Let's Talk with Diane A.S. Stuckart
Same old, same old
September 5, 2024
While recovering from health issues a few months ago, I found myself unable to do much besides watch TV. But I swiftly learned that even my television viewing had limitations. Mentally, I wasn’t up to nice juicy mysteries featuring plenty of corpses…not even the civilized British mystery series. That also let out 24-hour news channels and sci-fi or horror.
Vintage sitcoms soon became my default. The familiar characters and gentle story-lines were easy on the brain, while the steady stream of mild humor kept up my spirits. But—maybe not surprisingly—the writer part of me didn’t remain dormant for long. After bingeing on the same comedies for the next several weeks, I noticed that most of those old series repeated certain plot lines every few shows. For example…
Night Court features eccentric judge Harry Stone and his equally outlandish staff meting out justice to wacky defendants. Seemingly every other episode has the courtroom personnel being held hostage by an irate offender. Things always look dire…until, of course, Harry’s offbeat wisdom convinces the culprit to surrender peacefully.
Then we have Family Affair. The premise of this show is how a wealthy bachelor, Bill Davis, and his British “gentleman’s gentleman”, Mr. French, become surrogate parents to the former’s orphaned nieces and nephew. Once or twice each season, Mr. French decides it is best for all concerned that he resigns as butler/nanny. Not surprisingly, Uncle Bill and the kids convince him each time to stay on.
Quitting the job is a similar plot device found with The Andy Griffith Show. An indignant Deputy Barney Fife regularly hands in his resignation to Sheriff Andy Taylor, only to change his mind by the end of the show about leaving his post. But I did see one such “quitting” episode that broke the lazy plotting mold. After Barney inevitably decides not to quit after having turned in his notice, we see Andy filing the deputy’s resignation letter in a folder already stuffed with previous such letters. Now that was unexpected…and funny!
Recognizing these tropes makes me examine my own work as a cozy mystery author. Do I tend to default to easy plotting with each new book in the series? Or do I add original elements to make the story-lines different? Is familiarity something that my fans appreciate and would miss if not there? It’s a delicate balance and listening to reader feedback is vital.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about tropes, and about originality versus familiarity in series books.
Want to know more about author Diane A.S. Stuckart? Visit her WEBSITE
While you’re here, have you entered the Booklover’s Bench Book Contest? We are giving away two books to one winner. The contest runs from September 1-22, with multiple ways to enter. CLICK for the contest page.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Diane A.S. Stuckart • Tags: Diane AS Stuckart, originality, Same Old, tropes | 22 Comments
I think that’s why it becomes harder and harder to write each next book because we don’t want to recycle plots. At least I don’t. I always want my readers coming away with that “aha!” moment, not the “I saw that one coming” moment.
As for older sitcoms, what has always bothered me about them is that the writers had the mindset that viewers were stupid and wouldn’t remember previous episodes and character backstory–like starting off the series with a main character having two living parents and a sibling, only to pivot at some point in the season or next season when all of a sudden the main character is an only child whose mother died when he was a kid. I’m looking at you Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds!
LOL, Lois. And that changing backstory is closely related to the Chuck Cunningham syndrome. 🙂
Hi Diane, I’m not a fan of binge-watching my favorite TV series for more than one season at a time. I get annoyed if I detect a repeated plot device and will stop watching altogether. It’s the same with a long-running book series. Luckily, because my to-be-read pile is as high as a mountain — I’m not doing that.
Cheryl, I know what you mean. I’ve pretty well abandoned that binge watching at this point. Luckily most of my TBR pile is on my Kindle; otherwise I probably would have been lost in a book avalanche by now!
While familiar situations ae comfortable, an original twists gives the story a delightful experience.
Bobbi — you’ve used the two words that I think perfectly describe a great cozy mystery…comfortable and delightful. 🙂
I’m a fan of something different in each book. If the plot feels recycled time and again, I get bored. That was one thing about Sue Grafton’s writing—sure, it was familiar, but you knew each time you were not getting the same old ride!
Terry, agree, but I will let a recycled plot slide as long as the series author keeps the character arc going from book to book. If the protag doesn’t grow and change over succeeding stories, I don’t hesitate to drop the series.
I enjoy a new twist in a series. I enjoy the same main character. Just a new adventure!🥰
Thanks, Sherry. That’s what we ideally try to do. 🙂
Thank You for the giveaway.
Marion
You’re welcome — good luck!
Maybe my opinion is is the minority, but I find it comforting at times to binge watch my favorite TV series regardless of repeating plot lines. Sometimes I just want familiar entertainment. In books I like relatable stories, with some twists and turns.
Hey Jewel — yes, the binge-watching can definitely be comforting when things are tough. What I really enjoy with the 60s series are seeing those mod fashions again. We sure dressed a lot cooler back then!
I don’t like tv shows or books that rely on redundancy, especially towards the end of the series. Sometimes they just know when to quit and it becomes stale and monotonous. I like when they come up with something new and exciting.
Hi Petunia — I agree, you need to know when to exit stage left with a series. One thing that I think helps shake up a stale series is changing the setting…let the protagonist travel somewhere for a book or two (accompanied, of course, by a couple of series regulars but meeting new characters, as well).
As a TV viewer and reader, I am drawn to familiar tropes. I know what I am getting except for a few surprises along the way. Cozy readers have their expectations, too. Hopefully my stories are different enough to keep their interest.
Praying you beat cancer!! Thank you for sharing….Connie Hendryx
In book series or TV series, I would enjoy something new and fresh that occurs in the familiarity. In fact, I enjoy balancing new, unique elements with familiar ones that readers or audiences expect and enjoy, and feel comfortable.
Entered the contest. I’m not to concerned about tropes. Just spell words correctly and conform to standard grammar in a believable story and I’m a happy reader.
Hi I love it when there are twists and turns in both books and tv shows. I really love book series as I get to know the characters more and I see them grow. I also love standalone books especially if they end right and not leave me hanging . Have a great day and thank you so much for the chance. When I read I like to alternate between standalone and book series.
I like a twist to the plot. It’s comforting to see old shows