Capturing the true dynamic of brothers and sisters in writing can add authenticity and depth to your story, making readers feel like they’re witnessing a real sibling relationship. However, bringing these connections to life is difficult. So to help, I have created this guide on how you can authentically write realistic brother-sister characters that resonate with readers. Continue reading!
Add Inside Jokes
It's a good idea to add inside jokes to your characters. Siblings often share inside jokes that highlight their shared history, creating a bond that outsiders won't understand. As mentioned, jokes stem from shared experiences, whether it’s a funny incident from childhood, a family quirk, or a shared reaction to something. Overall, including inside jokes will give the siblings more realism. For example, if the siblings frequently bring up a horrible camping trip where one of them fell into a lake, this detail adds depth to their interactions and reminds readers that they do have a shared past.
Consider Their Upbringing
Connecting to the previous point, you should make sure that you know all of the details of your character's backstory. This is because the environment where the siblings were raised shapes their relationship. So consider: Were they raised in a strict household that was forced or a chaotic one? Were there gender norms/roles they had to comply with? Were they treated differently due to a certain element? Overall, our upbringings influence everything from the way we communicate with our siblings to the way we view each other. For more tips on revealing a character's backstory, click on the button below.
Incorporate Tension
There is no brother and sister-relationship that is perfect. As a result, moments of tension are inevitable and believable. Brothers and sisters often argue over trivial things, unresolved issues, and more long-term problems. Ultimately, this tension can manifest as playful teasing or full-blown arguments, but in general, it should feel natural and connected to the characters' personalities. For example, a younger brother might feel overshadowed by his "perfect" sister, leading to rude remarks or subtle resentment. This type of conflict adds depth to their relationship and shows that despite their bond siblings still have their own feelings and beliefs.
Make Them Different
Relating to the previous point, your brother and sister characters shouldn't be copies of each other. What I mean is that they should have distinct personalities, interests, and occupations, even if they grew up in the same household. This creates opportunities for conflict, but it also shows how the characters are 3D on their own. For example, an extroverted sister might constantly drag her introverted brother into social situations, creating funny (or awkward) moments. In general, differences make your characters stand out and prevent them from blending into one another.
Talk to People
To finish it off, it's a great idea to talk to people with siblings if you don't have them yourself. Listening to how they recount stories, and arguments, or express affection will likely give you inspiration for your characters. You may even notice patterns that you can use to shape your characters. For instance, a friend might share how they always competed with their brother over who got the front seat in the car, inspiring a similar dynamic in your story. Real-world conversations provide these specific insights into sibling relationships that will help ground your writing in reality.
Ultimately, writing realistic brothers and sisters requires you to develop intriguing characters that stand on their own, while also supporting each other. This can be complicated, so to bring these connections to life, focus on the elements that make siblings unique, from inside jokes to moments of tension. Good luck!
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