If there’s one thing we love about romance novels, it’s that they give us the warm fuzzies while playing out scenarios we wish we could live—or at least witness firsthand. At the heart of every great love story is a tried-and-true trope. But how do you, dear writer, take those common romance tropes and make them uniquely your own?
Let’s dive into five fan-favorite romance tropes and sprinkle in a little writerly magic to help you stand out.
1. Enemies to Lovers: From Eye-Rolls to Swoon-Worthy Stares
The Trope:
Two characters who seemingly despise each other at first but eventually fall madly in love. Think Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet—cue the sparks flying.
Why It Works:
The built-in tension and emotional stakes make this trope irresistible. It’s a delicious slow burn with a side of spicy banter.
How to Make It Yours:
- Set It in an Unusual Location: Instead of a corporate office or a high school, imagine your characters squaring off in a cutthroat community gardening competition. Battle over the best compost pile, anyone?
- Introduce an External Catalyst: Maybe they’re forced to team up for an extreme survival situation. Nothing says “I love you” like arguing over how to start a fire while trying not to freeze.
- Add a Twist to Their “Hate”: Perhaps one character secretly admires the other and is just awful at expressing it. Layers, people, layers!
Want more ways to revamp this trope? Check out The Trope Thesaurus: Romance Edition for endless inspiration. Grab your copy here.
2. Friends to Lovers: The Sweetest Slow Burn
The Trope:
Besties who suddenly (or not so suddenly) realize they’re soulmates. Adorably awkward confessions are practically guaranteed.
Why It Works:
It’s relatable. Who hasn’t wondered if their best friend might be their forever person?
How to Make It Yours:
- Add a Forbidden Element: What if one of them is dating someone else, or they’re siblings’ best friends?
- Rewrite Their History: Maybe they weren’t always best friends. What if they hated each other in high school and reconnected years later?
- Mix in a Wild Adventure: Nothing says “romance” like being stuck together on a road trip from Chicago to Santa Fe after their flights are canceled.
3. Fake Dating: Pretend You’re Mine (But Also Don’t Be)
The Trope:
Two characters agree to a fake relationship to achieve their own separate goals. Inevitably, real feelings sneak in.
Why It Works:
The fake relationship trope is loaded with humor, misunderstandings, and a heaping dose of romantic tension.
How to Make It Yours:
- Turn the Tables: Instead of having one party reluctant to fake date, what if both are thrilled? They could be best friends—with absolutely zero attraction—who agree to play “The Perfect Couple” for social media.
- Add Stakes: What if their fake relationship becomes public knowledge and impacts their careers, families, or standing in the community?
- Set It in an Unexpected World: Instead of the usual wedding or high school reunion, try a futuristic society where fake relationships are punishable by law. Hello, high drama!
4. The “One Bed” Trope: Oh No, There’s Only One Bed
The Trope:
Two characters find themselves forced to share a room with… gasp… only one bed. The tension is palpable, the stakes are high, and the moments are chef’s kiss.
Why It Works:
The awkwardness is real, and the close proximity forces your characters to confront their feelings.
How to Make It Yours:
- Subvert Expectations: What if they’re thrilled about the one-bed situation but for totally different reasons? For instance, one is planning to confess their feelings, and the other thinks they’re saving money on room costs.
- Make It Comedic: Add a mischievous pet that refuses to leave the bed, or have the bed collapse under their combined weight.
- Play With Timing: What if the one-bed scenario happens after they’ve already kissed but before they’ve discussed it?
5. Love Triangle: It’s Not You, It’s Also You
The Trope:
A character is torn between two love interests, each representing something different they value.
Why It Works:
Love triangles highlight the complexity of relationships and the hard choices we make for love.
How to Make It Yours:
- Add a Non-Romantic Twist: Maybe one of the “love interests” is actually their dream career or another life-defining choice.
- Make Both Options Equal: Instead of the obvious “good” and “bad” love interests, create two equally compelling choices. Readers will be just as torn as your protagonist.
- Give It a Genre Flip: A sci-fi setting with a love triangle between a human, a cyborg, and an alien? Yes, please.
Wrapping It Up
Romance tropes are the beating heart of many stories, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add your own twist. Play with settings, motivations, and characters to create something uniquely you. And if you need even more inspiration, don’t forget to grab your copy of The Trope Thesaurus: Romance Edition. (You’ll thank me later!)
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