develop and change as he struggles against the fate he has forged for himself.
I know it’s kinda old, but it’s worth checking out. (Also has one of the best time travel stories I’ve seen, but that’s beside the point.)
I am still working on the internal conflict of my MC, but came across a comment in the fb group that was very inspiring; I'm pursuing that angle today. Basically, there will be changes as to who does what, and this -- character chemistry -- will definitely add to the mix. Also making changes based on a few of Abbie's writing pet peeves. Kate, Abbie, if I ever finish this book, I hope to send you a copy for all your help.
What does MC mean?
@juliab3326 oh! I usually just use the word protagonist, so thanks for clarifying!
Great characters make you feel things to make you laugh or cry.
Agreed with this recommendation (these new era of Hollywood writers especially for feminism should know it’s okay to show CHEMISTRY and sense of respect to relationships as not a weakness yet. A strength)
What does it mean when a book, tv show, movie is well written?
@@robynevershed9292expectations met. I expect a coherent plot, interesting characters and a believable world. A children’s tale can be simple but well written.
Made me think of the Crows from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, the whole cast are all multi-layered and SO much fun to read and watch on Shadow and Bone. They zing with that magic.
I like as part of my development to write each of the character stalk about the other. Things they would never say to eachother, but how they really feel, but also their personality on the situation
Love the examples in this one! It helps me see what you mean so much better!
one of the best chemistry I ever read was between two characters, that verbaly are very abraisiv, both are cold, sharp and dismissiv people that often push people away through mean words and they seem to have a problem with eachother, but despite what they say, they can convincingly pretend to be a couple cause they know eachother well and are extreamly comfortable in eachothers physical spaces. The contrast between how distant they try to be rationally and how they unconciously gravitate to eachother is absolutly intruiging and makes one so very curious, why they try to enforce that distance!
they are very much in denial about caring for eachother and just how they end up interacting is sooo interesting and often unexpected. Like she gets bullied and later beaten up by other girls and he knows that, but instead of helping her, he films that so she later has blackmail material before she beats up the girls in return which is just soo callous but actually solved the problem better, then if he tried to protect her
casual unconcious physical closeness is one of the best short cuts to establish characters having history and a close bond without telling. it does not work for everyone but there are other small gestures, sharing food, knowing someones preference in food or drink, doing small things for them. sitting down in a way, that shileds someone anxious from strangers, walking on the side they prefere . . . small personal intmat details they are doing without even thinking about it. or show one being allowed to do something the other would not allow someone else to do. the only one who has their adress, who can touch them without warning, without having them flinch, steal their food, tough their things, use a nickname have it be an obscure nickname that is in a way an insider.
Or maybe have one cut a conversation short, that would have lead to a sensitiv topic for the other in a way that in retrospective makes very clear, they knew something the others did not
Omg!! The time when I thought it couldn't get any better.... OMGGGG!! Thank you thank you, thank youuuuu!!!! ❤️ Please make a special about romantic chemistry too 🙏🙏🙏 (blushin blushing blushing)
Ladies, your podcast have been a great help in my writing journey so I would like to thank you.
Great suggestions and ideas as always!! Looking forward to having more time to write over the Winter holidays. Merry Christmas to you both and your family!!
Very cool video format, you really made a chemistry with viewers talking about characters chemistry. Fascinating!
Been waiting on this all day and OF COURSE it drops when I'm not looking 🙄😄 SUCH a good vid (and I'm only 7 min. in lol)
Yayyyy!! So glad you are enjoying this episode so far, Amy! 💛
@@KAEmmons Loved the whole thing!! 😃 You never disappoint 😊💜
@@Amy_Mi6 thank you so much Amy!!! We so appreciate you, friend! 🙏🥰
Love your K. A. podcasts! This is totally off-topic, but you look SO MUCH like Jane Seymore in the Dr. Quinn TV series. It took me forever to figure it out, but the resemblance is amazing!😂❤️
Wow, that was super informative and super interesting! Thank you both! 💖
Very helpful info. Thanks for sharing.
Love this video!! Whenever i read books or watch movies or tv. I look forward to seeing the characters' relationships with each other. Because that's one of my favorite things in a show or in a movie.
beginning the challenge of trying to build distinct personalities and voices for my characters when i don't even know what mine is, wish me luck lol
I love yall so much! I talk about this stuff to my friends with the same enthusiasm and they mirror eyes just glaze over. 😄
Thank you for helping me on my writing journey!
You make me think of my favourite childhood manga, +Anima. Without getting too specific, when the protagonist and deuteragonist meet in the first chapter or two, the deuteragonist is only in it for his own gain and wants nothing to do with the protagonist. He has no intention of sticking together and nearly leaves the group soon after with very little prompting and little emotional attachment. His journey sees him come to understand and respect the other characters around him, even though he remains very standoffish and cold as a core personality trait throughout (as a brilliant foil to the unwavering, childlike wonder, gullibility and vulnerability of the other). At the very end, as he’s about to lose the protagonist, whom he’s complained about and scolded and reluctantly chased after through the entire series, he takes him firmly by the hand, and demands that he can’t leave, effectively because it would be hypocrisy. And he’s still pretty much finding a way to disparage him, but also saying something that he knows the protagonist specifically, personally cannot ignore, something that - despite everything - will still get through to him. And their characters and their relationship absolutely shine in that moment, because one has exploited the other’s infallible weakness for his own good, without having it in him to be any less blunt whether he wanted to or not. And it works because of the way they know each other and who each of them is and knows the other to be. I still cry over it :’D
The creators of the sitcom Frasier made the ingenious choice of making the brothers, Frasier and Niles, similar with each other as opposed to different from each other. The father was different; the brothers were the same. Both relations are important but often times it is the differences that overshadow the similarities.
the more different the characters are, the more obscure their shared traits are, the more backstory is needed to sell how and why they are close in a belivable way.
for example in d gray man, allen and lenalee as well as lavi bond almost imidietly. All three are friendly reliable people, that have a strong drive to help others and have eachothers backs against the constant danger they are facing togeather. Each has their quirks and getting to know them you come to learn that the reasoning behind their sunny demeanors are pretty much the opposits of echother and every one of them has a good portion of play pretend in it.
The off one out in the line up is kanda, serious, antisocial pretty much the sasuke of the group. He and allen need about 200 chapters to get anywhere near what one would call a friendship. Lavi is to easy going to get offended by the standoffish behavior and has fun with setting him of and lenalee and kanda go way back and share a lot of trauma, it also help she is the least annoying out of the bunch so they get along great, even if he does not act nice towords her in the traditional sense, they have an understanding.
allen and kanda on the other hand rub eachother the wrong way in the worst of ways and fail to find a way to communicate, lacking respect for echother . . . until they come to share one increadably importent experience where allen proves his point to kanda and the later comes to both respect him, and feel like he owes him. they still fight, but it gets better for they now know, what is underneith the behavior and who the other is.
while differences are interessting, you need to be aware they also men more work has to be put into a belivable relationship
This came at a great time! Thank you!
Very helpful!!!! Love the exmaples too that really helpsss thanks so much
I don’t need a ton of angry tension for my romances, but I like a little tension that mostly comes from the fact that one of the characters needs to grow/mature (I’m thinking “witch of blackbird pond”) in order for the romance to happen.
Also while I’m reflecting on my favorite romances I think most of my favorites have very little romantic interactions, literally just crumbs. I reread those stories over and over again just for the two paragraphs worth of crumbs lol. The crumbs get me going. For me I’ve found that less is more in romance. But that’s not true for anyone! I like the idea of examining what sorts of things you personally like and writing what YOU like, instead of writing what you think other people might want
I love the podcast AND the mr scarlet and the duke so lets go! Tension is something i've been learning... what do you recomend (books for eg) to study that further? Give me homework.
Very interesting topic! 😍
The sherlock example is really helpful😂❤
The chemistry I seen and enjoy, that no one can top was Sanji and Zoro relationship from one piece. And it can be the best example for how to build chemistry. Every time they are in the same frame I enjoy their fights to no end. And it all started with who can hunt the bigger dinosaur 😂 yeas you can learn a lot from them about relationship and how they help/influence each other.
This was incredibly helpful, thanks
Honestly, Tessa and Weston are one of my favorite fictional pairings. My friend loves them and she only knows them from what i tell her, so- yeah, that's- yeah.
Who?
@@SleepyHollowKnight The two main characters of 100 days of sunlight? (Abbie's book)
@@s0ls0l.mp3 oh-
I’ve never heard of that, I might go check it out, thanks
Omg this is everything !!!! She only know what y tell her how beautiful - same thing happened with me with GOT and it was bette than even watching the show
Thanks for this. Great stuff! I'm inspired to set aside some time to sketch out a character arc for the dynamics between the primary characters in my series. I'm also going to go back into the vlog archives to find out more about WWW. Sounds like there are some solid opportunities there for character development. 'Giving the reader a place in the story' has given me lots to think about. And I'm going to find the Musketeers and Miss Scarlet and the Duke. I was already a huge fan of Sherlock.
What does Kate and Abbie mean when a book, tv show, movie is well written and can you describe how to sketch dynamics between characters please?
@@robynevershed9292 i think that’s a question better answered by @kate or @abbie. Good luck with your writing.
Addictive is a strong choice of words, yet scary accurate.
I think my favorite duos are link and Revali and master Kohga and sooga…yes, they are from the same game, but they are just so good at dynamics…except when it comes to romance, but we don’t talk about it.
I think with tackling the love triangle trope with my NaNoWriMo story, omitting the flashback device-which is a go to for me-was a good call.
This presentation is affirming.
just as importend as differences are similarities in the characters or else they got nothing to bond over and relate to eachother. If they are just polar opposits with no shared traits, there is no way it is belivable why they are togeather and work.
Sherlock and John for example are adrenalin junkies, they share the passion to solve cases even if their motivtions to do so re vastly different, one wants to help the other is just bored.
Give is reasons why the charcters are investing in eachother!
You usually are friends with someone of similar interests, a temperament you can at least sympathise with and if not shared values, at least ones you can respect and if there are big descrepancies, there usually is a very good reason behind how and why that works.
Contrasting similar characters with less obvious but meaningful differences or finding the similarities with apparently polar opposites is so much more interesting, then trying to keep them as dissimilar as possible and killing the shared room thats needed for them to interact.
A friend of mine and I are rather similar in world view, values, interests, being introverted in the sense of how our brains process stuff and how we prefere few valueable contacts over many shallow ones that just eat away our energy.
Looking at us, we do not look that similar though for I am whip sharp, opinionated and eloquent while she is slow paced, hesitant to voice her opinion and much more mallow then I. She often relies on me to verify she understood something right or help her find the right words for what she wants to say while I apriciate her actually listening to what I say instead of making assumptions based on a subtext that does not exist and take her time to actually think about things. She also does not take my moods personaly.
so one can compare us:
sharp vs mallow
fast vs slow
mean vs meek
dark souls vs hallow kitty
but we both love well written whimsical kids books, ghibli movies, cats, calm piano music, candle light and sunsets, doing artsy stuff, overthinking the media we consume, . . . .
What if your character's wants change over the course of the story?
What were those clips from? It looks like interesting content.
It's the Beautiful Kate & Abbie Sisters. Loads of Chemistry there!❤❤
Late to this, but how do you go about developing a premise? I have been struggling with making up ideas and I have a hard time developing a story. I also can't develop my characters without having a base done. Do you have any advice to get out of this tricky situation?
Do you know the goal of your protagonist? What does he/she want or don’t want? What’s the setting? What are the things standing in your protagonist’s way. Use these as your building block.
Sherloc holmes does care about people in the books!
And he does in the show too, although he doesn't like to admit it. People don't get what is actually going on in that scene because they only listen to the first part of Sherlock's question. Sherlock is detaching his thought process from his emotions, because he knows that the strong emotions won't actually help him make the right decision in this moment. You will note that his question is "and will caring about them *help me save them*?" Sherlock's chief concern in that moment is saving as many people as possible, preferably all of them. But for that reason, he needs to not engage with the anxiety and anger that Watson is expressing, because those emotions will not help them figure out the best solution to the problem. However, if he didn't care then he wouldn't be trying to save the people in the first place.
he does in both, he is just a bit worse about expressing it in the show
Harry Potter, Arcane, Firefly, Kill Bill, and The Avengers are all examples of stories with multifaceted relationships,
How do you know when a book, movie, tv show is written so well done to make an impression on you that gives the inspiration to write it into your story to make it so dynamic between characters?
@@robynevershed9292 You just feel so inspired by it
@@immichelleblock.........im4111 Can you please be more specific? I’m not sure what you mean.
@@robynevershed9292 The story hooks you in and you feel like with emphasize with the characters
I’m really struggling because I’m thinking of writing this book and I have the main character fully fleshed out, but I want him to have a partner on his journey. It could be friends or romantic, but I’ve never tried romance before. My protagonist is a dude and he is a very annoying thief who everyone hates. He’s not very compassionate but he is nice to the people he gets close to. The setting is a futuristic sci-fi cyberpunk world, but they journey out into nature. Please give me some ideas for the basic personality of character two
Make him get born again to LORD JESUS
make the partner romantic
He is stealing and being non compassionate - she falls in love with him upon meeting him anyway …
they get separated
he becomes born again Christian
@@YHWH2424 ….I’m atheist lmao
I don’t mind writing with religion, but I can’t have a whole plot around it, I just don’t have the skills
I mean I once wrote a Wattpad fic where the only way the female mc gets together with the male mc is because he gets therapy and becomes a better person. But then idk I killed them both off since it was a tragedy and not a romance. Also I was 12 and thought death was pretty metal
What is the fundamental difference between real people and characters from a story?
one is real the other is not? if you write well there should not be another
can you start your novel with your main character coming out of a nightmare?
You might want to avoid stories that start with any kind of dream or someone waking from one. It's become a cliche and a lot of readers could lose interest in your story. Of course, some stories that start with dreams or people waking up end up being great stories, but do be cautious if you choose to start your story with a character waking up from a nightmare. :)
For me personally it depends on the context. A story that starts with a nightmare scene that is only there to have an interesting hook or to create false suspense is an instant turn off for me. One of the books I recently had read began with such a scene: The protagonist - a flight attendant - experienced how the plane was crashing, a long and gory scene with a lot of body parts flying around unfolded till she woke up. This event had no further relevance for the plot or the protagonist. It was merely a tool that in the end only wasted the time of the reader. However if you can connect the nightmare to the story in a meaningful way (maybe there is something that haunts the MC?) it could work out just fine.
sure, but its a bit of an klischee and unless you intend to use dreams as a reacuing theme with meaning, it might be better you do not. you should start your book with something that tells the reader something that gives them a feeling for what is to come, not a fake out
Can you do the mbti and enagram test like your sister
Abbie and Natalia Dyer (Nancy from stranger things) are doppelgängers
OH MY GOD THANK YOU I was loosing my mind
I came up with a story while watching this video. A Korean criminal came up with a very cool idea when he saw this video while making a backstory for fraud. And he makes a lot of money to retire from the world of crime. Even after his retirement, he remained interested in making stories. He succeeded as a novelist, but the evil deeds of the past come upon him. What about this story?😄
Calm, too much energy, not enough energy trio is fun
YOU HAVE A SISTER?!
⭐️
Absolutely loved the Orchestra/Symphony analogy and it reminded me of the clip from "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty" where Danny Kaye is doing the "Symphony for Unstrung Tongue" number. th-cam.com/video/DP1J4pObRIE/w-d-xo.html
Clicked bacause Miss Scarlet & the Duke.
YES! We love it!
YAAAAAAAS
20:34 Abbie having a gay second💅
@sofiajimenez4035 I know. I was talking about the "yaas". That's gay slang.
I'm always worried that enough people will watch these video come away with the bare minimum, do that, make a franchise that spawns a bunch of ripoffs or just similar works that inevitably do that exact same minimum to the point where doing almost nothing becomes the standard.
i'm pretty sure johnlock isn't friendship, trust me
The tongue, the voice, anything you call it, better be back. They’re dying anyway.
I didn't even get past the intro, which turned me completely off.
I don't take advice from narcissists.