What kind of life does the love interest lead?

By now, you’ll be starting to see the love interest with a bit more clarity, but it’s important to note, the love interest should not exist solely to reward the protagonist — in other words, they are not a cardboard cutout designed simply to fill a void in your protagonist’s life. Just as you explored your protagonist’s identity, their psychology and what drives them, so too should you consider who the love interest is as a person. They should have a life and history outside of the protagonist’s story — because no one is defined solely by the person they love. You should aim to know as much about the love interest as you do about the protagonist.

This being said, readers don’t necessarily need to see this life play out on the page, especially if you decide to write the story from the protagonist’s point of view only. You will, of course, reveal details about the person they are and the life they lead, but not to the extent you would your protagonist. However, knowing the love interest as well as you know the protagonist means you can ensure the two characters interact in an authentic and believable manner. It will also give you a better chance of developing the romance at a believable pace in a way that is true to the characters.

The final thing you should consider about the love interest’s life and past experiences is how they will help the love interest connect with the protagonist. For example, if the bond you want to create between your characters is one based on shared interests or experiences, what do those interests and experiences look like in the love interest’s life? What will the love interest’s current situation need to be like for them to come into contact and be able to spend time with the protagonist — e.g. where might they live, what job would they have?