Mastering Novel Writing Troupes.

Not all fiction writers are troupe-driven, and that is fine, but while it is not important, it is quite necessary and I have found it to be quite helpful.

Have you ever sat back and wondered what makes novels so irresistible that your readers can’t stop reading them or what captivates them enough to decide to read your novel?

That, my friends, is what troupes do to your writing. troupes are timeless and universal themes commonly found in novels.

If you are asking, won’t that make your books generic, no it won’t. Troupes set the theme for a story idea. They are not the idea itself.

Troupes are popular for a reason. When I first started incorporating the troupes, I wanted to follow them before I started writing. I was worried that it would make my stories less authentic, but it didn’t. It gave me a sense of direction in my writing instead.

Here are some pros and cons of using troupes in your novel writing.

Pros:

• Troupes offers a clear structure and expectations from the book, which makes it easier for you and your readers to immerse yourselves in the book.
• Troupes make the novel feel more familiar and relatable to the readers. Clearly defined troupes set a good tone for readers.
• Troupes can be converted or combined to create something fresh and exciting meaning you still don’t have to follow trends or be cliché. You can still stand up while using troupes.

Cons:

• Overused execution can lead to predictability and boredom.
• Risk of being unoriginal

This means you have to bring something different to your readers even though you follow certain troupes. As I mentioned earlier, using trending troupes shouldn’t lead to overusing ideas and becoming predictable and cliché.

Some common troupes are:

Redemption arc:?A villain or morally questionable character undergoes transformation and becomes a better person.

The tragic hero:?A character has a flaw or weakness that leads to their downfall, e.g., characters with savior syndrome.

The time loop:?A character is trapped in a repeated cycle or loop of events.

The chosen one:?A character is predetermined or predestined to fulfill a special purpose or destiny.

Coming of age: A young character matures and learns important life lessons.

Hero’s journey: A character undergoes a series of challenges and trials to achieve a goal or overcome a personal obstacle.

Forbidden love: A romantic relationship hindered by societal, class, or familial barriers.

Forced proximity: The two protagonists develop a romantic connection because of are forced to spend time together.

Using Troupes Effectively

While using troupes can be valuable to put a spin on your novel and make it more realistic, you still need to avoid relying solely on clichés. So how can you make troupes work for you?

Add a unique twist:?Surprise characters with an unexpected spin on a classic troupe. In most romances, the most common cliché is the ex coming back to ruin things. You can create twists like the protagonist finding out they were adopted and having to navigate the new family dynamics.

Mix and match:?You don’t have to follow one, just one troupe. There is absolutely nothing wrong with mixing things up. You can have forbidden love, forced proximity, and redemption arc in one book. Hold on, I can already picture something nice with this combination lol.

Be authentic:?Don’t lose the authenticity while writing. Just because the troupe?was predetermined doesn’t mean you can’t create relatable and realistic characters. Make the conflicts and twists very realistic too to keep your readers interested. As mentioned in my previous article, it is essential to write in a manner that allows readers to visualize dialogues and characters.

Subvert your readers’ expectations:?Play with your readers’ assumptions. There is a high possibility your reader has read something similar before, so you have to be different while being realistic. For example, in the redemption arc troupe, the protagonist doesn’t have to forgive and welcome them back just because they redeemed themselves. Have you ever read second-chance stories where the protagonist defies all reason and takes their ex back? You know what I’m saying.

Bottom line

Troupes are valuable, but creativity is necessary to avoid clichés and create relatable stories.

?