Tropes
So, Tropes. The term gets a bad rap in media criticism sometimes, but a “trope” is just the word for a storytelling device or theme that recurs across multiple works. If you have a favourite kind of scene, character archetype, or relationship dynamic in storytelling, chances are many other stories out there have contained similar moments. And today we’re gonna talk about them!
Since a lot of this episode is personal preference and opinion, I've included the questions and their timestamps in the episode so you can listen to the hosts' thoughts directly.
2:03 - How aware are you of tropes while you’re in the process of writing your story? Do you try to avoid tropes if you notice them?
12:55 - What are some pitfalls you think creators should be aware of when it comes to using tropes?
Tropes are often formed when the same idea or event is portrayed across several creative productions. Because of that, the background of tropes is very important to consider when utilizing a trope in your work. Many tropes are sourced from fun, friendly, and harmless ideas and behaviors. But there are several that have a background revolving around negativity that should not be propagated, including but not limited to negative stereotypes and singling out of a specific group of people. Avoid perpetuating a bad trope by taking time to reflect on your work and the messages it's conveying.
Another thing to consider is reader bias and readers trying to fit your work into a trope. For example, if you have elves and dwarves in your fantasy story, a reader who is familiar with Lord of the Rings may assume your story follows the same type of rules as the LOTR books do. Or if you have a magic system in a fantasy world, a Dungeons and Dragons player may assume your magic system and spells are the same as D&D. This doesn't mean you can't have these types of world, but it may be a good idea to come up with ways to set your story apart from its counterparts. But people are going to keep peopling, so ultimately make your story the way you want!
29:25 - What are some of your favorite tropes?
Word to the wise: tropes are neither good nor bad, they’re just tools that can be used well or poorly. Understanding tropes will help you unlock their full potential.
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Episode Release Date: March 16, 2022
Episode Credits:
Renie Jesanis (@renieplayerone) - she/they, kateblast.com
Christina Major (@delphina2k) - she/her, sombulus.com
Ally Rom Colthoff (@varethane) - she/they, chirault.sevensmith.net wychwoodcomic.com
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The Intro "DO IT (feat. Shia LaBeouf)", and the Outro "It's Good To See You Again!!", both by Adrianwave, have been used and modified in good faith under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Licensed. Edits include: Fade IN/OUT, and a repeat added to the beginning of "It's Good To See You Again!!". For more information on this creative commons use, please reference https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.