Tropes That Get a Bad Rap
Tropes have become hot.
They’ve always been here, of course. A cornerstone of story telling everywhere, but many readers didn’t know WHY they loved certain books until we began teasing out this wonderful thing called tropes. Tropes are certain storylines woven into books. They are the building blocks where plot and conflict live. Most of all?
They are about emotion. What readers respond to, and what writers love to explore.
Romance is one of the genres tropes are known for the most, and it’s become so popular, authors now use actual graphics to entice readers to buy based on certain tropes.
Some examples of tropes?
Marriage of convenience/forced proximity – when the hero and heroine strike a bargain to be together, or decide to bargain/marry for convenience. It’s a trope I love because forcing the characters together in such an intimate situation is rife for conflict, tension, and eventually, love. See my entire Marriage to a Billionaire series for this one.
Enemies to lovers – one of my faves! The hero and heroine dislike each other in the beginning, and then slowly as the book develops, learn to respect, then love the other. It’s a trope perfect for incorporating delicious sexual tension into their banter. Many of my books feature this one, especially The Start of Something Good and Love on Beach Avenue.
Fake dating – the hero and heroine decide to strike a bargain and pretend they are dating in order to serve a higher purpose. This example is shown in my book, So it Goes, where my hero and heroine pretend to be together to be each other’s dates for their family weddings, and try to side step overbearing and nosy relatives. Another is Book of the Month, where my heroine saves the hero’s bankrupt business so he can break her heart, and she can create another emotional bestseller.
There are a ton more but these give you an idea.
By using tropes, readers can find more of what they love in a book without endlessly scrolling and searching. And for authors?
It’s a goldmine of opportunity. By properly using tropes, we’re able to craft a stronger story with intention.
If you want a deep dive check out Jennifer Hilt, who’s kind of a master teaching and discussing tropes and how they help writers here:
She does some fabulous break-downs and is the author of the Trope Thesaurus, a must-have book for your shelf.
I’ve also found that in the pursuit of readers finding tropes they love, there’s been a lot of blowback on the tropes they DON’T love. Sometimes, specific graphics or TikTok videos actually call out the tropes certain books do not have, in order to court readers.
After seeing a few videos of these tropes mentioned multiple times, I thought it would be fun to write a post about the ones that get a bad rap, and the ones I happen to love even though it’s not popular opinion!
THE THIRD ACT BREAK-UP:
When I was learning to write a great romance novel, the third act break-up was part of the craft. There’s a formula to many romance novels, which too many people translate as lazy or cliché writing.
I disagree.
Formula can be a warm blanket and comfort wrapped around a reader. Knowing there will be a happy ever after in romance novels no matter how much conflict and pain the hero and heroine suffer through, creates an expectation that’s important to our reader. Niche genre has a formula. Within the formula, authors put their own fingerprint on a story to make it unique.
The third act break up used to be a staple in romance. This plays out when the hero and heroine reach the black moment, and something happens that breaks them up. With bad writing, a simple misunderstanding can tear apart the couple, but I’m not talking about that device in this post. Personally, if this is the only conflict breaking up the couple, I won’t keep reading.
A good third-act breakup will eventually lead to a revelation they are meant to be with one another, and sometimes, a grand gesture. A heartfelt, big apology is one of my favorites. Extra points for a creative grovel.
But as time passed, authors began to break away from that unwritten rule and write love stories without any break-ups. This didn’t mean the hero and heroine had no conflict; it simply meant they didn’t actually sever the relationship during this difficult time.
I have no issue with this. I love a book without a third act break-up. But lately, reading so many books that clearly avoid it at all costs, and gleefully pointing it out to readers as an advantage, made me sad.
Because I love a good break-up.
I can write an epic break-up.
There’s something emotional about the hero or heroine deciding they can’t be with each other. Done well, it will lead back to an inner belief within the character, or a hidden fear that surfaces.
When this couple I’ve been invested in breaks up, I feel as if there’s more to lose between them. Especially when one moves away, dates someone else, or tries to soldier on without their soulmate. It rips me apart. Sign me up for the pain.
I also believe it makes the grand gesture of getting back together a bigger pay off. I’m a sucker for a great break-up and make-up, and some of my favorite romance authors are masters at this plot device. It’s makes way for such a great grovel, too. Another one of my ID hits, lol.
Now, I must admit a third act breakup won’t do well unless the reasons are real to the reader and the story. But if the author does their job?
I’m in.
Book of the Month has one an extremely emotional third act break-up that I’ve taken some heat on. But personally, I think it works well with the characters and many readers have told me they cried.
CHEATING:
Oh, yeah this is controversial. And I do understand why this could be a trigger and big dislike for readers.
Here’s my admission.
I don’t mind cheating in my romance books. Of course, it depends on the circumstance and how the author uses the trope.
I like when as a reader, I can see why a couple doesn’t work, and when the hero/heroine ends up cheating, That way, I’m set up to not judge as harshly or actually cheer their actions on. It works well when the reader knows something the heroine doesn’t about the guy she’s dating. A secret kept that makes the cheating somewhat forgivable.
Give me a good reason for the cheating. If I feel like a character was unfaithful because they lost control with their fated soul-mate, I’m all in. Or if a character felt as if cheating was the way to break the past and put them on a new road.
I also love the emotions involved with a good cheating trope—it’s a way to poke the reader with intense hate, lust, or judgment. Emotions make great books.
Maybe I’m a forgiving reader?
I think this trope works best when there’s a lot of angst in a book. Younger characters who get into relationships and are confused; where temptation lurks in the shadows. Like lusting after your boyfriend’s best friend. The taboo makes the stakes ridiculously high and the conflict is baked in.
I don’t need my hero or heroine to have a perfect past. I’ve forgiven alpha hole heroes who cheated and learned their lesson, and I can forgive a heroine with a good enough reason, as long as there’s growth or remorse.
I have a cheating a-hole in my RED series, Yearn & Crave, and I intend to redeem him. The idea makes me salivate with the challenge.
Love Triangle:
I’m not sure if this trope is as hated as the above, but I’ve seen many book influencers and readers mark this as one of their most disliked. Maybe it goes hand in hand with cheating?
Either way, the idea of a love triangle is a classic – going all the way to one of my fave older series, Beverly Hills 90210 and Dawson’s Creek. Should Dylan be with Kelly or Brenda? Should Joey be with Pacey or Dawson?
Hell, when I was reading Archie comics I was obsessed with Veronica and Betty!
This trope can work great with Why Choose romance.
There’s a big investment for readers, and big, messy emotions. I love that in my romance.
Third Person POV:
This isn’t a trope – it’s a narrative technique, but I figured I’d throw in a bonus, lol.
When did this get to be the scorn in the romance world? I learned my entire craft writing third person. Oh, sure, first person POV is nice because of the in-depth perspective in the book. Feeling as if you are the one experiencing the angst and sex and emotion is powerful. Some stories scream for that type of deep dive.
But what about the opportunity to dive in the hero’s head? To experience a sex scene from his point of view? To be able to show the reader how different he thinks from the heroine?
One of my favorite things to do is break down a scene and write it from both the hero and heroine’s perspective. It’s such a fun way to show the reader how men and women have different stakes, and experience different emotions.
I love getting into my hero’s head. It gives me a giddy feeling that only third person POV can give.
That’s it!
How about you? Are there any tropes you particularly hate? Or ones you love that are getting shade?
Tropes are many and often useful. Great post today.