Integrating Attraction into Romance Stories
The American Heritage Dictionary defines attraction as:
1. The act or capability of attracting. 2. The quality of
attracting; charm.
3. A feature or characteristic that attracts.
4. A person, place, thing, or event that is intended to attract.
Attraction is a key component in any romance. Some attraction
is instantaneous, often referred to as love at first sight, or
simply physical attraction. This type of attraction is typically
characterized by one person noticing something striking about
another person. For example, He was mesmerized by her cobalt
blue eyes, would be an example of physical attraction. This type
of attraction can occur in any setting.
Another type of attraction, one that takes longer to develop, is
intellectual attraction. This type of attraction is not
instantaneous as it takes time for a person to get to know
someone else on an intellectual basis. Interaction between the
two parties over an extended period of time could lead to
intellectual attraction. Often, this type of attraction is
displayed in a business setting.
A third type of attraction that is often mentioned in tales of
romance, is emotional attraction. Over time, couples feel that
their love for one another grows, adding to their attraction for
one another. The feeling of support and caring they receive from
their partner adds to the level of attraction they feel. This
type of attraction is typically witnessed in long-term
relationships.
A final type of attraction often shown in romance is spiritual
attraction. This term can be used in the religious sense, but
this is not always the case. A character's spirit is often
described using words such as strong, courageous, timid or
battered. These words evoke an image of the character in the
reader's mind. These descriptions allow us to relate to them on
more than a physical level.
Be sure to include at least one type of attraction in your
romance story. The reader wants to know why the characters are
drawn together. What makes them interesting to one another? Is
it purely physical? Spiritual? Or a combination of several types
of attraction? Make sure the reader isn't left wondering what
drew these characters together, and what sustains the
relationship.