Just in time for Valentine’s day, this episode of Fable and the Verbivore discusses a framework for elements of interpersonal attraction and uses that lens to consider the art of creating and developing romantic chemistry in writing.

Love is in the air, as we call on some classic literary couples to lend some examples of character chemistry that demonstrate why these relationships “work” and feel so timeless. From Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, to Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, we explore both aversion and attraction as part of the relationship dynamics that ultimately bring couples together in a realistic and interesting character arc.