Grab your favorite mystical artifact, maybe a potion or two, and dive into the magical world of reinventing tropes in urban supernatural, paranormal fantasy. Because, let’s be honest, we all love a good trope—until we’ve seen it one too many times.
The Usual Suspects
Some tropes have been done to death in urban, supernatural, and paranormal fantasy. You know the ones: the brooding vampire who’s hundreds of years old but falls for a teenage girl; the chosen one who’s got zero skills but somehow manages to save the day; the secret society that’s really bad at keeping secrets—you get the idea.
Why Reinvention is Key
Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with these tropes. They’ve become staples for a reason—they resonate with us. But the thing about tropes is they’re like that favorite old song. The first 100 times you hear it? Pure magic. The next 100? Well, you start to ponder the complexities of the mute button. Reinvention is critical; it keeps our beloved genre fresh and exciting.
The Brooding Vampire…With a Twist!
Let’s start with our vampire friend. Instead of making him a dark, romantic figure, how about turning him into an advocate for ethical bloodsucking? He could run a blood bank, donating to hospitals while raising awareness against stigmatizing his kind. Suddenly, we’ve gone from “Twilight” to social commentary—and it’s intriguing!
The “Chosen One” Who Chooses Themselves
Next is the “chosen one” trope. What if they pick themselves instead of destiny, choosing our hero? Picture a protagonist who’s an average Joe or Jane but steps up when they see injustice, training themselves to fight the dark forces. Their power doesn’t come from an ancient prophecy but from their determination and courage. This twist makes the storyline not just about fate but about choice, adding layers of depth and relatability.
The Not-So-Secret Society
And what about that secret society? Instead of clumsily letting their secrets slip, they could intentionally leak information to the public as part of a larger strategy to gain allies or achieve some end. It could be a mind-bending game between revealing and concealing that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats!
Cultural Melting Pot
Another way to jazz things up is by adding cultural diversity to the world-building. Instead of the Euro-centric magical systems we see so often, why not incorporate magic and folklore from around the globe? Imagine shamans, jinn, or creatures from African or Asian mythology getting screen time! It’s a much-needed fresh perspective that also pays homage to diverse heritages.
Tropes are like the comfort food of storytelling. They’re familiar and satisfying, but even comfort food can occasionally use a dash of spice. We inject new life into the urban supernatural, paranormal fantasy genre by tweaking, subverting, or outright flipping these tropes.