Tropes vs. Resonance

[rllafevers]

I hear a lot of talk about tropes, especially in fantasy, but also in the larger body of books in general. Tropes, for any who don’t know, are basically clichéd plot devices, or at least that’s how I interpret it. I think the actual definition is that they are conventions, which is pretty different than a cliché, but 90% of the time when I hear the

Comments

[stephanieburgis]

In my own reading, I find that the only time I ever complain about "over-used tropes"...are when the tropes being played with are the ones that I never enjoyed much anyway. Complaining about a book that way makes it sound like it's the author's fault rather than just my personal reading preference...but I'm no longer sure that that is really true. Give me the tropes I love, and I'm all over them One More Time! Especially if the author can put a fun new twist on them.

[rllafevers]

That's a really good point about responding to those we never liked to begin with. And what you say really underscores my number one writing rule; that pretty much anything can work, if it is written well enough. :-)

[corrinalaw]

I'm not sure of the answer. I do know there are several "tropes" that I love and highest on the list is the "cavalry comes to the rescue when all seems lost" twist. Especially if I can't see it coming.

Like Giles' appearance in the Season 6 finale of Buffy, frex.

Or the hero who gets off the mat, finding one last ounce of strength to win.

Maybe the difference is what emotion/investment the author has in the so-called trope. I think anything an author loves writing tends to come off well on the page.

Perhaps tropes come off badly when the author is merely searching for a way to do something plot-wise and reach for the easiest choice?

Though that basically narrows it down to well-written vs. badly written. Which is the difference between most things in fiction :)

[rllafevers]

Hey Cory!

I'm finding great comfort in learning that many others love tropes, too. I think you've also brought up a really critical distinction--whether the author is using a trope out of love for it or plot convenience.

[hsavinien]

Humanity is made of stories and the older the stories, the more they resonate. Tropes are just the ways that those stories play out. They can be played with in interesting ways, they can be used straight, they can be throw out the window. As long as it resonates with the reader, there's absolutely no problem with using them to tell a story. If you're not familiar with it (and have several hours to kill/really good impulse control), check out http://tvtropes.org/ for a user-created library of tropes and the media that use them. ^_^

I'm very fond of Theodosia and greatly looking forward to reading more of her adventures!

[rllafevers]

Wow, thanks so much for the link! What a treasure trove!Although you are right about needing several hours to kill!

And thanks for your kind words about Theodosia! Her next adventure will be out in April. :-)

[hsavinien]

It's a time-eater, for sure. ^_^

Awesome. I'm a young adult services librarian-in-training and I've been recommending her to my classmates.

[rllafevers]

Oh wow, that's awesome! I am very fond of librarians. :-) And thanks for recommending Theodosia to others.