Trope. You may have heard this term tossed around a bit within the fiction-reading community. The first time I saw the word, I was like—huh? What in the world is that?
I’ve since learned that “trope” is a common plot device or theme used in the fiction-writing community. These are tried, true, and time-tested concepts that catch a reader’s interest (usually through the book blurb).
There are those who criticize tropes as being cliché or overdone. Some may complain that tropes perpetuate mediocrity in fiction. Others say that authors need to be more original and strive to break free of common devices.
However, keep in mind that tropes have been around forever and used by even the most popular of authors. Shakespeare used the trope of Forbidden Love (Romeo and Juliet). Jane Austen used the trope of Enemies to Lovers (Pride & Prejudice). Countless other examples exist. Just Google it!
The fact is, whether we like it or not, readers gravitate toward certain plot devices. The familiarity appeals to readers and hooks them time after time. And honestly, tropes are helpful in marketing books, perking the attention of new readers who might be attracted to the book simply because of the trope.
Here are some of the most common tropes in the romance genre:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Love Triangles
- Secret Billionaire/Royalty
- Friends to Lovers
- Enemies to Lovers
- Stuck Together
- Forbidden Love
- Fake Relationship
- Second Chance
- Secret Baby
- Fairy Tale
- Opposites Attract
- Mail-Order Brides
What I’ve realized is that the trouble doesn’t come with using tropes. The trouble comes with not giving the trope a unique enough angle or spin. Some of the most enjoyable stories are those that breathe new life into familiar plot concepts.
From an author’s perspective, I love taking popular tropes and coming up with my own twists. As an avid romance reader, I delve into a book with the anticipation of how the author will shape the trope and hold my interest to the end.
Over on Facebook, I asked people to weigh in on their favorite tropes. For historical romance readers, the overwhelming favorite was Marriage of Convenience (and Mail-Order Brides).
With that news, I’m happy to report COWBOY FOR KEEPS, the first book of my next historical romance series—Colorado Cowboys (releasing in January 2021) involves both the Mail-Order Bride and Marriage of Convenience tropes.
What do you think of tropes? Do you like them or not? And what is your favorite?
Jody Hedlund
Latest posts by Jody Hedlund (see all)
- Saying Farewell - October 7, 2022
- Another New Book Release - September 16, 2022
- The Beauty of Weddings - September 2, 2022
I like the friends to more, rich/poor, and single mom tropes.
I like tropes – although I wasn’t sure of the meaning before either! I would have to agree and cast my vote for favorite trope with the marriage of convenience/mail-order bride. Thanks for helping us learn something new today!
Thanks for clearing this up! I’ve heard of tropes but not considered them much. And I recognize them in books I’ve read, but didn’t realize that’s what it was. Congrats on the new book coming out!
My most favorite trope is the unpopular/unseen guy or girl who wins the heart of the popular/famous/out-of-their-league girl or guy. So, Jane Eyre is my most favorite novel ever. 😊
Enemies to Lovers and Second Chance troupes are my favorite. Tamara Leigh is the absolute BEST at writing stories of enemies to lovers in her medieval books and she does it so well, that I never feel as if I’m reading the same story time and again. Second chance stories are also a favorite because the characters already have a backstory (i.e. Willow & Corbin in “Falling For You”). Sometimes in other books the attraction/romance/’happily ever after’ happen at such a fast pace it’s hard to believe the couple would actually stay together after reading “The End”.
Love Triangles are my absolute least favorite troupe. I don’t want to wait til the end of the book for Mr. or Mrs. Right to be picked, and then be furious when it’s not the one I wanted.
My favorite is friends or teen romance in the past becoming loves.
As an avid romance reader, I really like tropes IF they’re given a fresh twist.
Years ago, I read and loved a general market romance novel that went on to win the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award in its category. Later, I heard the author explain that she’d been inspired to take the trope of a nanny who falls in love with the child’s father and make it her own.
I was stunned because I hadn’t even RECOGNIZED that trope while reading the novel. Her approach to that trope was absolutely nothing like other stories (for example, The Sound of Music) of that type. Her heroine was a tough, unsentimental, sharp-shooting cowgirl who was tasked with taking a dead woman’s child to the child’s father. I learned then how successful it can be to marry something tried-and-true with something new.
I don’t mind tropes. After all, there’s nothing new under the sun, as the saying goes. But I do enjoy it most when the author puts a creative, original spin in it so I don’t feel like I’m reading the same old story again. I don’t really have a favorite. But my least favorite is a love triangle. I tend to get really annoyed with those, so I’m pleasantly surprised when an author includes that but I still thoroughly the book.
I’m a fan of tropes done well, especially if it’s a love triangle. Though it’s rare to find one written believably. I also like the enemies to lovers trope. It’s interesting to see what turns negative passion into positive when two people begin with a dislike of one another.
I’ve gone over this with my writing too. From panicking and freaking out because I don’t feel like I have anything to be original about to ‘I can’t do it!’ to finally realizing. . .just because its a ‘trope’. . .doesn’t make it bad.
As you note in your post. . .these are ‘cliches’ and ‘tropes’ because they have been around a long time, and used a billion times. But why? Because people LIKE THEM. I like them. Well. . .a lot of them. Sure, there are tropes that you won’t like (love triangles! Hate them! Just. . .don’t. Nor should the main character be TORN between the two men who both love her. Seriously. . .if you’ve got two people interested in you and you don’t have a clear interest in one of them. . .you probably don’t love either! Sheesh. Yes, “When Calls the Heart”, I’m looking at you right now. Although, to be fair, the MC is less torn about the two men and more about whether or not she WANTS to be interested in them yet. Fair enough, I suppose. . . . though my own opinion is, I hate both those men and want a plot twist of a third romantic interest who swoops in and wins her. Hah! But then, I have a love-hate relationship with this show anyway. lol)
The writering community has become brutal in recent years. From criticizing what theme a person chooses to write about, to character development, to use of ‘diversity’. (Some say you NEED to be more diverse, the other side says you have no right to touch anything diverse because you don’t know anything about another culture/race/whatever. Ugh) It could make a writer both crazy and terrified to sneeze for bringing down the critiques.
For my own realization is, as a writer and a reader – there are tropes that sure – I don’t like. I probably won’t use myself and will probably avoid watching/reading if I can. (Sometimes they sneak up on you, but we survive through them. lol) Others. . .I don’t care if they’re all over the place. I love them, and I love being able to fiddle with them and try to put my own spin on things.
One example I’ve come to terms with is fairy tales. I LOVE fairy-tale retellings. Sure, some more than others. Some aren’t really worth the read, some are really great retellings. I enjoy them. I enjoy reading them. I enjoy writing them and seeing what I can do to make the ‘same old’ story interesting. Cinderella? I’ve read a LOT of retellings. Some with magic, some without. Some really clever and make it a wicked father instead of step mother. Some are barely recognizable. It’s all good. I enjoy seeing the different spins on the basic story.
Tropes. . .and cliches are actually REALLY good things. They are tried and true and people generally enjoy them. Yes, not everyone will like the same ones, but eh. Whatever. As long as the writer enjoys it. . .its good. 😀 Not everyone enjoys something that’s truly original either. So you may as well enjoy what you’re creating.
The two you picked out for your next Book are my favorite. I can’t begin to remember all the mail-order and marriage of convenience books I have read since I was 12 years old. I can’t wait to read your next book!
I love most tropes – my favorites are opposites attract, love triangles done well, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, second chances. Long lost lovers. Thrown or struck together is always fun! I’m one of the few I think that doesn’t like marriage of convenience tropes or anything therein. Or secret baby tropes, both of which are all the rage! lol well I don’t mind them if they’re extremely well done – I am just very picky about these tropes.
Second chance? Or third, or more ? Closest to most people’s experience ?
How many people live happily ever after with their first love ?
JA knew how unlikely that was..
Never sure about the concept of tropes – because in reality, there’s so much else going on – even now. How to classifY?