Cliche's

[Princess Ivy]

cliche's are cliche's (i know, spelling, but half a bottle of plonk and it gets worse and worse) because they are true. but as writers we are supposed to avoid them and try to come up with new synonms to describe something which has already been described quite aptly. we then hope that this will become a cliche. for instance, blood sweat and tears. this perfectly describes a character's predicament in certain situations. and yet this is a cliche. so, keeping the writing tight, for a deadline, how would one describe say, working as a slave under a whip? this is a literal description of their physical state. and yet, as a cliche, its not acceptable to use in writing a story. hemoglobin, persperation and lachramel just doesn't have the same ring.
sorry, this is a specific rant of mine about this specific cliche, but the point is still the same. cliches are there for a reason. so, how do you feel about them? my own feeling is that it is the writers choice, a sensible writer will try not to use them, and yet, where they are applicable do so (sounds confusing, but what i mean is, if i used a phrase like hemoglobin, persperation and lachramel no one would know what i'm talking about) and where not to use it would be odd. how does everyone else feel?

[Tsujigiri]

It is really up to the writer, if you have to use a cliche then you try to use it in as novel a way as possible.

[a|one]

I think its up to the writer as well. I think a true genious would be able to come up with their own new ones for every situation, but few of us can do that on a sentencely(yes I know thats not a word) basis. And even then there will always be situations where a certain cliche just fits better than anything else ever could. As long as its not like the theme of your book or the pinnacle(sp?) moment, a few well placed cliches aren't going to kill your story.

[MoonLover]

I think they're okay because the reader can usually instantly identify what the author means. Phrases like "blood, sweat and tears" are as recognizeable as words like "suffer", so I use them from time to time to stop myself using repetitive descriptions. Maybe someone should write a thesaurus of cliche's?

Karen

[littlemissattitude]

I really think it's up the the author's discretion, but that the author should be discrete in using them. I know I always think about it a lot before I put an obvious cliche into something I'm writing.

Still, I do use them sometimes. In fact I'm writing something now that I've used a huge cliche - "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" - in. Last night, when I was writing that section I sat there and thought about it for awhile before I decided to go ahead and use it. I decided that the usage was unique enough and interesting enough - within my protagonist's internal monologue - that I'd go ahead and use it. In fact, as it worked out, I used part of it again a bit later as a bridge between the two bits. I don't know if it works or not; the second usage might be overkill instead of amusing. Maybe I'll post the passage later on and see what you all think about it.

[Winters_Sorrow]

I voted other just to be different...

and, I first understood the term cliche to mean a stereotypical situation or character, not a phrase - e.g. orcs or, the kid with a magical jewel/sword and his companions - a good warrior, a good thief and a wise old sorcerer! argh!

but when meaning a cliched phrase, then I think it depends on how it serves the story. I think it's dangerous for an author to use them excessively as it's (by nature) generic so you work won't seem any different from many others and it can lead you to create cliched storylines or characters (see above)

I don't mind some cliches but I prefer it if the author twists them or turns them on their head later.
The good thief finds god and leaves the party never to return, thus dooming the young kid to failure, torture & death?

[Princess Ivy]

hmmm, interestingly enough, cliched character don't seem to bother people as much. in fact 'flawed' characters are supposed to add a bit of zest to the story. and yet to me, i'd prefer to go wtih experimental characters, who are unpredictable. one of the things i did like about mievilles Scar was the diversity of creatures

[dustinzgirl]

You know, I think that cliche's have thier place in writing, and you can make your own, and sometimes you should never use them. So I am going with the non-existent all of the above choice. I use some cliches, because it can create a sense of humor and also connect with what the reader knows, but using to many of them will make your writing boring and unoriginal. And how do you know what is cliche and what is not?

[evanescentdream]

I agree with Princess Ivy. Cliches, I think, are at the writer's own discretion. My personal approach is neither to consciously employ them nor deliberately avoid them. In my writing I use whatever words come to me naturally.

[Rane Longfox]

When I do write (far too rarely), I do notice when I create a hugely cliced character, and try to avoid them. But then, if the character is really good, I'll keep them anyway.
I find reading cliched books dull, so try to avoid using them when writing. Seems simple enough

[Brys]

I don't have any problem with cliches in language, as long as they are done because they are accurately describing the situation. I use them relatively regularly, because it makes more sense than doing something else. But what I don't like is any few being used over the top (ie in RJ's WoT the braid tugging and foot tapping etc - that's unnecessary, but the ones you suggested make sense). The only cliches that I try to stay clear of specifically are those to do with plot and worldbuilding (in fantasy). It should be up to the writer, but I don't think a writer should specifically avoid them or try to put them in. If it sounds too cliched, and it can be replaced adequately, then you may as well do, but it isn't hugely important to me. But something like a character who has been done so many times (ie stupid northern barbarian or gold loving dwarf or whatever) is better to try and avoid, as is any very cliched plots (young boy saves the world by meeting wizard, finding out he's an emperor or something and then fights a dark lord).