Cliches & Tropes – Don’ts and Do’s

What is a cliche?

1. A recurring theme or literary device such as a figure of speech

2. No book can exist without tropes

3. When tropes become overused and unoriginal they develop into clichés

Significance?

1. Commonly used to establish a writer in a particular genre or niche

2. BUT be careful as this where writers fall into the trap of cliches (romance writers particularly)

3. Tropes can be used to generate interesting, original content

Some Tips:

1. Place realistic characters in worst-case scenarios – your hero or chosen one is not immune to pain/ stronger than their opponent

2. Subvert stereotypes (these are used to categorise groups of people according to generalisations, personal opinions and are NOT based on facts).

3. Your protagonist or characters do not have to be white, heterosexual males or females!!! Think about whether race can be used and subverted as a trope?

4. Creative backstories – avoid or find ways to modify common examples like characters who have done things that they’re ashamed of, kissed someone that they shouldn’t have or murdered or stolen something.

5. Combine clichés

1. Avoid basic story plots like these:

– Rags to riches,

– The chosen one who must defeat a monster / bad guy,

– A character must set out on an important quest,

– A character has to choose between love and their career,

– The hero experiences a life-changing tragedy

Other Useful Links:

1. https://tvtropes.org/

2. http://writing-world.com/

3. https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-to-avoid-clich%C3%A9s

4. https://www.authorspublish.com/writing-original-fiction-avoiding-cliches-tropes-and-stereotypes/