When I say realism, I don't mean no demons, werewolves, vampires, and supernatural beings (although there are an overwhelming amount of the first three. I would know, I have one of them). What I'm getting at is reactions. Put yourself in your character's shoes and ask yourself, "If I really was put into a situation like this, would I react like that?"

Now, that doesn't mean have your hero or heroine (or both) be wimpy people because they are entitled to saving people and BEING heroic. I mean, it's in their name. Here, let me word this better: based off of the personlity you have created for your character, think of the most realisitc reaction they will have to things.

Speaking of personalities, make a relatable personality for your character please. I mean, yes a really shy and cute main character or love interest is ing kawaii, but if I'm the reader, it'll be hard to feel sad for a character I cannot relate to. If you have trouble thinking of personalities to put to a character, then think about the people you have encountered and are friends with.

For example, I have a friend who is really laid back and nonchalant about literally everything, however she does have a soft side and can get offended easily, but she also has a sassy, strong side too; especially when it comes to teachers she doesn't exactly care all that much for, or when she won't give me a mint no matter how many times I plead and tell her about my bad coffee breath. Plus she curses every now and then; but I digress.

On the flip side, I have a friend who is a goody two shoes and hates curse words, even the words butthole and does everything she can to get a good grade. Once it took her 3 1/2 periods to get a test done just so she was positive she had a good grade. She also doesn't have a cellphone because her parents don't want her to.

Anyway, so what I'm getting at is that some people you know or are friends with can be a lot more interesting than you think, but you're so used to it so you don't notice how you can take that same personality and put it to a character that I can relate to.

Another example is that in a story I'm writing on Wattpad called "An Antihero for a Nerd" (me and my shameless promotion) and I based one of the main character's best friends off of a friend of mine.

The friend, Marley, loves Starbucks, will drag her brother to any sale she can and even camp out to get to the clothes racks first. She also loves drama and is always trying to budge into the main character's non-existent love life.

See, I can relate to having a friend like that because I seriously do.

So going back to reactions, when someone is shy because their crush is talking or coming near them, they do not blush like they are in a shoujo manga, I promise you. Maybe their heart will beat a little faster or the tips of their ears will become pink/ red, but not their whole face to the point where it's annoying, especially when it happens every fricken time.

Nor does one stutter so often unless they actually have a speech disorder; however that's usually not the case because when the main character is talking to their friends, they are totally fine. This the leads to being overly cliche and kind of annoying.

Example of over stuttering when talking to crush (bonus: over blushing)-

"S-S-Sehun! I-I didn't k-know you were s-s-standing there! I-I'm s-sorry!" Luhan stuttered, backing up in surprise as his face became a firetruck red. He heard Sehun chuckle and looked up to find the latter walking closer, making his face even redder.

HOW RED CAN A FACE GET?

I understand that this chapter is longer, but I had to elaborate. I know I was slightly rude and I'm sorry if you got offended. I really didn't mean to offend anyone. If you write like this, then sorry for offending you. It's just getting a little out of hand because I've seen it so much.