10 Best Tropes in Fiction

HelloOoOo everybody!

Today, I am listing my all-time favorite tropes. Now, a lot of people use the terms “trope” and “cliche” interchangeably. However, they're not exactly the same thing. A trope is a significant recurring theme or concept within a storyline. A cliche is a trope that has been used and abused to the point where it's predictable and unoriginal. In other words, a cliche is a trope, but a trope isn't necessarily a cliche. The difference is in the execution.

Additionally, it's nearly impossible to write a story that doesn't include some kind of trope, because there are thousands in existence, and a lot of them play directly into the act of storytelling. So with that considered, please keep in mind that while I love the following tropes, my feelings about them change significantly in a negative way if they're written as cliches. With that said, here are the ten tropes that give me life and fill me with all the feels.

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Number 1: Forbidden Romance

The fact that this is number one on the list should surprise no one. There is nothing better than two people who aren't supposed to be together, but they just can't fight it. And for the record, I'm not talking about a romance that's “forbidden” because one of them's happily married, and the other is just a side piece. That's not a romance, that's just two assholes ruining someone's life.

I'm talking about two people who are not allowed to be together for some ungodly reason, but they risk it all anyway. It's not the scandal that makes forbidden romance so great, although it helps a little. It’s the fact that the drama exists outside of the relationship. Conflict is necessary to drive the plot. But when the conflict is within the relationship, like abuse, infidelity, or unhealthy communication, that's not entertaining; that's just unbearable to read.

But in a forbidden romance, the conflict isn't the way they treat one another; it's the fact that society is preventing them from being together. God damn you, cruel world! This makes it so easy to root for them. You just want them to fight against the odds and be together. Let them be happy, that's all we ask.

Number 2: Enemies to Lovers

To be clear, I don't like it when two characters start off hating each other to the point of dysfunction, ’cause that's gross. But I love it when they start off bickering, getting on each other's nerves, and then slowly they realize they're perfect for each other. I honestly don't know why I love this so much, but I really, really do. The minute two characters meet and get off on the wrong foot, I'm thinking, “Please, let them get together. I need this!”

And this whole thing is even better when the banter is on point. When they're throwing burns at each other, my first thought is “Damn,” and then my second thought is “Now, kiss.” Well, don't kiss now, kiss later, once you've realized that you're soulmates. I'll be waiting right here.

Number 3: The Witty Sociopath

I know this is controversial, but we all have our problematic faves, okay? I appreciate mental illness in fiction in general because I myself suffer from mental illness. But I only enjoy it if it's represented well. I'd say 75% of the time it's totally wrong. If the person is depressed, they just cry constantly. If a person is psychotic, they laugh maniacally.

But I love it when mental illness is well written and in depth, and sociopathy is probably my favorite. I don't need them to play a particular role. They could be an unconventional good guy, they could be an anti-hero, gray, a villain, it doesn't matter. I just really enjoy the interpretation and combination of intelligence, wit, and a lack of empathy.

Number 4: Friendship Betrayal

Everyone talks about writing strong friendships, and don't get me wrong, friendship is great. But betrayal is better. When a friend stabs the MC right in the back, it pisses me off so fucking much, and I love it. "Et tu, Brute?”

I don't know exactly what it is about this that I adore, but I think it's because it's super relatable. Who hasn't been completely screwed over by a friend? If you're raising your hand, you've probably been played a lot and just haven't figured it out yet.

And betrayal is often such a juicy moment in a book. It throws the plot for a loop. It tugs at your heartstrings. It makes you want to rage. I just want fictional friends to fuck each other over. Is that so wrong? Yeah, it probably is.

Number 5: The Found Family

This trope is in a lot of books, especially adventures, and I think it's adorable. I love a big old group of misfits, a bunch of different people comin’ together. Maybe they bump heads at first, but by the end of it, they're one big happy family. Isn't that precious?

I think this is an effective way to put a variety of very diverse, unique people into one story. Whenever a found family element is done well, each person serves their own purpose. They have their own story, they represent something different and original. Plus, there are so many different relationships in the group for you to experience and gush over. There are specific friendships, there are rivalries, there’s romance. Gotta love the heart flutters. It just melts my cold, frigid black heart.

Number 6: Is a Very Specific Trope, and I Don’t Know the Name of It

There are two characters, typically, who have a lot of banter and poke fun at each other. Maybe they’re love interests, maybe they’re friends who love to hate on each other, I don't know. But one of them calls the other by some kind of nickname or title, and they never use the character's actual name. Then suddenly, danger is afoot! Their friend or their love interest might get hurt. And in that moment, the nickname goes out the window, and they scream that character's first name. “Kyle, look out!”

I live for that shit. It's like using that character's name is their way of saying “I love you.” Romantically or platonically—who’s to say? I eat it up. I eat it up like cheese.

Number 7: Cranky McGrumpy Pants Adopts a Ball of Sunshine

You all know what I'm talking about. There's a cynical, hardened character; they've been dealt a mean hand, they've traveled a hard road. Now they've got a cinnamon roll following them around, and somehow this explosion of pixie dust and sparkles becomes their surrogate child, or little brother or sister. Extra points if the grumpy asshole is also scary as hell.

It's just cute, okay? Plus, you get to kill two birds with one stone. The grump gets to showcase another side of their personality, and the ray of sunshine gets protected. I see no downside.

Number 8: The Power Couple

To be honest, if the main couple isn't a power couple, I don't wanna read about ‘em. Two people who are equally badass in different ways, and treat each other accordingly. That's all I ask for. Why is this so hard to write? Why is it so uncommon?

I don't care if one's poor, and one's rich. Or one's a genius, and one is street smart. It's not about making them identical; it's just about making them equal. They are both strong, powerful, and talented, but in different ways. These make for the best relationships and, in turn, make them the most entertaining to read and easiest to ship.

Number 9: The Villain Who Doesn’t Look Like a Villain

I feel like a lot of villains are hideous, or grizzled, or overall just really unpleasant to look at. And if they do manage to be attractive, it's a very dark, sinister kind of attractiveness.

“Don't let the brooding good looks fool you; he's evil. You can tell because he's wearing black!”

So I love it when a villain doesn't check these boxes. Maybe they're just really soft or pretty. Maybe they like unicorns. Maybe they wear pink. It's entertaining when the bad guy is someone you would look at and never think, “Wow, that person's terrifying.” Instead, you'd look at them and think, "Aww, what a sweet old lady,” until she rips your throat out. It just makes sense for the villains to be as varied and diverse in appearance as the rest of your cast.

Number 10: Teasing the First Kiss

If my ship actually gets to kiss the first time the opportunity is presented, I'm gonna be fuckin’ pissed. The build-up to the first kiss is one of the best parts of a romance. You can’t dish it out too early; it ruins it.

Think of the first kiss like a big pot of meat sauce. If you just microwave some canned crap for thirty seconds, congratulations, your spaghetti sucks. Instead, you carefully combine the ingredients, and you let it cook on the stove for hours and hours. Every once in a while, you take a tiny sip to see if maybe, possibly it’s ready. But no, we're not there yet. And finally, a million years later, you slather your spaghetti with that sauce, and it's so good and so worth it.

Now I'm hungry. But the point still stands. Do not rush the kiss. If you're not making me wait for it, then I don't want it at all.

So that's all I've got for you today!

These are my ten favorite tropes in fiction. They give me life, they pay my taxes, they clear my skin. And if this video was too positive for you, stick around. I’ve dished out the tropes that I hate with a burning passion in a previous post. If you want to switch things up a bit and find out which tropes make me want to seek refuge in the sweet surrender of death, you can find my video of the 10 WORST tropes in fiction here.

#tropetalk #CyborgQueen #JennaMoreci

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CHECK OUT THE SAVIOR'S SISTER:

AMAZON

AUDIBLE

B&N

Apple Books

Kobo

Google Play

Indigo

IndieBound

Other stores