How to Lead Up to a Kissing Scene in a Book

Kissing scenes can be a powerful part of a story. It's important to build the relationship and show how the characters are good for each other, so that when they finally kiss, readers will cheer them on.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Gradual Buildup

If these two characters are going to be a couple, then gradually building their relationship will help readers want them to be together. Showing that they belong together will help make kisses more rewarding.

1
Show that they have interest in each other. They might flirt a little, blush, and act differently (shy, awkward, gregarious, or however they respond to crushes). They may find themselves grinning or blushing because of something the other character did.
2
Write them thinking about each other when they're apart. Maybe she feels a twinge of sadness when she hears that he won't be at the party, and she isn't quite sure why. Or he's walking in the woods and his thoughts keep drifting to her.
- A little goes a long way. Even a brief mention or two can catch readers' attentions. Don't feel like you need to write five pages of reflection on how smitten he is with her.
3
Let readers see them together. When they have scenes together, readers will be able to see what makes their relationship work. Show how they interact with each other—being silly, facing crises, working out problems, et cetera. This will build their relationship and make it clearer why a kiss is a good idea.
4
Show that they care about each other. In a positive relationship (budding or otherwise), two characters will support each other and treat each other with compassion. Show that they will help each other through the bad times and cheer them on when things go well. Let them be there for each other.
- Ryan skips basketball practice to watch Maria in the school spelling bee. He is ecstatic when she wins and Maria realizes how much she matters to him.
- Jessica never met LaBron's mother. But when LaBron calls in tears, saying his mom is at the hospital, Jessica drops everything she's doing and drives over as quickly as she can.
- When Amy goes missing, Keesha helps search for her. Keesha finds her at her thinking place, listens compassionately to her frustrations, and encourages her to come back home because her parents are worried.
5
Make it clear that they respect each other. In a solid relationship, both partners care about the other's feelings, like the other person for who they are, and always get clear consent before kissing. The partners should be equals.
- If someone consents to a kiss, they may talk about kissing ("So are you going to kiss me?"), lean in close, smile, bite their lip, and use other nonverbal signals to show they want a kiss. Someone has not consented if they were completely passive (e.g. looking uncertain, not realizing the other person wanted a kiss) or if they were crying or actively resisting.
- If this isn't a good relationship, then maybe they don't respect each other. Maybe one acts possessive and controlling, or tries to change the other without respecting them, or kisses the person to get them to shut up or change their mind.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Writing Special Kisses

First kisses, or other kisses significant to the plot (kiss after making up from a fight, kiss before they have to be separated, any special romantic kiss) get extra attention to detail.

1
Choose a setting. It may be somewhere especially romantic, or an ordinary setting. Take time to describe a few details about the setting, to make it memorable.
- It's pouring out, and Roseann didn't bring her umbrella. David shares his with her. He tells a joke and they laugh.
- Javier and Roberto attended the same wedding. Roberto asks Javier to dance. Javier is mesmerized by the lights, the music, the twirling couples, and Roberto's smile.
- Lindsay ran off to a hill after their fight. Jake came to apologize for hurting her feelings. She cries, he cries a little too, and she apologizes also. They agree to communicate better.
2
Get them face to face. Either by accident or on purpose, they end up gazing into each other's eyes. The moment slows down, and you may choose to describe the little details here. One may caress the other, or lovingly notice a feature (looks, smell, touch, etc.). Both characters realize that they want to kiss.
- Roseann trips over a curb, and David catches her. Suddenly her face is very close to his. And she isn't about to complain.
- The slow dance ends and Javier and Roberto gaze into each other's eyes. Warmth floods through Javier's chest as he sees the tenderness in Roberto's face.
- Lindsay places her hands on Jake's shoulders, pushes back his hair, and tells him she loves him.
3
Begin the kiss. One or both characters lean in and their lips meet. Describe how they feel in that moment. Consider both emotional and sensory details.
- How much detail you use depends on the characters and your audience. A book for preteens probably won't go beyond a "soft, brushing kiss." An adult novel may describe exactly what they are doing with their tongues.
4
Discuss how they feel afterwards. How do they pull away—does the kiss naturally end or are they interrupted? How does each character feel about the kiss? Do they smile, blush, decide to kiss again?
- If they are new to kissing, they may be embarrassed or even shyly run away afterwards.
- If the nature of their relationship is unclear, they may need to talk about it.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Writing Casual Kisses

1
Set the scene around more important details. For a brief kiss, the kiss isn't the important part—it's the character interactions, the plot progression, or other details.
- Sadie and Drake are baking cookies for her sister Julia's party. They laugh and kiss before Julia enters to talk to her sister.
- Mrs. Rivera is going on a business trip. Mr. Rivera kisses her goodbye before he is left with the kids.
- Rose and George are out on a picnic. They kiss, but mostly they talk about the events that occurred in previous chapters.
2
Keep the kiss quick. Because this is a minor kiss, the details aren't important to the scene. Spend a sentence or two on the kiss, and then keep the plot moving.
- Sadie and Drake intended to French kiss, but Julia's arrival cuts it short. Blushing, they quickly go back to the cookies.
- Mrs. Rivera gives her husband a quick peck on the lips. "I'll kiss you better when the kids aren't watching," she whispers, and he laughs.
- George kisses Rose's cheek and smiles. "I love you," he says.
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Community Q&A

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Question
My characters kiss 6 chapters in. Is this too soon if my chapters are relatively long?
Tom De Backer
Top Answerer
A road between cities is exactly long enough, neither longer nor shorter. It's up to you to know when to stop waiting for the kiss and have the kiss already. Consider the amount of events in your book and the level of importance they have in the story. Those should be spread out evenly so as to not leave a reader too hungry too long, and should increase in importance throughout the novel as just one way to build tension.
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Question
My friend are I writing a book together, and the two characters start to date after two days of knowing each other. Is that too soon?
Community Answer
Not at all. It's not outside the realm of common behavior for one person to ask another out after an initial conversation if they click.
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Tips

If you don't have much personal experience with kissing, try reading How.com.vn articles like How to Kiss and How to French Kiss. Or try asking other people (friends, siblings, parents) about treasured kisses.
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