So, I (13F) am writing novels (there are like 52-ish? total, so far) and am just wondering what I should try to avoid in them.
The genres are Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural/Paranormal, and maybe Fantasy, and they all deal with people between the ages of 12-19. There is some romance, but it's not super big in the plot.
There are mature themes including explicit scenes, swearing, a lot of violence, blood, gore, and death, LGBTQIA2S+ characters, alcohol, d***s, r**e, s**ual assault, and mental illnesses (I think that's how it's spelled).
If you also have any writing tips, please share them.
TL;DR: 13F writing over 50 novels with mature themes, trying to avoid overused tropes. Could also use writing tips.
#1
I like time travel - anything can happen. I'm sick of aliens, it's overdone. All too often in romance novels they start off hating each other. Give love at first sight a chance with a growing deep friendship and trust. I think that if you have written that many then you know what to do. Oh yeah, when you on a roll of words pouring out - don't forget to eat.
3points
#2
The liar reveal trope is very annoying and Mary Sue characters ruin any story they’re in. I think you may have heard of this before but learn how to show, not tell. Make sure not to put in too much exposition but don’t underdo it
2points
#3
I know somebody else in the list said this (don't know their name sorry) but those toxic love triangles like in Never Have I Ever and TSITP.
Like I'm sorry but I don't want to see you fight over 2 boys who don't deserve you to begin with or when there's clearly the right choice.
2points
#4
Enimies to lovers but they're only enimies for like 5 seconds.(the state of us)
2points
#5
ugh, I would say I'm really tired of love triangles. Especially between a "bad boy" and a best friend. Also, I try to avoid the whole if the characters spoke to each other, there would be no plot thing.
1point
#6
People are on a quest to find a thing but bad guys also want the thing. I’ve read too many books that have this plot.
0points