I'm having trouble with tropes

I'm having trouble with finding tropes that fit one of my characters (yes, one of the ones I talk about alot): Mikami. All I have, right now, are Inferiority Superiority Complex, Lipstick Lesbian, and Yamato Nadeshiko. Her character is far more complex than that, but I'm just...well, stuck. Here's a summary of her character, from my notes (for those of you I've not bored to death with her already):

Mikami is a daughter in a famous noble family; she is from a section of the family that continued its political schemes after others had left that arena. As she refuses to participate in such schemes, she is married to a nobleman of lower status (as punishment, because it automatically lowers and disgraces her) and essentially "shipped off." It should be noted that she's a lesbian. Mikami, still a noblewoman, has very little actual control in her life, and seeks to feel it by controlling her sexual partners - her husband, whom she dislikes intensely, controls her in a less overtly sadomasochistic manner, but it's still complete control over what she can do, who she can associate with, and so on. In order to cover the expense (courtesans were very expensive; common prostitutes were not), she visits brothels and messes with her husband's accounts. Being hurt by her family, as well as afraid of liability and attachment because of it, she switches brothels and women constantly. This also reduces the possibility of her being recognized in one should her husband visit the same. However, with Akiko (her Love Interest), she feels it is different. The girl is honest with her about her uncertainty, and that attracts her. Over time, she realizes (to her initial horror/fear and eventual acceptance) that she's fallen in love with Akiko, and finds out that her feelings are reciprocated (despite the sadistic tendancies she carries, which Akiko doesn't compliment by being a masochist). She's got a Dominant personality, and longs for some relief from the daily boredom she encounters. She is intelligent and somewhat intellectual.

I'm not asking anyone to do my work for me, but I'm aware that I'm skewed because she's my creation, and I need suggestions. Suggesting tropes that you think might apply would be very helpful, or, if you don't want to do that, even just asking questions about her - or something related - (that I'll then answer, and will help me figure out what tropes might work) would be a help.

edited 22nd Jul '11 3:39:23 PM by punkreader

Just curious, why do you need tropes that describe her?

Stop using tropes this instant, young lady.

• Lady Killer In Love
• Possibly Stepford Smiler
• To a degree, I get a vibe of Broken Bird

I'll add more if I think of anything when my brain's at more than 33% capacity.

To, I suppose, give other Tropers a better idea of her character without using my typical Wall Of Text-in-excitement writing style. I don't need them, but I think that they would be helpful. Although I guess it's a good thing I'm having trouble...?

Mr. AHR: Maybe I will. Would that...be good that you're saying that, or bad?

edited 22nd Jul '11 3:45:35 PM by punkreader

To me, Characters are designed, and then you can describe them with tropes, not the other way around.

I know that I get a much better idea of what a character is like if the description is more than a string of trope names.

I say it seriously, so it would be a very good thing to stop.

Unless you are doing it just for fun (after you wrote the story) , and I don't think you are.

Mr. AHR: Maybe...I should take a break from the site for a while. I have to focus on stuff for college anyhow. I haven't written most of the story, but I have the plot (largely) figured out, and the characters and their relationships fully developed. Unfortunately, most of it's in my head, or in shorts I've written for fun. I, however, want to develop the list for fun, not because it's a case of "I must have it, or I have no clue where I'm going with the person."

Madrugada: Good to know. I have an easier time, too, if the character is more than just a list of trope names. And she certainly is - I'm trying to find tropes that describe her design.

Morgulion: Thank you! Stepford Smiler applies, certainly, as do the others.

edited 22nd Jul '11 3:52:33 PM by punkreader

Stop thinking in tropes, people!

It can be acceptable shorthand in some cases (describing a character as "the Big Bad of my work") but all too frequently people who do it seem to be thinking of their characters more as strings of tropes then as people. There's nothing wrong with troping your own works - but you don't need to do it, and it won't do much good, and could do quite a bit of harm, as far as writing the work goes.

You're right, Nrjxll - on all points. I don't need the tropes, and I know I don't. I'm just using them as a tool - more of an excuse, really. I just need to write. I need to physically write the story, get the bare bones down, hopefully finish it; then I can worry about tropes for it.

Thanks for your help, guys, but I think I need to just write for a while. A good damn concentrated while - then I can pick this up again. If somebody sees another topic like this before I announce that I'm either A) completely finished with the thing or B) nearly there (and have the nearly-finished work to show), slap me on the wrist, will you please?

Yeah, people, you don't use tropes on purpose, they just appear in your works.

That's part of the point, really.

edited 24th Jul '11 8:21:33 PM by annebeeche

You can try to put tropes into your work intentionally if you do so sparingly. ("Hmm. What would happen if my previous story's Big Bad did a Heel–Face Turn to help the heroes against his Dragon Ascendant, but also had to deal with being Reformed, but Rejected? Sounds pretty cool!") But, again, this is generally done after a idea fully capable of standing on its own is formed, and you just want extra "seasoning" so to speak.

edited 24th Jul '11 8:47:42 PM by KingZeal