Captain America and Bucky Barnes: A Guide to Writing Meaningful Friendships
What’s up, TWNers! So here’s the thing, I’ve kinda been really into superhero stories, especially the Captain America films. Alright, alright, if I’m being completely honest, I really just like Bucky. He’s like on Peeta-Mellark-level for me, and nobody but Peeta has ever gotten that special spot. Bucky’s just really awesome y’all, and I will die on this hill. Specifically, however, Bucky and Steve’s friendship has stayed on my mind since watching the main trilogy, and when I start thinking about something, I start over-analyzing everything. (Which is why I talk a LOT about The Hunger Games series on this blog). And all that usually leads to a blog post. We should rename this blog to I Really Should Just Get a Diary.
Anyway, Steve and Bucky have a solid written friendship, the kind that’s normally lacking in modern stories, and I really enjoyed it so much so that I’ve made an entire edit for it on my new YouTube channel, which you can check out below if you’re interested.
While I am a huge fan of a good romance, I do feel that because romance sells so well, a lot of authors just stay away from writing other types of relationships that are important too, such as family relationships or friendships. And you guys know I normally run counter to popular culture, which is why Colin’s relationship with his brother Levi is a huge focus in my novel Into the Lamp.
For my current drafting novel, Project: SUPER (official title to be announced!), there is a strong focus on the main character’s relationship with his best friend, so I thought this would be a great time to dissect how Steve and Bucky’s friendship is done so well and some tips of how we can write meaningful friendships in our own novels. Heads up: there will be spoilers. Let’s get into it! (Cue all of the Bucky GIFs)
1. Spend Time Developing Each Character
I know this sounds kind of obvious, but you would be surprised how many stories I read or watch that barely develop the side characters. Especially if they’re not the love interest, side characters like best friends tend to get pushed to the side, but this hurts the relationship in so many ways. Even if the side character isn’t the main focus, they are still the main character of their own world. Ask yourselves what their goals are, what their past has been like, what their hobbies and dislikes are. Even if these don’t appear in the book, if you at least know your characters better, it goes a long way. Both Steve and Bucky are well-developed by the end of the trilogy. In all three of the films, Bucky has his own story apart from being Steve’s best friend. In The First Avenger, he’s joining the U.S. Army in World War II to fight Germany. In The Winter Soldier, he’s a brainwashed prisoner of Hydra, being forced to be part of their mission to take down Captain America. And in Civil War, he’s trying to prevent being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit as well as helping Steve stop Zemo from unleashing an army of other super soldiers. Because he’s a main figure in the stories, there are many times his storyline intersects with Steve’s, but this is not all the time because he is his own person living his own story.
2. Give Them Some Page Time
Okay, I know this one is also painfully obvious, but I’m serious. The reason why a lot of best friends in books don’t ever stick out is because we barely see them. They’re like the side characters in Hallmark movies that only show up just to encourage and be supportive of the main character. But if you want to write a meaningful friendship that readers will spend time thinking about afterward, you have to actually develop that relationship on page. Part of why we root for Steve and Bucky in the last two films is because the first movie spends time showing us how close the two are and how they would fight and die for the other. Seeing Bucky and Steve fight each other in The Winter Soldier only hurts us because we know how much this has to be killing Steve. I know we all love a lot of action in our stories, but don’t forget that the backbone of your books are formed in the small moments.
3 Ask Yourself What Brings Them Together
So we’re going back to my first point about developing each character, but as you’re doing that, ask yourself why these two are close friends in the first place. Do they have a shared history? Shared interests? Shared beliefs? Your best friends don’t have to be copies of each other, but they have to have some common ground that began the friendship. Steve and Bucky have a shared history together, and while much of that is developed off-page, only being told they were best friends since childhood, The First Avenger shows us how Bucky is constantly looking out for Steve. He tries to talk him out of continuing to lie on enlistment forms and finds other ways to help the effort and fights off actual bullies that Steve can’t physically take on himself (before the serum, that is). They also have a shared desire to fight against Germany and, later, Hydra.
4 Now Give Them Conflict – What Drives Them Apart?
Conflict is a part of any relationship. I’m sure you’ve even had disagreements or conflicts with your best friend. It’s just a part of being human. So ask yourself what do they not agree on, or what conflict could drive them apart.
Overcoming differences, disagreements, or fights can help make these relationships stand out. It’s interesting to see how these relationships are tested, especially when the friendship holds through despite the conflict. For Bucky and Steve, this is most clearly established in The Winter Soldier. Even though Bucky had no say in being the brainwashed Winter Soldier he was in this film, Steve and Bucky’s friendship is tested by the final battle. And what makes their friendship stand out is because it is proven to be stronger than what’s trying to tear them apart. Even though Bucky barely remembers who Steve is, he knows he can’t let Steve drown as the aircraft is falling apart. No matter how strong Hydra’s brainwashing was, Steve was able to break through it and bring his friend back. If that doesn’t show a solid written friendship right there, I don’t know what does!
5 Show Them Working Together
If you want your friendships to have a strong impact in the story, then they need to actually be doing something together. Give us some page time of these two friends working together for a common cause, even if it’s not in the final climax scene. I know, we do love to force our main characters to do that on their own. Bucky isn’t there for the final fight in The First Avenger, but we got to watch them fighting together as part of the Howling Commandos taking down Hydra bases. And, obviously, all the best combat scenes in Civil War are when the two of them are fighting off their enemies together. The final scene when Bucky and Steve go up against Iron Man still gives me chills!
In conclusion, while friendships are an often forgotten component in many modern stories, they still hold meaning when written well. Bucky and Steve are an unforgettable pair, and that friendship was built carefully through three films, leaving a lasting impact. But let’s keep up the conversation in the comments! Have you seen any of the Captain America films? What are some of your favorite fictional friendships? Do you have any friendships in your WIP? I want to hear all about it in the comments below!
D.B. Rayne
D. B. Rayne is a twenty-something-year-old Christian novelist and author of her fantasy, Aladdin-inspired debut, Into the Lamp. She lives in the South, where she is allegedly “writing” (but is most likely envisioning owning her own sword or hunting for Narnia in wardrobes). You can follow her on Instagram, @db_rayne.
4 Comments
Lise
I don’t always click on the odd blog post in my inbox but this one was too good to pass up.
Question 1: have you seen The Falcon and the Winter Soldier tv show? (It’s got another great friendship, although very different from Steve and Bucky’s [“Don’t call me buck” “Steve did” “STEVE had a plan” — probably a miss quote of one of my favorite scenes in the show].)
Question 2: In Civil War, what side are you on? Team Cap or Team Iron Man?
D.B. Rayne
Hi, Lise, well I’m glad you chose to check it out! I hope the post was helpful (or at least offered a great time to fangirl over these movies!)
In answer to the first question, I have not seen The Falcon and the Winter Soldier yet, but it’s so high on my to-watch list that I’m really hoping to have time to binge-watch it over my fall break next month. I need this series in my life! (Yesss, I’ve seen so many clips of Sam and Bucky’s best moments in the series, and it looks SO GOOD!!!!
For question number two, it’s a tough one, but I’m ultimately going to have to go with Team Cap, though I think the best solution would be a compromise between the two. I mean, Tony does have a point that the Avengers should have some boundaries, but I don’t think the best solution is just handing all their freedom and, like Steve said, having the ability to choose, over to the government. We already saw in The Winter Soldier how Hydra had inflirtated S.H.I.E.L.D., there’s no guarantee something like that wouldn’t happen again. As Steve said, governments are run by agendas, and those agendas change. I am curious to hear your thoughts, though! Which said are you on?
Liz Churchill
Hey friend!
I knew this was a great post the moment I saw the title, lol!
I have seen all the Captain America films and I think they are the best movies in the MCU franchise. They are so well written! I think my favorite film is “The Winter Soldier”, but “The First Avenger” follows close second.
Two of my favorite fictional friendships are: Anne and Diana from “Anne of Green Gables” (another plug for this series!!) and Lucy and Sage from “Our Yellow Tape Letters”. Both are amazing examples of sisterhood friendship that are so strong and beautiful to see.
The main friendship in my current WIP is between old friends, Nikki and Roselle. They met in graduate school in NYC and Roselle offers a summer position at the British art museum she works at – and that is what starts the entire WIP adventure! They are like sisters and have hilarious outlooks on life. Roselle is bold and sarcastic while Nikki is more level-headed and ‘stubborn older sister’ type.
Have a great week!
D.B. Rayne
Aw, thank you so much!! It’s great to meet another Captain America fan 😉
YESSS I 100% agree that they are the best MCU films in the franchise! GIRL Winter Soldier is my favorite too, with The First Avenger being a close second! *high fives* I love how The First Avenger has the historical connection of World War 2 and how The Winter Soldier is giving vibes similar to spy stories which I have always loved!
Aw, I remember really loving Lucy and Sage in Our Yellow Tape Letters too and I hear so many good things about Anne and Diana. I still need to read the books *hides* Yes, I love sisterhood friendships, and we are in such need of more of those!
Awww I LOVE that!!! I love seeing lasting friendships like that! Nikki and Roselle sound like such fun characters to write, and I bet they really strengthen the story! and yesss I will never not love having the “stubborn older sister” type in friendships like these!
Thanks, same to you, Liz!