Chocolate Velvet of course, hot chocolate, and hot tea--all designed to wake you up or give you a boost if its afternoon.
Have you ever had contest judges or editors tell you that something in your writing is "cliche"?
Grrrrrrrr
I hate that. Especially when its true.
So what do they mean when they say something is cliche?
Cliche usually refers to something that is so overused it loses its impact.
So the judge/editor/crit partner could be referring to plot cliche, character cliche, or narrative/dialogue cliche. There are even settings that are cliche.
In other words OVER USED
PLOT CLICHE
An example of plot cliche could be the overuse of small town hero or heroine leaves town-goes to big city and leaves behind true love to find themselves--returns to small town and realizes should have never left. This is the plot line for almost every Larry Levinson / Hallmark movie.
Or A will is left by a well-meaning relative that the hero and heroine must live together.
Or An amnesia plot.
Or I find in Christian novels either the poor heroine or hero are widowed and must find help raising children.
Now does this mean one can't use these plots? After all there are only 20 plots out there according to Ronald B. Tobias who wrote 20 Master Plots (And How to Build Them)
Many of these sell or they wouldn't be overused.
The secret if you use these plots is to find a fresh and new way to present them. What the reader/editor/judge doesn't want is to be bored. So if you have an original solution, situation, or outlook, these will work.
For example, The heroine was widowed in both of Mary Connealy's books MONTANA ROSE and THE HUSBAND TREE. But the way she handled both characters was totally different and definitely unique. You wouldn't call those books cliche. smile
CHARACTER CLICHE
The wimpy heroine who must find a man to take care of her.
The hero or heroine who are apart because of a simple misunderstanding.
Or the hero or heroine who allows some information held over their heads to keep them apart.
NARRATIVE CLICHE
Things like: "swept off her feet" "played hard to get"
You can get away with cliche when used in dialogue, especially if the character is known for using cliche.
WHAT CLICHES BOTHER YOU THE MOST?
Okay your turn. What cliches get your ire up? What plot, character or narrative cliches have you noticed lately when reading/critiquing/judging?
All who post a cliche will be included in a drawing for a Seeker book of your choice. Be sure and include your email address and a comment that you want to be entered.
Winner to be announced on weekend edition
"Let the best man/woman win." naaaa can't use that one.
