The Pumpkin Spice of Writing: Embrace Those Tropes

If we had a nickel for every time someone denigrated Pumpkin Spice Season or labeled someone (usually a woman) as “basic” for diving schnozz first into sweater and soup season, we’d be sipping pumpkin spice piña coladas from our private island retreat. Did you know there’s a literary equivalent?

It’s called a trope.

It’s called a trope.

A trope is a common, or arguably, overused, theme in fiction (perhaps as overused as Mean Girls references - which we also love). Though the concept isn’t limited to romance, you’ll be familiar with such plot devices as the only-one-bed dilemma, enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, and grumpy vs sunshine character juxtaposition. Pretty much all genre fiction is built around a foundation of common plot devices, some as old as literature itself. We’re mostly sure Shakespeare never anticipated his backstabbing best friend storyline not only becoming a trope, but then reincarnating as teenage girls with a penchant for gossip and pink sweatsuits. And in certain literary circles, there’s a great deal of sneering that accompanies the trope conversation. 

Here’s the thing about tropes. And pumpkin spice. They are common because people like them. Of course, there are caveats. We even talked about some pitfalls of tropes on our podcast. It’s easy for a writer to substitute a trope for actual character or plot development, or shove a bunch of popular tropes into a story for the marketing value. In general, though, we at SPS certainly like tropes. From a writing coaching and editing perspective, a well-written trope (or a combination of them) is like a sturdy foundation for a house. In honor of this time-honored literary device (and in honor of pumpkin spice season), we’re sharing our favorites.

• Clare Wood, editorial director

  There’s pumpkin spice made from scratch, and there’s pumpkin spice sitting on your shelf at your local grocers. Each serves its own purpose, and who’s to say one’s better than another?

  Well, this is (partly) my blog, and I can. Imagine the flavor of a pumpkin spice made with great care using the freshest cinnamon sourced from Ceylon, nutmeg sourced from Indonesia, and so on. What’s sitting on your grocer’s shelf is uncharted territory. How can it possibly compare?

  The same is true of tropes. Some writers use tropes to enhance their stories, and others drop them in because they’re attractive, popular, or convenient. Enemies-to-lovers was a cliche by the time Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice, but she made it her own. I’m not going to name anyone who did the opposite, but you’re readers, and, as such, you take note.

  Both pumpkin spice and tropes can add flavor when they’re used right. But when they’re used wrong? We all have our stories.

• Gabi Ohanesian, social media coordinator

  Tropes are like seasonings; there’s plenty of space for heavy-handedness. And I have seen them used for both good and evil. Humans have a natural tendency to recognize patterns and rhythms in every aspect of our lives.

  First dates usually hold conversations about favorite colors, dreams, or aspirations and can typically be ruined by crude jokes or improper manners.

  Getting a job begins with an interview and eases in with introductions and training.

  Tropes, patterns, and other recurring events help us navigate our way through obstacles. I have my gripes with tropes, but I am the first to admit I love them. I mean I am currently writing a second chance, morally gray FMC, grumpyXsunshine, enemies-to-lovers, mafia romance, Hades-Persephone retelling, so yeah…give me all the tropes. Disclaimer: only give me the good ones.

  Leaning on a trope as if it will be the anchor of your story is where I see many good ideas take a one-way trip to the graveyard. Whether it’s character, tone, pace, or structure, every literary device we use is only as good as the writing. And the writing is only as good as the writer. Tropes can be an effective vehicle for writers to find a solid structure for their story and a specific set of principles and events their characters will experience, however it is then their job to curate a unique experience for their readers.

  I want a healthy mix of subversion and depth, and a sense of freshness in the vision. When a trope is turned on its head, it can create more suspense and surprise, keeping readers engaged.

  For example, The Chosen One trope can be compelling when the chosen one rejects or fails their destiny. When there is a fresh spin on a familiar trope, not only does it breathe new life into pre-existing ideas, but it can showcase a whole new development of the craft. As for unexpected character choices and plot twists with evocative storytelling choices? I love to see them. Depth of character allows for a richer, more complex plot that keeps readers engaged throughout the entire piece, regardless of tropes. 

  I often think of the Hallmark movie trap, though no offense to Hallmark movies. Hallmark drinking games my family enjoys are, drink when:

  • Someone gets hit by a snowball and falls in love.

  • The big city girl goes back to her hometown for the holidays to then be reunited with someone from high school she never gave the time of day.

  • Someone had a massive glow up from high school.

  • There's an awkward old people subplot.

  • Grown children are forced to go caroling.

  I've read plenty of romances I would classify as Hallmark plots. Sometimes, when we lean too heavily on a trope, our stories become too predictable and often lack depth, coming off as unrealistic and corny. Tropes that lead to obvious outcomes diminish tension, which in turn diminishes engagement. People read for the human experience, not for the cookie cutter, formulaic outline of a fiction subgenre. When we shift our writing style to fit a premade mold of what a trope “should be,” we lose the creative freedom of letting the story be what it wants to be.

  At the end of the day, the effectiveness of your chosen trope(s) relies on your execution and how you choose to weave plot devices into your own narrative.

• Kendall Davis, editor & freelancer

  While there’s always something fun about a book that subverts expectations and takes you somewhere narratively that you absolutely didn’t expect, there can also be a lot of fun and comfort in knowing you’re picking up a book that uses one of your favorite tropes. While I definitely love a lot of tropes, I think my favorite trope is enemies-to-lovers. For me, there is something really fun about watching two people who initially only see the worst in each other and yet somehow find a way to fall in love. It’s also one of those tropes that can be highly adaptable. You can see it in sworn enemies to lovers where it goes as far as they are out to hurt or kill one another, or the two just profoundly bug each other. And the trope’s adaptability lends itself to being inserted in humorous stories and more serious stories. Getting to see a favorite trope show up in myriad ways, but still travel a mostly familiar path is a perfect example of why these tropes can be so fun and beloved by readers. 

• Melanie Calahan, Marketing Director

  If I was forced to pick a single genre to read for the rest of my life, it would be historical romance. (And you probably wouldn’t have to twist my arm that hard.) It also happens to be a treasure trove of tropes. Second chance romance, secret babies, reforming the rake, amnesia, forbidden love, hidden identities, class difference, wallflowers—I could spend days listing all the plot devices that crop up in historical romance. But I’ll keep it simple and focus on my personal favorites.

  First, at least half of my regular re-reads feature a marriage of convenience/arranged marriage. Two characters who intend to keep their relationship neat and tidy, boxed away from any real feeling—until they’re blindsided by gasp physical attraction. There’s nothing like a cut and dried business contract incinerating in the unexpected flames of passion and burgeoning emotional connection.

  Second, I’m a sucker for that grumpy/sunshine combo. I don’t want my hero to be an actual jerk, but a little “get off my lawn” energy is just right. That moment when he realizes the tiny circle he counts as friends/family has expanded by one…be still my heart.

  Finally, I do love some forced proximity. How else are we to learn that starchy Lord Whosit keeps treats in his pockets for every mutt he meets and that flighty Miss SparklingEyes prefers Marlowe to Shakespeare? The path to happily ever after might start in the wide world of the ton, but it doesn’t hurt if it detours to the last room at the coaching inn or a country estate house party with a marriage-minded mama standing by to nudge true love along.

  When I’m feeling the need for a cozy, comfortable read, these are the tropes I gravitate towards, but the truth is, I love almost all of them. Now, if you need me, I’ll be scouring my TBR list for some arranged marriage, “I think I’ll keep her,” trapped-in-an-inn vibes. Good news—there are several options!

• Emma Navone, Editorial & Publishing Consultant

  I love tropes in romance books and I am not ashamed to say it. I love it when the enemies become lovers, when there is only one room at the inn, when the grumpy character would burn down the world just to keep the sunshine character warm. Tropes are patterns that echo in the human experience, and we as readers find satisfaction in their unfurling because they are familiar.

  Why do I love enemies to lovers? Because the idea of someone seeing the worst in you and loving you anyway makes me weak in the knees.

  Why do I love only one room left at the inn? Because I know how hard it is to express your feelings, and sometimes a little forced proximity can coax out what words cannot say.

  And the whole grumpy/sunshine dynamic? I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to be a place where even the most broken souls can find love and sanctuary.

  In life, dreams don’t always come true. We all know this, but that still doesn’t stop the longing. The tropes that bloom from romance book to romance book create space for dreams to be acknowledged and appreciated. They are not unoriginal, but rather reflections of our desires as people. 

  As a writer, I feel honored to carry on the tradition of tropes. I not only want my readers to see themselves between the lines, but I want their dreams to feel seen too. 

So tis the season! Cheers to pumpkin spice, cheers to well-written tropes, cheers to authenticity in our writing that of course echoes the artists and writers who came before us. And hey, if the pumpkin spice of writing isn’t your thing, there’s a flavor out there for you somewhere. And guess what? We’d be happy to help you publish that too.