There
are “conventions” in writing. No, I don't mean the great big
gatherings of authors & their fans, though these are also
conventions. What I mean are the things you MUST NOT DO if you want
to be an author.
I'd
love to know who decides these things. Who set the rules in the first
damn place? My theory is that a bunch of frustrated, would-be writers
got together and decided that they would set standards in order to
hamper the creativity of others. Level the field by making it harder
for the competition. Well played.
Grant
you, there are some conventions that are valid. (I can't think of any
right now, but give me a little while. I'm sure there are some.) One
standard that has some validity is the use of clichés. Not familiar
with the word? I could give you a big, long dictionary definition,
but why bother? A cliché is a phrase that's over used. Tried and
true. True blue. Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of
rocking chairs. You get the
idea.
As
a general rule, it's good to avoid these hackneyed phrases. They make
your work look cheap and unloved. My father would have said, “Like
a whore at breakfast.” That
was one of his favorite clichés.
Sometimes,
it's all right to use one. When?
Dialogue.
Think about it for a moment. They are as common as the day is long.
There are as many different clichés as there are hairs on your head.
People think and speak in clichés all the time. There are variations
depending upon geographic location. Obviously, English doesn't corner
the market on trite language.
Because
people think and speak in clichés, avoiding them in dialogue can
make the words sound stilted. Not every character will use them. Not
every book lends itself to them. In these cases, the clear choice is
not to use them.
Don't
be afraid to use a cliché from time to time. It's okay—really!
Tell your story the way it needs to be told. Have your characters
speak in a believable fashion. Too often, we are afraid to break the
mold and think outside the box. It's not a crime. What are they going
to do? Send the Grammar Police? I don't think they have jurisdiction
over clichés. Sorry. No arrests shall be made today.
As
with anything, use clichés sparingly. Keep in mind that a little
goes a long way.
©
Dellani Oakes 2015
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