Sometimes I wonder how prolific writers get to the point of releasing two or three books in a year, and how in the world they come up with the story ideas to get to that point.
When I started out on this writing journey, it was a challenge to come up with one idea that made sense. Something that people might actually want to read. I poured myself into learning as much as I could through books, webinars and asking questions in a variety of forums.
It’s not magic. But it is simple.
The more you write, the more the ideas come.
At least for me, it happens that way.
After completing five full manuscripts, I now understand how some authors have several projects on the go. Once I get going on one story idea, another is inspired by a detail I’ve come across in a piece of research. Or it comes from the story I’m writing in the form of another character or a backstory that I’m hinting at. At times, it can be just something someone says at random in real life, or from observing people in public. Ideas come from any and all places.
This past week I’ve been thinking about a new story idea. This one, is a “I-have-to-come-up-with-a-premise-in-order-to-submit” story idea. So when the pressure is on, I turn to something called story tropes.
YIKES! Tropes?
Romance Tropes
In the early stages of writing, I had absolutely no idea what a trope was. Or what a hook was.
In the romance genre, these are two crucial elements to understand. Readers have expectations, and it’s my job to deliver. Simply put, a trope is a common situation or scenario that is the springboard that will drive your story forward until you reach happily-ever-after.
Think: Marriage of Convenience. Rags to Riches. Enemies to Lovers. Friends to Something More.
Then, there was that other word, hook…
Romance Hooks
What’s a hook?
It’s a theme, or a promise to the reader that the story is about…. (fill in the blank). Think of it like a dish of coloured, chocolate candies or bags of chips. What’s the one flavour a reader will keep coming back for?
Think: Cowboy. Twins. Small Town. Amish. Single Dad. Christmas. Thanksgiving. Dark family secrets. Office romance.
Be careful with hooks…there’s a lot of information about hooking your reader with opening chapters, leaving them hanging at the end of each chapter. It’s a big pond of information to wade through when first starting out and it’s important to separate the differences. I still occasionally have to wrap my mind around what my romance hook is (especially when preparing a book proposal or query letter).
Now, I realize that on the surface, tropes and hooks look the same. But, a trope aids the plot and a hook provides a flavour.
Got it? Good.
Now it’s your turn!
As a reader, what are your favourite tropes and hooks?
As a writer, what tropes and hooks do you like writing?
For More Great Articles on Tropes and Hooks…
A great article that breaks tropes down well can be read here: What is a romance trope? (susannacarr.com)
A list of tropes in romance: Romance Tropes – Mindy Klasky, Author
For romance hooks: Romance Writing 101: Hooks and Themes – Write for Harlequin