Book Tropes I Will Never Write

Tropes are a handy way for writers to find instant ways to connect with readers and find their audience. Whether it's as broad as the much beloved 'enemies-to-lovers' or a tad more niche like 'Who did this to you?', tropes help draw readers to our work and is an easy way for us to deliver what we promise.

But, naturally, there are many tropes that grind readers' gears the wrong way. Sure, everyone has a preference, but it's important to tap into what your ideal reader is consuming and what they keep their distance from. There are also personal preferences as a writer on what you enjoy enjoy writing and what tropes don't fill you with any motivation (which is a good way to make the drafting process even harder for yourself).

I've made a list of some of the book tropes that I will not be touching with a barge poll - and some I'm still on the fence about!

Honourable mentions

These are tropes that I tend to steer clear of but can sometimes accept if they're executed in the right way. I won't rule them out!

• Miscommunication - This trope has its benefits and there are many examples of authors pulling it off really well. But it's a slippery slope and can just frustrate readers if you're not too careful.

• Love triangle - I wouldn't be opposed to ever writing a love triangle but, at this point in time, it doesn't really appeal to me.

Tropes I will never write

• Unplanned pregnancy - I have no interest in writing a pregnant MC at all, to be honest. It's not my preferred trope to read and it certainly wouldn't be one I want to write. Each to their own but... not for me.

• Significant age gaps - Obviously, everyone has their own opinions as to what constitutes a significant age gap and what is passable but I'm not a fan and will be keeping my sweet distance. And fantastical creatures and species aren't an excuse. My debut book literally has an immortal Titan as the love interest of a mortal woman and I still managed to age them within a year of each other. It's not that hard.

• The FMC gives up her powers for a happy ending - Hell no. I am never taking away a woman's power or agency in order for her to live happily ever after with a man. That makes my skin crawl. Women shouldn't always be the ones to take the brunt of the sacrifice, especially when it's linked to their independence.

• The ugly duckling - I'm not a huge fan of the whole 'she takes off her glasses and take out her ponytail and suddenly she's gorgeous' kind of thing. I love writing body positive characters, especially when it comes to FMCs. I think there is so much value in offering representation to the wide variety of people reading books and by having a character even just initially be an 'ugly duckling' doesn't really sit right with me.

So, if you hate some of these tropes as much as I do, rest assured you will never see me write these into any of my books.

What book tropes can you not stand?