Creating a realistic friend group in fiction can bring life to your story, adding depth and relatability to your characters. Whether it's a tight-knit group or a friend group filled with tension, the way your characters interact with each other will shape your story. That is why it is so important that you craft a friend group that feels real! To do so, you need to consider not only their personalities and backgrounds but also how they influence one another and navigate conflict. Continue reading to find out more!
Start Small
When building a realistic friend group, you should start with a smaller number of characters, ideally three. This is because a smaller (and tighter) group of friends allows you to focus on developing meaningful dynamics between each character. For instance, maybe you have a trio made up of a practical joker, a shy bookworm, and a bold and outspoken dreamer. Starting with just these three friends allows their personalities to shine. Plus, it ensures that each character is developed and refined without getting lost in the crowd. Later, after you have developed these characters and feel your story would benefit from more, you could consider adding more characters to the group. However, this should only be done after the core characters feel realistic and 3D.
Consider Their Archetypes
Referring to the previous point, you must consider the archetypes of your characters. Friend groups often include a mix of archetypes that balance and complement one another. Consider roles like "the leader," "the joker," or "the caretaker." This diversity not only creates tension and humor but also makes their interactions way more memorable. That being said, you shouldn't make your characters so representative of their archetype that they are a stereotype. So, make sure you include quirks and traits that defy expectations.
Give Them History
You also need to make sure that your characters and their friend group have a history. After all, they didn't just magically become friends. Realistic friend groups share a backstory that influences their present relationships. For instance, perhaps two characters met during a middle school drama class when one of them froze on stage during a performance and the other came to the rescue. Whatever their history and beginning may be, make sure that it is realistic and woven naturally into your story. Listed down below are some different settings where your characters may have met each other:
School Cafeteria
Bakery
Summer Carnival
Christmas Shop
Bookstore Café
Aquarium
Post Office
Airport
Mall
Beach Bonfire
Determine Their Similarities
Similarities often bind a friend group together, which is why you must determine the similarities between the characters in the friend group. Perhaps the group shares a love of exploring abandoned places, an obsession with a niche card game, or a mutual goal, like starting a band. Making sure your friend group has similar interests makes the story more believable and can lead to engaging plot points. For example, if the group of friends bonds over their shared obsession with mystery novels, they might hold monthly "detective nights" where they solve puzzles or discuss new books. Overall, make sure your characters have similar interests, as it will add layers to your story and make their friendship more authentic.
Add Inside Jokes
Lastly, be sure to include inside jokes. Inside jokes are the heart of any close friend group and give readers a glimpse into the unique bond they share. For instance, imagine a group of friends that repeatedly mocks one friend’s inability to tell left from right after she caused a minor car mishap by shouting “Turn left—or your left?” during road trips. Inside jokes like this make the group’s bond feel authentic and lived-in, giving your story an added layer of realism.
Everyone loves a fun, unique, and funny friend group when reading a story, which is why it is so important to execute well in writing. So, when crafting authentic and realistic friend groups, make sure that you add inside jokes, start small, and also consider their personalities and backstories.
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