1. Introduction
2. Understanding Tropes
   1. Common Tropes in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
   2. Why do Tropes Persist?
3. The Art of Blending Tropes
   1. Identifying Compatible Tropes
   2. Techniques for Seamless Integration
   3. Examples of Successful Trope Blending
4. Subverting Expectations
5. Writing Exercise: Trope Blending and Subversion
6. Conclusion

Introduction

As Authors of Tomorrow, you’ll often face the challenge of keeping your stories fresh for readers. Yet, if you’re too fresh, they may not like your break from the norm at all. Tropes may be the balance you’re looking for.

Now before you get too worried, remember this: tropes are tools and cliches are crutches made of straw. They are not the same thing, though they often get confused.

Tropes are a tool that can give your reader a sense of familiarity, offer cultural commentary, or assist in reader satisfaction. Using tropes proves you understand your genre and sub-genre you’re working in. As a result, readers will have more confidence in your writing.

Blending and subverting tropes can create unique stories that your readers will never forget. First contact stories are one of the more common science fiction tropes. By the end of this post, you’ll subvert or blend that story concept into a unique experience for your readers.

Understanding Tropes

Tropes are figurative language for artistic effect. Regarding the discussion today, we’ll focus on narrative tropes.

Narrative tropes are familiar patterns or themes that often show up in literature and help define a particular genre. Often, narrative tropes contribute to the structure or expectations of a genre.

Tropes can be used effectively or ineffectively, depending on how they are executed and the context. When handled skillfully, tropes can add depth and familiarity to a story. If used carelessly, tropes can come across as cliché or uninspired, diminishing the impact. Take a thoughtful approach to tropes and their potential impact on the story.

Common Tropes in Sci-Fi and Fantasy

• Space Travel
  • Space travel is almost expected in most science fiction stories. Whether it’s epic space battles, colony ship survival tales, or visiting alien planets, space travel stories have always enthralled readers of all ages.
  • The space travel trope has a few key elements that many readers are familiar with. Faster-than-light (FTL) travel, space ships/stations, and exploration of new worlds.
  • Rooted in early 20th-century pulp fiction, the space travel trope evolved with scientific advancements and space race.
  • With this trope, you can explore themes of human adaptability and resilience, cultural clashes and diplomacy, or environmental concerns and resource management.
  • The common criticisms with the space travel trope is that real physics becomes misrepresented, as does the actual complexity of space travel.
  • One of my favorite series right now that involves space travel is the Expeditionary Force by Craig Alanson. Skippy the Magnificent and Joe Bishop are amazing characters that I wouldn’t mind traveling around in space with until the end.
• Bad Robots
  • They’re like us, but metal, and not supposed to be bad. The bad robot trope is a common one that as technology advances, we all fear a little.
  • The bad robot trope has roots in early science fiction, with notable examples like Karel Čapek’s 1920 play “R.U.R.” (which introduced the word “robot”). It gained prominence during the Cold War era, reflecting fears about technology and the loss of human control.
  • The bad robot trope often has elements of AI or robots turning against their creators(I, Robot), machines deciding humans are a threat (2001: A Space Odyssey), or ethical implications of creating sentient beings(Ex Machina).
  • Many people criticize this trope, viewing it as techno-phobic or anti-progress. These stories often over-simplify complex technological issues and created a lack-luster result. Or that bad robot stories distract from real-world AI ethics concerns.
  • Sorry to repeat an example, but I think one of the most impactful robot tropes growing up was I, Robot, the film. This defined the bad robot trope for me.
• Secretive Laboratory or Base
  • The secret lair with all the cool gadgets, weapons, and other tech is common among many science fiction and fantasy stories.
  • Secret laboratory/base stories often show hidden facilities conducting questionable research, high-level security, isolation, and experiments gone wrong.
  • Cold War secrecy and ethical concerns influenced many of the initial secretive laboratory stories about scientific advancement. This trope continues because of the possibility of such locations existing.
  • These stories often follow accidental releases of dangerous entities (The Mist by Stephen King), whistleblowers exposing unethical practices (The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton), or discovery of world-changing technology(Frankenstein by Mary Shelley).
  • Common criticisms of this trope include that the trope is reaching the point that it’s cliched or overused, and that it may simplify complex ecosystems or evolutionary processes.
• Ancient/Medieval Setting
  • The fantasy trope of ancient settings is almost expected with every fantasy story. Modernizing it transitions it into other sub-genres, but if you’re looking to write the classic fantasy, this is the trope for you.
  • To fully embody this trope, you’ll keep your technology limited to pre-industrial standards. This often means many if not all of your goods are made by skilled artisans specialized in a field (I.E. carpenters, blacksmiths, millers, etc.) You’re also looking at most likely a feudal or monarchical political systems, and an emphasis on physical combat and nature.
  • The ancient setting trope is rooted in mythology, folklore, and a romanticized view of history.
  • Common storylines that use this trope are the quest for magical artifacts (The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien), political intrigue in royal courts (The Once and Future King by T.H. White), and good vs. evil conflicts on a grand scale (The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.)
  • The two most common criticisms of the ancient/medieval setting trope is the sanitized or inaccurate view of historical periods and the lack of diversity in representation.
• Chosen One
  • The fantasy world seems full of chosen ones who will save the realm, world, or existence itself. With so many of them, you’d think readers would write them off as cliches by now. In reality, readers love them as long as they’re done well.
  • Most of these stories have a prophesied hero destined to save the world, who often have special powers or abilities, and must defeat a great evil. Easy enough, right?
  • The chosen one trope is rooted in religious and mythological narratives, and was popularized in modern fantasy novels.
  • You’ll often find these in stories with themes like Destiny vs. free will, the weight of responsibility, and personal growth and sacrifice.
  • Some of my favorite chosen one stories include Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Dune by Frank Herber, and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
  • Chosen one stories can often lead to passive protagonists who simply follow prophecy. Poorly written chosen one stories rely on Dues ex Machina plot devices that solve the story just a little too easy for readers to enjoy.
• Fantastical Creatures
  • Wouldn’t we all like to have a zoo full of hippogriffs, dragon lairs, and a pool of mermaids? You can get pretty close to this in fantasy books. So why is this a trope that is often one of most common, but sometimes hated?
  • The fantastical creatures’ trope often includes beings from mythology and folklore, as seen above. Many of these creatures have magical or supernatural abilities and often have sentience and can interact with humans.
  • Many of these creatures are drawn from world mythologies and evolved with modern fantasy literature.
  • Common narratives found in the fantastical creature trope are humans befriending or battling creatures(How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell), creatures as metaphors for human traits or natural forces(Animal Farm by George Orwell), or quests to find rare or legendary creatures(Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.)
  • Readers might struggle with the story if the creatures feel cliched or overuse, and sometimes the environments these creatures live in are underdeveloped or incompatible.

Why do Tropes Persist?

Tropes persist because they’ve become storytelling tools that resonate with many readers. Many of the characters we know and love formed from archetypal tropes and universal symbols. This allows for themes to be shared across cultures and eras. Your story trope is calling on those familiar forms of comforts that readers use to escape the modern day chaos of this world.

Even though many would deny it outright, we love predictability and comfort. Readers are reassured when they find the familiar tropes and can expect what’s next. The saved mental energy from tropes actually enhances the reading experience because readers don’t need to figure out character backgrounds or motivations.

Tropes are another constant for writers and readers to rely on. When there’s so much uncertainty in the world, we strive for stability. Use the tropes above, blend, or subvert tropes as we’ll talk about below. Remember, your effort and research into tropes before you use them will directly relate to readers’ reactions on if they worked or not.

Maybe you already have a story with one of these tropes, or you’re looking to mix things up. It’s time to dive into blended tropes.

The Art of Blending Tropes

Identifying Compatible Tropes

Now that you’ve learned about a slew of tropes, it’s time to figure out if you’re using the right one. There’s a reason one of the top tips for writers is reading. Reading within and without your genre gives you the tools needed to develop these unique stories while using familiar tropes.

Research is the essential first step in identifying compatible tropes for your creative work. Exploring your chosen genre or sub-genre, you can gain a deeper understanding of the themes and conventions that resonate with your target audience. While we haven’t covered this aspect, it’s crucial to have a clear vision of who your audience is and what they are looking for in your storytelling. Establishing your audience helps align your creative direction with the expectations and preferences of your readers, allowing for more resonant stories.

When identifying if the tropes you’re trying to blend will resonate with readers, it may not be as easy as putting two tropes together. Look at the themes, tones, and character arcs of your story. There are many tropes that can overlap each other with ease, like an Urban Fantasy Detective combo, but others will require more work from the author and reader, like a Hard Sci-Fi Fairy Tale. I’m not saying the latter is impossible, and it would pay off big if you can pull it off, but know that you’ll have your work cut out for you. Choosing the right tropes to blend allows for their seamless integration into each other.

Techniques for Seamless Integration

Below are only a few techniques to tie two tropes together.

• Character-Driven
  • Develop your characters with motivations and arcs that naturally intersect your selected tropes. Their choices and growth can harmonize those elements.
• Shared Symbolism
  • Use recurring symbols or motifs across genres. Try a magic amulet in a sci-fi setting that can tie fantasy and futuristic themes together.
• World-Building Consistency
  • Ensure your world’s rules remain consistent. If magic exists alongside advanced technology, explain how they coexist logically.

Examples of Successful Trope Blending

1. “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon: A historical romance with time travel—a blend of historical accuracy, passionate love, and magical portals that transport the protagonist between centuries2
2. “The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher: Urban fantasy meets detective noir. The protagonist, Harry Dresden, is a wizard private investigator solving supernatural cases in modern-day Chicago2
3. “The Broken Empire” trilogy by Mark Lawrence: A dark fantasy series set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic and technology coexist. The protagonist, Jorg Ancrath, seeks power and revenge3

Subverting Expectations

Recognizing reader expectations is crucial with subverting tropes in storytelling. By understanding the established tropes within a specific genre, writers can challenge and overturn them in impactful ways.

Without a thorough understanding of the genre and its expected tropes, there is a risk of rehashing a trope into a cliché. As we’ve already discussed the importance of tropes, it’s important to consider what your reader expects from the trope you’re using. This awareness allows for the intentional subversion of expectations. Taking a Bad Robot trope and making it your own will win your readers over faster than many other methods.

There are many methods for subverting tropes. To prevent this post from becoming a book in itself, I’ll generalize them into three categories. The Inversion and Reversal method intentionally flips expectations by reversing roles, perspectives, or outcomes related to your trope. The Deconstruction and Realism method analyzes tropes realistically, uncovering their often overlooked consequences and practical implications. Genre Hybridization and Context Shifting is about using tropes in new settings or blending different genres together.

To balance subversion with satisfaction, writers should maintain the emotional core that made the original trope appealing while gradually revealing the subversion. A gradual approach allows readers to adjust to the new concepts. While everyone wants new and flashy, it doesn’t always mean they’re comfortable with it when it changes. So when you subvert the trope, make sure you pay attention to the pay off as much as the setup.

It’s crucial to provide alternative payoffs that are equally rewarding, even if they vary from the expected. The unique payoffs create a sense of excitement and unpredictability. Offering diverse pathways to success or fulfillment opens opportunities to cater to a wider range of preferences and perspectives. In the end, a reader expects the unexpected just as much at the end as the beginning.

Writing Exercise: Trope Blending and Subversion

Create a short story (1000-1500 words) that blends two tropes from different genres and subverts reader expectations.

Step 1: Choose Your Tropes. Select two tropes from the list below, preferably from different genres:

1. Space Travel (Sci-Fi)
2. Bad Robots (Sci-Fi)
3. Secretive Laboratory or Base (Sci-Fi)
4. Ancient/Medieval Setting (Fantasy)
5. Chosen One (Fantasy)
6. Fantastical Creatures (Fantasy)

Step 2: Blend the Tropes. Think about how you can combine these tropes in an unexpected way. For example, you might blend “Space Travel” with “Ancient/Medieval Setting” to create a story about medieval knights traveling through space.

Step 3: Subvert Expectations Choose one of the following methods to subvert reader expectations:

a) Inversion and Reversal: Flip the typical roles or outcomes associated with your chosen tropes. b) Deconstruction and Realism: Examine the logical consequences of your tropes in a realistic setting. c) Genre Hybridization: Transplant your tropes into an unexpected genre or setting.

Step 4: Develop Your Story Create an outline for your story, considering:

• Main character(s) and their motivations
• Setting
• Central conflict
• How the tropes will be introduced and subverted
• Potential plot twists

Step 5: Write Your Story Write your 1000-1500 word story, focusing on:

• Seamlessly integrating your chosen tropes
• Gradually revealing the subversion
• Maintaining the emotional core that makes the original tropes appealing
• Providing a satisfying alternative payoff for readers

Step 6: Reflection After completing your story, reflect on:

• How did blending the tropes create a unique narrative?
• What challenges did you face in subverting reader expectations?
• How might readers react to your take on these familiar tropes?
• What did you learn about using tropes as storytelling tools?

This exercise will help you practice identifying compatible tropes, blending them creatively, and subverting expectations while still delivering a satisfying story. Experiment with familiar elements to create something fresh and engaging for readers.

Conclusion

Writers can use trope blending and subversion to craft unique and engaging stories that defy genre expectations and resonate with readers. By skillfully combining familiar elements in unexpected ways, you can craft stories that provide both the comfort of recognition and the thrill of innovation. Remember, the key lies in understanding the tropes deeply, respecting their appeal, and then thoughtfully re-imagining them.

As you continue your writing journey, don’t be afraid to experiment boldly with these techniques. Each writer’s unique perspective and creative choices can breathe new life into well-worn tropes, resulting in stories that are distinctively yours. Embrace the challenge of balancing familiarity with originality, and let your imagination run wild. Through this process, you’ll not only hone your craft but also discover and refine your unique authorial voice, creating works that stand out in the rich tapestries of science fiction and fantasy literature.

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