How can you tell a compelling story without using cliches?

Aristotle urged writers of drama, tragedy, and Comedy to repeatedly create "a surprise of the inevitable". So, when your characters act in accordance with their nature, it can work well, if their choice is one that makes them unsafe, physically, emotionally, materially, or endangers their relationships. While the audience expects a character to act rationally, surprise occurs when characters defy rationality and revert to their nature. Much narrative surprise is built upon "cliche" - the defying of common rationalisations/expectations of the reader/audience.

I keep a list of cliched phrases in a Google doc. Things like, "the fact of the matter," "uphill battle," "better safe than sorry." When you edit, fire them through via CTRL+F. If you catch any, fix them.

Identifying clichés in your writing is crucial for maintaining an engaging narrative. Clichés can dilute the impact of your message. Always, aim for clarity and precision in your language. If a phrase feels too familiar, challenge yourself to find a more distinctive way to convey the same idea. It's about ensuring your communication remains authentic and resonates with your audience in a meaningful way. Personally, I find metaphors and analogies to be very powerful, but I'm cautious not to overuse common ones. I try to create my own or use less conventional ones.

To tell a compelling story without relying on clichés, focus on originality in your characters, plot, and setting. Develop unique characters with distinct voices and backgrounds, steering clear of stereotypical traits. For your plot, think outside the box. Avoid predictable storylines and create unexpected twists that still feel natural to the story. Setting is also key – choose a backdrop that isn't overused, or describe common settings in fresh, innovative ways. Additionally, pay attention to your language and metaphors. Use creative and specific descriptions rather than overused phrases. Finally, draw from personal experiences or lesser-known stories for inspiration, as these can bring new perspectives and depth to your writing.

Consider what emotions may be attached to the cliche. Once you understand that, you can explore it further. For example, a "damsel in distress" may be a 45-year-old woman who is terrified because she's in physical danger. Her face is ashen, she can't speak. She's shaking uncontrollably and she can't work out what to do next. Writing about the emotions is far more compelling than simply churning out the cliche without thought or exploration.

As I told you, if you're writing a romantic novel that has a happy ending then how can you put twists and turns to make it unique? Like, a person who loves a girl, but this girl is not from his community. Now you can make the character of that girl very strong by seeing how she faced many struggles and today she is an independent woman. Today she is a successful entrepreneur. So you see how you can make a story interesting by adding a lot of metaphors.

When you want to add metaphors, similes or images to your story, associate. And see if you can make unique combinations. For example, take a piece of paper and write down emotions and feelings on one side and food on the other. Or tools. Or kitchen appliances. Now make connections between those two rows, and brainstorm about this further. Maybe happiness is an apple pie and doubt is a kitchen scale. You can also investigate which animals are synonymous with a certain feeling and make a comparison. For example, I once described a main character's panic as insects running around under the bark of a tree when a woodpecker taps it with its beak.

Taking just a few extra minutes to take that first common phrase that comes to mind and give it a creative angle can mean the difference between a cliche and fresh content.

We often use clichés because they provide a familiar and convenient way to convey a message or express an idea. They act as shortcuts in communication, saving time and effort, and who isn't looking to sharpen their pencils in this area... I'm all for a sound cliche if it works and makes sense. But if you're looking to avoid them like the plague, consider: 1. Being specific and descriptive 2. Analogies and metaphors 3. Originality 4. Humour 5. Captivating dialogue Cliches exist for a reason, and using them may be cliche in and of itself, but there's a connection in those linguistic shortcuts, and we shouldn't always be afraid to use them. If you can try something new, go for it. On the other hand, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Pare de fazer suas cria??es tendo como referência apenas o trabalho de outros criadores. Ler livros, assistir filmes e jogar videogame é muito enriquecedor para qualquer autor, mas n?o é tudo. Para evitar clichês e escrever histórias únicas, você precisa usar como referência também o mundo real! Saia de casa, conviva com outras pessoas, escute o que elas têm a dizer, conhe?a seus sentimentos. Depois misture tudo até criar algo original.

Cliché sets in deliberately in your writing as you try to sound familiar to your target audience. If you're an aspiring writer, challenge yourself when you encounter a cliché thought process and convert that into something that sounds more reasonable, humorous, ironic, or even simple, concise words. Using simplicity and specificity in your writing is the only way to emotionally connect with your readers, and that can be accomplished without using clichés.

You can't. Think about it. When something is named a cliche it means that it is a common, repetitive motif. One of the most common cliches is unrequited love. Think of all the songs and books where someone pines for someone else. You can't really write something that has never been mentioned before, or doesn't remind of something else. What you can do is avoid using too many cliches and add depth to the cliches you have decided to use. Make your characters rich in terms of not being black-and-white. Add nuances. You can't avoid unrequited love, tragic loss, broken friendship, war, death, physical or mental struggles because your protagonist needs to grow (or diminish), but don't overuse anything. Be subtle. Add philosophy. And write it.

In simple terms, What I like to say is encourage writers to engage idea mapping, it will help you know the main content of your ideas. While adding flesh to your main idea, later, you'll be more conscious when you no longer have explanations to do... and that will remove repetitive words and cliches.

Writers use cliches because they either don’t know better or they are being lazy. We lean on cliches when applying metaphors, especially in certain regional dialect like southern speech. “Slower than molasses” or “stuck like a hair in a biscuit.” I recommend writers avoid using cliches unless it’s used in dialog by a character who speaks in cliche as part of their characterization.

Don't take cliches as the end of the world. Cliches, YOUR cliches give a voice and tone to your writing - a 'style' or 'way' if you must. However, that is the catch. Remember the following framework to learn from your cliches- 1. Evaluate Audience Reception - How might your audience perceive these cliches? 2. Contextual Appropriateness - Are these cliches suitable to the context? 3. Varying Expressions - (How) Can you convey the same idea using different expressions? 4. Consistency in Style - Do the chosen alternatives maintain consistency in your writing style? 5. Solicit Feedback - How does your audience respond to the revised language?

Learn from your clichés, those worn-out tropes that once defined storytelling. Delve into their essence, dissect their structure, and extract the lessons they conceal. Unravel the predictable threads and weave a new narrative infused with originality. Embrace the familiar only to defy expectations, transcending clichés to birth innovation. Unearth the emotional core beneath clichéd surfaces, tapping into universal experiences while crafting unique perspectives. Challenge the norm, allowing characters to evolve organically and plots to unfold unconventionally. It's not about abandoning the past but redefining it. In the alchemy of storytelling, clichés serve as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks, guiding you toward compelling tales.

Probably if I were a fictional writer, my clichés would be a lot about how rich people always try to suppress the ones below them either in relationships or common society. We have always seen how the rich get richer, the poor, poorer and the middle and working classes stay where they are. But I think as you go ahead in life and plan big things for yourself, some of your clichés start to slip away. That attitude of learning and enjoying new experiences while letting the older ones which pull one down slip by is really important to write compelling stories that touch every heart and be a bestseller.

Create an engaging story without leaning too heavily on cliches, but instead, see them as tools to enhance your narrative. Use cliches sparingly to establish genre, tone, or themes, but avoid relying on them as shortcuts. Learn from other writers who have creatively adapted cliches, incorporating your unique perspective to make your storytelling more compelling.

The trick with cliches is to - show don't tell. As soon as you take a cliche and give more depth and meaning behind it - it doesn't remain a cliche anymore. Once you do this, give members of your target audience a sample for feedback. Before they read the last part of your story, ask them to predict the ending. If most of them predict it accurately - your story is probably still cliched - and you need to rewrite it. But if they can't and they don't predict your ending and if they seem hooked to your story - you've succeeded!

Connect with your readers and the emotions it would arouse in them. It is more important to touch the right strings through culturally and regionally relevant stories. Clichés then are not the focus and building up the settings or characters at all.

You always can test your story with a number of people. It's always best to draw on real life stories since it gives the chance of connecting to reality. But, if it's fiction one must check what all works the real world. Will people accept the fiction or will its many facets will blow their mind ?

Cliches aren't necessarily bad; just don't overuse them in your work. Using a smattering of cliches sparingly in your writing will give your readers a sense of shared experience, something that they can relate to and this can make all the difference between classifying your work as just another generic article or one that hits home. Use cliches as and when necessary but instead of overdoing it, just don't use them at all.

Crafting a captivating narrative requires finesse and originality, steering clear of cliches that dilute the potency of your tale. Challenge your story's resilience in a mere 100 words by eschewing the predictable tropes that often plague storytelling. Embrace the unexpected twists, infuse your characters with genuine complexity, and defy conventional plot structures. Let your narrative breathe with authenticity, surprising readers with uncharted territories of emotion and intellect. Elevate your storytelling prowess by inviting readers into a world where anticipation meets innovation, leaving them on the edge of their literary seats, hungering for the next uncharted turn in your uniquely woven tapestry of words.

Craft a unique narrative by shunning clichés and embracing the uncharted. Delve into the intricacies of your characters, revealing their authentic quirks and motivations. Weave a tapestry of unexpected twists, transcending the mundane and surprising your audience at every turn. Infuse your tale with vivid, original imagery that sparks the imagination. Let emotions flow organically, steering clear of predictable reactions. Engage your readers with a fresh perspective, defying conventional plot structures. Immerse them in a world where the unexpected becomes the norm. Enjoy your story as it dances on the edges of familiarity, inviting discovery and leaving a lasting impression.

I think the content pieces that truly speak of your story where you’re actually enjoying writing what you’ve put out perform the best. People do respond to real stories irrespective of how it is written.

Creating a great story without using common ideas means using your own thoughts and feelings. Always try to read every genre and take inspiration to plot your story. Share your unique experiences and emotions to connect with your readers. Celebrate the fun of making your story, enjoy the moments when you come up with cool ideas, and be proud of the special story you've made. Just have a good time telling your tale!

E mantenha a mente sempre curiosa, pesquisando temas diversos e inusitados. Pois com conhecimento você pode criar e aproveitar uma bela história.

If you want to be a better writer, read. Read the classics, read the Booker Prize longlist, read bestsellers. Business writing can be formulaic, so look to fiction for creative inspiration.

Many people worry too much about pleasing their readers hence the adoption of cliches with the hopes of placating readers. Truth be told, that is one fast way to lose your originality as a writer. Instead of worrying about pleasing your readers, how about trying to focus on the end goal of your Content and the msg you're trying to get across to readers. That's why truly matters.

Bring your heart to the story: You showing up emotionally as the writer is what makes it feel true, without cliches. True things don’t seem hackneyed or cliche. Because they aren’t hackneyed or cliche—they’re real, and it feels like a real person lived them. By showing up emotionally, I mean feeling something as you write. Even if you’re writing fiction. When we feel something as we write, it’s much more likely that the reader will be feeling something as they read.

By changing a word or two, cliches can work well in humor. Years ago, for instance, Erma Bombeck repurposed "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" for her book title,"The grass is always greener over the septic tank."

A lot of it depends on what you are using the cliche for. As a professional non-fiction ghostwriter, the publishers I work with have never asked me to remove a cliche. If you are employing original thinking from a unique perspective to describe the big ideas, and you are delivering impact and insight, the odd cliche around the edges is fine. It also depends on your audience and the kind of content you're writing. For more formal writing, you should avoid cliches. If you're aiming for conversational, cliches are a good thing because they are easy and natural.