Excerpt

Table of Contents

PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND GUIDE

1. Introduction to Tropes

2.The Purpose of Tropes

3.The Categories of Framework Tropes

4.How to Use this Book

PART 2: CHARACTER TROPES IN ROMANCE

5.Introduction to Character Tropes

6.Creating Complex Characters

7.Character Tropes and Conflict

8.Character Tropes and Reader Wish Fulfillment

9.Successful Use of Character Tropes

10.Character Tropes and "The Market"

PART 3: CHARACTER TROPE ENCYCLOPEDIA

11. Internal Character Tropes

a.Alpha Male

b.Bad Boys

i. Bad Boy/Rebel

ii. Reformed Bad Boy

iii. Playboy/Charmer

iv. Slacker

c.Cinnamon Roll

d.Damsel in Distress

e.Eccentric

f.The Grump

g.Lone Wolf/Recluse

h.Rags to Riches/Lost Heir(ess)

12.Men (and Women) in Uniform Tropes

a.Firefighters/EMTs

b.Law Enforcement

c.Military

13. Money, Money Tropes

a.Billionaire/Rich Guy

b.Celebrity/Rock Star/Musician

c.Royalty/Regency

14.Tough Guy Tropes

a.Bodyguard

b.Highlander

c.Pirate

d.Woodsman/Lumberjack

e.Viking

15. Backstory and Emotional Baggage Tropes

a.Seasoned Characters

b.Single Parent

c.Widow(er)

16. Passion and Competence Tropes

a.Athlete

b.Cowboy

c.Counselor/Pastor

d.Doctor/Medical Professional

e.Genius/Nerd/Bookworm

f.Politician

PART 4: CASE STUDIES

1.Love and Honor

2.Forever My Girl

3.The American President

4.The Longest Ride

5.10 Things I Hate About You

6.The Prince and Me

7.Heartbreakers

SAMPLE (CHAPTER 2)

THE PURPOSE OF TROPES

(What Tropes Do and Do Not)

Tropes DO NOT build the

foundation of your story.

Jane Austen didn't sit down with a list of plot devices, scan the list, and think, "I'll write an Enemies to Lovers story today." What she did was create deep, rich characters with a complex transformation arc who happen to also move from outright disdain (in the delightfully complex subtext of proper society) to "ardent admiration."

The main trope in Pride and Prejudice of Enemies to Lovers serves the story of a proud, arrogant man and a witty, stubborn woman. Characters and emotional arcs should be the foundation of a story. The relational trope of Enemies to Lovers is a way to help provide the context and conflict for that transformation to take place. The setting trope of regency England also provides unique challenges and situations for the characters' journey to unfold.

Tropes have developed over time because they are elements that audiences have connected with. But without well-rounded characters, emotional connection, and conflict, even stories that hit every trope just fall flat. In each book, we'll address how the type of trope works as a framework on which to build the foundation of your story.

The primary unit of story is the plot, or the sequence of events. The plot will be influenced by elements such as genre, premise, and—you guessed it—tropes. The plot includes the central conflict, the actions and decisions of the characters, and the resolution of the conflict. But plot alone will not give your story the solid foundation that it needs; it needs the support of characters, setting, and theme. Together these elements create the foundation of a story, providing a structure that supports the narrative and guides the reader through the events that unfold.

By creating a sense of familiarity and shaping reader expectations, tropes provide a valuable framework for the plot. They can influence plot structure or provide archetypes and themes which can be used to craft a compelling narrative. Layering tropes can maximize their effect on your story's foundation. A situational trope can flesh out the conflict, and a character trope can develop a strong character arc and backstory.

Tropes DO make promises to the reader.

Whether readers acknowledge it or not, they carry expectations into every book they read. It might be based on a familiar author. It might be based on the cover or the title or the blurb. For some genres, the expectation might even be that the reader "expects" to be totally surprised. But for romance, we all know there is one GIANT expectation: This couple will end up together in a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) by the end of the story.

Romance readers have other expectations, often laid by the trope. If you pick up a story where a woman is falling for her brother's best friend, you have the general expectation that there will be some conflict about how the brother will react or some reason the couple will want to keep things low-key. If that unwritten expectation isn't met, the reader may finish a totally enjoyable romance and feel like there was something missing. They might not even be able to articulate why they felt let down by the story—but it's because the setup promised something that the story didn't deliver.

This is why authors can write books that deliver the same things over and over again and have readers eagerly awaiting their next book. The author promised a cowboy romance, and that is exactly what the reader happily received.

By intentionally choosing the tropes and delivering what was promised, you build trust with the reader. And while we might think readers don't want to know what they are getting in a story, the market dynamics tell us the exact opposite. Readers want "familiar but different" stories—which brings us to the next function of tropes.

Tropes DO provide

"familiar but different" stories.

We've already established that it's the familiarity of tropes that resonates so strongly with readers—but it is the variation, the twists and the subversions that create a fresh and unique take on a well-loved story and a compelling narrative. We like to think of any good story as a tapestry. Every author's story will look different. They'll choose different colors and different patterns to tie it all together. They might even choose different fibers. Even if they start with the same end goal—to make a tapestry—how they get there will be completely different.

But tropes help add something familiar to the tapestry of a story that the reader is examining. It might be the setting of an idyllic small town that they are drawn to, or the setup of a workplace romance with the undercurrents of an off-limits relationship that they can't resist.

The rest of the story will still be unique, infused with the artistic touch of the author, but a reader will naturally be drawn to something within the story that is slightly familiar.

Tropes help us create a framework for our tapestry. Something creative and different, but not so different that a reader is confused and hesitant to buy it. It allows the reader to look at the story and latch onto something they enjoy so they are willing to take a risk on the rest. That's what we want as authors. They have to be intrigued with the premise enough to have a chance to fall in love with the story, and in turn—the author.

Tropes CAN fulfill common

reader wishes or desires.

One of the biggest things we will do in Part 3 of this book is examine different tropes and dive into why readers love stories featuring that trope. What we'll find is that so many tropes can be traced back to some deep longing or wish within the reader. And many of these are generally shared by the larger population.

Why set your story in a Small Town? A longing for simpler times and a place where people truly know and appreciate each other.

Why Law Enforcement, Bodyguards, Firefighters, and Military? A deeper wish for protection and provision from a strong, honorable hero.

Why Friends to More? An underlying desire to have a romantic relationship with the person who understands you better than anyone in the whole world.

Why Fake Relationship? The longing for a life with a little more drama—for shared secrets and being "on the inside" of the excitement.

There are more of course, and perhaps not all tropes tie into a secret wish of the reader, but we would argue that most do. And by acknowledging that and leveraging that secret longing—you can make your book satisfy ALL those deeper, unacknowledged desires. And you can use them in your marketing to make your book irresistible.

Tropes DO NOT make up for lazy writing.

Please don't misunderstand us. We do not want you to slap a few tropes together, add a kiss here and there, and call it a romance. Even the most powerful tropes will not save your manuscript from lazy writing, cookie-cutter characters, lackluster conflict, poor grammar or editing, or any other number of writing and publishing pitfalls!

Well executed tropes will elevate your story, make it easier to sell, and give readers a more satisfying ending.

But you still have to write the story.

You still have to make it engaging.

You still have to make the reader feel the pain, the angst, the joy, and the excitement of falling in love and reaching the end goal.

A trope cannot do that for you. It can help set up the framework for a good story. But in and of itself, a trope will not carry you.

If you want to work on other aspects of your craft, we recommend reading Beyond the Beats by Jessica Barber. It covers everything from conflict to backstory and specific elements of prose such as effective dialogue and description.

Tropes DO NOT mean an author

has to "plot" their story.

One of the most unique aspects of our relationship (that is, the relationship of your authors, Jessica and Tara) is our completely different approach to writing stories. Jessica is a proud plotter. Tara, despite multiple attempts to put on a plotter mentality, has embraced her intuitive nature to proclaim herself a pantser.

One of the things we have come to understand about plotting or pantsing or anywhere in between, is that a deeper understanding of story and conflict and characters is beneficial no matter which point in the process those pieces of information are put into play. The same goes with tropes. Perhaps, like Jessica, you want to know exactly where the story is going before you ever start writing. Which means, you identify the tropes ahead of time and can be very intentional about adding the conflict, emotion, romance, and world building into the story.

For the rest of us though, we can still use tropes super effectively!

For some, it might be more intuitive, and you might not recognize you were utilizing a specific trope until it shows up in the manuscript. Or perhaps you are a premise writer—so you know ahead of time the two people you are matching and the scenario or relationship that will bring them together. In either case, you might want to flesh out the trope and expectations during the editing phase so it is as powerful as it can be.

SAMPLE (CHAPTER 17)

PASSION AND COMPETENCE TROPES

THESE TROPES FULFILL THE READER'S DESIRE TO SEE PASSION, COMPETENCE, DISCIPLINE, AND STRENGTH IN THEIR PARTNER

The characters who make up the Passion and Competence trope aren't crazy geniuses who know everything about everything, they're experts in a single field. And yet, their potential for success in that field will seem nearly limitless due their confidence and tenacity.

These characters are not only exceptionally skilled, capable and confident at their respective endeavors—they possess an unwavering sense of purpose. Even as they encounter problems in their work and life, they utilize their skill, competence, and drive to see the problem through to a solution.

ATHLETE

COWBOY

COUNSELOR/PASTOR

DOCTOR/MEDICAL

PROFESSIONAL

NERD/GENUIS

POLITICIAN

Athlete (aka Sports Romance)

THIS TROPE FEEDS INTO THE READER'S DESIRE TO SEE TOUGHNESS AND DRIVEN COMPETITIVENESS IN THEIR PARTNER

These stories feature protagonists who are Athletes, Coaches, or individuals connected to the sports industry. The setting often includes stadiums, training facilities, and the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of competitive sports.

In sports romance, the characters' passion for their sport mirrors their emotional journey in love. These Athletes are intensely dedicated and determined, striving for excellence on and off the field. Whether it's basketball, football, soccer, or any other sport, the backdrop of competitive athletics adds an exciting layer of action and drama to the romantic narrative.

Don't limit yourself to only the most talked about sports. There are avid fans of all types of sports. Each sport will have its own team dynamics, rules, jargon, demographics and culture. You may hit the goldmine of an underserved market, but don't assume that you won't pull in other sports fans as well.

Behind the tough exteriors of Athletes lie insecurities, past traumas, and personal struggles. Their personal or relational struggles will affect their performance, whether negatively or positively, and in many ways, their success or failure on the field mirrors the trajectory of their personal and romantic life.

When writing a Professional Athlete, this trope will rely to some degree on the "rich and famous" aspect, like many of the Money, Money tropes. However, that isn't to say that a down-on-his-luck minor league player or haggard high school coach couldn't fall into the Athlete trope.

Remember, athletics started thousands of years ago as a training ground and stand-in for battles. They are strong, confident, and (often) successful—at least on the playing field. Love will be another story, at least at the start of your story. These heroes and heroines are competitive, and as professionals, they are known for being one of the best at what they do. They may be stubborn, tenacious, or confident. They will likely be dedicated and incredibly disciplined. Despite these strengths, don't forget to give them a hole to fill. Because of these attributes, athletes will have a unique approach to dealing with issues both on and off the field (or court).

Why Readers Love It

The readers who gravitate toward Sports Romance, or romance with an Athlete character trope, are likely to have some sort of athletic background themselves. It might have been growing up around sports or participating as a student-athlete. They might belong to a family of intense fans or be married to someone who watches football on the weekends. Fans watch sports to be entertained, so make these stories fun! Don't neglect the entertainment value of your story or your sports scenes, and don't be afraid to have a little fun with your characters in their personality and interactions.

In addition, these readers love competition. The competitive nature of sports lends itself to rivalries and tension, but they also push the Athlete to reach their highest potential and leave no effort unspent. These traits can make for charismatic and intriguing characters who aren't afraid to pursue what they want. The hard work, dedication, and discipline required to excel in sports are qualities that readers admire.

Finally, athletic heroes are portrayed as physically fit, strong, and skilled in their respective sports. Readers (and the love interest) are drawn to characters who excel in their field and can showcase impressive feats of athleticism.

Reader Expectations

Readers want to be taken "behind the scenes" in these stories. For Professional Athletes, interactions with fans can rarely be avoided. Their fan base affects their livelihood; it affects their popularity, and it may even affect their contracts. These interactions may vary (think crazed/obsessive fans, down to earth or opportunistic fans), but they are likely to play some role in your narrative.

When you're talking about behind the scenes, it also means making sure they get to know the entire person that shows up on the field. Readers want a fully fleshed out Athlete, not just a caricature. Consider factors such as where they are in their athletic career—are they satisfied? Have they accomplished what they hoped to?

It is unlikely that your athlete has been a loner their entire careers, even if they are somewhat reclusive now. In order to reach the pinnacle of their sport, they would need a solid group of supporters helping them to "make it," whether it's family, their community, or a coach, etc. Don't forget to use the supporting cast of your story to reveal additional depth to your character.

Which means, we don't want to miss out on the locker room! We don't mean for you to write scene after scene or paragraph after paragraph of carnal descriptions and crude jokes. Please don't do that. But you will be leaving out a huge chunk of interactions in your athlete's life if you neglect to show the camaraderie, team dynamics, and community of a sports team that takes place in the locker room.

Another aspect of sports that should not be neglected is the physical impact on the body. It's likely that injuries will be a part of your story, or that the threat of injury will have influence on the Athlete's choices and career. Given the constant threat of injury, Athletes are acutely aware that their career could be over in the blink of an eye. For many, that contributes to the way they conduct themselves—whether that manifests as diligent training, altering their play as they get older or suffer minor injuries, and for some, they may simply choose to enjoy themselves to the max for as long as it lasts.

In some ways, the Athlete has elements of a setting trope. Whatever the sport is, your athlete exists within that world and subculture. Make sure your reader experiences it too.

Common Pitfalls

Know what you write: Would you be surprised at this point if we told you that research is essential to getting this trope right? Because the sport your character participates in will be a focal point of your story, you need to be sure that you understand it. What are the rules, the jargon, the positions; know the particulars of the playing season and offseason, the typical routine for professionals or amateur players; how are players or teams likely to attempt something underhanded, what makes a player stand out in their respective sport?

Most Sports Romance readers will know right away if you don't know the sport you're writing about, so don't make the mistake of passing off guesses or assumptions as facts. If you choose to create a fictitious sports league, there may be more wiggle room, but readers may be thrown off if the rules and routines are incredibly different from real-world leagues. This isn't to say you need to be a die-hard fan of the sport in order to write about it, but you should know enough that you can pass yourself off as a fan.

Inaccurate representation of sports culture: Think about demographics—each country will have its own fan base for the most popular sports, and within the US, the fan base of sports is often influenced by demographics. For example, while football has the widest fan base among Americans, southern Americans are more likely to be college football fans than those in the northeast; baseball is more popular among affluent Americans and those with high school diplomas or lower are more likely to be fans of auto racing. The fan base of your sport will influence the culture and it will most likely be a part of your story.

Jargon jungle: Don't over explain the details of the sport or be overly technical—although you may feel like an expert on them, you don't need to make your reader an expert. On the other side, don't assume that your reader knows everything about the sport you are writing about. A smart guideline to follow is to use as much technical jargon as you need to make the story authentic and enough exposition to avoid confusing your reader. Use common terms whenever possible—bat, puck, ball, home run, strike out, slap shot, dribble, dunk. There are times when you must use a less familiar term—when that happens, explain to the reader what it is and why it's important to use the correct word.

Legal implications: Don't use the names of real people/teams. These are players and organizations whose success is largely dependent on their public image, and they can notice very quickly when their name shows up somewhere. In addition, the names and acronyms of professional sports leagues and teams in the US are trademarked; this means it is illegal to use these names for profit (like selling a book.) To avoid legal issues, keep any mention of real people to the periphery and avoid making disparaging remarks.

Commonly paired Tropes

Because the Athlete is so flexible, they can be paired with tons of other relational and situational tropes. Opposites Attract, Homecoming, Caretaker (such as with an injured player), Fake Relationship, or a Marriage of Convenience could all serve for a good internal or external conflict for your athlete to shine.

You may also choose another character trope for your Athlete. If they are uber successful, take a look at the Celebrity trope. Perhaps they are a Bad Boy or a Single Parent as well as an Athlete. A competitive rodeo cowboy would be a fun cross between an Athlete and Cowboy trope.

Potential Wounds

A learning disability

Cracking under pressure

Making a very public mistake

Being the victim of a vicious rumor

Having parents who loved conditionally

Being raised by a narcissist

Growing up in the spotlight

Common Traits

Competitive

Confident

Loyal

Hardworking

Driven

Persistent

Focused

Tenacious

Disciplined

Resilient

Energetic

Ambitious

Determined

Charismatic

Adaptable