In this episode of The Fiction Affair, we dive into one of our favorite topics—tropes! Love them or hate them, tropes are the backbone of storytelling, and we break down how to use them effectively in your own writing. We explore what makes certain tropes so addictive, why readers gravitate toward them, and how to take familiar story elements and make them feel fresh. Whether you're intentionally incorporating tropes or discovering them in your writing after the fact, understanding their impact can help create a story that resonates.
We also get personal, sharing some of our favorite tropes, our own hot takes, and the ones that keep us coming back to certain books and series. Of course, we had to mention Zodiac Academy, one of Larissa’s favorite romantasy/dark academia reads, which masterfully blends tropes like enemies-to-lovers, found family, and magical school dynamics.
Throughout the conversation, we reference the craft book 7 Figure Fiction, which explores the idea of “universal fantasy” and how tapping into those deep, emotional reader desires can make stories feel truly irresistible. If you're a writer looking to level up your craft or a reader who loves dissecting what makes certain books so compelling, this episode is for you!
Listen in and let us know—what are your favorite (or least favorite) tropes?
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