History Website / Springhole

* LoveRedeems: The author states that this trope wouldn't work in RealLife, pointing out that if the character to be redeemed has psychological issues, then they need a [[ThereAreNoTherapists therapist]], not a lover.

** In the article about predatory people, Syera points that predators love idealized versions of what they want. These people always worry about ideals of "true love" and "selfless devotion". This is why they start intense yet short-lived relationships; they will leave or abuse their marks once they start deviating from the idealized pattern traced for them.
*** An example Syera cites is that predators spend time creating ideal fantasy cultures, for which they get in a dander when it's called out for its flaws.

* ManipulativeBastard: ''[[https://springhole.net/other/how-to-spot-abusive-and-manipulative-people.htm How To Quickly Spot Abusive & Manipulative People]]'' lays out the signs to look out for in an abusive, manipulative person.

* MeasuringTheMarigolds: In ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-geniuses.htm Basic Tips To Write Better Geniuses, Scientists and Intellectuals]]'', Syera points out that this is an untrue stereotype of scientifically minded people, who are really just as capable of appreciating beauty as anyone else. Xe mentions it's their sense of wonder that makes them want to learn more about the world.
* MechanicalAbomination: In the article ''How To Make Your "Incomprehensible" Beings Comprehensible - And Why You Need To'' mentioned above, Syera points reasons for what purpose an eldritch creature was created in the case of it being a construct or a machination.
* MedievalStasis: This is advised against in ''[[https://www.springhole.net/writing/more-believable-sword-and-sorcery-fantasy-worlds.htm Tips & Ideas To Create More Believable Sword 'n Sorcery Worlds]]''. Xe notes that while the real medieval era's technological progress was much slower than it is now, that didn't mean it was standing still. Anti-technology ideologues (which didn't even exist back then) would soon be out-competed by non-Luddites, and even lacking some inventions (e.g. gunpowder/[[FantasyGunControl firearms]]) wouldn't stop innovations, especially if magic exists which could [[MundaneUtility assist technological creation]] (with the scenario of making new alloys or other material using it). Magical progress would also still count, especially if it's basically [[{{Magitek}} that world's technology]], and societies with the equivalent of our tech that's done by magic also can't be called medieval. Syera notes that some spells in fantasy actually are powerful enough to equal or surpass things which made medieval staples like castles obsolete.

* MightMakesRight: In the article about New Age Spirituality, Syera points out that the "enlightened" beings and entities channeled by New Age believers are all commanders, high priests or other elite members, as opposed to common folk. Xe points out that the fact that the elites are the ''only'' ones who can communicate with us should be a red flag, as hierarchical societies aren't known for being enlightened.

* MonsterOfTheWeek: In an older version of ''Basic Tips To Write Better & More Despicable Villains'', Syera criticizes this trope using [[Anime/SailorMoon Queen Beryl]] as an example of why it's important that one's villains learn from their mistakes. For starters, xe points out that Beryl has a ''whole army'' of Youma, but instead of making the logical decision of deploying all of the army on the Sailor Senshi, she only sends one monster per episode.

* ANaziByAnyOtherName: In an [[https://web.archive.org/web/20170625233050/http://springhole.net/writing/write_better_villains.htm#avoid-nazis old version of an article about how to write villains]], Syera advises against these tropes for it, calling them "bargain bin Nazis". Xe notes while taking inspiration from the Nazis for fictional villains isn't a bad thing, most examples of bargain bin Nazis tend to use superficial things like the uniforms and salute rather than any of the actual atrocities the Third Reich committed.

* NewAge: The article ''Why New Age Spirituality Is Even Creepier Than You Think'', is dedicated to address the problematic beliefs found in this type of system.
* [[invoked]]NewerThanTheyThink: In the article ''Some Observations in Conspiracy Propaganda'', Syera points out that the "tradwife" ([[MotherhoodIsSuperior traditional]] [[StayInTheKitchen wife]]) is actually a modern construct modeled from thinking that ads from the 1950s reflected reality.

* NoSympathy: One type of bullying described in ''Advice & Tips On Creating & Writing Bullies'', cold bullying, runs on this trope. Cold bullying consists on trating the victim with contempt, disdain, passive-aggression, and the like.

* AnOfferYouCantRefuse: In an article about proactive characters, Syera calls this a "Hobson's choice" and points that a character that is motivated by this trope only is not proactive, but reactive.

* OriginalCharacter: The articles ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/oc-protagonist-fanfiction.htm Tips For Writing Fanfiction With An OC Protagonist]]'', ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-ocs.htm Basic Tips To Improve Your OCs & Fan Characters]]'', and ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/write-oc-relative.htm Tips To Create Better OC Relatives of Canon Characters]]'' focuses on writing these kinds of characters in general.

* PassiveAggressiveKombat: ''Advice & Tips On Creating & Writing Bullies'' describes it as one of the traits of cold bullying.

** In their article about New Age spirituality, Syera points out that the guided hypnosis to "fetch" memories of past lives don't account for how fallible the human memory is, since sometimes the brain can make up new memories out of scraps. The article mentions that even if the hypnotists didn't give them too much suggestion, the New Agers who undergo these practices already think and fervently believe in Atlantis, Egyptian connections with aliens, and aliens incarnating in human bodies, rendering the reduced suggestion moot.
** Xe also notes that these practices are the same as those used in the Satanic panic to "fetch" memories of alleged Satanic ritual abuse from the supposed victims. Xe points out that if legitimized, these techniques can be used to fabricate evidence against marginalized groups.

** S yera doesn't like RuleOfCool, as xe calls it contrived if something is thrown in just to be cool.

* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: In the "In closing" part of ''[[https://springhole.net/other/new-age-creepy.htm#anti-environment Why New Age Spirituality Is Creepier Than You Thought]]'', Syera points out going [[DespairEventHorizon "doom and gloom"]] in response to the New Agers' [[WideEyedIdealist "love and light"]] thinking is just another way to make people complacent to oppressive systems.
* SinisterScythe: In the article ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/things-writers-get-wrong-about-bladed-weapons.htm Things Writers Get Wrong About Bladed Weapons]]'', Syera points out that, as scythes are farming tools, they were designed to cut hay and the like, but not thick objects like the human body.
* SinkOrSwimMentor: In ''Things About Training & Teaching Writers Need To Know'', Syera explains that this trope's teaching style is ''not'' real training, as real training is supposed to build up one's skill by starting out with teaching basic moves or principles, letting them practice in a controlled, low-risk environment that's gradually escalating as the pupil gets more skilled. Xe points out that this type of training will only put the pupil in danger of getting themselves killed, as they were not prepared for such an immense-difficulty trial.

** The author makes a lot of pop culture references to use as examples. Works referenced include ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', ''Franchise/StarTrek'', ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'', ''Film/{{Eragon}}'', ''Anime/TokyoMewMew'', ''Anime/SailorMoon'', ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'', ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''Literature/HarryPotter'', ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'', ''Franchise/XMen'', ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', ''Franchise/StarWars'', ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', ''Film/IronMan'', ''Franchise/PeterPan'', ''Literature/TheBible'' and ''Literature/{{Twilight}}''.

** Syera often uses [[Literature/{{Twilight}} Bella Swan]] as an example of how not to do something.

* PureIsNotGood: In their [[https://www.springhole.net/writing/purity-overrated-character-trait.htm article about purity]], xe points out that a "pure" character of any sort would not work well if the traits associated with purity were applied realistically to all concepts.

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One article defines this trope and gives advice on how to avoid it.

* PureIsNotGood: In their article about purity, xe points out that a "pure" character of any sort would not work well if the traits associated with purity were applied realistically to all concepts.

* TheStationsOfTheCanon: Syera advises not to retell the canon story of any work with OriginalCharacters replacing the canon ones.

* ForeignQueasine: In "Common Ways Fiction Trivializes and Others People", Syera writes about focusing on "gross" foods to show the people eating them are disgusting or "weird", pointing that this is how Chinese people are demonized.

* {{God}}: Discussed in the article "Things That Show Up In Christianity-Inspired Fiction That Aren't In the Bible".

* GullibleLemmings: In the [[https://springhole.net/writing/heroic-narrative-problems.htm#systemic systemic comprehension]] part of the article "Common Heroic Tropes We Should Question", Syera points out the flawed depiction of systems lead to writing the people who run it as mindless drones by setting up a villainous organization whose members are 100% devoted and will do anything the boss tells them, where no one has dissenting opinions, doubts, questions [[OnlyInItForTheMoney or is there for the paycheck]], as an example.

* HeelFaceTurn: In [[https://www.springhole.net/writing/changing-alignments-allegiances-and-loyalties.htm Changing Alignments, Allegiances And Loyalties More Believably]], Syera suggests having a villain the author plans to redeem show small indications that they find certain evil actions to be overboard or pointlessly cruel.

* HijackedByJesus: Discussed InUniverse in the article [[https://springhole.net/other/cranky-websites.htm "A Beginner's Guide To Spotting Cranky Websites & Culty Groups]]", Syera notes that these types casually impose a modern Western worldview on ancient mythology and folklore, by assuming every single mythology in existence shared their BlackAndWhiteMorality over thousands of years, even depicting said mythological figures into a "Jesus versus Satan" paradigm.

** In the article about predatory people, Syera points that predators love idealized versions of what they want. These people always worry about ideals of "true love" and "selfless devotion".
** This idealization is why they start intense yet short-lived relationships with people; they will leave once their marks start deviating from the idealized pattern traced for them, or abuse the mark.
** Unsurprisingly, this includes ''reality itself''. They might spend time creating ideal fantasy cultures.
** They also noted this behavior in the article "How to write Creepy Characters and Situations" as idealization.

* MadeOfPlasticine: The article Things About Death, Dying & Murder Writers Need to Know" helps writers avert this by stating how humans are a lot harder to kill than most people think.

* ManipulativeBastard: One article is about how to spot abusive and manipulative people.

* MonochromeCasting: Criticized in [[https://www.springhole.net/writing/moreoffensivemistakes.htm 7 MORE Offensive Mistakes Well-Intentioned Writers Make.]] It's noted that most female-oriented entertainment is bad about making sure their casts aren't all white.

* InelegantBlubbering: Syera points out that crying people in real life will ''not'' be especially pretty, and that this trope has more emotional impact than "[[CryCute pretty]]" crying.

* CryCute: Syera points out that calm, composed crying is has a lesser impact in a death scene than "[[InelegantBlubbering ugly]]" crying.

* CharacterShilling: In ''How To Evoke Audience Reaction & Keep Things Interesting Without Being Cheap Or Manipulative'', Syera points out that the [[Broken Bird "1-D Woobie Warrior"]] is always accompanied by a shill, who is often a male character who doesn't only serve as her mentor/father/love interest, but also as a mouthpiece for the author by defending this character from whoever calls her out.

* TagalongKid: In ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-ensemble-casts.htm Basic Tips To Write Better Ensemble Casts
]]'' guest writer Alexis Feynman discourages this trope as this type of character tends to not have a life outside the main characters despite not being part of the group.

* WhatYouAreInTheDark: In the article "How to Write Dark Stories, Settings, and Characters", Syera notes that ''any'' personality type, even the relatively happy or perky ones can be a lead character in a dark story, as even the sweetest, nicest person has a (relatively tiny) dark or sinister side that can be brought out under the right circumstances.

* WideEyedIdealist: The article "Why New Age Spirituality Even Is Creepier Than You Thought" mentions that while fascists have an image of sheer brutality and cruelty, they also have a fascination with wide-eyed, innocent idealism, as they worship the concepts of innocence and purity, which explains these people's ramblings along the lines of "protecting white women and children from evil hordes".

* TykeBomb: In ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-assassins.htm Assassins: Tips & Guidelines To Write & Play Them More Believably
]]'', Syera points out that raising a child to be the perfect assassin/killer/soldier is not only a waste of time, money and resources but is also very counterproductive as well. The child will end up traumatized with PTSD and completely unable to fight or become a sociopath. Even if the latter occurs, that means their [[BloodKnight urges for violence]] [[FearlessFool will lead them]] [[TooDumbToLive to get killed easier]] than if they were trained to kill as an adult.

* SinisterScythe: In an article on misconceptions about bladed weapons, Syera points out that, as scythes are farming tools, they were designed to cut hay and the like, but not thick objects like the human body.

* TagalongKid: Syera discourages this trope as this type of character tends to not have a life outside the main characters despite not being part of the group.

* TroubledAbuser: In [[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-abused-characters.htm#people "On Writing Abusers, Abuse Victims & Abuse Situations"]], Syera addresses that abusers are people who have problems just like everyone else, pointing out that the popular depiction of abusers will prompt real-life abusers to bring up their problems when called out on their behavior, while perpetuating the myth that an abuser will stop being an abuser if they experience (emotional) pain.

* TykeBomb: In the article on how to write assassins believably, Syera points out that raising a child to be the perfect assassin/killer/soldier is not only a waste of time, money and resources but is also very counterproductive as well. The child will end up traumatized with PTSD and completely unable to fight or become a sociopath. Even if the latter occurs, that means their [[BloodKnight urges for violence]] [[FearlessFool will lead them]] [[TooDumbToLive to get killed easier]] than if they were trained to kill as an adult.

* WindmillCrusader: In a segment of the article [[https://springhole.net/writing/write-better-abused-characters.htm#victim "On Writing Abusers, Abuse Victims, & Abuse Situations"]] on writing abuse victims, Syera cites the Q believers who are genuinely scared of what their boogeymen implicate or would do despite it all being completely fake to illustrate that being scared, sad, or angry doesn't mean one is right or has to be listened to.
* WomenAreWiser: Recommends against this in [[https://www.springhole.net/writing/things-guys-need-to-know-about-writing-straight-romances.htm A Few Things Guys Need To Know About Writing Straight Romance]]. It instead advises writers to show characters finding ways to work through conflict.

** In "How To Write Dark Stories, Settings And Characters", Syera advises not to abuse this trope by establishing a lighthearted moment in the story, only to crush it 5 minutes later, as the audience will get bored of it.
** In "How To Evoke Audience Reaction & Keep Things Interesting Without Being Cheap Or Manipulative", Syera derides this as manipulative as well as depressing, particularly if a marginalized character is on the receiving end of it and finally dies, as it can imply that marginalized people don't deserve happy endings.

--> You can’t give a message that’s supposed to apply to the real world that doesn’t actually fit the real world, let alone the diversity and complexity of the people in it, because the only people who will ultimately benefit from it are the people who live in your imaginary [[BlackAndWhiteMorality black-and-white word]].

* ComplexityAddiction: Discouraged. Syera points out that extremely complicated plans are more likely to fail, as the variables of a given situation change at every second.

* AirVentPassageway: Syera points out in their article about how to improve Marvel roleplays and fanfics that trying to sneak through the air vents is never a good idea.

** [[{{Reconstruction}} Reconstructed]] in ''How To Write Sympathetic Antagonists Without Endorsing Or Excusing Their Actions, & Without Making Your Protagonists Seem Heartless''. Syera advises making the heroes acknowledge how awful the villain's tragic backstory or that they do have good intentions while also pointing out [[FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse neither gives them free reign to hurt others]].

* [[invoked]]AssPull: In "How To Evoke Audience Reaction & Keep Things Interesting Without Being Cheap Or Manipulative", Syera derides this as a manipulative tactic if it's used to make a story unpredictable.

* BeethovenWasAnAlienSpy: Syera strongly discourages to have important figures in human history be or have business with secret supernatural entities or concepts, as it takes away credit from humans to do such things and assumes normal humans are incapable of doing these things without the help of the supernatural or aliens.
* BeingEvilSucks: In ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/how-to-keep-people-from-idealizing-your-villains.htm How To Keep People From Admiring & Idealizing Your Villains]]'', Syera advises that to show that one's villainous organization is not to be admired, make clear nobody is really having fun in there.

* AuthorTract: Can fall into this from time to time. Syera gives writing advice while also bashing things that xe doesn't like, mostly around the treatment of LGBT+ and neurodivergent characters; xir advice is sound,.

%%We need details.* AuthorTract: Can fall into this from time to time.

* ComplexityAddiction: Syera points out that extremely complicated plans are more likely to fail as the variables change at every second.

* CrocodileTears: In ''What Writers Need To Know About Predatory People'' Syera writes a case about a hypothetical predator breaking down in tears and blaming their victim, to give an example of how they use DARVO.

* {{Cult}}: One article is about writing cults.

* [[invoked]]DracoInLeatherPants: Syera has an article about how to keep people from idealizing villains.

* MedievalStasis: This is advised against in ''[[https://www.springhole.net/writing/more-believable-sword-and-sorcery-fantasy-worlds.htm Tips & Ideas To Create More Believable Sword 'n Sorcery Worlds]]'', noting that while the real medieval era didn't have technological progress happening as fast as now, it definitely still occurred. Anti-technology ideologues (which didn't even exist then in reality) would soon be outcompeted by non-Luddites, and even lacking some inventions (e.g. gunpowder/[[FantasyGunControl firearms]]) wouldn't stop innovations, especially if magic exists which could [[MundaneUtility assist technological creation]] (with the scenario of making new alloys or other material using it). Magical progress would also still count, especially if it's basically [[{{Magitek}} that world's technology]], and societies with the equivalent of our tech that's done by magic also can't be called medieval. Syera notes that some spells in fantasy actually are powerful enough to equal or surpass things which made medieval staples like castles obsolete.

Please note that since Syera occasionally tweaks or rewrites old articles, not everything listed here may be up-to-date.

* [[invoked]]AntiClimaxBoss: Syera notes that if one's villains are supposed to be super-dangerous, they must show it.
* [[invoked]]{{Anvilicious}}: InUniverse. The article ''Writing Better Stories With Morals & Messages'' advises to avoid making one's story all about the ''message'' in the detriment of everything else; Syera points out that people consume media to watch a good story, not to be preached at unless they already agree with the message.

** In ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/starting-and-running-roleplays-and-bringing-in-new-players.htm Starting & Running Roleplays & Bringing In New Players]]'', Syera notes the reasons for this tactic laid out for future GameMasters.

* CluelessAesop: Criticized in [[https://www.springhole.net/writing/writing-stories-with-morals-and-messages.htm Writing Better Stories With Morals & Messages]].
---> You can’t give a message that’s supposed to apply to the real world that doesn’t actually “”fit”” the real world, let alone the diversity and complexity of the people in it, because the only people who will ultimately benefit from it are the people who live in your imaginary [[BlackAndWhiteMorality black-and-white word]].
** Later in the same article, it’s noted portraying something like drinking a small amount of alcohol as a slippery slope will not convince many people who drink ''and'' remain functioning members of society. It will more likely backfire because the audience will think the author doesn’t know what xe are talking about.

* {{Chuunibyou}}: Syera addresses people who are this as "edgy tryhards" and has an article about reasons why some characters act like this.

** Later in the same article, it’s noted portraying something like drinking a small amount of alcohol as a slippery slope will not convince many people. It will more likely backfire because the audience will think the author doesn’t know what xe are talking about.

** Xe also notes that these practices are the same as those used in the Satanic panic to "fetch" memories of alleged Satanic ritual abuse from the supposed victims and points out that if legitimized, these techniques can be used to make up evidence against marginalized groups.

** In "How To Quickly Spot Abusive & Manipulative People", Syera mentions that abusers only show kindness to those who are (or they perceive as) just as or more brilliant than them, yet they are jerks and abusive to everyone else.

* SpaceJews: Syera explains the [[invoked]]UnfortunateImplications of this trope in [[https://springhole.net/writing/writing-non-humans.htm "Writing Fantastic People & Creatures Without Unfortunate Implications"]].

* SubcultureOfTheWeek: The article "Basic Tips To Write Subcultures & Minority Religions Better" is designed to help new writers avert or subvert this trope when it comes to writing subcultures.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Discussed InUniverse in ''[[https://springhole.net/writing/stuff-to-cut.htm Stuff You Should Cut From Your Story]]''; Syera lists the disadvantages of having too many characters in one's story.

** In [[https://springhole.net/writing/write_better_villains.htm#2Evul4U!! the "2Evul4U!!" paragraph of this article]], xe deconstructs it by saying that the bosses of evil organizations who do this will have to dispose of the bodies, cover up for the families of the executed members, and deal with members who desert for this reason.
*** Xe also states that the minions who choose to stay with said boss will become ''more'' failure-prone as they will have to deal with the threat of death hanging over their heads.