The word trope has also come to be used for describing commonly recurring literary and rhetorical devices, motifs or clichés in creative works. -Wikipedia
When I first learned about tropes, I thought they were something to avoid at all cost. Then I noticed many titles in genres that I write for mention tropes. I realized that readers, and authors, have been embracing tropes from some time–whether they realized it or not.
So, let’s take a moment to discuss what a trope is.
Basically, it’s a tried and true storyline, worldbuilding, character type that we see again and again. You might not readily recognize a peasant girl meets the prince trope because every writer puts their own spin on a story. Have you ever played a group game where you are given the name of a character, maybe a setting and a story problem and told to make up a quick story. Each story will be different! Because we are all different.
That’s why when an author uses a common trope, you might not recognize it right away.
I drive my family up the wall when we are watching movies. Ten minutes in and I’ll start with: “Oh, this is an enemy to lovers story. They might hate each other now, but in about a half hour, they’ll be together. You’ll see.” Ha.
And usually, I can guess pretty close to what might happen. (Being a writer has, in a way, ruined watching movies and reading books for me. I can instinctively pick up on where the story is probably going because I’ve studied so much on plotting and common storylines.) But I’m getting off track.
(Which wouldn’t happen, if I’d plotted out this article before I started writing.)
So, back to tropes and your favorite stories. I’m curious to know if you have any favorites? Such as, do you like a fish out of water type of story? Or the enemies to friends? How about a marriage of convenience, which has spurred many Mail-Order-Bride books and more contemporary stories as well. Do you like second chance romances? (I do, and I’ve written a few.)
Comment below and let me know what’s your binge-worthy type of romances?
_______________~*~_______________
I’ll pick someone from the comments below to win a copy of my unexpected single-parent story – Blessed Gifts from the Lavender Vale Farm Series.
Ben wasn’t sure if he was father material. Then in a stopped heartbeat, he became a single parent.
Benjamin Brown wasn’t proud of his mistakes, but he did intend to try to step up and do what was right, even if the baby’s mother wanted nothing to do with him. When the delivery goes bad, Ben is left holding his son with no idea of how to take care of a baby’s basic needs.
Lively Lilly has a plan.
Ben’s mother, Lilly, takes him to his sister’s farm in Thistle Texas. There is nothing for miles around except fields of lavender, gardens of produce, and an ornery old goose.
However, his sisters Faye and Melanie promised to help Ben get back on his feet. Unfortunately, he fears that he’s slowly sinking in the mud.
Olivia Canales wants out.
She has outgrown her family home and nagging/interfering mother. She wants her own place, but jobs in town are few and far between. Besides, she loves working on her best friend’s Lavender Farm and Faye has promised her full-time work once they get everything going and open up to visitors.
When Faye’s brother shows up with a baby he has no idea how to take care of, Olivia’s heart goes out to his dilemma. The deceased mother’s parents show up and give Ben an out his problem: They will raise the baby, but only if he gives up all his rights.
Ben doesn’t want to lose his son but desperately needs help so he can finish his last semester of college.
Olivia agrees only to end up going in deeper than she ever anticipated.
All of the Lavender Vale stories are free on Kindle Unlimited!
Wemble says
Hi Jackie, I LOVE the cover of Blessed Gifts- the baby and dad looking at each other is so cute!
Honestly, I just enjoy a good book- I am happy to read enemies to friends, marriage of convenience, second chances, fish out of water… so long as it is a clean, solid story, variety is good!
Blessings:)
Lila Diller says
I usually like marriage of convenience tropes and friends to lovers tropes. I don’t like enemies to lovers or rags to riches tropes. As to second chances, it matters to me why they separated in the first place. For example, I love Austen’s Persuasion because they both remained single and they didn’t break up because of infidelity or a dashing of trust.
Merrillee Whren says
I like second chance stories and marriage of convenience stories.
Paula Marie says
I adore the second chance at love and when children are in the equation!
Jackie Castle says
Thank you.
I agree, just bring on a good story. lol.
Jackie Castle says
Good points, Lila. I’m not sure if I’ve read Persuasion. I’ve read a few of her other books. I’m going to have to find that one. =)
Jackie Castle says
I think second chance is a favorite with a lot of people. I wonder why that one?
Jackie Castle says
Kids always add a bit of fun, don’t they? I enjoy writing kids into stories.
Sally Bayless says
Hi Jackie,
I like fish out of water stories, especially when a city slicker comes to a small town and falls in love with both the small town and someone who lives there.
Trudy says
I don’t really have a favorite trope. I like them all, since I love to read! As long as the book can keep my attention, it doesn’t matter how they get together! Animals and children can help a story line, but neither is that important to me. I do like stories with older couples, though, since I’m older. I’m not crazy about ones where they think 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are old, cranky, and have health problems. I’m closer to 60 than 50, but my Mom is almost 95 and in good health, so stereotyping is a definite no-no for me!
Diana says
I like all of them. I just like reading! I think rags to riches is my favorite. My Star Wars loving husband gets all choked up over a hallmark movie. I keep telling him they’ll end up fine by the end. Movies with people shooting each other don’t bother him though. Lol
Susan Bates says
I enjoy books where one (or both) of the main characters helps the other face their challenges, making them a better person in the end. During the course of their interactions, they endear themselves to each other and wind up together.
Jackie Castle says
Yeah, me too. Those are fun. My first Madison Creek is this type of story and I had a lot of fun writing it.
Jackie Castle says
I love meeting true readers. If it wasn’t for writing stories, I wouldn’t pay any attention to it either. I just love a good story. =)
Jackie Castle says
It’s hard to not get choked up by those Hallmark movies! haha. My husband will walk in while I’m watching one and see my hyperfocused on it and ask, What are you watching?
I’m like, shhhh!!!! It’s the dark moment. Come back in five minutes when everything is okay again, then I can talk to you.
True story. ha!
Jackie Castle says
Love it. =)
MaryEllen Cox says
I like friends-to-loves, or falling in love with a sibling’s friend… both build a foundation so the couple has more than attraction to built a relationship on.
I like second chance stories for the same reason, plus my own relationship with my husband falls into that trope. We dated, broke up for nine months and met up again. We were married about two months after that… over 34 years ago.
Lori Smanski says
This is z great post learn something daily. I like reading second chance and mail order brides. Recently started reading contemporary
Kerri Norrod says
I like second chance stories and a marriage of convenience. I just really want a good story that makes me wonder what will be happening next.
Lisa Stillman says
I like second chance and fake relationships.
Jackie Castle says
I agree with this. If they have a history, it makes more sense for love to grow fast as many romance books tend to do.
Great point.
Jackie Castle says
Funny how you don’t really realize it until someone mentions it, right? Mail order brides are still very popular.
Jackie Castle says
I hear you. =)
Jackie Castle says
I need to write a fake relationship some time. I bet that could be a lot of fun. Especially with my odd sense of humor. lol.
Ausjenny says
This is the first time the term Trope has been explained to me others just take it I (as a reader) knows what they are talking about and I just pretend I do. I like mail order bride stories which still happens but now you can visit and write and email first. (One of my pen pals met her husband this way) even more modern would be one of the dating apps.
Not sure what a Fish out of water means. I love the either second chance for an older couple (ie both or one has lost a spouse). Or even the mature hero/heroine, who have never married and have never really had a real relationship. (Yes it does happen)
The stories I don’t like are the secret baby ones or the helpless heroine.
Jackie Castle says
I’ve been thinking of writing about empty nesters (since I’m going through that right now-figured I’d have something to draw inspiration on. ha)
Fish out of water = a person who is thrown into an uncomfortable situation or one they aren’t prepared for.
Glad the post helped you understand Tropes. =)
Dianna says
I like thrillers and suspense; my favorite trope is the underdog victim that rises up to take control of a bad situation.
MaryEllen Cox says
The fish out of water trope is when a character is placed in a situation completely unfamiliar to them–like Ariel in The Little Mermaid, the Beverly Hillbillies, or Crocodile Dundee. Even Bilbo and Frodo in the Hobbit/LotR movies fit. All of them were taken from familiar to the completely new to them and they have no choice but to deal.
Time travel in another concept (another word for trope) that fits fish out of water.
Ausjenny says
Oh I love time travel! Thanks for explaining yes I like fish out of water. It would be like An Aussie suddenly moving to the States (preferably Hawaii).
Empty nesters works. Although at 55 never been in a real relationship would love to see a heroine or hero in the same situation finding love for the first time.
Jackie Castle says
Both of those are great tropes. I agree. :)
Pam Whorwell says
I love marriage of convenience or single mom the doctor treating her relative falls in love with her.