How to Write Stories People Will Love

Question 99: Making characters attractive to readers

Bethany-turner asks: How do you make your main leads romantically attractive? When you read those mind blowing romance novels and end up falling for the guy, I never understood how writers induce those feeling within the readers. I always find myself confused on how to make the character attractive, not only through his actions but also his dialogue. How can writers make readers fall for the main lead?

Physical attractiveness is only a small part of a character's appeal. There are plenty of good-looking characters in movies and books who act like jerks. Desirable behavior is a much bigger lure than the perfect body.

Think About Desirable Behavior

To determine what kind of behavior might be considered attractive, think about what you want in a potential romantic partner. Readers who enjoy romance want to escape into a fantasy world where men and women exist that embody all the things they like in a person. In the real world, maybe the reader knows one person who is witty, another one who is respectful, and a third one who is sexy. But to have all three of these qualities wrapped up in one person? It feels impossible. That's why they're going to fall in love with characters in stories.

Demonstrate Desirable Behavior

Characters convey their personalities through actions. If they're respectful, they let someone finish speaking instead of interrupting. They listen. They don't invalidate other people's feelings. If they're witty, there will be clever banter. They'll know when it's appropriate to crack a joke. If they're kind, they'll open doors for people. They'll pay for someone else's groceries. They'll do nice things without being prompted or asking for anything in return. If they're supportive, they'll help the other character achieve what they want. They'll try things they're unsure of just so the other character isn't alone.

Think about what traits the character should have, then think of ways for that character to show those traits. They should be consistent throughout the story, or they could show some character development and grow into these traits over time.

Have Other Characters Find Them Attractive

When I give one dog a treat, he'll sometimes glance at it and go, "Eh." Then when the other dog comes to sniff it, he'll lunge at the treat because it's suddenly desirable. People are kind of the same way. We pay more attention to things other people express an interest in. To implement this in a story, you could have one friend whisper to the other, "Wow, this guy is such a gentleman." Or she could remark, "If you don't marry him, I will!"

By having side characters express admiration for the main characters, it leads the reader to feel the same way.