How to Write Authentic Platonic Relationships in Fiction

This Pinterest pin says, Free Resource for Writers! Questions for Writing Authentic Platonic Relationships in Fiction. In the background are four friends on a dirt road with their arms flung around each other's shoulders. They are all smiling.

Platonic relationships are just as crucial to our stories as romantic relationships or tension between protagonists and antagonists.

They can provide points of conflict and growth for our main character, give them a realistic support system, or mirror their journey.

Friendships, sibling bonds, and found families are all platonic relationships that may be featured in your story.

We don’t want these relationships to read as one-dimensional, and we hope they don’t appear as simply there to serve a plot point.

These platonic relationships may not be the center of our MC’s universe, but they can enhance the story when we know their purpose.

In today’s blog post, I’ll summarize key concepts to consider when creating and incorporating platonic relationships into your story.

At the end, you’ll find a freebie filled with reflection questions to help you along the relationship-building process.

Let’s get started!

A birds eye view photograph of many people reaching out their arms and placing their hands on top of each other's. There are fall leaves on the ground and they all wear colourful sweaters.

On Writing Meaningful Friendships

When writing friendships, first determine how the friendship began.

Were they already friends before your characters arrived on page one? If so, how did they meet?

If not, what circumstances will bring them together in your story?

Characters may discover they have shared interests or struggles that bond them together.

In other scenarios, your characters will slowly develop their friendship as they learn to trust each other.

Every friendship needs to feel realistic.

Even frenemies have something in common!

If your characters become friends throughout your story, chart a realistic pace for this development.

Every key relationship provides space for conflict and growth.

Friendships are no different.

Consider what disagreements or misunderstandings they might have.

Will these conflicts test their loyalties?

Will their bond strengthen or break throughout the story?

How you answer these questions will depend on the transformative journey of your main character.

Remember that readers won’t let us get away with simply stating that they’re friends.

Use their interactions (banter, inside jokes, unspoken understandings, etc.) and actions (how they show their support and loyalty) to write authentic relationships into your story.

A photograph of a father wearing glasses and holding his toddler son in his arms. The father is kissing his son on the cheek. They are standing in front of a dark blue garage door.

On Writing Meaningful Family Bonds

Family bonds can be broken into two subcategories: family by birth and found families.

Generally speaking, we can develop these platonic relationships in the same way.

However, you’ll want to learn the back story of found families.

How did they or how will they find each other?

Realistic family dynamics are complex.

Parents and children don’t always agree and sibling rivalries can occur.

Found families will go through a period of growing pains as they come to know each other.

Reflect on how these conflicts and rivalries will present themselves in your story.

How will they influence the plot?

Consider what family conflicts will logically support your main character’s transformation.

Parental expectations can clash with personal identity, and generational conflicts may occur within family dynamics.

Just as when developing friendships, you will seek out both points to highlight the tension between familial relationships and how they show their love for each other.

Found families can be a powerful trope.

Choosing your family over the one you were born into has great emotional impact on your readers and characters.

Make sure to develop this found family at a realistic pace.

Just because they are thrown together at the outset of your manuscript, doesn’t mean it will be an instant connection.

Use that to your advantage.

Check out the New York Public Library’s list of books featuring found families for inspiration!

Create Your Authentic Platonic Relationships

You can develop strong platonic relationships that authentically influence your main character’s journey.

Remember, friendships and family relationships should shape character arcs just as much as romantic relationships.

Your characters are multifaceted and their relationships should demonstrate this complexity.

To help you develop these platonic relationships, I’ve compiled a list of reflection questions to download.

Have fun relationship-building!

Over to you!

Grab the document, Crafting Platonic Relationships below.

Share your favourite platonic relationship from a story in the comments.

Why does it work so well?

Talk soon!

Julia

Hello!

I'm Julia

I’m here to connect with storytellers, creatives, and dream-chasers. This blog focuses on creative writing, goal-setting, productivity, and mindfulness- all things craved by creative minds who want to bring their dreams into the present.