What are some contrived plot or cop-out you can name?

bookmark · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 296

For me, heroines married to impotent or gay heroes is a contrived way to keep the heroine virginal or "innocent".

I'm speaking of historical romances, since that's what I read. However, I do remember one contemporary I read in the past whereby the hero's 1st wife was discovered to be a lesbian after the marriage. Of course, she conveniently died.

I mean I know it's absolutely within the realm of possibility for that to happen. But still...

While I do admit to liking the predestined mate plot in paranormals, I do think it's lazy and contrived way of explaining that instant attraction/love.

JMM · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 492

The Eeeevvviiilll Husband who miraculously drops dead (without the hero/ine having anything to do with it) so the couple can have a pretty perfect life. I'd rather have the hero and heroine run off together and live in sin anonymously.

chris booklover · Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Posts: 281 Location: Florida

JaneO · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 755

graceC · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 440

In historical: the working class, untitled, hero / heroine who (after so much issue has been made about his/her lack of status) suddenly receives huge inheritance AND title from long lost relative, thus clearing the way for a happy ending with his/her much richer / titled beloved. I am getting real tired of this over-used easy way out.

LordRose · Joined: 25 Mar 2012 Posts: 86

Adding to that, how about all the footmen and stable boys that are really dukes in disguise? For once, I'd like to see a footman hero who really is a footman. (I think I've read one, and even in that he was a sailor on the run from an enemy.)

Dreaming of You · Joined: 20 Jun 2012 Posts: 24

I hate when the heroine conveniently gets into a life threatening situation towards the end of the book so the hero can suddenly realize that he's in love with her.

Ash · Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Posts: 160

I hate it when paranormal elements pop up out of nowhere in the middle of a otherwise normal book in order to resolve a difficult situation or to provide some desperately needed epiphany or excitement.

JudyZ6666 · Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Connecticut, USA

The Miracle Cure.

Voila, you can SEE!

Voila, you can WALK!

Particularly when that was the only true conflict between the hero and heroine. I'd rather see them overcome it themselves. It's the same as "Voila, you're a DUKE!"

Judy

JMM · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 492

When a competent heroine suddenly turns into an idiot/helpless damsel at the end of the book so the HERO can rescue her.

bookmark · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 296

I just thought of another one. I think it's a bit of a cop out for hero/ine to always be so incredibly open minded during their time of religious persecution, racial intolerance, etc... I am not saying they have to be bigots, religious fanatics, whatnot. They can maybe start out believing like everyone else, but then grow & become more enlightened people.

Vol Fan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 281 Location: Tennessee

I probably have a completely different cop-out belief than most everyone else. What drives me nuts is the thrown in sex too quickly, too graphic and/or too long. I've read books with pages and pages of one sex act where it seems as if the writer was using it just as filler for the book, rather than moving story or characters along.

I'm no prude and I don't mind sex scenes. I just want them to be appropriate to the story and short. I want a character driven story, with a very good and strong plot. If I want to read a sex story, I will read an erotica book. I've just always felt that lots of sex in a book is a cop-out and lazy writers too many times.

Lillian Sulivan · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 233

Well, there's all those titled fathers who have conveniently keeled over while their 6'4", handsome, dark haired, blue eyed, single sons are still in their early twenties. Honestly, one would think Scotland Yard would investigate!

I haven't run into this very often, but it's guaranteed to make me toss the book: miscarrying the baby that isn't the hero's. IMO: ugh! ick!

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1598

PWNN · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 818

That leads another plot device I hate - why the need to kill off good significant others because the H/h are supposedly too "good" to do the hard dirty work themselves and just end an inconvenient relationship? Why in Romance-landia is better to be dead than dumped if you're oh so unlucky not to be the #1 choice or the designated H/h? This plot device rankles more when it's family or supposed bets friends..
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