Cliches

Status
Not open for further replies.

Serpent

Banned
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Hello AWers,

I was just wondering if any of you have had your agents or editors scrap something because it was considered "cliche". If so, did it surprise you? Do agents complain about recurring cliches in literature? Are the cliches they complain about tend to be timeless, or, are there ones that go in phases?
 

quicklime

all out of fucks to give
Banned
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
8,967
Reaction score
2,074
Location
wisconsin
what drachen said....a cliche (think "raining cats and dogs") is the most common, over-used way to say something. Often diluted to meaning less as a consequence, plus instead of showcasing your own ability you are reaching for the lowest common demoninator.

Now, there are times a cliche can be great, like a somewhat dim boss who seems unable to talk in any other language--that's part of his character. But if you narrate using cliches, it is weak, derivative writing. You aren't saying what only you can, you're saying what EVERYBODY can.
 

HoneyBadger

terribly loud, emotionally distant
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
1,175
Reaction score
351
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Website
twitter.com

Serpent

Banned
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
what drachen said....a cliche (think "raining cats and dogs") is the most common, over-used way to say something. Often diluted to meaning less as a consequence, plus instead of showcasing your own ability you are reaching for the lowest common demoninator.

Now, there are times a cliche can be great, like a somewhat dim boss who seems unable to talk in any other language--that's part of his character. But if you narrate using cliches, it is weak, derivative writing. You aren't saying what only you can, you're saying what EVERYBODY can.

I know what a cliche is.

Herp derp.
 

Serpent

Banned
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

flapperphilosopher

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
874
Reaction score
100
Location
Canada
Website
annakrentz.blogspot.ca
There's cliche phrases, and there's cliche characters/stories. Using cliche phrases in your writing, unless it's dialogue and a very specific character thing, is just bad and lazy writing. Cliche characters and stories are harder to define. What's cliche in stories and what's not varies over time, too-- once upon a time, the 'prostitute with a heart of gold' WAS unexpected, but now it's a cliche. Same with 'tough guy who isn't really so tough'. Cliche characters and stories (and even twists) are boring because we've seen/heard it all before. A cliche is playing to expectations.

When you're querying, there's an added dilemma-- you have very few words in your query, synopsis, and first few pages, so it's especially easy to resort to cliches to try and explain things. There ARE types of people/characters and types of stories, but remember, you don't want to be describing your stories and people by 'type'. You want to show off the ways they aren't types, the ways they subvert the cliches.

I'm not sure exaaaactly what you're looking for in your question, but hopefully some part of that helps! :)
 

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Mar 13, 2010
Messages
17,171
Reaction score
2,284
Location
Vancouver
Everyone writes clichés.

It's inevitable, you can just keep them to a minimum and avoid the really trite ones. Some cliché use is pretty much unavoidable.
 

quicklime

all out of fucks to give
Banned
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
8,967
Reaction score
2,074
Location
wisconsin
I know what a cliche is.

Herp derp.



so, you knew a cliche was weak, cheap, unimaginitive, lowest-common-denominator writing, and you wanted to know why that was a bad thing? Or if agents would try to change/discourage them?



*scratches head
 

ios

Weirdo.
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
396
Reaction score
22
Location
Missouri
Website
chiaroscurohouse.com
Hello AWers,

I was just wondering if any of you have had your agents or editors scrap something because it was considered "cliche". If so, did it surprise you? Do agents complain about recurring cliches in literature? Are the cliches they complain about tend to be timeless, or, are there ones that go in phases?

Offhand, as a reader, I don't think the cliche level is high in published writing, either in phrases or in large elements of a story. However, I don't recall ever reading a novel either and thinking, Wow, not a single cliche. Off hand, without having a novel to pick up and analyze, or the time to do so, I'd say avoiding cliches is like avoiding passive voice in writing. Sometimes it's gonna be in there because it works.

As a writer, I'm a big believer in that if it works, it works--and that goes for cliches, passive voice, backstory in the first 10/50/whatever pages, and other writerly advice. If it works, it works.

Jodi
 

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman
Super Moderator
Absolute Sage
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
22,454
Reaction score
4,956
Location
In chaos
As Serpent has now left the building I'm going to close this thread. If anyone would like it reopened PM me, and I'll reconsider.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.