What is a trope, and how can it improve your romance novel?
A trope is the reason romance readers buy romance books. It’s what they expect to find inside the covers, and if it’s not there, you’re likely to get a bad review (and no indie author wants a one-star review!)
Have you noticed there is often a moment in romance novels that you absolutely saw coming? Such as the moment in the story where everything is going wrong, then suddenly it goes right, or the moment the characters realise their love for each other was there all along and nothing could tear them apart. Or the build-up of character interaction, ill-fated mishaps, misunderstandings and tension the reader feels shifting, and the characters give in to their true feelings and finally admit they’re in love.
This familiar feeling of ‘I knew it!’ is the satisfying conclusion to a romance trope and a crucial component of all great romance novels.
A trope is a common and often predictable theme, plot element, image or character that sets the story up and creates suspense, friction and anticipation.
In romance novels, a trope is how the main characters meet each other and that moment they become more than friends or discover their true feelings for each other. Readers know that these moments are coming – that’s why they are reading the story in the first place! It is up to the author to keep the trope familiar enough to be recognised but creative enough to entertain and engage the reader.
Tropes can be part of any genre of writing, with the ‘I knew it’ moment taking on many forms. When it comes to romance novels, however, the trope is an integral part of the story and often the reason readers have chosen the book.
When an author is developing a romance manuscript and creating the story, they must decide on a romance trope to delve into. One of the most popular ways to introduce a trope is through an uncomfortable situation that the characters must work through.
Forced proximity
When the main characters are forced together, it doesn’t matter how strong their resolve was in the past, they simply can’t help but act on their love, lust or desire. This can be seen when they check into a hotel and realise only one bed exists. Or they get stuck in an elevator with plenty of time to get to know each other.Enemies to lovers
Nothing generates romantic friction faster than the fine line between love and hate. While the characters believe they hate each other, the reader can see through it all into their true feelings and is waiting for the moment they realise it themselves.
Stuck together
When the main characters don’t get along but can’t get away from each other, they’re put in the position of having to work it out. This is usually portrayed as an office relationship or as characters who are part of the same social network. As much as they think they want to hate each other, their constant proximity eventually proves otherwise.
There’s a fine line between a romance trope and a storyline that becomes ‘trite’. Keeping the trope interesting and creative helps to create pace in the story and keeps the reader engaged and interested. While the reader knows the trope is coming and is eagerly awaiting the reveal, they don’t want to read a romance novel with a trope that has been overdone or thrown together.
Popular tropes in romance novels are ones that bring characters together in a way that feels so satisfying that they convince readers the characters were simply meant to be together.
Destiny & second chances
Characters who lost contact years ago and are reunited in a coincidental gathering in their hometown; relationships that are written in the stars and decided long before the characters even meet; second chances at finding love after things went wrong the first time round. Destiny is a classic trope; however, it runs a high risk of becoming trite if care is not taken to introduce some unique elements to the story.Opposites attract
The pull of opposites attract is in the myriad of ways the characters can interact with each other to build tension and perceived annoyance in their relationship. However, try as they might to lead their own lives and avoid each other whenever possible, they can’t fight the truth – it’s the things that make them different that actually make them a perfect match.Belated love epiphany
This trope follows the characters as they realise their love for each other has been there all along – if only they had opened their eyes and seen it! Often used to transform best friends into lovers or rediscover childhood sweethearts, an epiphany is both satisfying and frustrating to the reader as they knew it was going to happen; it was only a matter of time.
Romance novels will always lend themselves to happy endings, filled with love and lasting relationships or happy for now. This is a trope in itself and one that is rarely left out of a story in this genre. To get to happily ever after and keep the readers engaged with the story, the author needs to ensure the plot has enough twists and turns to keep it moving forward and add a touch of unpredictability.
The happily ever after or happy for now conclusion can be achieved with a trope that builds suspense and character distance but ultimately leads them back together again.
The Meet-Cute
The moment the main characters meet is often funny and always cute; however, the characters don’t always stay together after this first meeting. The reader can see clearly that they’re meant for each other and know to follow along closely to see where their relationship will travel before they end up with each other.Fake relationship
When the characters are thrown together in a pretend relationship, there is an element of suspense that they might go their separate ways again after their ‘best friend’s wedding/work Christmas party/nephew’s christening’. Add in an old love interest or a meddling family member and there’s a real chance that the genuine feelings in the pretend relationship won’t make it to light. When they do, it leaves the reader pondering back over their interactions throughout the novel, satisfied that they saw it heading this way all along.Instant love
It doesn’t have to always be hard work getting to the happily ever after! When there’s an unmistakable spark of chemistry between the characters, you know they will end up together and can watch along as they grapple with this love, fight it, or justify why it won’t work, before eventually giving in to the feelings.
Tropes are an essential element of romance storytelling and guide readers into the story and the main characters’ lives. They are a relatable and predictable component of a romance novel and are an expected addition to the genre. While there is the possibility of overusing a trope, when twists and turns, surprise developments and unique scenarios are added to the mix, the romance trope is a tried-and-true writing technique that is integral to a great romance novel.
I hope you found this blog helpful as you set out to write your romance or women’s fiction novel. Tropes are the foundation to set your story; just remember to keep it uniquely you and something that will keep your readers turning the pages late into the night.
Is your manuscript structurally sound? Are you feeling brave to reach out to a professional editor? If so, drop me a message here, and let’s chat about how I can polish your precious words.