Trope. What a stupid word. Trope. Say it. Trope.In short, it means a plot device such as marriage of convenience or secret baby or whatever. What does that have to do with my mountain picture, you ask? Well, a common romance trope (stupid word) is the stranded theme.
It's one of my particular favorites. Another is thrown together against the elements. I love that one. I don't know why, but I've always found the notion of a man and woman stranded together in the mountains romantic.
Dont' know why. Shrug. Probably wouldn't be romantic at all. You know, rain, deer flies and no food. And there's the long, cold nights. No matter what time of year, the mountains get cold at night.
In real life, is there really anything sexy or romantic about an unplanned baby? Nope. But in fiction, it's used a lot.
That's the beauty of fiction! It's the fun of it all.
I use mountain settings a lot. (you know, the stranded trope). There are never bugs to bite my characters! Actually, I do have it rain, because what's better than a cold heroine snuggling up to a big, strong hero?
One last thing, did you know you can use more than one trope? For instance, the marriage of convenience with amnesia, for instance.
Just have fun with your trope (stupid word).
Oh I so agree TROPE is t he stupidest word bugs me every time I read it.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is I don't ever think about the tropes until well after the story is finished. I always just think what if these type of characters ended up in this kind of situation and then suddenly I have a story.
Yes, I agree.
DeleteI definitely have a trope in The Sky Pirate's Wife. Marriage of convenience. But it worked very well for the plot. Trope-because the characters said so.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a beautiful one, too!
DeleteI've been doing alot with ex-lovers lately.
ReplyDeleteAh, a good one!
DeleteI think it's kind of a cool word, but then D'Ann and I are a trope unto ourselves, only not the romantic kind--we're opposites and opposites attracting is a trope in romance sometimes (and in my real life.) Good post, D!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a good thing, too!
DeleteA conventional trope is good starting point, I think. Then you let your imagination fly and you write something that's never been done before. Enjoyed your post, D'Anne!
ReplyDeleteExactly, and thank you!
DeleteTrope (stupid word) is a launching pad for many a good book. But I didn't think about a Trope when I wrote my last book. I kept thinking "conflict, conflict, conflict!" Thanks for the lovely pic of your mountains. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think most writers sit and think "what trope will I use?" LOL Thanks for noticing my pic!
DeleteLOLOLOLOLOLOL, trope is a stupid word. Another I don't care for is moist. That one always makes me cringe.
ReplyDeleteBut we as romance authors use tropes all the time. For instance, my latest WIP has an unplanned kid. It's a tired trope for sure, but mine has a cool spin with tons of twists. LOL, at least I like to think it does.
Trope...trope...trope...yeah, it sounds stupider the more ya say it.
Yeah, we used them! I bet your new story rocks!
Deletegood advice, D'Ann! Trope does sound kinda funny..and like Brenda I cringe at the word 'moist'. Blech!
ReplyDeletePanties. Can't say it and I can't hardly write it.
DeleteNow I like the word trope--but then I'm strange. LOL I've found I use the arranged marriage trope a lot. There's just so many ways you can force people to marry--then let the games begin. LOL I need to try your stranded together trope, D'Ann. It sounds like it would be fun--to write at least.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Yes, in your time period, that makes sense!
DeleteI love the couple-stranded-on-the-mountains trope. It will get me everytime. Baby tropes, not so much. I think because I remember when my kids were babies and that isn't at all romantic. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBabies are great, but seriously, they aren't that romantic in real life. ha!
Deletetrope trope trope trope - love the sound of that - trope trope trope. This is a great explanation for someone who doesn't know what trope means. Would that make them trope-challenged. Going to see how many times I can get trope into the comment. Need 2 more to make a dozen - trope trope. Just had chocolate - think it hit me :00
ReplyDeleteDaryl~ Are you okay?
DeleteI never even heard of trope before it became a blog topic. It does sound a little strange. Although I'm with some of the other commenters and hate the word mosit, I cringe at the word mucus.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't much either, Shawn. I just happened to be somewhere someone was talking about it. Mucus. Ugh. It even sounds gross.
DeleteLove the picture!!!! BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on doing a blog on tropes too...And you're right; it is a stupid word.
My fav is---and you possibly guess it, oh wonderful CP that you are---old lovers to new lovers. And I like the secret baby one too.
You should still do a blog on Stupid Word, Sara. And I love old to new lovers!
DeleteLol, great post! :) And I agree about the stupid name.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa!
DeleteI suppose a trope is like anything else that's done a lot -- a good writer can make it fresh again.
ReplyDeleteLooking through the comments it appears that many of us historical writers like the word trope. I do. In novels, I like the forced marriage trope.
ReplyDelete