Killing the Tropes: A Guide to Avoiding Overused Story Elements in Your Writing 📝

As writers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using overused tropes and clichés in our writing. While these story elements may seem familiar and comforting, they can also come across as unoriginal and uninspiring to readers. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common tropes in writing, and provide tips and insights on how to avoid them in your own work.

The Chosen One 🏆

One of the most common tropes in fiction is the “Chosen One” – a character who is destined for greatness and chosen by fate to save the world. While this trope can be incredibly compelling when executed well, it can also come across as lazy and unoriginal.

Instead of relying on this trope, try to develop your characters and their motivations more fully. Consider what drives them to action, and what obstacles they must overcome to achieve their goals. By doing so, you can create a more nuanced and believable protagonist, and avoid the pitfalls of the Chosen One.

The Love Triangle 💔

Another common trope in fiction is the love triangle – a situation in which two characters compete for the affection of a third. While this trope can add tension and drama to a story, it can also be predictable and clichéd.

To avoid falling into the love triangle trap, consider exploring different types of relationships in your writing. Instead of focusing solely on romantic entanglements, try to develop friendships, familial bonds, and other types of connections between your characters. By doing so, you can create a more complex and interesting web of relationships that will keep your readers engaged.

The Villain Monologue 🎭

A classic trope in fiction is the villain monologue – a scene in which the antagonist reveals their evil plan to the protagonist in great detail. While this trope can be entertaining, it can also be unrealistic and contrived.

To avoid falling into the villain monologue trap, consider developing your antagonist in a more subtle and realistic way. Show their motivations through their actions and interactions with other characters, rather than relying on exposition. This can create a more nuanced and interesting villain that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

The Deus Ex Machina 🎭

One of the most frustrating tropes in fiction is the Deus Ex Machina – a plot device in which a seemingly insurmountable problem is solved by an unexpected and often unearned solution. While this trope can be tempting to use when writing yourself into a corner, it can also be unsatisfying and feel like cheating to readers.

To avoid the Deus Ex Machina trap, make sure that your characters are earning their victories through their own agency and hard work. Don’t rely on coincidence or outside forces to solve your plot problems – instead, create believable and meaningful resolutions that feel earned and satisfying.

The Magical Negro ⚡️

A problematic trope in fiction is the Magical Negro – a character of color who exists solely to help the white protagonist and has no agency or backstory of their own. While this trope may seem harmless, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and denies characters of color the opportunity to be fully realized and complex.

To avoid the Magical Negro trap, consider developing your characters of color in the same way that you would any other character. Give them fully realized motivations, backstory, and agency, and make sure that they exist as more than just a plot device for your white protagonist.

In Conclusion 📝

By avoiding these common tropes in your writing, you can create more interesting, nuanced, and satisfying stories that will engage and captivate your readers. Remember to develop your characters fully, explore different types of relationships, avoid contrived resolutions, and treat all of your characters with equality and respect.