Whether you are writing romance or reading it, you have probably come across a few common tropes. These include the Rock Star, Second Chance, Historical, and Archetype tropes.
Historical romance
Generally speaking, historical romance is a genre of fiction that takes place in a historical setting. These novels focus on the relationship between a hero and a heroine during that time period.
The best historical romances are often well-researched. The authors should not be afraid to experiment with different historical details. This will not only contribute to the world building of the novel, but also provide readers with a glimpse into another time.
Unlike contemporary fiction, where romantic relationships are overshadowed by other elements, the romance in a historical romance is at the center of the story. This is because most readers want all the genre’s elements, including the romance, without having to worry about other plots or characters detracting from it.
Aside from the romance, a historical romance must also provide the reader with a sense of suspense or emotional catharsis. This is done through a number of factors, including the amount of detail put into the historical context of the book.
Rock star romance trope
Besides being a rock star, this trope also has a lot of external aspects, like drugs, throngs of screaming fans, and love. However, it also has an internal aspect, too. For example, there are those who don’t want to live in a world where love and lust are encouraged.
Another rock star romance trope is the one about a groupie. This kind of romance involves a girl who has a passion for music and is willing to give her life to the band.
This type of romance is also similar to the forbidden romance. There’s a storyline that involves the two main characters meeting and falling in love. This can include a doctor-patient relationship, older person-younger love interest, and teacher-student.
It can also involve a ray of sunshine character. This is when the main character is an optimistic, bubbly, or grumpy person.
Second chance romance trope
Whether you’re looking to write a romance novel or just enjoy a nice love story, the second chance romance trope is an enduring one. It’s a tried and true romance story trope that has several variations.
The main characters in a second chance romance might be former lovers or they might be best friends. In most cases, however, the main characters will be young. They will have to make a series of decisions that will affect their futures. They may decide to stay true to their oaths or they may choose to break them.
While the second chance romance trope is a tried and true romance story trope, it’s not without its shortcomings. Most second chance romances have a cheesy melodrama to them. They’re also usually full of bad habits and bad memories, which can cause a lot of frustration.
Archetypes
Throughout the history of literature and storytelling, archetypes have been used to help establish character and plot. Archetypes are often recognizable across all forms of media, from the earliest myths to modern movies and television. A common archetype is the hero.
Romantic heroes have a consistent set of traits and personal qualities. They are almost always wealthy and solvent, almost always have a stable home life, and are characterized by a set of personal attributes that are commonly associated with romance.
There are two main groups of characters within the category of romantic heroes. One group is the hedonistic, who live for pleasure, and the other is the committed, who value stability.
The hedonistic character is often depicted as a dreamer, whereas the committed character is often more realistic. The hedonistic character can also act as an instigator of mayhem.
Subgenres
Regardless of whether you’re writing romance or browsing for romance books, it’s important to know about the various subgenres of the genre. Having a clear understanding of each subgenre will help you decide where to begin. In addition, reading about different subgenres will allow you to familiarize yourself with the conventions and nuances of the genre.
One of the earliest romance subgenres is traditional Regency. This is a period era that spans a short period of 1811-1820. In this subgenre, the characters are powerful and sexy.
Another subgenre is contemporary. This type of romance is set in present day. The storyline is more focused on conflicts that modern readers can relate to. A good example is Jojo Moyes’s novels. These are written in a first person narrative, with a less formal tone than historical romances.
