Glasses Are Verboten! Contacts only!
Ah, the insta-transformation: Nerd – Glasses = Hottie. Those of us afflicted with myopia take exception to this particular trope, rampant though it runs through… Read More »Glasses Are Verboten! Contacts only!
literary tropes
She’s Out of Your League, Bro
Unrequited love is a literary staple. When a pure-hearted character yearns for the object of their adoration, this can become a driving force for the… Read More »She’s Out of Your League, Bro
The Nerd and His Lab: A Love Story
Here’s where the nerd character loses me every time: when they possess a huge quantity of specialized, expensive equipment in their bedroom or tree house… Read More »The Nerd and His Lab: A Love Story
Math and the Fictional Nerd
So, confession: I haven’t taken a math class since the 10th grade, which was more than half my lifetime ago. That was the year I… Read More »Math and the Fictional Nerd
The Code of the Nerd (and Everyone Else)
In the realms of fiction, the stereotypical nerd can be spotted from miles away: awkward, bookish, and almost always subpar in the physical department. They… Read More »The Code of the Nerd (and Everyone Else)
Chick Lit: Delight in Glorious Girl Power
Chick lit comes in several flavors. One of the tried-and-true staples of this genre is the ensemble cast of Interesting People. They are Just Like… Read More »Chick Lit: Delight in Glorious Girl Power
Dystopia: Embrace the Endless Misery
In recent years, dystopia has experienced a surge in popularity. The readiness with which consumers gravitate towards stories of bleak futures, oppressive regimes, and outliers… Read More »Dystopia: Embrace the Endless Misery
Beware the Monster in the Shadows
Sheesh, MarySue. You have to earn your sparkles in urban fantasy. You can’t just show up with them. Lest anyone worry that I’m about to… Read More »Beware the Monster in the Shadows
Amateur Hour at the Local Crime Scene
Let’s hear it for the amateur sleuth solving the case! In all seriousness, amateur sleuths belong to a breed of character that both entertains and… Read More »Amateur Hour at the Local Crime Scene
Suspects, Assemble and Be Awed!
The classic mystery reveal involves gathering all murder suspects and interested parties into one room and unmasking the criminal in their midst. This plot device… Read More »Suspects, Assemble and Be Awed!