For AI make it a Robocop twist. "It was all a dream" because it was a training simulation *and, the mafia bad boy her AI cast from her memories was the coworker she hates 😂😂😂😂😂
I'm writing a story that actually happened and it has so many of these tropes accidently in real life. ugg lol. So I was laughing thinking oh my God. It's still a great story though.
It's almost cheating the way it was twisted. There are ways it might be salvaged in the original form, though. What about having Roo and Vivi's first couple of dates turn out to have just been one long dream, but she realizes how happy it made her, which pushes her to break up with Blake and try to date Roo for real.
I think you forgot “death of a mentor”, but that’s relatively easy to include - you could have Vivi’s grandma pass away after their final talk, and that motivates Vivi to take her last advice.
yesssss, and maybe when she cracks and goes to Blake’s football game instead of the 60s party, that’s when her grandmother has, I don’t know, a heart attack or something. so then Vivi feels insanely guilty and blames herself. and then her grandma gives Vivi advice from her hospital bed…
You talked about a "damsel in distress." Children of narcissistic parents are masters of accidentally hurting themselves on purpose as a way to punish themselves for not performing up to par. So Vivi has an accident at the football game and breaks her leg or something. She mislands a jump or purposely hyperextends her leg and dislocates her knee. Blake is furious with Vivi stealing the attention from the game and her mother berates her for getting hurt, thus ruining everything. The next day she wakes up wishing it was just a dream, especially when the picture of Blake's kiss goes viral. So while Vivi is out for the rest of the season, she spends more time with her grandma after school, thus she and Roo find a way to make amends.
I agree except the chosen one ever heard of HARRY POTTER I do think the main reason it works though is because he doesn't know until book five and he doesn't like the fame so he's not annoying.
I’d give Blake an arc as well, maybe he breaks down when Vivi breaks up with him and confesses everything about his family, and Vivi feels compassion for him, decides to help him somehow and the become really good friends ❤
@@sleepy.timaeus.arts. It'd be too unrealistic to just have a happy ending unless there's a subplot about them teaming up against his family or something.
I had a thought, what if when the boyfriend realizes Vivian is interested in someone else he falls into the life he’s trying to escape by having his mob buddies attack Rue. Could add an extra level of conflict.
Normally these types of stories never catch my attention, but I was hooked as you went through the outline. This could also lead to a really interesting sequel that focuses more on Blake, who now has to face the repercussions of this story’s resolution.
The mafia should be more involved with this, honestly. If they are determined to get Blake involved, they will do things to ensure it. They could be the ones spying on Vivi. They could have a plot involved to break up Vivi and Blake so he has less reason to hang on. They could be the ones who hire Roo to tutor Vivi as a means to distract her from Blake and try to set up a fake romance for Blake to get jealous of. Then Blake uses their resources to get revenge and have Roo assaulted. Blake learns he likes the taste of mafia power and begins to question his pro football life. Then when he kisses Vivi at the big game and sees that she's not into it anymore, he learns controlling her isn't a good feeling, lets her go and plays his heart out. But the mafia has plans for this where they end up breaking his ankle after the first half, causing him to be unable to play the second and blow his big chance at college. Things like that could make the mafia connection the severe threat that it should be.
Hear me out: some mafia guys assault Roo behind Blake’s back. When Blake finds him battered and bruised in an alley, he carries him home (sprained ankle and all) and solidifies his "redemption arc".
uuhh, yes. I like this. Let's say Roo's initially reluctant to go out with Vivian but is pressured by the mafia who finance his AI research. Blake's cousin spies on Vivian and helps Roo win her over. But it turns out Roo likes Vivian, and now he feels bad for manipulating her and he's afraid she'll learn the truth and leave him. I'd leave the ankle thing out it though, and make Blake more conflicted. Now that he has a real chance of losing her, Blake actually does want Vivian and after the game he joins his mafia friends in an attempt to take out Roo. But Vivien protects him, placing herself between Roo and Blake. Blake's cousin then exposes Roo, but Vivian stays by his side (there's a whole back and forth between them). Blakes cousin gets tired of this and raises his gun on Vivian but then Blake turns his gun on his cousin telling Vivian and Roo to leave. After a heated exchange the henchmen ready their weapons, but the cousin raises his hand "let him leave". Blake throws his gun at his cousin's feet "I'm out" and walks away into the darkness. in the end Vivi and Roo spend a few months together, but they end up going to different collages and break up shortly after. Blake leaves town and no one hears of him until a many years later when the news reports on the quarterback from an obscure team on the other side of the country suspected of drug trafficking. He's acquitted in court.
I honestly love this new little series where you use polls and tropes, the only thing that bothers me is that now I really really want to read the books you create out of them!
I feel like the story even sets up a second book from Blake's POV where now that he does not have Vivi anymore, the threat of his family (who doesn't truly love him) comes back in a very big way, and he's kinda lost between trying to find someone else to fill in Vivi's shoes (or trying to win her back by telling her the truth, maybe Blake's family is upset with Vivi because she tarnished their reputation) or finding a way to be his true self and find someone he can truly love and escape with as the pressure becomes more and more unbearable.
You used all the tropes so easily! You kinda took the easy way out thought Abbie since really Blake was supposed to end up with Viví and Roo was only necessary to complete the love triangle trope.
I miss Blake already I think they could've had a really sweet arc! especially if the game was actually riding on a scholarship and he had academic dreams that he wanted to pursue whilst cutting financially and emotionally from his criminal family.
I just imagine a plot twist where the quarterback sends guys from his mafia and Vivi dies in the end. Cuz he’s jealous and mad that she cheated Edit: omg Abbie replied! I had to tell my best friend.
I thought that what if instead of him sending somebody to kill her his dad or smth sends it like “ omg you’re making my son think hes aloud to do other stuff ima kill you “ or smth idk
Oh man, that's so sad! And maybe the "it was all a dream" is Roo wakes up at the end a while later after having a nightmare about it. Or the epilogue is a dream about it "actually" ending well but then he remembers that his subconscious made it up and she really did die.
Abbie this concept is SUCH a mood, also I literally laughed out loud in the end when you said you wanted to write it. HAHAH I understand the feeling; as soon as you start to get a little emotionally invested in the characters and as soon as you feel that little tingle in your body, you're kind of doomed to never let the story go. I definitely prefer the fantasy concept you did last time over this one, but I LOVE how you can throw something interesting together from seeminly random stuff. You're talented (and you've put a lot of hard work into learning ofc, but you really do seem to have a natural affinity for this). Personally plotting is the hardest part for me; I'm a bit of a discovery writer but I think I need to use your methods to be more efficient. My problem is that I'm "afraid" of destroying the little well curated and romanticised vague idea of a story I have in mind by plotting beforehand, so instead I let it unfold extremely slowly in my mind and I'll write small sections on paper just to understand what mood I want it to have, afraid that if I go all in plot, I'll lose that initial mood/atmosphere that had me really hooked. But this means the story acutally never gets written. I think I'll need to be a little more bold, just like you. Maybe I don't need to plot all the way, but I should likely at least write out a beginning, a middle and an end. I have it in mind but I've never really written it out... I'll have to remember that no matter what changes I do, there's always room to go back to the initial idea. No regrets. :D Overall I think this concept is SERIOUSLY one of the best concept for videos I've ever seen with regards to writing, something about it just clicks. GO GO GO! :D Do another one later on. We love it!
I watched a video talking about love triangles vs love corners. Definitely put some kind of tension in between Blake and Roo. Not romantic, necessarily, but some kind of societal tension to connect them somehow so they aren't completely stranded from each other.
I think the next one since you've done best to worst tropes you should do the tropes and character types people think are boring or don't really have any opinion positive or negative because what's worse than a bad trope or character? A boring one.
This is kinda proof that the avoidance of tropes really does separate the good authors and the ones stuck at being novices. Tropes are never inherently a bad thing, but rather how they're being used is what matters. I personally wouldn't read this story (just not my cup of tea personally, much of an Epic Fantasy and Horror kinda guy) but good job regardless!
Which was Jim Butcher's point when he bet another author he could make a best selling series out of any tropes the author chose. It was Pokemon and Lost Roman Legion. Which became the best-selling series Codex Alera.
So... Without having watched the video at all, I'm hearing the essence of the Belgariad book series coming through. As far as I understand, the author aimed to stuff every trope he has ever heard of into a book and make it good and he apparently did quite well. It's in my list to read.
The "best tropes" video was a blast to watch! I have a feeling this will be better since it'll be more of a challenge for you, but I can't wait to see what you come up with! Edit: watched the whole video, I WANT THIS BOOK SO BAD
Just have to say, I'm in love with these characters already! 😅😍 The way you blended these overused, cliche tropes together was amazing! However, in your final outline you didn't use the trope of the mentor dying. That could be worked in at the "Game Changing Midpoint", where Roo and Vivi meet at her grandmother's funeral. The revelation that Roo hasn't been getting paid could be given by another senior, maybe she rushes back to see if she can still make it to the end of the party, and has a talk with the remaining seniors as they're about to go home.
7:05 - A romantic coupling of a teacher and a student isn’t just cringe because of the age difference. It is mostly about the power differential -- and that is still there even if the teacher is no older than the student -- even if the student is slightly older.
@@LinhPhung-xk6vv Literally nothing wrong with that. A boyfriend teaches a girlfriend hundreds of things throughout their relationship. A husband teaches a wife hundreds of things throughout their life together. What you never see is a girl staying with a guy who has no discernable skill and knows less than she does. In real life and in fiction there is a reason the desirable males that women *ALWAYS* choose are doctors, generals, captains, presidents, ceos, managers, leaders, quarterbacks, etc.
@@raineatscheese Literally nothing wrong with that. A boyfriend teaches a girlfriend hundreds of things throughout their relationship. A husband teaches a wife hundreds of things throughout their life together. What you never see is a girl staying with a guy who has no discernable skill and knows less than she does. In real life and in fiction there is a reason the desirable males that women *ALWAYS* choose are doctors, generals, captains, presidents, ceos, managers, leaders, quarterbacks, etc.
Love this. Just feel like Blake should've gotten some character development and redemption as well. Maybe he confesses to Vivi about his family's dealings and expectations and she helps him confront the situation and decide his future.
Generic ... black ... haired ... immature jock best friend of Blake's who jokes all the time about mobster flicks and tropes and who he'd whack all the time, and he literally has no idea and never figures out the whole story that his best friend REALLY IS IN THE MOB?
I heard so much of BookTube etc. talking about the (sometimes invited) overuse of the “I would let the world burn for you” and personally, that is one of my fave tropes to put my own spin on. I think that particular trope is much more interesting and fresh if it’s platonic, so I’m working on that. Currently writing what I hope will be my first published novel, so wish me luck! 😅
Yes, please! More videos like this!! What an awesome job you did!!! And that Mission Impossible bit was so clever and entertaining. It really blew me away. You're amazing, Abbie!
4:49 and 6:28 Sooo...half of dark romance in general 6:35 *cries in Wattpad* This idea...this idea...ABBIE! TAKE MY MONEY!! Gimme this. Now 34:42 What I think? That you're a freaking GENIUS, ABBIE Mission: (Im)possible (that intro came out of nowhere...when you put those shades on and it took me a moment to realize this is real filming and not an actual movie scene)
hahaha thank you so much!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video and the fun intro! It was a blast to film that part 😏 If I actually write this book one day, you'll be the first to know!
You left the Tiresome Trope of the MC that is an orphan and lives with a mean/alcoholic uncle or aunt and is always highlighting the fact that he never knew his real family or maternal love to get pitty points or excuse him or herself from bad actions/decisions that hurt other characters. The worst excuse to create easy drama and conflict whenever needed in a weak story.
I really love the direction this story took, but I definitely advocate for a sequel for Blake. It felt like there was so much more to be explored with his character and storyline, particularly regarding his mafia involvement. Mafia families form an extremely tight and protective community and I think it could cause some great conflict with Blake’s family as he tries to step away from that world, especially seeing as his father has been raising him to be the next boss. I feel like there aren’t enough books accurately showing what that style of life looks like, and I would be so down for that!
you make it look so easy, im jealous of your mind omg-- watching you plot stories is so helpful and inspiring, i learn by example more than anything else which is one reason why i love your channel :) i hope you do more similar videos!
@@NorahVarkey Yes, all the time. I'm a ghostwriter, and have crafted thirty-seven novels for my clients since 2009. I live from deadline to deadline so I have to do whatever I can to stay ahead of the game. Best of luck to you!
@@NorahVarkey Abbie gives a ton of great writing advice on her channel, but if there is one bit of writing advice I can add to it, it would be always try to finish what you start. Even if you think it sucks, finish it. You'll be amazed at how much more you will learn about writing. Best of luck with your writing.
08:07 I hate love triangles cause they are never triangles! I hate it when authors write a girl being loved by two guys and call it 'love triangle', that's NOT a triangle, a triangle is a geometric figure that is connected by 3 dots not two connet to one, they all do. so it's meant to be queer cause: girl 1 loves guy, guy loves girl 2, girl 2 loves girl 1. That's a triangle! I hate it how it's never rapresented correctly..
@@JOYYS3 cause Sasuke and Naruto have the most deepest connection in the series and its very ship by fans cause has that homoer0tic vibe. So yeah, it counts.
This feels like one of those strangely awesome stories you find on Watpad/Fictionpress/Fanfiction at two in the morning when you can’t sleep. Probably not something that would win awards but a great read for a tired mind.
I love how you did this to try and make typical tropes unexpected! That’s something I do all the time. I’ll be thinking “how can i change up the typical tropes and make them unique?” And the brainstorm guide is so perfect😂😂😂
Tbh, I think love triangles can work, especially if they are a triangle accurate one. For example, in the anime series Alien Stage (it’s on yt, I recommend!!) there’s a boy named Ivan who is very socially isolated and it results in a one sided crush on another boy named Till. Till has a crush on a girl named Mizi. (Till also might like Ivan back, it’s not confirmed but there is a lot of evidence that he does but doesn’t want to believe it) Mizi already has a girlfriend named Sua, though. It’s a really good series! Very sad though, and DEFINITELY not in the way you’d expect from reading this… 😭😭😭 if you watch it, you will very likely cry… (warning: it’s a little violent, not a ton, but there is a little blood)
I haven't even finished the video yet! But the epic scene that you know what I'm talking about in the beginning had me cracking up so bad that I had to show my mom!!! THAT WAS THE BEST!!!!!!😂😂😂
What a fun idea! With the last book challenge poll, I remade the poll for myself and my friend so we could both do the challenge based on each-others' preferences! Now, I'm thinking about remaking these polls and trying the challenge myself, with my friend doing the poll!
As much as I absolutely adore this (it takes a ton of creativity to turn the worst tropes--or any tropes for that matter, into a masterpiece of this proportion), I do have one point of feedback. Not that I am in any way qualified to say this, but I feel that Roo's internal conflict of believing he isn't deserving of the love of someone like Vivi, could be shown earlier somewhere in the story, possibly somewhere around the first plot point.
What if the break up was someone Vivi liked before and her mom didn’t approve of her boyfriend because of her whole perfect image thing. (Maybe he was like Roo in someway idk) And this might cause her to be cautious in loving Roo at the beginning.
I loved your work so much, it was actually very interesting to see your perspective on all of these tropes. I was thinking about what I would do in this situation myself, an I kinda came up with an idea to make the “pretty mean cheerleader” girl to be actually mean and just a horrible human being - same goes to her love interest. I feel like the “she acts like a bad person because of her past/responsibilities, but she is actually very good” is also kinda overused, so I personally thought that a romcom about two manipulative horrible deranged human beings falling in love and learning to be a better person for each other would be another quite fun idea with all the tropes are presented here.
I know Vivi’s new relationship with Roo was kinda the main focus, but I feel like you should’ve done more with Blake. (Just a tip! Btw you did really good!) :)
If Roo is a mentor (because of the “student-teacher relationship”), then he kind of has to die, even though you wanna set him up as the preferable choice in the love triangle…
i honestly want that. i want her to end up with Blake, cuz he isn't really a bad guy. but for the mentor dying, the grandmother dying would suit it more, but Abbie was saying that she killed off Blake's dad for that cuz she didn't want to kill Vivi's grandmother.
You somehow turning what looked like a disaster waiting to happen to a story that actually interested me REALLY got me to think about clichés and writing tropes I've ignored or avoided in the past. I can already feel some ideas going around in my head! Thanks for the inspiration! This was a very well made video!
Loved it from the Mission Impossible beginning to the fantastic wrap up ending. Thank you Abbie. I wish we could see more of these. It was very educational.
Wow! This was actually amazing! Leave it to Abbie to take everything people hate and make it something they'll love! Also... am I the only one who wants to see Blake have an Aha Moment too? Thanks for the video, Abbie! As always, you are endlessly inspiring and wonderfully entertaining!
You are so talented, I don't know how you come up with the perfect stories with just that (tropes). This one was so emotional, it made me cry. If you write it I'm definitely buying a physical copy!
Personally, I hate the hate on the "not like other girls" trope more than I hate the actual trope. Probably because I have additional needs like autism and tourettes, so I know what it's like to be perpetually an outcast who is completely different and not at all the norm to the peers that surround us, preventing us from connecting. Besides, the hate of that trope has become so misogynistic now, it's like a female character can't even express a negative opinion on.something girly without being branded that trope with all the negative connotations surrounding it. I once saw someone say they DNF Hunger Games just because Katniss said she didn't like makeup. It's just goes to show how depictions of women and girls in fiction just cannot win. The girly girl characters will be demonised and the tomboys will be demonised. If the fmc is your averge girl, she's a boring Bella, if she's tougher and a lot less feminine, she's a mary sue. Besides, it's redundant. They're the protagonist of a story. OF COURSE they're going to be different and special to the NPCs around them! Of course there's gonna be something to set them apart, that makes them the one in particular to beat the bad guy, that makes them attract the guy. What the hell do you expect?! I feel the same with manic pixie dream girl. Eccentricity is kinda the thing for autistic peeps.
Oh, I totally understand!!!!!!! Not being like "Other girls" doesn't automatically make you a Mary Sue!! Just like being feminine doesn't make you a damsel in distress!!! I think people automatically lump "Not like other girls" in with "Bad writing" because SOMETIMES writers use that whole trope as an excuse to A: Make an unrealistic character. Or B: Completely devalue all side characters to build her up. But that doesn't make the trope itself bad!! Personally, I have quite alot of stories with "Not like other girls" trope!! RN the story I'm making my MC IS a girl, but she certainly isn't girly to put it LIGHTLY. She's kinda manic pixie dream girl's darker twin.
TLDR; the hate on the "not like other girls" (NLOG) trope is *not* a hate on uniqueness, but a hate on : 1) a faked uniqueness for the purpose of standing out and 2) the imbalance NLOG creates in the give and take dance that is female friendhsips. Two things are are non--issues with neuro-atypical MCs. ---- Someone helpfully pointed out your comment to me because my original comment (might have) qualified the "not like other girls" trope as...ahem... "irredeemable". I'm really glad to read your take on the debate, I agree with a lot of points you make, amongst other things on the idea that, of course, the main character will have something distinctive and unique. I agree also that there is a good chance that folks might conflate neuro-atypical and "not like other girls", and really thank you for testifying and enriching the debate. With all of these nuances, I maintain there's still a legitimate reason why many readers feel an negative epidermic reaction to the not like other girls trope, AND for reasons that make confusing neuro-atypical and not like other girls a mistake of *epic proportions*. *Authenticity* As you pointed out, *neuro-atypical* folks are all about their quirks, fully *authentically embracing* what they love and not faking an attachment or an interest just to play the game. It's one of the reasons why I love reading MC who are neuro-atypical. They are who they are, they love what they love, and we get to experience that with them (and question our own fakeness). In contrast, *NLOG* tends to chose quirks expressly *in order to stand out* . Case in point, Lily Bloom in It Ends With Us, NLOG extraordinaire, choses to open a flower shop that caters black and purple flowers, and stays away from girly esthetic, *because* she expressly "wants to do the opposite of what other flower shops are doing" -not because she's always loved gothic athmospheres, not because she's into dark academia, not because she's a deep autumn who authentically loves deep colours. In fact, authentically, Lily Bloom admits that she loves flowers, loves pink, and she's a fairly girly girl, but she needs to display something "more" unique. For a business setting, it's strategic, for a relationship setting, it's a bit weird. Where I believe uniqueness is something that is a God-given gift, that can't be quantified, that is present in everyone, even in those who seem so normal, NLOG on the other hand treats uniqueness as a quantifiable variable, and NLOG unconsciously wants to win that game, get the highest uniqueness GPA possible in order to get a full relationship ride. I insist, it's not a conscious game, nor is it callous selfishness: NLOG is confused about her own identity and her own place in the social game. She ends up unconsciously hurting other people, because she implicitly treats their uniqueness as less valuable than hers. She needs friends who are brutally honest with her and help her see how she's unwittingly hurting everyone around her. Sadly, this isn't the kind of friend NLOG usually has. *Friendship* I've yet to meet a *neuro-atypical person* who wasn't deeply deeply loyal in their close relationships, ready to give big time for those whom they love. In contrast, *NLOG* MC often comes paired with a NPC best friend who is endlessly happy to plays curling to NLOG's whims. Case in point, Lily Bloom, again, has a best friend who has unlimited means, unlimited time and energy to give to Lily in order to bring Lily's vision to life. Best friend is an endless cheerleader to NLOG, rarely if ever, calling her out on her BS. In a word, conflating neuro-atypical characters and NLOG is imo a mistake of epic proportions. *Conclusion* To conclude this TED talk no one asked for, the hate on NLOG trope is *not* a hate on uniqueness, but a hate on *faked* uniqueness for the purpose of standing out. The hate also comes from the imbalance it creates in the give and take dance that is female relationships. It asserts a hierarchy between women that doesn't need to exist, where someone who is "more special" can get away with giving less. I won't go back on my dislike of the trope, but I will go back on calling it irredeemable. I'm sorry about that. It's not my worldview, so I avoid partaking in the trope. If there are girls out there who feel like that and enjoy reading a fantasy life, to them I say, I'm sorry, I love you sister, to each their own, no disrespect to you and your tastes.
@@Charmian-and-Iras awesome reply. i think the reason people dislike it is because 1) the trope may be overused, and used poorly at that too, so ofc the reader is not gonna like it, and 2) even if it may be used "correctly" (if there is such a thing in writing) because of their dislike the readers don't appreciate it either. like the commenter said, someone DNF'd the Hunger Games just cuz Katniss said she doesn't like makeup (of all things! when you actually look into it, Hunger Games is a social commentary and the world that she lives in where the Capitol's citizens love to paint themselves while enjoying the death of children, OFC Katniss will hate makeup). so i would say there's a misperception of this trope among readers as well. like, personally, i have a hate-love relationship with makeup as well. on one hand there's the pressure to look pretty; on the other hand makeup is full of chemicals that's really awful for the skin and putting all that on my face would just make my acne worse, which in turn will make me 'uglier' and i feel the pressure to cover it up even more. i mean, who doesn't wanna look pretty? but i'm afraid that simply saying that "i don't like makeup because it's bad for skin, etc." will label me as a NLOG. you know what i mean? but i appreciate and respect your perspective on this topic. it gave me a new perspective, so thank you. have a good day/night!😁
@@KaylieghHereford i don't know about A because there are girs like that in real life too. and i love the girl character it is also something similliar to my character. i love making my character similiar to me so, i can easily write their feelings and everything.
I don't Comment a lot, but i just wanted to say that this was my Favorite video of you, so far. Really interesting Seeing you Using the techniques, instead of just talking about them
I hate that the major conflict to the end was set up by a self-inflicted scheduling conflict. If she and Ru are planning the party, they can just set it on a different day, and honor her commitments to her cheer team. Otherwise great story; I just hate when characters stupidly put themselves into that kind of drama.
What about the part where the mafia guy gets so jealous that he agrees to take over the family and he sends his goons to kidnap them and lock them in a labyrinth with a cyborg minotaur and they must use chemistry to defeat it.
I think it would be fun if we explored Blake after a time skip of several years. And all of it is going to be set in a nursing home, were him and Vivian kind of meat. And the epilog is awkward between them both due to their prior relationship and high school. It's a nursing home where Vivian is volunteering, and when she meets up with Blake, the 2 decided to kind of talk out what their lives have been after high school.
Great well-thought out ideas molded into an entertaining story. Reminds me of “The Ghost and the Goth” which features a self-absorbed cheerleader and a live guy who is anything but cool. Excellent vlog, Abbie!
sheesh, why do I have so many goosebumps at the end when Abbie gives Vivi her happy end? that was really good and inspiring. I adore you and the job you're doing
am i low key the only one who wants a sequel with blake as protag and how he deals with vivi’s breakup while also giving us more insight into his situation..?
I feel both jealous and grateful, jealous of your ability to turn stories into gold and grateful for this video cause i feel i can learn a lot from it and help me finally write the stories i want to share ❤
I think the story would be more interesting if the mafia gang member was the second guy instead of the first guy being both that and the super hot quarterback. I also think it would have been more interesting if the girl was tutoring the guy instead of the other way around. As it was, I kept losing interest.
I turned the mean girl in my debut novel into the misunderstood heroine of my latest book. Love spinning cliches on their head! Ooh and my MC loves her grandma too!
Noooo she had an opportunity to make it a high school football gang and make him the golden boy with too much pressure to put their US Southern small town on the map and she didn’t take it
I loved the first installment of the tropes blender and the second DIDN’T DISAPPOINT!! I’m glad you went light on the "she’s not like other girls", because, let’s be honest, it’s an almost irredeemable trope
@@Fatimah262 Thanks, Fatrimah for pointing it out. I found it, I appreaciated it. I also fleshed out my response below. Please feel free to call me out if I go too far. Respect
GET THE TROPE TWISTER BRAINSTORM GUIDE 👇👇
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Its not working T_T
I think for "not like other girls" she should be a goth girl, undercover cop a la 21 jump street. Direct conflict of both "secret" selves 😂
For AI make it a Robocop twist. "It was all a dream" because it was a training simulation *and, the mafia bad boy her AI cast from her memories was the coworker she hates 😂😂😂😂😂
This game is so much fun. Please do it again!!
I'm writing a story that actually happened and it has so many of these tropes accidently in real life. ugg lol. So I was laughing thinking oh my God. It's still a great story though.
I was nervous about the “it was all a dream” part but I love this twist on it 😂
When she said "it was all a dream" I almost choke on my own saliva.
Same
haha thank you! I used the play on words to my advantage, not even sorry 🤭
It's almost cheating the way it was twisted. There are ways it might be salvaged in the original form, though. What about having Roo and Vivi's first couple of dates turn out to have just been one long dream, but she realizes how happy it made her, which pushes her to break up with Blake and try to date Roo for real.
@@Rognik how can it be cheating if there’s not any rules? I do like this version and it seems really sweet though :D
I think you forgot “death of a mentor”, but that’s relatively easy to include - you could have Vivi’s grandma pass away after their final talk, and that motivates Vivi to take her last advice.
That would be devastating
yesssss, and maybe when she cracks and goes to Blake’s football game instead of the 60s party, that’s when her grandmother has, I don’t know, a heart attack or something. so then Vivi feels insanely guilty and blames herself.
and then her grandma gives Vivi advice from her hospital bed…
I think that was meant to be the death of Blake's father, or if it's not that could be used as an inciting incident for his arc
@@kayceeisonfire ohhhhh, that makes sense…
@@SheldonAdama17 that's true, Abbie forgot. And the death of the grandmother would fit.
You talked about a "damsel in distress." Children of narcissistic parents are masters of accidentally hurting themselves on purpose as a way to punish themselves for not performing up to par. So Vivi has an accident at the football game and breaks her leg or something. She mislands a jump or purposely hyperextends her leg and dislocates her knee. Blake is furious with Vivi stealing the attention from the game and her mother berates her for getting hurt, thus ruining everything. The next day she wakes up wishing it was just a dream, especially when the picture of Blake's kiss goes viral. So while Vivi is out for the rest of the season, she spends more time with her grandma after school, thus she and Roo find a way to make amends.
Ooooh I like that plot twist! 👀
the way you casually pumped out this plot was legitimately impressive
I know, right? I wish I could do that. Takes me forever to come up with a solid outline
When you can connect dots like that, you know you're either meant to be an author or a conspiracy theorist.
@@elk45Proves my point that conspiracy theories are so successful because they tell better stories than the mundane real world.
I've been told I think too much... I guess these are the benefits 🤣
@@AbbieEmmonsI know the feeling . I'm guilty of the same . ( You can delete this if you want , just trying to help )
♑✍️🇳🇴🇦🇺
There's no bad tropes. There's just poorly-used tropes.
Amen 🙏
Yup 😆
Okay this comment actually ate though
@josiemas no
@josiemas Ok, I mean, until glorification of cr*me or even worse p*dophilia are involved...
Wow it’s absolute insanity how you can take a bunch of craziness and somehow wrangle it into a book I’d actually love to read.
Thank you! 🥲 It was so much fun to brainstorm this one! I'm honored that you would like to read it
I agree except the chosen one ever heard of HARRY POTTER I do think the main reason it works though is because he doesn't know until book five and he doesn't like the fame so he's not annoying.
seeing the mission impossible intro had me laughing tears of joy - SO UNEXPECTED
I'm so glad you liked that intro! I love the original Mission Impossible series so much, I just couldn't resist 🤣
@@AbbieEmmons yes it's such a good series 😭 Also is that your everyday car because it is STUNNING
@@secondstarASMR looks pretty old lol she probably rented it 🫢
Might not tho pretty car
@@AbbieEmmonsyou’re my best friend I really like you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I’d give Blake an arc as well, maybe he breaks down when Vivi breaks up with him and confesses everything about his family, and Vivi feels compassion for him, decides to help him somehow and the become really good friends ❤
Yessss
Then his family finds out that he wants out of the business and they kill him
@@whyrwehere😭😭 stop it, i want a happy ending!
That’s brillaint!!
@@sleepy.timaeus.arts. It'd be too unrealistic to just have a happy ending unless there's a subplot about them teaming up against his family or something.
I had a thought, what if when the boyfriend realizes Vivian is interested in someone else he falls into the life he’s trying to escape by having his mob buddies attack Rue. Could add an extra level of conflict.
Whoa 🤯 that would be a crazy plot twist!
Omg just read your comment after basically writing exactly same thing. I'm going to call it great minds think alike, if that's ok.
@@DavidLewis-v4m Absolutely!
Normally these types of stories never catch my attention, but I was hooked as you went through the outline.
This could also lead to a really interesting sequel that focuses more on Blake, who now has to face the repercussions of this story’s resolution.
Well then I accomplished my mission! 😉 Thank you! And I agree, there is definitely sequel potential for Blake!
me realising some of these tropes are literally in the book i just finished 💀 but it's cute 😭
Same. 🫤
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hey that's awesome! putting your unique twist on tropes is what makes them amazing 🙌
Abbie made them work, you probably did too
I'm excited. I usually don't like all these tropes, but if anyone can make them into an enjoyable book, it's you, Abbie! ❤
Thank you so much! I'm honored by your faith in me 🥹
@@AbbieEmmons Of course! You're such a great writer!!! ❤
I love the amount of effort put into the mission intro 😂
Thank you! It was so much fun to film it.... and to finally give my Tbird a guest appearance in a video ☺🚙
@@AbbieEmmons it's YOURS??? damnnnn!!! I want to be you now.
The mafia should be more involved with this, honestly. If they are determined to get Blake involved, they will do things to ensure it. They could be the ones spying on Vivi. They could have a plot involved to break up Vivi and Blake so he has less reason to hang on. They could be the ones who hire Roo to tutor Vivi as a means to distract her from Blake and try to set up a fake romance for Blake to get jealous of. Then Blake uses their resources to get revenge and have Roo assaulted. Blake learns he likes the taste of mafia power and begins to question his pro football life. Then when he kisses Vivi at the big game and sees that she's not into it anymore, he learns controlling her isn't a good feeling, lets her go and plays his heart out. But the mafia has plans for this where they end up breaking his ankle after the first half, causing him to be unable to play the second and blow his big chance at college. Things like that could make the mafia connection the severe threat that it should be.
YESSSSS since blake is part of the mafia, they need to have a bigger role bc of how powerful mafia organizations are-
poor blake going through it! love this tho 🤧
Hear me out: some mafia guys assault Roo behind Blake’s back. When Blake finds him battered and bruised in an alley, he carries him home (sprained ankle and all) and solidifies his "redemption arc".
uuhh, yes. I like this. Let's say Roo's initially reluctant to go out with Vivian but is pressured by the mafia who finance his AI research. Blake's cousin spies on Vivian and helps Roo win her over. But it turns out Roo likes Vivian, and now he feels bad for manipulating her and he's afraid she'll learn the truth and leave him.
I'd leave the ankle thing out it though, and make Blake more conflicted. Now that he has a real chance of losing her, Blake actually does want Vivian and after the game he joins his mafia friends in an attempt to take out Roo. But Vivien protects him, placing herself between Roo and Blake. Blake's cousin then exposes Roo, but Vivian stays by his side (there's a whole back and forth between them). Blakes cousin gets tired of this and raises his gun on Vivian but then Blake turns his gun on his cousin telling Vivian and Roo to leave. After a heated exchange
the henchmen ready their weapons, but the cousin raises his hand "let him leave".
Blake throws his gun at his cousin's feet "I'm out" and walks away into the darkness.
in the end Vivi and Roo spend a few months together, but they end up going to different collages and break up shortly after. Blake leaves town and no one hears of him until a many years later when the news reports on the quarterback from an obscure team on the other side of the country suspected of drug trafficking. He's acquitted in court.
I love these ideas!
I honestly love this new little series where you use polls and tropes, the only thing that bothers me is that now I really really want to read the books you create out of them!
I feel like the story even sets up a second book from Blake's POV where now that he does not have Vivi anymore, the threat of his family (who doesn't truly love him) comes back in a very big way, and he's kinda lost between trying to find someone else to fill in Vivi's shoes (or trying to win her back by telling her the truth, maybe Blake's family is upset with Vivi because she tarnished their reputation) or finding a way to be his true self and find someone he can truly love and escape with as the pressure becomes more and more unbearable.
You used all the tropes so easily! You kinda took the easy way out thought Abbie since really Blake was supposed to end up with Viví and Roo was only necessary to complete the love triangle trope.
I miss Blake already I think they could've had a really sweet arc! especially if the game was actually riding on a scholarship and he had academic dreams that he wanted to pursue whilst cutting financially and emotionally from his criminal family.
@@wilmvandrr He wouldn't need a scholarship. He has all the money in the world because of his Mafia family.
These are so much fun. Now I need to get back to my own
I just imagine a plot twist where the quarterback sends guys from his mafia and Vivi dies in the end. Cuz he’s jealous and mad that she cheated
Edit: omg Abbie replied! I had to tell my best friend.
THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. He is connected to the mafia, and that is a big thing! It would make sense if it affected Vivi or the story in some bigger way.
I thought that what if instead of him sending somebody to kill her his dad or smth sends it like “ omg you’re making my son think hes aloud to do other stuff ima kill you “ or smth idk
Oh man, that's so sad! And maybe the "it was all a dream" is Roo wakes up at the end a while later after having a nightmare about it. Or the epilogue is a dream about it "actually" ending well but then he remembers that his subconscious made it up and she really did die.
Bro's writing an Othello adaptation!
whoa 🤯
I'm so glad I found Abbie on my feed again, she introduced me to character arcs when I was a tween.
Abbie this concept is SUCH a mood, also I literally laughed out loud in the end when you said you wanted to write it. HAHAH I understand the feeling; as soon as you start to get a little emotionally invested in the characters and as soon as you feel that little tingle in your body, you're kind of doomed to never let the story go. I definitely prefer the fantasy concept you did last time over this one, but I LOVE how you can throw something interesting together from seeminly random stuff. You're talented (and you've put a lot of hard work into learning ofc, but you really do seem to have a natural affinity for this). Personally plotting is the hardest part for me; I'm a bit of a discovery writer but I think I need to use your methods to be more efficient. My problem is that I'm "afraid" of destroying the little well curated and romanticised vague idea of a story I have in mind by plotting beforehand, so instead I let it unfold extremely slowly in my mind and I'll write small sections on paper just to understand what mood I want it to have, afraid that if I go all in plot, I'll lose that initial mood/atmosphere that had me really hooked. But this means the story acutally never gets written. I think I'll need to be a little more bold, just like you. Maybe I don't need to plot all the way, but I should likely at least write out a beginning, a middle and an end. I have it in mind but I've never really written it out... I'll have to remember that no matter what changes I do, there's always room to go back to the initial idea. No regrets. :D
Overall I think this concept is SERIOUSLY one of the best concept for videos I've ever seen with regards to writing, something about it just clicks. GO GO GO! :D Do another one later on. We love it!
I watched a video talking about love triangles vs love corners. Definitely put some kind of tension in between Blake and Roo. Not romantic, necessarily, but some kind of societal tension to connect them somehow so they aren't completely stranded from each other.
I think the next one since you've done best to worst tropes you should do the tropes and character types people think are boring or don't really have any opinion positive or negative because what's worse than a bad trope or character? A boring one.
This is kinda proof that the avoidance of tropes really does separate the good authors and the ones stuck at being novices. Tropes are never inherently a bad thing, but rather how they're being used is what matters. I personally wouldn't read this story (just not my cup of tea personally, much of an Epic Fantasy and Horror kinda guy) but good job regardless!
I was thinking about doing a historical romance novel set during the French Revolution
Which was Jim Butcher's point when he bet another author he could make a best selling series out of any tropes the author chose. It was Pokemon and Lost Roman Legion. Which became the best-selling series Codex Alera.
So... Without having watched the video at all, I'm hearing the essence of the Belgariad book series coming through.
As far as I understand, the author aimed to stuff every trope he has ever heard of into a book and make it good and he apparently did quite well. It's in my list to read.
Having now watched it, I can't help but ask why the mafia angle never threatened a death or severe fate of some kind.
The "best tropes" video was a blast to watch! I have a feeling this will be better since it'll be more of a challenge for you, but I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Edit: watched the whole video, I WANT THIS BOOK SO BAD
Ahh thank you so much! 💗 I'm so glad you enjoyed this video and the other writing challenge as well!
maybe you would enjoy movie Keith
Just have to say, I'm in love with these characters already! 😅😍 The way you blended these overused, cliche tropes together was amazing! However, in your final outline you didn't use the trope of the mentor dying. That could be worked in at the "Game Changing Midpoint", where Roo and Vivi meet at her grandmother's funeral.
The revelation that Roo hasn't been getting paid could be given by another senior, maybe she rushes back to see if she can still make it to the end of the party, and has a talk with the remaining seniors as they're about to go home.
7:05 - A romantic coupling of a teacher and a student isn’t just cringe because of the age difference. It is mostly about the power differential -- and that is still there even if the teacher is no older than the student -- even if the student is slightly older.
Yeah like… that’s the person TEACHING you 😬
Yeah. They're your TEACHER
@@LinhPhung-xk6vv Literally nothing wrong with that. A boyfriend teaches a girlfriend hundreds of things throughout their relationship. A husband teaches a wife hundreds of things throughout their life together. What you never see is a girl staying with a guy who has no discernable skill and knows less than she does. In real life and in fiction there is a reason the desirable males that women *ALWAYS* choose are doctors, generals, captains, presidents, ceos, managers, leaders, quarterbacks, etc.
@@raineatscheese Literally nothing wrong with that. A boyfriend teaches a girlfriend hundreds of things throughout their relationship. A husband teaches a wife hundreds of things throughout their life together. What you never see is a girl staying with a guy who has no discernable skill and knows less than she does. In real life and in fiction there is a reason the desirable males that women *ALWAYS* choose are doctors, generals, captains, presidents, ceos, managers, leaders, quarterbacks, etc.
@@Milktube What we mean is that the student falls in love with a teacher at THEIR school and that's problematic
Loving the fresh take on all the tired tropes.
0:54 Just had to say that the car is so cute😭✨
"She's not like other girls...
"...because she died."
That sounds like a really good pitch...
"But she's too stubborn to let that stick. If only that pesky underworld mafia leader would let her reincarnate...."
@@elk45 oooo
“She’s not like other girls…
… she has snake arms”
@@pedrogabrielwriter THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT
Love this. Just feel like Blake should've gotten some character development and redemption as well. Maybe he confesses to Vivi about his family's dealings and expectations and she helps him confront the situation and decide his future.
I’m exciteddd. I wonder if generic black haired regular boy protagonist will make it in.
Wait, if it's the worst tropes, then we're gonna have those badly written harem
Generic ... black ... haired ... immature jock best friend of Blake's who jokes all the time about mobster flicks and tropes and who he'd whack all the time, and he literally has no idea and never figures out the whole story that his best friend REALLY IS IN THE MOB?
Black haired boy with scar on forehead and is a wizard hahaha
Black haired boy with scar on forehead and is a wizard hahaha
I heard so much of BookTube etc. talking about the (sometimes invited) overuse of the “I would let the world burn for you” and personally, that is one of my fave tropes to put my own spin on. I think that particular trope is much more interesting and fresh if it’s platonic, so I’m working on that. Currently writing what I hope will be my first published novel, so wish me luck! 😅
Ahh I’m OBSESSED with the Mission Impossible segment! So creative and so fun!!
Thank you! I fulfilled my fantasy of living in the 60s 😍
“treats the girl like dirt but she is still obsessed with him” gives Fitz and Sophie vibes ngl
There is one instance I remember, where the "pretty mean chearleader" was done really well: Cordelia Chase from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Yes, please! More videos like this!! What an awesome job you did!!! And that Mission Impossible bit was so clever and entertaining. It really blew me away. You're amazing, Abbie!
4:49 and 6:28 Sooo...half of dark romance in general
6:35 *cries in Wattpad*
This idea...this idea...ABBIE! TAKE MY MONEY!! Gimme this. Now
34:42 What I think? That you're a freaking GENIUS, ABBIE
Mission: (Im)possible (that intro came out of nowhere...when you put those shades on and it took me a moment to realize this is real filming and not an actual movie scene)
hahaha thank you so much!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video and the fun intro! It was a blast to film that part 😏 If I actually write this book one day, you'll be the first to know!
I sharted my pants in wattpad! BUT THE WAY SHE MADE IT GOOD 👌
You left the Tiresome Trope of the MC that is an orphan and lives with a mean/alcoholic uncle or aunt and is always highlighting the fact that he never knew his real family or maternal love to get pitty points or excuse him or herself from bad actions/decisions that hurt other characters. The worst excuse to create easy drama and conflict whenever needed in a weak story.
I really love the direction this story took, but I definitely advocate for a sequel for Blake. It felt like there was so much more to be explored with his character and storyline, particularly regarding his mafia involvement. Mafia families form an extremely tight and protective community and I think it could cause some great conflict with Blake’s family as he tries to step away from that world, especially seeing as his father has been raising him to be the next boss. I feel like there aren’t enough books accurately showing what that style of life looks like, and I would be so down for that!
Please make more videos like this! It’s so interesting and helpful to watch you outline a story with a bunch of different tropes!
I personally love “love at first sight” its my fav because for me the love is more pure than going from hating and hurting each other to loving.
you make it look so easy, im jealous of your mind omg-- watching you plot stories is so helpful and inspiring, i learn by example more than anything else which is one reason why i love your channel :) i hope you do more similar videos!
*Haunting Adeline is crying in a corner*
4:33 mafia leader?! Sounds like every kpop wattpad fanfic 😅
Well Wattpad is a world of writers whose motives are to scare whole humanity with literature 😭🙏
@@skydecay69 frr, on wattpad I was part of the Kpop and K-drama community, only me and my bestie were the ones with sane fanfics
@@skydecay69I wrote a Kim Jung un fanfic on wattpad, so you are correct
omg! this is actually a really good storyline! :D
Please please pleaseeeeee write this book! ❤ I’m completely addicted to it now!😂 I would absolutely love to read the whole thing!!
Also that CAR😍
Never even heard of these tropes, but excited to see how it all looks in one book! Can't waittt!!!!
Don't wait, write your own version of this. Any trope or plot device is as good or bad as the writer's imagine.
@@OlettaLiano That's such a great idea! Have you tried it?
@@NorahVarkey Yes, all the time. I'm a ghostwriter, and have crafted thirty-seven novels for my clients since 2009. I live from deadline to deadline so I have to do whatever I can to stay ahead of the game. Best of luck to you!
@@OlettaLiano That's great! I'm definately going to try it! Thanks!
@@NorahVarkey Abbie gives a ton of great writing advice on her channel, but if there is one bit of writing advice I can add to it, it would be always try to finish what you start. Even if you think it sucks, finish it. You'll be amazed at how much more you will learn about writing. Best of luck with your writing.
08:07 I hate love triangles cause they are never triangles! I hate it when authors write a girl being loved by two guys and call it 'love triangle', that's NOT a triangle, a triangle is a geometric figure that is connected by 3 dots not two connet to one, they all do. so it's meant to be queer cause: girl 1 loves guy, guy loves girl 2, girl 2 loves girl 1. That's a triangle! I hate it how it's never rapresented correctly..
I call those love tents, two people like one person
THANK YOU
Real Love triangle is Sasuke,Sakura Naruto. Yeah only Sasusaku wins on that one Naruto gets Sasukes respect at least
@@AshleyHankey ... Its not queer?? Wha i dont get it wdym
@@JOYYS3 cause Sasuke and Naruto have the most deepest connection in the series and its very ship by fans cause has that homoer0tic vibe. So yeah, it counts.
One book that beautifully subverts the stalker love interest is The Devotion of Suspect X (Keigo Higashino)--a must read for anyone and everyone.
OMG!!!!!! I cant wait to watch this video!!!! I LOVED the video when you used the best tropes, but this seems so much more interesting!!!
This feels like one of those strangely awesome stories you find on Watpad/Fictionpress/Fanfiction at two in the morning when you can’t sleep. Probably not something that would win awards but a great read for a tired mind.
I’m starting reading the otherworld today and I’m gonna use your story study guide, so excited! No better day to do it than on writers life Wednesday!
I loved this video so much! The way you weave these tropes into a character driven narrative is amazing. 🤩
Thank you! I'm so happy you loved the story idea! 💗
@@AbbieEmmons Your welcome 🤗
Yeah, I love, love triangles but most the time in any type of media it's a tent, which makes me really sad.
I love how you did this to try and make typical tropes unexpected! That’s something I do all the time. I’ll be thinking “how can i change up the typical tropes and make them unique?” And the brainstorm guide is so perfect😂😂😂
Tbh, I think love triangles can work, especially if they are a triangle accurate one.
For example, in the anime series Alien Stage (it’s on yt, I recommend!!) there’s a boy named Ivan who is very socially isolated and it results in a one sided crush on another boy named Till. Till has a crush on a girl named Mizi. (Till also might like Ivan back, it’s not confirmed but there is a lot of evidence that he does but doesn’t want to believe it) Mizi already has a girlfriend named Sua, though.
It’s a really good series! Very sad though, and DEFINITELY not in the way you’d expect from reading this… 😭😭😭 if you watch it, you will very likely cry… (warning: it’s a little violent, not a ton, but there is a little blood)
I haven't even finished the video yet! But the epic scene that you know what I'm talking about in the beginning had me cracking up so bad that I had to show my mom!!! THAT WAS THE BEST!!!!!!😂😂😂
Hahaha thank you! I'm so glad you and your mom got a kick out of that intro 😉🚙📼
What a fun idea! With the last book challenge poll, I remade the poll for myself and my friend so we could both do the challenge based on each-others' preferences! Now, I'm thinking about remaking these polls and trying the challenge myself, with my friend doing the poll!
I’m attempting to write my own book for the first time and I had no idea so many of my tropes were so hated😂 I need to rethink my plot a bit!!!
As much as I absolutely adore this (it takes a ton of creativity to turn the worst tropes--or any tropes for that matter, into a masterpiece of this proportion), I do have one point of feedback. Not that I am in any way qualified to say this, but I feel that Roo's internal conflict of believing he isn't deserving of the love of someone like Vivi, could be shown earlier somewhere in the story, possibly somewhere around the first plot point.
What if the break up was someone Vivi liked before and her mom didn’t approve of her boyfriend because of her whole perfect image thing. (Maybe he was like Roo in someway idk) And this might cause her to be cautious in loving Roo at the beginning.
I loved your work so much, it was actually very interesting to see your perspective on all of these tropes. I was thinking about what I would do in this situation myself, an I kinda came up with an idea to make the “pretty mean cheerleader” girl to be actually mean and just a horrible human being - same goes to her love interest. I feel like the “she acts like a bad person because of her past/responsibilities, but she is actually very good” is also kinda overused, so I personally thought that a romcom about two manipulative horrible deranged human beings falling in love and learning to be a better person for each other would be another quite fun idea with all the tropes are presented here.
This could be a weekly series "Stories From Tropes".
I was squealing from how good this was. My mind is blown from how amazing you are at making plots
Let me know when you publish this one. I hate these kinds of stories, but I’d def read this! 😅
I know Vivi’s new relationship with Roo was kinda the main focus, but I feel like you should’ve done more with Blake. (Just a tip! Btw you did really good!) :)
omg abbie is can’t get over the production value, this is *quality* content and i’m only 3 minutes in 👌🏻❤
If Roo is a mentor (because of the “student-teacher relationship”), then he kind of has to die, even though you wanna set him up as the preferable choice in the love triangle…
i honestly want that. i want her to end up with Blake, cuz he isn't really a bad guy. but for the mentor dying, the grandmother dying would suit it more, but Abbie was saying that she killed off Blake's dad for that cuz she didn't want to kill Vivi's grandmother.
7:25 So obviously, we need a love triangle at first sight.
You somehow turning what looked like a disaster waiting to happen to a story that actually interested me REALLY got me to think about clichés and writing tropes I've ignored or avoided in the past. I can already feel some ideas going around in my head! Thanks for the inspiration! This was a very well made video!
You should write this book! I love all the twists on these common tropes. ❤
Loved it from the Mission Impossible beginning to the fantastic wrap up ending. Thank you Abbie. I wish we could see more of these. It was very educational.
I love this Abbie !!!!! make it a series! it's so fun to watch hahahah 🤩
Wow, this is quite the challenge!!
I actually thought this was a live, and thought I missed it - great job with that intro ,lovin' the investigator Abbie
Well, you know what they say! Two negatives make a positive - sometimes.
Well, this one’s not the exception. Nice video, and impressive storyline! :)
Wow! This was actually amazing! Leave it to Abbie to take everything people hate and make it something they'll love! Also... am I the only one who wants to see Blake have an Aha Moment too?
Thanks for the video, Abbie! As always, you are endlessly inspiring and wonderfully entertaining!
You are so talented, I don't know how you come up with the perfect stories with just that (tropes).
This one was so emotional, it made me cry. If you write it I'm definitely buying a physical copy!
I really want to read that story. That's really really good.
I am living for these roleplay scenes. Excellent video!
Personally, I hate the hate on the "not like other girls" trope more than I hate the actual trope. Probably because I have additional needs like autism and tourettes, so I know what it's like to be perpetually an outcast who is completely different and not at all the norm to the peers that surround us, preventing us from connecting. Besides, the hate of that trope has become so misogynistic now, it's like a female character can't even express a negative opinion on.something girly without being branded that trope with all the negative connotations surrounding it. I once saw someone say they DNF Hunger Games just because Katniss said she didn't like makeup. It's just goes to show how depictions of women and girls in fiction just cannot win. The girly girl characters will be demonised and the tomboys will be demonised. If the fmc is your averge girl, she's a boring Bella, if she's tougher and a lot less feminine, she's a mary sue. Besides, it's redundant. They're the protagonist of a story. OF COURSE they're going to be different and special to the NPCs around them! Of course there's gonna be something to set them apart, that makes them the one in particular to beat the bad guy, that makes them attract the guy. What the hell do you expect?! I feel the same with manic pixie dream girl. Eccentricity is kinda the thing for autistic peeps.
Oh, I totally understand!!!!!!! Not being like "Other girls" doesn't automatically make you a Mary Sue!! Just like being feminine doesn't make you a damsel in distress!!!
I think people automatically lump "Not like other girls" in with "Bad writing" because SOMETIMES writers use that whole trope as an excuse to
A: Make an unrealistic character.
Or B: Completely devalue all side characters to build her up.
But that doesn't make the trope itself bad!!
Personally, I have quite alot of stories with "Not like other girls" trope!! RN the story I'm making my MC IS a girl, but she certainly isn't girly to put it LIGHTLY. She's kinda manic pixie dream girl's darker twin.
💯💯
TLDR; the hate on the "not like other girls" (NLOG) trope is *not* a hate on uniqueness, but a hate on :
1) a faked uniqueness for the purpose of standing out and
2) the imbalance NLOG creates in the give and take dance that is female friendhsips.
Two things are are non--issues with neuro-atypical MCs.
----
Someone helpfully pointed out your comment to me because my original comment (might have) qualified the "not like other girls" trope as...ahem... "irredeemable". I'm really glad to read your take on the debate, I agree with a lot of points you make, amongst other things on the idea that, of course, the main character will have something distinctive and unique.
I agree also that there is a good chance that folks might conflate neuro-atypical and "not like other girls", and really thank you for testifying and enriching the debate. With all of these nuances, I maintain there's still a legitimate reason why many readers feel an negative epidermic reaction to the not like other girls trope, AND for reasons that make confusing neuro-atypical and not like other girls a mistake of *epic proportions*.
*Authenticity*
As you pointed out, *neuro-atypical* folks are all about their quirks, fully *authentically embracing* what they love and not faking an attachment or an interest just to play the game. It's one of the reasons why I love reading MC who are neuro-atypical. They are who they are, they love what they love, and we get to experience that with them (and question our own fakeness).
In contrast, *NLOG* tends to chose quirks expressly *in order to stand out* . Case in point, Lily Bloom in It Ends With Us, NLOG extraordinaire, choses to open a flower shop that caters black and purple flowers, and stays away from girly esthetic, *because* she expressly "wants to do the opposite of what other flower shops are doing" -not because she's always loved gothic athmospheres, not because she's into dark academia, not because she's a deep autumn who authentically loves deep colours. In fact, authentically, Lily Bloom admits that she loves flowers, loves pink, and she's a fairly girly girl, but she needs to display something "more" unique. For a business setting, it's strategic, for a relationship setting, it's a bit weird.
Where I believe uniqueness is something that is a God-given gift, that can't be quantified, that is present in everyone, even in those who seem so normal, NLOG on the other hand treats uniqueness as a quantifiable variable, and NLOG unconsciously wants to win that game, get the highest uniqueness GPA possible in order to get a full relationship ride. I insist, it's not a conscious game, nor is it callous selfishness: NLOG is confused about her own identity and her own place in the social game. She ends up unconsciously hurting other people, because she implicitly treats their uniqueness as less valuable than hers. She needs friends who are brutally honest with her and help her see how she's unwittingly hurting everyone around her. Sadly, this isn't the kind of friend NLOG usually has.
*Friendship*
I've yet to meet a *neuro-atypical person* who wasn't deeply deeply loyal in their close relationships, ready to give big time for those whom they love.
In contrast, *NLOG* MC often comes paired with a NPC best friend who is endlessly happy to plays curling to NLOG's whims. Case in point, Lily Bloom, again, has a best friend who has unlimited means, unlimited time and energy to give to Lily in order to bring Lily's vision to life. Best friend is an endless cheerleader to NLOG, rarely if ever, calling her out on her BS.
In a word, conflating neuro-atypical characters and NLOG is imo a mistake of epic proportions.
*Conclusion*
To conclude this TED talk no one asked for, the hate on NLOG trope is *not* a hate on uniqueness, but a hate on *faked* uniqueness for the purpose of standing out. The hate also comes from the imbalance it creates in the give and take dance that is female relationships. It asserts a hierarchy between women that doesn't need to exist, where someone who is "more special" can get away with giving less.
I won't go back on my dislike of the trope, but I will go back on calling it irredeemable. I'm sorry about that. It's not my worldview, so I avoid partaking in the trope. If there are girls out there who feel like that and enjoy reading a fantasy life, to them I say, I'm sorry, I love you sister, to each their own, no disrespect to you and your tastes.
@@Charmian-and-Iras awesome reply.
i think the reason people dislike it is because
1) the trope may be overused, and used poorly at that too, so ofc the reader is not gonna like it, and
2) even if it may be used "correctly" (if there is such a thing in writing) because of their dislike the readers don't appreciate it either. like the commenter said, someone DNF'd the Hunger Games just cuz Katniss said she doesn't like makeup (of all things! when you actually look into it, Hunger Games is a social commentary and the world that she lives in where the Capitol's citizens love to paint themselves while enjoying the death of children, OFC Katniss will hate makeup). so i would say there's a misperception of this trope among readers as well.
like, personally, i have a hate-love relationship with makeup as well. on one hand there's the pressure to look pretty; on the other hand makeup is full of chemicals that's really awful for the skin and putting all that on my face would just make my acne worse, which in turn will make me 'uglier' and i feel the pressure to cover it up even more. i mean, who doesn't wanna look pretty?
but i'm afraid that simply saying that "i don't like makeup because it's bad for skin, etc." will label me as a NLOG.
you know what i mean?
but i appreciate and respect your perspective on this topic. it gave me a new perspective, so thank you. have a good day/night!😁
@@KaylieghHereford i don't know about A because there are girs like that in real life too. and i love the girl character it is also something similliar to my character. i love making my character similiar to me so, i can easily write their feelings and everything.
I don't Comment a lot, but i just wanted to say that this was my Favorite video of you, so far. Really interesting Seeing you Using the techniques, instead of just talking about them
I hate that the major conflict to the end was set up by a self-inflicted scheduling conflict. If she and Ru are planning the party, they can just set it on a different day, and honor her commitments to her cheer team. Otherwise great story; I just hate when characters stupidly put themselves into that kind of drama.
What about the part where the mafia guy gets so jealous that he agrees to take over the family and he sends his goons to kidnap them and lock them in a labyrinth with a cyborg minotaur and they must use chemistry to defeat it.
I think it would be fun if we explored Blake after a time skip of several years. And all of it is going to be set in a nursing home, were him and Vivian kind of meat. And the epilog is awkward between them both due to their prior relationship and high school. It's a nursing home where Vivian is volunteering, and when she meets up with Blake, the 2 decided to kind of talk out what their lives have been after high school.
Great well-thought out ideas molded into an entertaining story. Reminds me of “The Ghost and the Goth” which features a self-absorbed cheerleader and a live guy who is anything but cool. Excellent vlog, Abbie!
sheesh, why do I have so many goosebumps at the end when Abbie gives Vivi her happy end?
that was really good and inspiring. I adore you and the job you're doing
am i low key the only one who wants a sequel with blake as protag and how he deals with vivi’s breakup while also giving us more insight into his situation..?
I feel both jealous and grateful, jealous of your ability to turn stories into gold and grateful for this video cause i feel i can learn a lot from it and help me finally write the stories i want to share ❤
Can you try to write 2+ books/stories with the same tropes and make them completely different. Or explain the creative thought process?
I'm at 1:33.... Enemies to lovers... And grumpy x sunshine? 😭😭😭😭😭 This hurtttt
It is so interesting to see you work, Abbie! Please make more of these videos!!
I think the story would be more interesting if the mafia gang member was the second guy instead of the first guy being both that and the super hot quarterback. I also think it would have been more interesting if the girl was tutoring the guy instead of the other way around.
As it was, I kept losing interest.
I turned the mean girl in my debut novel into the misunderstood heroine of my latest book. Love spinning cliches on their head! Ooh and my MC loves her grandma too!
Noooo she had an opportunity to make it a high school football gang and make him the golden boy with too much pressure to put their US Southern small town on the map and she didn’t take it
OML FR
I love the way you work through all of the characters, theme--perfect!
I loved the first installment of the tropes blender and the second DIDN’T DISAPPOINT!! I’m glad you went light on the "she’s not like other girls", because, let’s be honest, it’s an almost irredeemable trope
i just read a comment above about the hate against the "not like other girls" trope, i'd suggest reading it. different perspectives 😊
@@Fatimah262 Thanks, Fatrimah for pointing it out. I found it, I appreaciated it. I also fleshed out my response below. Please feel free to call me out if I go too far. Respect