How do you make a likeable romantic interest?

[ohko]

The title!

What are your tips for making a likeable (shippable) romantic interest?

You know... like if there were a hypothetical character poll for your story, what would cause a romantic interest to rank highly among readers?

 

[Arcturus]

The best love interests do not fall in love immediately. Seeing two love interests grow together and come to love each other will also cause the readers to invest in their relationship and root for them more strongly.

 

[Alverost]

Flat characters are hard to love and I mean flat personality *cough*. You need characters with depth to them and aren't just trope characters.

 

[Nahrenne]

Make them have some flaws/faults.
Otherwise they will seem too perfect and unrealistic.
This could be a loud mouth, an aggressive personality, a poor sense of humour, poor intelligence, too high an intelligence, dense, etc...
Then make them have a redeeming quality to counteract the flaw.
X

 

[Stormie]

The title!

What are your tips for making a likeable (shippable) romantic interest?

You know... like if there were a hypothetical character poll for your story, what would cause a romantic interest to rank highly among readers?

I usually go more for compatibility. Either they don't seem compatible at first or they are compatible but certain circumstances are not allowing them to be together. It's satisfying to see the leads develop their relationship.

Also, try to have those "OMG, the ship has sailed!" moments. Overdose your readers with sugar.

 

[Raneday]

Well I enjoy reading love interests that have a "gap moe" feel on them

 

[Anon2.0]

I think the best would be to base it off your own interests? Chances are, what you find attractive are what other people find attractive... unless you like being abused, that’s a smaller niche

 

[Nahrenne]

I think the best would be to base it off your own interests? Chances are, what you find attractive are what other people find attractive... unless you like being abused, that’s a smaller niche

*likes well-trimmed short beards*
owo

X

 

[Arcturus]

*likes well-trimmed short beards*
owo

X

With a moustache?

 

[Anon2.0]

With a moustache?

And maybe even a goatee?

 

[Nahrenne]

With a moustache?

Hmm, it has to be a short-trimmed one.

And maybe even a goatee?

It depends...I guess.
X

 

[Arcturus]

Hmm, it has to be a short-trimmed one.

It depends...I guess.
X

I'm not the biggest fan of bushy beards as well, but, when there is a beard, I like it paired with a quality mustache.

 

[ohko]

>.< I'm not really fond of mustaches. They get in the way!!! Although beards are good as long as they're not gandalf bushy.

Wait, why am I even talking about this lol

I think the best would be to base it off your own interests? Chances are, what you find attractive are what other people find attractive... unless you like being abused, that’s a smaller niche

Hmm... I don't trust my own tastes. TwT

 

[Arcturus]

>.< I'm not really fond of mustaches. They get in the way!!! Although beards are good as long as they're not gandalf bushy.

Wait, why am I even talking about this lol


Hmm... I don't trust my own tastes. TwT

I prefer clean-shaven/minimal facial hair myself, but a well groomed moustache and beard can be very nice.

 

[Anon2.0]

I prefer clean-shaven/minimal facial hair myself, but a well groomed moustache and beard can be very nice.

My next thought is how this veered off into a topic about preferences for bushes on faces...

 

[Arcturus]

My next thought is how this veered off into a topic about preferences for bushes on faces...

It's @Nahrenne 's fault as expected

 

[Anon2.0]

It's @Nahrenne 's fault as expected

Yes of course

 

[Nahrenne]

It's @Nahrenne 's fault as expected

Yes of course

But I'm a pure and innocent maiden~
You're the ones who continued the topic~
X

 

[Anon2.0]

But I'm a pure and innocent maiden~
You're the ones who continued the topic~
X

I don’t see a pure and innocent maiden... do any of you?

 

[Nahrenne]

I don’t see a pure and innocent maiden... do any of you?

Ehhhh~?
I'm invisible!?!
OwO

X