It’s Friday and in under six hours I’ll be having a fantastic long weekend. Until then, you’re stuck with me and my five favorite cliches.
When the general public thinks cliche, chances are they’ll think a catch phrase. When I think cliche, I think things in writing. Let’s count them down:
- The dumb blonde and dumb jock. Even though they’re fun to write, it’s a challenge to see how far you can go with the stereotype before busting up in laughter.
- There can be only one. Chosen one, that is. It’s a convenient plot device and shows up in almost every book that has a fantastical element to it. Roland’s the gunslinger. Anita has all the power. Buffy is the chosen one.
- The love triangle. As long as it doesn’t involve a questionably sparkling bloodsucker, a werewolf, and a dipshit, the love triangle is awesome. If done properly we can see multiple sides of the person stuck in the middle to help solidify which “team” you’re on. However, please don’t include a triangle just for the sake of triangles. There should be a reason.
But my all-time favorite cliche?
The bad boy. By far, the best one ever. I’ve blogged about it once already, but it bears repeating: I love me a bad boy. That this cliche ties into my love of sleaze rock is not a shock either, because most guys who play sleaze rock look like the bad boy. Prime example: Motley Crue.
Head over to Paper Hangover to see what the others are saying! And don’t forget to enter my Fauxmance contenst!
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Last.fm hit of the day: Winds of Change by Cinderella (another sleaze rock band)
I love your first two, but hate the last two. 😛 Awesome concept of "cliché", Alicia!
Great list! I'm a fan of the love triangle myself. 🙂
Ah, yes – who doesn't want the threesome, er…love triangle in a story? And I do heart me some bad boys, but I will take a Peeta or an Edward any day of the week.
Great list!
I love triangles! Though because I'm contrary, they rarely work out the way I want. I was Team Jacob all the way, man.
"There can only be one" a la Highlander… I love this cliché so much.
I like your interpretation of cliches. As with all things, if it's done well, it's cool. Like the love triangle, I like a good one, but there are just so many that seem to be thrown in for no good reason these days.
The dumb jock and dumb blond can be really funny and have depth if done well too. It's just tough to do!
These were great!
Yeah, but if we all write about the smart brunette and the smart jock, 30 years from now, someone will be blogging about what a cliche THAT is! (um, my book might be about a smart brunette and a smart jock. er)
erica
Lol, I never thought about the dumb jock/blonde. They're a TON of fun to write. 🙂
Oh, bad boys, I love you! Great list of cliches! As a big fantasy fan, I'm all about the Chosen One, because when it's good, it's so good!