(Note: This entry deals with lines, not stories as a whole.)\
Chao- It's easy to fall into clichés; they're not too hard to think, and many people are already familiar with them.
"The apple of my eye"
"Different strokes for different folks"
"As old as the hills"
Chao- What do any of these mean? Don't people write them because they hold truth? "Different strokes for different folks" means people like different stuff, like activities and interests. Why is it bad to write clichés? For one, because it's cheap writing. Stories are meant to be original!
Agent Daisy- (looks up the word original in dictionary)
Chao- Every word used must count. After all, for every cliché, there is an answer to them.
Cliché 1: The sky is the limit.
Rebuttal 1: We already made footsteps on the moon.
Chao- If you write clichés, it distracts readers from your original ideas. It's awesome to read original analogies or ideas.
Cliché 2: Criminals always return to the scene of the crime
Rebuttal 2: Not if they don't want to get caught
Chao- OBVIOUS! So how can a cliché be broken? Take this one:
Cliché 3: All hell breaks loose.
Chao- How many of us thought this was one of the coolest lines ever written when you first read this? Come on, be honest. (raises hand) Chao thought so, too, at first. After all, how exciting is it to see so much chaos and have the heroes find a way to conquer it all? Or don't succeed? But even if it is, how often have we come across this again and again and again while reading? And sometimes it's used in a very dumb way.
Agent Daisy- (thinks of scenario where a can of soda spills over and person who drinks said soda throws a tantrum)
Chao- Does that idea really fit for that line? One way to break a cliché is to understand its meaning. Once you do, it'll be easier to write the meaning in your own way.
Better: It was hard to imagine the end had begun. The wicked dictator had unleashed his robots into a new world, a new dimension. They measured people and ordered them to put on their Doof-overalls. Their minds were to be placed with fear, their voices silent. How could anyone hope to defeat the Normbots?
Chao- This is just one way. It's nice, though, because it gave readers more a feeling to a story rather than reading a single bland line.
Exception: Speech is different from narration. If a character decides to say it, it's fine because authors also allow them to speak in different dialects and phrases that are not grammatically correct. They may also be used for a theme or lesson.
Chao- Hope this helped those who are interested in improving their writing!.... Heh, the title for this entry is kinda funny. If there was a grammar show on TV, there would probably be a mock video of this to Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park.
Agent Daisy- ....?
Chao- For a kids show? Sure, just like Biz Kid$ or Bill Nye the Science Guy. Those shows rule!
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