Today's Trope: Tall, Dark, and Broody

 

Some tropes are so popular that the mere mention of Tall, Dark, and Broody makes readers assume they know exactly what's going to happen as the story progresses. Does that mean the trope is overdone, or is in need of reworking?

In the queer YA novel I'm currently querying, my main character is introduced to the new guy in the neighborhood, and I intentionally write him as the tall, dark, and broody type. This makes him incredibly appealing to my main character, and ready to overlook the possible dangers of falling for someone who's so hard to get to know. But I feel like I strayed far enough away from the trope that the readers will still be surprised by the outcome. Did I stray far enough? Did I stray too far? Is there such a thing as straying too far from a trope? Hm. Guess I'll have to wait for the book to get published so I can get feedback from the readers.