Writing Roots

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

Have you ever read a story and found both the good guys and bad guys are pursuing an object which seems to have no actual value or worth in the end? In the world of tropes, that object would be known as a MacGuffin. It’s there just to get things going, but serves no other function. This episode focuses on the uses of this trope and how to make an object trigger a plot and serve a deeper function.

First aired February 17, 2020.

The post S7E5 – MacGuffins appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

Happy Valentine’s Day! This was the perfect opportunity to address one of the most common tropes across all genres. Love triangles are central to many Young Adult and Romance books, but it’s often found in subplots of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and even Mystery and Action novels. Like any trope, there are ways to use it effectively and still leave your reader satisfied with the resolution.

First aired February 13, 2020.

The post S7E4 – Love Triangles appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

Writing should be done with purpose. The characters, events, and even object must have some reason to be there, to be mentioned. One common trope is Chekhov’s Gun, where an item is mentioned with seeming importance, but does not actually matter to the plot. As Chekhov said, if you mention the gun on the mantle, it should at some point be fired. This episode focuses on why even items should be written in with intention.

First aired February 10, 2020.

The post S7E3 – Chekhov’s Gun appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

A Red Herring can be a wonderful tool, especially in mystery and suspense, to help you engage the reader. It opens opportunities for plot twists and unexpected endings. But it can also lead to the Shaggy Dog trope. That’s where a story leads the reader down a pointless road that ends in a lack of satisfaction. This episode is all about finding the balance to having the perfect Red Herring.

First aired February 6, 2020.

The post S7E2 – Chekhov’s Red Herring and the Shaggy Dog appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

It’s a trope you’ll see most often through the Young Adult and Romance genres: the Mary Sue. It’s the main character who is all-powerful, loved by all, and yet somehow described as plain or common. It’s a stand-in for the author, and in some cases (Twilight) an “everywoman” stand-in vague enough in all ways that the reader can be the main character. It’s one of the most dangerous tropes when it comes to having a story with depth.

First aired February 3, 2020.

If you’re wanting to learn more about tropes and the many different kinds out there, visit tvtropes.org.

The post S7E1 – The Mary Sue appeared first on Writing Roots.