How to write rivals

Mutual Respect

Let the rivals respect each other and have it fuel their rivalry even more.

EXAMPLE

Anna acknowledged Leon's unmatched strategic mind; he respected her unrivaled skill with a blade.

Shared Goals

Rivals often have the same goal but with different methods of achieving it.

EXAMPLE

Alex and Jamie want to win the championship, but Alex believes in hard work while Jamie resorts to cunning tactics.

Personal

Make the rivalry personal to add more tension.

EXAMPLE

Zoe outperformed Ethan in their first art class. Ethan wants to become a great artist to honor his dead father, who was an artist.

Conflict

Show them clashing.

EXAMPLE

Sarah and Noah are professional debaters. At a competition, they must go against each other. Their debate becomes very heated and they must repeatedly be told to calm down.

Forced Alliance

Make it so they must work together. This adds tension.

EXAMPLE

When a common threat emerges, rivals Lara and Derek reluctantly join forces.

Matches

Make them evenly matched in most areas.

EXAMPLE

Neither Max nor Olivia could predict the other's moves in chess. Their strategies were equally great.

Backstory

Give backstory and meaning to their rivalry.

EXAMPLE

Mike and John have been rivals since childhood when they both wanted to date the same girl. Now they're both salesmen in rival companies and fight for customers.

Growth

Show how their rivalry pushes them to grow.

EXAMPLE

Challenged by Emma’s innovation, Lucas pushes his designs to new heights.

Fluctuating

Let their relationship evolve- sometimes it's friendly, and in other times hate-filled.

EXAMPLE

After years of rivalry, Mia and Kate laugh over a shared joke.