What Makes A Good Almost Kiss?

The Almost Kiss. It's the moment when your breath mingles with another's, your heart pounds, and your toes tingle. It is the anticipation. It is the expectation. And then....

Nope. It ain't happening.

Can I just say that I love almost kisses ALMOST better than I do a full blown kiss? Seriously, it takes some good writing to bring us to our knees when a kiss is thwarted. And let me just say, there are many ways to make an awesome almost kiss.

It's all in either the interruption or in a person's will power to pull away at the last second.

Let's look at some examples, shall we?

Okay, I tried to imbed this clip, but YouTube wouldn't allow it, so here is a link to a short scene where Lois Lane and Clark Kent almost kiss. Seriously, this has got to be one of the best!

     Lois and Clark's Almost Kiss

Did you notice that there is hardly any talking whatsoever? I mean, Kent does not say one word! But the looks, the way he grabs her, the way he looks at her. It says a whole lot, doesn't it? And what about the interruption? His first love shows up after a long absence!!! Talk about conflict!

And now...the Jacob and Bella Almost Kiss.



Annnnd, we are saved by the bell...the phone rings to interrupt the kiss. It's a bit cliche, but you can get creative and think of a way to stop a kiss from happening.

Sometimes humor is a great way of messing up a good kiss. Check out this clip when the girl gets the giggles.



Yeah, dye your hair. That always works for me!

Okay, so let's take look at a different Superman and Lois Lane.



In this clip, we see Lois pull away because of a couple of reasons. One, she is engaged to a good man, who she does not want to hurt - integrity. Two, she is hurt because he has been gone a long time. Sometimes the pain of being hurt is enough to make you stand firm against a kiss. It's a way of guarding your heart against rejection. This can be an effective way to stage an almost kiss.

Here is an unusual clip that I have included to show that the Almost Kiss doesn't necessarily have to be a "lip-action" thing. Let's watch Mr. Knightley almost kiss Emma's hand. Watch Emma's face...so expressive. (Again, you will have to click on the link to watch.)

Emma and Mr. Knightly

Wasn't that AWESOME? The pause was used to great effect here. His hovering over her hand, her watching...waiting. Brilliant!

Of course, I couldn't conclude today's post without my favorite almost kiss...Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the rain. I couldn't embed the clip, but if you would like to view this masterful scene, just click on the link.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett's Almost Kiss

Sigh, wasn't that lovely? Did you notice his gaze falling on her lips from time to time? Even though they are in the midst of an argument, the attraction is strong - so strong he leans in, but then, being the gentleman he is, he begs her pardon. Oh yes, this was lovely, indeed.

So tell me, have you been writing an almost kisses? If not, why don't you try one out? Or tell me, what is your favorite almost kiss in a book or movie or TV show? 

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This post is brought to you by

 Sherrinda Ketchersid

Sherrinda is wife to "Pastor John" and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.