To Trope or Not to Trope To Trope Or Not To Trope

It’s Sagittarius season, and the sass is strong with this episode. Well, sort of. Join us as we discuss the differences between sass, snark, sarcasm, and wit, and talk about how to write witty characters (and what sorts of characters really shouldn’t have a quick wit). From tips and tricks for how to learn comedic timing and broaden your bank of random references, to such profound advice as “pirates are always the answer,” this episode is here for all your witty character writing needs.

Disclaimer: We are in no way making a comment on actual Sagittariuses, nor are we talking about canonically Sagittarius characters—we’re simply using Sagittarius traits as a frame to talk about writing fictional characters.

Have a trope you want us to talk about or a question about the episode? Email us at totropeornottotrope@gmail.com!

It’s nowhere near Cancer season, but we’re talking about it anyway because we’ll be on hiatus in July. Join us this episode as we talk about nurturing characters in every capacity, with such hot takes as “Steve Harrington is a better father figure than Hopper,” “Regina George is more nurturing than Lorelai Gilmore,” and “Carlisle 100% should have been the main character of Twilight.” From smothering mothers to reluctant father figures, side characters nerfed by niceness to plant girlies who should have ended up with Warren Peace, this episode is here for all your nurturing character needs.

Disclaimer: We are in no way making a comment on actual Cancers, nor are we talking about canonically Cancer characters—we’re simply using Cancer traits as a frame to talk about writing fictional characters.

Have a trope you want us to talk about or a question about the episode? Email us at totropeornottotrope@gmail.com!

Happy Halloveen from your favorite podcasting writers! We’re here this week with an episode all about those blood-sucking demons of the night: VAMPIRES. From your sexy paranormal romance heroes to your evil overlords, from Dracula to Edward Cullen to the Count from Sesame Street, we cover everything a vampire should and shouldn’t be, with writing tips and tricks to make your vampires stand out from the rest.

Have a trope you want us to talk about or a question about the episode? Email us at totropeornottotrope@gmail.com!

With spooky season upon us, we’re here with an episode all about that Mysterious Scorpio Energy. From the Phantom of the Opera to April Ludgate, from faerie princes to not-so-surprising plot twists, this episode covers everything you ever needed to know about writing a mysterious character.

…which I suppose is not very mysterious of us, but we’re not here to gatekeep good writing advice. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: We are in no way making a comment on actual Scorpios, nor are we talking about canonically Scorpio characters—we’re simply using Scorpio traits as a frame to talk about writing fictional characters.

We love a good corruption arc, almost as much as we love a good redemption arc. Whether your good guys are joining the villains or your bad guys are teaming up with the heroes (or your morally gray characters can’t decide either way), this episode is for you. Featuring such groundbreaking revelations as “it’s not a redemption arc if the character doesn’t actually do anything” and “being hot isn’t the same thing as being redeemed,” this episode covers the worldbuilding, plots, circumstances, and character motivations necessary for a functional and satisfying redemption arc or corruption arc.

Have a trope you want us to talk about or a question about the episode? Email us at totropeornottotrope@gmail.com!

Libra season is almost upon us, so we’ve got an episode for you all about that indecisive Libra energy and how it may or may not manifest in fictional characters. No matter how it’s branded—thoughtfulness, reluctance, introspection—indecision can be a key trait in character-driven stories. It can also make readers want to throw a book across a room, though, so choose your brand of indecision carefully.

Disclaimer: We are in no way making a comment on actual Libras, nor are we talking about canonically Libra characters—we’re simply using Libra traits as a frame to talk about writing fictional characters.

Have a trope you want us to talk about or a question about the episode? Email us at totropeornottotrope@gmail.com!