The Cliche Flip: love interest edition

   And here I am, an entire day after I was supposed to post this - BUT better late than never, yes?

   Anyways.

   It is time for the second round of smashing in The Cliche Flip - this time, we're digging out the love interest trope and slamming some cliches *wields sledgehammer*. Who's ready to go?

   It's (*cough* the day after *cough*) Valentine's day, so you probably already had a guess as to which character type I would be Flipping today. Yup, you're exactly right - today's we're flipping:

the love interest

 

Cliche 1: No Talking Things Out 

   In almost every book I read where there's even the tiniest bit of romance, the two characters do not talk their problems out. Come on now. And that fact has almost become a cliche! It's so annoying when you can tell that the characters could solve their problems easily if they'd just communicate ... but then they don't. In my opinion, it's like the author is taking the easy way out and giving the characters an obstacle just by having them not talking, and in a way...well, besides being annoying, it's also cheating. Don't take the easy way out.

Cliche FLIP: No Talking Things Out 

   TALK, YO. Just let the characters talk to each other! And if you think that wouldn't be fun, because the conversation could be boring, or they could reach their conclusion too fast, think again. Is that how it happens in real life? Not a chance. Your characters could don't need to have a happy-go-lucky conversation, they can disagree with each other - but they can still talk. Maybe a bomb goes off while they're talking! Maybe the discover a giant secret as they discuss things! Maybe they are two characters who are acting as spies, and no one is supposed to see them talking together, but someone does. Just because they're talking things out doesn't mean it has to be boring.

Cliche 2: I Can Handle It By Myself 

   I know, I know - every other bookdragon in the universe wants the girl to be able to save herself, and not need help from the guy. Ever. Period. And while I love to see strong girls making strides and doing epic things, I ALSO love it when two characters get it into their heads that maybe they should work together? Perhaps it would be a good idea?

Cliche FLIP: I Can Handle It By Myself

   TEAMWORK, YO. That's the best Flip I've got for ya xD. On a more serious note - your characters can work together. And this can be the cause for a ton of obstacles (or hilarity ;D) in your book! Maybe your girl character has the tendency to talk a lot when she's nervous, while your guy character can't stand chatter when he's trying to figure something out, and then have to figure out a way to work through their differences while they try to save the world. Or maybe she's blind, and he uses a wheelchair because he can't walk, and then figure out a way to work together and help each other. There's a TON that could be done with this cliche that would be really cool. 

Cliche 3: Break Up And Back Together

   I can think of multiple books off the top of my head where the two characters are together, then get into a fight and break up, and then get back together again - and sometimes they do it multiple times! And let me explain something - breaking up and being mad at each other are two different things, okay? If the characters are mad at each other and won't talk for days, fine - BUT if they actually say they're break up, then get together again within the next two pages? And then they break up again, only to get back together in the next chapter? Yeah, hold your horses. 

Cliche FLIP: Break Up And Back Together

   Maybe your characters were childhood friends, and they've learned that they're stronger together. Seriously, two characters that stick together even through the hard stuff are so fun to follow. OR maybe they have to stay together, even if they're mad at each other and need some room to breath, because they're mentor and trainee, or two leaders of the same group, and it would bring people's spirits down to see them break up. OR maybe your two characters are pushed together by necessity - perhaps they're the two oddballs in a group of friends? - and end up falling for each other ... and then staying that way. There's a lot of fun stuff you can do with this one. 

   And that would be all I've got time to say about those cliche's and their flips - but if you still need a little more inspiration, here are some writing prompts for you ...

   SO there are some of my thoughts on cliche flips for the love interest characters! The post actually could have been a lot longer (I didn't even touch on the love/hate trope, or the girl immediately falling for the hottie trope), but I managed to force myself to stop at three xD. Leave your ideas for cliche flips down in the comments! BUT be aware that there's been a new update regarding that. Since there were SO MANY great Flips down in the comments of the mentors edition of the cliche flip, I'm opening it up so that YOUR cliche flips can be put in the post. Just let me know when you comment your Flips that I can put them in the post, and if you have any really great ones, I'll snag them and stick them in the post, along with your name and a link to your blog, if you have one ;).

   I hope these got your creative minds turning! And now, if your muse starts feeding you ideas for some pretty quirky characters...well, don't blame me xD.

~ Savannah Grace 

who's your favorite literary character that falls into the love interest trope?
do you write/read romance stories often?