If there are multiple characters in your novel, it is likely that there will be a moment when your characters meet up with each other. Introducing characters to each other is a great time to showcase personality traits and quirks to the reader as well as highlight your character's worldviews. Bringing characters together can also be a recipe for disaster! Introducing characters to each other can be tricky since it must be engaging to readers as well as flow coherently. Continue reading for 5 essential tips for writing a character's first encounter with another.
Don't Move Things Too Fast
For your story to feel realistic, don't move things too fast. It is unlikely that when your characters first meet, they will tell each other their deepest fears and secrets. If your characters are just introduced to each other, they will probably discuss more trivial matters, in order to find common ground with each other. This advice is also relevant if you are writing a romance novel. When two love interests meet for the first time, they don't need to flirt with each other right away, instead, they may be awkward or even hostile. Your characters don't need to fall for each other at first glance! A great way to ensure realism when your characters are meeting is to consider your own social experiences. While writing the meetup between several characters, take a minute to think about your personal experiences in life. As you write your story, make sure that your characters progress naturally and that you aren't moving things too quickly.
Include the Character's Goals
Every one of your characters should have goals and these goals should be apparent when they are introduced to each other. Your characters don't need to verbally explain the goals they have, but the reader should get a sense of the goals they have. When the characters first meet each other, make sure to consider: what the character's goals are in this scene? How did they get to this moment? What do they want out of this meetup? Answering these questions will ensure that the initial encounter between your characters is needed and realistic. While writing your story, remember that every meetup between your characters is an opportunity to examine the characters for both you (as the writer) and your readers.
Consider Unique Physical Appearances
A good way to write memorable characters is through their appearances. Your characters should have appearances that are unique to them and differentiate them from the other characters. Describing the features and characteristics of your characters helps draw in the audience and creates a realistic scene. By describing the physical appearances of characters when they are introduced to each other, readers also gain knowledge about the narrator. Based on what the main character picks up on or finds unique about the appearance of the new character, readers get insight into their personality. It is important to note that though you should describe the appearance of your character, it shouldn't be dumped in one scene. At the moment where two characters first meet, describe the features of the character that make them stand out and later elaborate on the small and super detailed aspects of their appearance. This is because your character probably won't notice a slightly crooked smile or small freckle until they have spent a lot of time with that person. It is much more likely that the narrator will notice more prominent features like eye color or large scars and birthmarks. For more tips on how to describe a character's physical appearance in writing, click on the button below.
Incorporate Inner Thoughts
It is important to incorporate the inner thoughts of your characters when characters first meet. Through a character's inner thoughts and conflicts, you can display the biases and opinions of the other characters. Showcasing the inner thoughts of your characters helps connect characters to the reader and makes them appear realistic. Bringing two characters together is a great way for readers to learn more about the inner lives of your characters. If you insert the opinions of the narrator, readers can learn how the narrator views other people. Consider what the narrator notices about the other characters, and what that explains about themself. For example, if a character first notices the expensive shoes another character is wearing that may suggest that they are interested in fashion or very materialistic. When writing the meetup of multiple characters, make sure to inject the narrator's biased opinions and internal thoughts.
Remember a Character's Worldview
Relating to the previous tip, you must remember each character's worldview and perspective. When the two characters finally meet each other, their perspectives are going to be put on display. Your characters shouldn't be identical and they should have their own quirks and perspectives. Make sure that readers get a sense of both characters (through their inner thoughts, goals, and perspectives) when they meet up with each other. When introducing characters to each other, keep in mind their unique beliefs and worldviews to create tension or conflict.
For writers and readers alike, it is a very important moment thematically when multiple characters come together. When characters are introduced to each other, readers get a sense of who the characters are and what unique traits they have. The meetup of the two characters also creates lots of moments of tension and conflict. Though introducing two characters can be difficult, it isn't impossible! Utilize these tips to ensure that the first encounter of your characters is realistic and engaging.
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