What story tropes do you like least and best?

[Pmsingtiger]

I'm always curious to see what story tropes that other people like and dislike. I personally am not fond of like overwhelming levels of gooey love that is outside of fated mates (for some reason in fated mates it doesn't bother me as much) but in a contemporary romance I'm like --  "That is not realistic at all you just met half an hour ago and you're talking about kids and no condoms, SERIOUSLY!" 

I do love the fated mates stories, even though it's been overdone a lot in the last few years I still can eat up a well written fated mates book as long as they don't get so sticky gooey in five pages that I feel my teeth are going to rot out. 

[FindThySky]

I see myself as someone who can accept many variations in stories and often I don't really think about the tropes. That said, insta-love is a no for me. I'm much more invested in seeing how relationships develop over time rather than any kind of immediate sexual action. It's not that I don't like reading characters taking that step over the line, but sophisticated romance developed over the course of many chapters just makes the final act so much more . . . rewarding? I'm not sure if that's the right word to use, but insta-love to me feels shallow from a plot standpoint. If I plan to write multi-chapter romances, I always look to develop it methodically. Yes, sometimes I could start with a character already in love with a friend from the beginning—in fact I'm actually doing that for my upcoming one—but I hold off on them revealing the truth. I find that internal conflict over if it's right to confess or to wait has potential for characterisation and development. I try and make such a thing work, not "meet for the first time and melt from the hotness." 😅

[Pmsingtiger]

1 hour ago, FindThySky said:

I see myself as someone who can accept many variations in stories and often I don't really think about the tropes. That said, insta-love is a no for me. I'm much more invested in seeing how relationships develop over time rather than any kind of immediate sexual action. It's not that I don't like reading characters taking that step over the line, but sophisticated romance developed over the course of many chapters just makes the final act so much more . . . rewarding? I'm not sure if that's the right word to use, but insta-love to me feels shallow from a plot standpoint. If I plan to write multi-chapter romances, I always look to develop it methodically. Yes, sometimes I could start with a character already in love with a friend from the beginning—in fact I'm actually doing that for my upcoming one—but I hold off on them revealing the truth. I find that internal conflict over if it's right to confess or to wait has potential for characterisation and development. I try and make such a thing work, not "meet for the first time and melt from the hotness." 😅

Insta love is truly the one thing I can't do. I want there to be some time or trials for the characters to fall in love with each other! I'm not to big on angst throughout an entire book either, but I have found one or two that weren't to bad. 

[Superpride]

I really love frenemy romances, specifically when one of the character used to be a bully of another character, but time has passed and they slowly realize that they have attraction for one another that eventually blossoms into love and romance.  They discover that they have chemistry, have things in common and can move on from their pasts to think about their future together.  I don't know why I love this trope.  Maybe it is because I like the idea of two people hating each other, but then the powerful force of love entering the situation and helping the two characters to better understand each other that soon opens the borders to love.  A frenemy romance, in my opinion, is a great example of how the world should be, to understand that we've hurt each other badly in the past, but we can move on and make a better future for everyone.

 

My least favorite trope is insta-love.  Just the idea of two characters having an instant connection with one another really removes any possible conflict that could infer in the relationship, and it does not make me want to read further into the story since I like the slow burn of when two characters progressively grow more attached and attracted to one another.  Also, that does not happen in real life In my opinion.  Of course, there will be physical attraction when two people first meet like on a date, but to know that that person is going to be you're soulmate is kind of creepy, especially if the other party is not in the same boat  

 

I have the same feeling towards fated mates since if some other force beyond understanding is telling the two characters that they destined for one another, how could any conflict change or challenge that.  I feel that could be changed if two characters fall in love with each other despite what fate has to say about it, and their supposed fated partners become the main antagonists of the story.  That would really spice things up.  That is sort of what I'm doing with my story Charming with the main character arranged to marry a princess, the force being their fathers who have arranged the marriage.  However, Lucky does not want marry a woman, but fall in love with another man, and it turns out that it could be the Big Bad Wolf out of all people.

[Pmsingtiger]

2 minutes ago, Superpride said:

I really love frenemy romances, specifically when one of the character used to be a bully of another character, but time has passed and they slowly realize that they have attraction for one another that eventually blossoms into love and romance.  They discover that they have chemistry, have things in common and can move on from their pasts to think about their future together.  I don't know why I love this trope.  Maybe it is because I like the idea of two people hating each other, but then the powerful force of love entering the situation and helping the two characters to better understand each other that soon opens the borders to love.  A frenemy romance, in my opinion, is a great example of how the world should be, to understand that we've hurt each other badly in the past, but we can move on and make a better future for everyone.

kind of creepy, especially if the other party is not in the same boat  

 

2

Oh I love frenemies! I think bullying can sometimes be signs of misplaced feelings. Also, this trope is an example that you can forgive someone and you can see it through their eyes and understand how they felt. It's a complex trope that, if done right, can make some of the best stories. ❤️ 

[Carlos Hazday]

I dislike the following in no particular order:

 

1. a character looking in a mirror and describing themselves

2. any variation of I'm 6' weigh 180lbs and have a 7-inch dick

3. an author creating unnecessary drama by having a couple break up over something stupid to have them get back together a chapter or two later

4. a character thinking something and keeping it to themselves so lack of communication can lead to drama. Give me a break!

[Pmsingtiger]

9 minutes ago, Carlos Hazday said:

I dislike the following in no particular order:

 

1. a character looking in a mirror and describing themselves

2. any variation of I'm 6' weigh 180lbs and have a 7-inch dick

3. an author creating unnecessary drama by having a couple break up over something stupid to have them get back together a chapter or two later

4. a character thinking something and keeping it to themselves so lack of communication can lead to drama. Give me a break!

All of those things burn my soul, but I think the 3rd and 4th ones are ones that will make me put the book down. 

[AusGlitterati]

I only like insta-love if it's kind of a bait and switch, like if one of the characters is fanatic/obsessed rather than in love. That makes it a lot of fun.  Fated mates kind of takes the sting out of any conflict/building the characters do, because in the end nothing matters and they're destined to be together anyway, like what's the point?

 

Gay for you goes either way - I can't stand "hot straight white jock likes mind blowing sex with gay nerd" cliches, but I do like it when someone who isn't really aware of their same sex attraction falls for someone and goes through that whole journey of self discovery. 

 

I love some angst and I'm keen for a bit of depression (I said a BIT, @Pmsingtiger!!  ) but no HEA... ehh. I don't wanna read about characters for a while just to have all of them miserable at the end, but I don't want them to be like "oh hey all of our problems are gone awesome" either - I like when everything kind of goes wrong but they find a way to be happy in spite of that. 

Edited June 16, 2018 by Cia
AusGlitterati apologized/edited post after I sent a PM request to do so

[Pmsingtiger]

52 minutes ago, AusGlitterati said:

I only like insta-love if it's kind of a bait and switch, like if one of the characters is fanatic/obsessed rather than in love. That makes it a lot of fun.  Fated mates kind of takes the sting out of any conflict/building the characters do, because in the end nothing matters and they're destined to be together anyway, like what's the point?

 

Gay for you goes either way - I can't stand "hot straight white jock likes mind blowing sex with gay nerd" cliches, but I do like it when someone who isn't really aware of their same sex attraction falls for someone and goes through that whole journey of self discovery. 

 

I love some angst and I'm keen for a bit of depression (I said a BIT, @Pmsingtiger!!  ) but no HEA... ehh. I don't wanna read about characters for a while just to have all of them miserable at the end, but I don't want them to be like "oh hey all of our problems are gone awesome" either - I like when everything kind of goes wrong but they find a way to be happy in spite of that. 

Oooh I like a little bit of depression, like just enough to give you that sad ache for the characters but then they get the best HEA EVER. It's amazing ❤️ 

Gay for you I only like when it's truly a gay for only you, I know it's not realistic but it's like contemporary fated mates.

I don't think I've ever read something with Fanatic/obsessed rather than in love, that might be interesting to read.

 

53 minutes ago, AusGlitterati said:

Edited 5 minutes ago by Cia
AusGlitterati apologized/edited post after I sent a PM request to do so

??? I'm confused ??? If I don't need to know just ignore this 

[AusGlitterati]

1 hour ago, AusGlitterati said:

Edited 14 minutes ago by Cia
AusGlitterati apologized/edited post after I sent a PM request to do so

Used some thoughtless slang in my post. Gotta watch that 

[Pmsingtiger]

Just now, AusGlitterati said:

Used some thoughtless slang in my post. Gotta watch that 

ooohhhh no worries ❤️ it's all good now 🎉

[CassieQ]

Insta-love sounds super boring to me.  I love writing about characters falling in love, so much so that I will stretch it out as long as I can sometimes.  

 

20 hours ago, Carlos Hazday said:

I dislike the following in no particular order:

 

1. a character looking in a mirror and describing themselves

2. any variation of I'm 6' weigh 180lbs and have a 7-inch dick

3. an author creating unnecessary drama by having a couple break up over something stupid to have them get back together a chapter or two later

4. a character thinking something and keeping it to themselves so lack of communication can lead to drama. Give me a break!

I would actually let 3 and 4 go, because that kind of thing does happen in real life, but it's hard to write about it well or in a convincing manner and so so many people do it wrong.  One or two will definitiely stop me in my tracks though.  I don't care how hot of a character you are, I have better things to do than to listen to you ramble about your looks.   

[AusGlitterati]

25 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

I dislike the following in no particular order:

 

1. a character looking in a mirror and describing themselves

2. any variation of I'm 6' weigh 180lbs and have a 7-inch dick

3. an author creating unnecessary drama by having a couple break up over something stupid to have them get back together a chapter or two later

4. a character thinking something and keeping it to themselves so lack of communication can lead to drama. Give me a break!

I've used #1 before to highlight my character's disappointment at the way their drug addiction has taken a nasty toll on them - should I think about scratching that and finding a more organic way of bringing that to light? 

[CassieQ]

3 minutes ago, AusGlitterati said:

I've used #1 before to highlight my character's disappointment at the way their drug addiction has taken a nasty toll on them - should I think about scratching that and finding a more organic way of bringing that to light? 

I think it would be okay for a character who has a drug addiction to notice the way their appearance has changed, their hair, their face, etc.  What I take issue to is someone plopping down in front of a mirror and doing this crap:  My blond hair framed my icy blue eyes and my heart shaped face perfectly and felt in loose cascading waves over my shoulder, etc and so on, especially if it is one of the first things you read.  A little description of the character is okay, but I don't need a full run down of how a character looks and dresses.  I personally think one or two descriptors are fine.      

[Carlos Hazday]

36 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

Insta-love sounds super boring to me.  I love writing about characters falling in love, so much so that I will stretch it out as long as I can sometimes.  

 

I would actually let 3 and 4 go, because that kind of thing does happen in real life, but it's hard to write about it well or in a convincing manner and so so many people do it wrong.  One or two will definitiely stop me in my tracks though.  I don't care how hot of a character you are, I have better things to do than to listen to you ramble about your looks.   

Depending on how far along I am I may finish but will in all likelihood not bother with the author again. I find it cheesy and lazy. My pet peeves are that strong.

[Superpride]

Also, I don’t like the “gay for you” trope depending of the context since it’s kind of like “fated mates.”.  If one of the characters primarily dates people of the opposite gender, but discovers he is bisexual and wants to pursue a first-time relationship with another character of the same gender, then I’ll buy that.  Especially if the characters have been long-term friends, and the bisexual character realizes that “the one” has been their friend the entire time is one of those tropes that I love reading as well.

 

However, if the character is completely heterosexual, but in the one instance he is willing to have a relationship with another man is just not believable in my opinion.  I understand that it might be a fantasy for some people, but for me everything else can be very fantastical like fire-breathing dragons and sentient robots, but if the relationship is not based somewhat in reality, then I can’t pull myself into reading it.  As long as the character is of the human species, then their sexuality needs to reflect that if that makes sense.

Edited June 16, 2018 by Superpride

[CassieQ]

57 minutes ago, Superpride said:

Also, I don’t like the “gay for you” trope depending of the context since it’s kind of like “fated mates.”.  If one of the characters primarily dates people of the opposite gender, but discovers he is bisexual and wants to pursue a first-time relationship with another character of the same gender, then I’ll buy that.  Especially if the characters have been long-term friends, and the bisexual character realizes that “the one” has been their friend the entire time is one of those tropes that I love reading as well.

 

However, if the character is completely heterosexual, but in the one instance he is willing to have a relationship with another man is just not believable in my opinion.  I understand that it might be a fantasy for some people, but for me everything else can be very fantastical like fire-breathing dragons and sentient robots, but if the relationship is not based somewhat in reality, then I can’t pull myself into reading it.  As long as the character is of the human species, then their sexuality needs to reflect that if that makes sense.

I walked the line of the "gay for you" trope with one of my characters from NTS.  He was like a 1 on the Kinsey scale, because while his dating past had been mostly women, he fell in love with another boy.  He later identified as bisexual, but had not dated anyone from the same sex before he met Brandon.  Then again, he had never had another long term relationship before Brandon either.    

[Pmsingtiger]

I also hate when the character is loved by all for no apparent reason. Like everyone thinks the ground they walk on is gold because of their Intelligence and beauty.  It’s like for some reason everyone loves them and would do anything to protect them And would do anything to protect them and it can’t be explained why. 

[CassieQ]

11 minutes ago, Pmsingtiger said:

I also hate when the character is loved by all for no apparent reason. Like everyone thinks the ground they walk on is gold because of their Intelligence and beauty.  It’s like for some reason everyone loves them and would do anything to protect them And would do anything to protect them and it can’t be explained why. 

*cough cough* Mary Sue *cough cough*

[Pmsingtiger]

24 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

*cough cough* Mary Sue *cough cough*

Mary Calmes 😂

[Pmsingtiger]

4 hours ago, CassieQ said:

*cough cough* Mary Sue *cough cough*

I looked that up when I got home... I didn't even realize there was a word for that. Or a Name rather... 

[CassieQ]

20 minutes ago, Pmsingtiger said:

I looked that up when I got home... I didn't even realize there was a word for that. Or a Name rather... 

 

 

[Pmsingtiger]

@CassieQ ok that sounds so familiar 😧 

[Brayon]

Submitted for your reading pleasure... in all three volumes:

 

Ensign Sue Must Die

[CassieQ]

22 minutes ago, BHopper2 said:

Submitted for your reading pleasure... in all three volumes:

 

Ensign Sue Must Die

What...what did I just read?