i'm so done w/ people saying "oh, but it's a classic trope" as an excuse for lazy writing.

are you kidding me? classics exist for a reason, lazy is reusing something w/o putting your own spin on it

thats why i just say "it's a cliche" instead. way more concise.

what's your definition of 'lazy writing' then? i'm curious to hear your thoughts.

oh please, just because a trope is overused doesn't mean it can't be done well. writers should be able to use classic elements creatively. not everything needs to be completely original all the time.

yeah, because classic stars for sale tropes never get old

trope doesn't mean lazy, it means familiar, calm down

right?? like, just because it's a "classic" doesn't mean it's not a played out, uncreative mess.

oh yeah? well it's a classic trope for a reason. it's called being unoriginal.

that's the dumbest take i've ever heard. just because something is a trope doesn't mean it's lazy

i feel that. like, just because something is a 'classic trope' doesn't mean it can't be done well. but too often it's just used to justify being unimaginative.

what's your alternative then? Cliché-free writing that no one can relate to?

oh yeh? and what's your alternative to that. Then? you got some magic formula for writing that

really? what counts as a "classic trope" these days anyway? isn't that just a lazy cop-out for unoriginal ideas?

Agreed, just because it's a classic trope doesn't mean it's not overdone, and it's especially tired when there's no attempt to add a fresh spin or subvert expectations in any way.

Trope is just a shorthand for 'been there, done that, doesn't need more nuance.' don't @ me.

yeah, exactly. but isn't that just lazy editors greenlighting it anyway, tho?

I'm so done with people saying "I'm so done with...

finally, someone who gets it. it's not a classic trope if ur using it as a cop-out.

mate, that's spot on. lazy writing is lazy writing, no excuses.

Totes a cliché, but someone's gotta write for the lazy complainers

it's totally valid to use familiar plots and tropes if you execute them well. Originality isn't always necessary for a great story.

Sorry, but if it's a classic trope done well, it's not lazy. Execution matters, not just the concept.

couldn't agree more - if it's truly a classic trope, then the execution needs to bring something new and interesting to the table, or it's just a rehashing of something better done before

classic trope of an author having no ideas.

omg yes!! "classic trope" doesn't automatically equal good writing, and it's time to retire excuses for unoriginal storytelling.

"classic trope" can be a useful shorthand to acknowledge familiarity with a familiar idea. Failing to subvert expectations isn't inherently lazy writing, it's intentional choice.

idk if it's just me but isn't "it's a classic" just code for "i didn't feel like trying

same energy as ppl who say "its just a phase" when i've been depressed for years

same tired trope, same tired excuse. if it's a classic, then write a damn good spin on it.

did you even try to understand the context or are you just looking to be outraged?

oh i'm sorry, did my classic trope offend your delicate sensibilities? 😉

yeah because "classic trope" is just code for "we didn't try hard enough

u must be that cousin at the family reunion who always says "oh, youre just reading it wrong

i totally agree, but also let's not forget that just because something is a subversion of a classic trope, it doesn't mean it's automatically good either - execution still matters

what do you think makes for good, non-lazy writing then?

do people say "oh, but it's a classic trope" more often than they actually create a classic trope that resonates?

preach. and don't even get me started on "it's supposed to be nostalgic" being used to justify subpar game design.

are you kidding? a classic trope can still be a classic for a reason. doesn't mean it's lazy, just means it's timeless.

like what's the difference between using it as an excuse and saying it's a deliberate choice?

that's a bad take. just because something is a trope doesn't mean it's lazy writing. tropes can be used well if the writer has skill.

Are you kidding me? Classics become classics for a reason - they work! Why reinvent the wheel just for the sake of being different?

yeah no kidding. 'but it's a classic' is just code for 'i couldn't be bothered to try harder'

same, but also can we pls stop using "it's a homage" as a cop out for straight up ripping off other

i know, right? that's like me saying "oh, but it's a classic hangover" and expecting you to just accept that i've been

totally with you on that! just because something is familiar doesn't mean it can't be done in a fresh way. let's the game, not settle for lazy storytelling

i know right? like just because its a "classic trope" doesnt mean its not annoying or overdone.

sometimes a classic trope really is the most effective way to convey a point, and it's a coping mechanism for writers who aren't equipped to think outside of familiar structures.

yeah fr, like what even is a "classic trope" these days? isn't that just another way of saying unoriginal?

are you kidding me? classic tropes are classic for a reason, they work. if someone executes it well it's not lazy, it's smart

But isn't "classic trope" just a euphemism for "unoriginal idea we couldn't be bothered to update"?

dude didn't you just defend that new star wars movie by saying it was a "homage" to the original?

Can't we just have new tropes that don't rely on rehashed ideas from 50 years ago?

what constitutes "lazy writing" though? who gets to decide what's a "classic trope" and what's just

are u mad or just disappointed that ur faves keep getting away with it?

agree. it's a cop out to say a plot device is a "trope" when really it's just a sign you're relying on overused convenience rather than putting in the work to develop something unique. that being said, i'm guilty of it too - at least i know i'm just lazy.

but what's the difference between a classic trope and a repeated cliché?

right? like just because something is a "classic trope" doesn't mean it's automatically good writing.

girl bye, some tropes are classic for a reason and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

don't people just mean it's a tired trope when they say that, anyway?

Can't be lazy if it's a timeless technique that's been working for decades, keep it in your perspective

fr, like just because something is a trope doesn't make it any less lazy.

just because grandma used to burn the turkey doesn't mean we can't improve the recipe

it's like they're implying that no one's ever seen the same plot arc before.

Or worse, "it's a homage"... aka I couldn't be bothered to come up with something original

yeah no, i disagree. just because something's a trope doesn't mean it's lazy writing. tropes exist for a reason - they work. as long as teh writing is good, who cares if it's a "classic trope"?

that's just a tropecular cop-out

"classic trope" just means it's a familiar story device, not that it's inherently good or bad.

fr tho, like just because it's a common trope doesn't mean it's well-executed.

same, i'm still waiting for the classic trope where a character does actual laundry and not just 'freshly changed' every scene

Isn't that just a way to mask mediocrity?

Sometimes a classic trope is just a classic trope and doesn't need reimagining or justification.

How often is "classic trope" just a euphemism for "we couldn't be bothered to come up with something new"?

same, it's like "yeah no, the dysfunctional white dude with daddy issues is a classic and also SO overdone

of course, it's a classic trope to complain about classic tropes. same dude as always holding a signs that say "i'd rather have interesting

yeah, fr. like, how is that an excuse for not putting in the actual work to write good characters?

classic tropes are a foundation of storytelling. Not an excuse for bad writing. at least make the "lazy" writing good lazy writing.

I'm with you, but let's take it a step further - a classic trope is only lazy writing if you're not putting a fresh spin on it.

don't you think there's a difference between using a trope intentionally and just phoning it in? where do you draw the line between homage and lack of creativity?

trope doesn't mean lazy, it means familiar - and familiar can be powerful when used well, a good writer can subvert or execute a classic trope in a way that still feels fresh

fr, tropes aren't a free pass to half-ass your story. if you're gonna use a common plot, at least make it interesting

Not sure what's wrong with wanting a familiar framework to fall back on sometimes. Can still make it good. Still make it new, if you build on what's come before.

i agree, "classic trope" is just a backhanded way of saying "it's been done better already

that's a trash take. using classic tropes isn't lazy writing if you do it well. just because something's been done before doesn't mean it can't be executed brilliantly.

are you saying the audience's emotional labor is just supposed to carry the narrative or something

that's a real shame, because i was just going to use that excuse to explain why my aunt's "classic" goulash is just a

idk about you, but "classic trope" is just code for "i didn't come up w/ something new

classic tropes are what make storytelling timeless, not lazy writing - you can't just dismiss 100 years of literature because it's not

yeah no kidding, that's just code for 'we couldn't be bothered to try harder

classic tropes exist for a reason, not using them is just lazy writing, period.

idk, some classic tropes are classic for a reason. just bc it's been done before doesn't mean it's lazy.

people really be using "classic trope" as a get out of jail free card for their lack of creativity

lmao true. people also say "it's a parody" when they just ripped something off 🙄

yeah, classic. literally. because tropes are only classic until the sun sets on the last writer's guild meeting before valentine's day

I'm so over that phrase too. People can't just rely on nostalgia or genre cliches as a substitute for actually putting in the effort to make their story unique.

same, it's like, just cuz grandma wore bell-bottoms doesn't mean i have to

i mean, at least it's a classic excuse

dude what even is the point of trotting out overused tropes if you're not gonna bring something new to the table

Come on, if it's a classic trope, it's classic for a reason - it works.

trope isn't just a synonym for "overused cliche" it's a fundamental building block of storytelling and understanding that is literally the point

except when it's actually a classic trope and they're still gonna write it