I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "
Winking. Seriously, when was the last time somebody winked at you in real life? If your uncle is Santa, then, I guess I could see it happening once or twice a year. But some books apparently need an eyewash station.
Stomping your feet. “She stomped her foot.” Unless you’re writing a Victorian period-piece, nobody fucking does this.
Eyes flashing. I can deal with microexpressions - sometimes a look really does flash across someone’s face when they’re trying to hide something. The worst example of this of course is that Brown guy “his eyes flashed then went white like a shark about to attack” or whatever. No, they didn’t.
I think even in a victorian period piece they wouldn’t stamp their foot as much as the trope is used in books. It just makes me think anyone who does that must be in a great folk band and they’re about to do questionable things with a banjo.
I have spent the last few minutes cleaning coffee off of my keyboard, thank you. I know that’s an ancient meme but it’s actually true this morning.
“…questionable things with a banjo” indeed :)