We read about cliches a lot. Usually in reference to an overused phrase, like her heart raced or her stomach tied into knots. Sometimes in reference to an overused character, like the misunderstood teen or the dishonest car salesman. But less talked about is the cliched plot.
A writer can remedy cliched phrases and characters by switching the wording to something more original or adding depth and dimension to an otherwise predictable character. But what about a cliched plot? How do we fix that? I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy. That’s why cliched plots need spotting before we begin the first draft, and in order to spot them, we need eyes that are not our own.
For example:
After finishing my latest novel, I started toying around with future story ideas. A story about a writer kept popping into my head. Her story took shape in my mind and the accompanying excitement tagged along. I emailed my agent the idea. Her response? Cliche. Writers write what they know and we know all about writing. There are many a novel out there about a protagonist who writes and 95% of them elicit editor/agent eye-rolling. Why? Because the idea isn’t original. Not at all. And anytime a plot feels cliche, the bar’s set higher. For an editor or agent to take it seriously, the writing must be near perfection.
In hindsight, it seems obvious that this idea of mine was cliche, but at the time, the unfolding storyline and my accompanying excitement clouded the obvious. Had I not ran this idea by an objective party, I might have jumped right in, spent three, four, maybe six months writing the rough draft, then revising it, only to find out later that it’s an overdone storyline and nobody’s interested.
The good news is, you don’t need an agent to spot cliched plots. You just need somebody who reads a lot and isn’t afraid to shoot straight. Before laboring through the rough draft, write a back cover blurb and give it to somebody who knows books. Ask, “Does this sound familiar?” If they answer yes, then the idea is cliche. Don’t waste your time on it. Or, spend time brainstorming until the plot spins into something unique.
I know it’s hard to languish in a world of brainstorming, where ideas crash before takeoff. I know you just want to write already. But don’t hurry through this step. Don’t neglect this stage in the process. Settle for nothing less than a unique storyline with unique characters. One that makes your reader say, “Hmmm, this sounds interesting. This sounds different and refreshing. I’d really like to read something like this.” When you get that sort of response, then get writing!
Some overdone plots: unfaithful spouses and inheritance stories.
Funnily enough, I’ve done BOTH of these and didn’t realize they were cliche until after the fact. I entered the first one in the Genesis last year and all three judges mentioned the plot was overdone. Yikes! Not too long after, I read an agent’s blog who said she didn’t want to see another inheritance story cross her desk anytime soon. Double yikes!
Some overdone characters: the thirty-something woman who’s desperate to get married, the fire and brimstone preacher, the ambitious businesswoman out to prove herself
Interesting side note. I just finished reading Never the Bride, a Carol Award finalist, by Rene Gutteridge and Cherly McKay. The main character is a 34 year old woman desperately searching for her future groom. Not very original, is it? My thoughts exactly. Until God shows up as a cute man (yes, in the flesh) and she’s the only person who can see Him. Now that put an interesting twist on an otherwise cliched plot. Not to mention the book is laugh out loud funny and cry out loud touching (seriously, a MUST read).
Questions to Ponder: What overused characters and plots do you notice flying around the industry? Any tips or tricks when it comes to making our stories feel fresh?
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Hmmm…interesting point Timothy. I think I agree with some of what you're saying. Yes, there are basic plot structures that we must all work with. I agree with that. But there are all different kinds of ways to put a unique spin on them. Some plots are so overdone they elicit editor/agent eye rolling. Like the main character who is a writer. There better be an interesting/unique twist on the story, because if it's the same old, same old then it won't garner interest (at least not from editors/agent). For example – the book I mentioned, Never the Bride. The plot – a 34 year old woman searches for her groom. That's definitely overdone. However, the unique twist is that God turns into a cute guy and visits her. Now that is definitely unique! So while there are only so many basic plot structures to work with, there are all kinds of ways to twist them into something unique and that's what I'm encouraging blog readers to do.
Thanks for your thoughts and for the blog visit today! I see you on Rachelle's blog a lot. 🙂
I don’t think you can really apply the word cliché to plots. There are only ten basic plots and we can’t write anything without redoing one of them. Even though I try to avoid writing about a writer, the fact is that many of these writer stories work and they will continue to work. But if all the writer does is write, it isn’t interesting and it never was. Who really wants to see a writer sitting at a computer pounding the keys? Most people have some interest in the writing process, but they’re unlikely to enjoy a book built around that process. Take Murder She Wrote for example. That show included various tidbits about writing from time to time, but the character did very little actual writing throughout the series. Even though she was a writer and taught writing, she was just the gumshoe that we often find in the whydunnit plot. In the most basic of terms, when someone says a plot is cliché it is just a nice way of saying that you have them doing is boring. You could change the character to something that hasn’t been done before and it would still be boring.
I love certain stories, like love stories or spy thrillers, but I agree with you, they need to have a fresh twist!
I never tire of reading a certain type of plot, but I agree it has to feel fresh! I've been reading Regency romances for years, and let's face it, the same issues pop up again and again in those books. As long as the characters grab me, I'll keep reading.
You're a smart cookie! Thanks for this clear look at plot cliches.
And I love that pic of you!
Excellent post, Katie, and I LOVE your new photo!!!
I ALWAYS notice the dishonest, selfish preacher in a book or movie, since I'm married to an honest, giving man of the Word. Most preachers I've known love the Lord and have laid down thier lives for Him, at great personal expense, so to see them portrayed like this irks me.
On the other hand, I'm currently reading a book where the author sugar-coats the characters in ministry, painting a too-rosy picture.
Pray for balance and innovation.
Okay, first of all, WHAT A PHOTO!!!!
I LOVE it!!! Beautiful job!
k.
Now, on with the comment, lol.
Cliche?
Hmmm…pretty much everything I've written. LOL
As a reader, I don't mind cliche because I can identify, connect with the story. But, as you mentioned, only authors with a fab writing style can get away with cliche. The plot of illegitimate child fathered by a priest or by married paster has been WAY overdone!!
I love this post! The mysterious boy who seems dangerous, yet falls in love with the ordinary girl is definitely cliche.
The way my third (and prayerfully, final) editor is chopping at Secrets, I believe cliche was my middle name!!!
Good thing she's seeing 'em now!!!
Great post!!
Patti
I've got to get my hands on that book Katie!
I appreciate this post so much, thanks for taking the time to include examples. My heart stopped thinking my story line might fall in a cliche category, but I would rather know now than later.
I believe I'm safe, and my story is heading in the right direction:)
Hi Katie –
Thanks for getting the wheels turning in my head. While I'm on the alert for cliches, I'm sure I've generated plenty of ideas with cliched plots.
I'm working on a story idea, which I hope will become a book. I'll have to re-evaluate it and see if it passes the cliche test.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Excellent post and advice.
I think having a group around you who will offer constructive feedback is certainly a Blessing–on writing or life ideas.
Not sure if I could name one overly used idea because I try to dig deep at the library or bookstore to find creativity as opposed to whatever is the hot concept of the year.
Great post, Katie! How nice that you have a sounding board like Rachelle. 🙂 Love your new picture, by the way!
I'm glad you bounced your idea off Rachelle before hitting the keyboard! Ack! I'm afraid of that very thing, working-slaving over a story and having it not be sales worthy because it's over done. I'd like to think though that I could add a twist to anything, but I'm not really in the mood to find out if that's true 😉 Best be original.
Great points, Katie!
There are some readers who love the familiar, and never tire of marriage-of-convenience plots, especially in historicals.
If some readers like familiar plots, some writers will also like to write for those readers. It's just important to know which kind of house each of us is targeting with our work.
Love the new profile picture of you Miss Lovely! :O)
Awesome, Katie! You are so right – "… cliched plots need spotting before we begin the first draft, and in order to spot them, we need eyes that are not our own."
Thanks for the great post! As I develop an idea I've been churning for several weeks, you've given me a lot to think about.
I like your idea of writing up a back book blurb and running it by some friends who read first. I think I will do that with my next book for sure! Cause I know I have some cliche plots in each of the ones I have written. I try to put a twist on them but is it enough?
PS– I love to read books about writers:))
Before I came up with an idea I'm sure to stick with for novel five I toyed with a lake house plot. Even though I'd created all kinds of twists and turns I couldn't shake the feeling it felt cliche. So what did I do? I tucked it away. I didn't begin writing it. I came up with a new idea. I love my new idea.
I might come back to the characters that started to take root in me, but maybe instead of the setting being a lake house it will be somewhere not so cliche.
Cool you had someone to bounce your future ideas off of.
~ Wendy
Interesting article! Cliched plots can indeed flaw a story from the start – thanks for emphasizing the importance of running ideas past objective sources!
Great job 🙂
What an interesting post, Katie! Especially, since I am just starting my new story…maybe I should run the storyline by you. 😉
I think you have to go past your first, second, third, tenth idea…Great post!
Love, this Katie! I totally agree that it helps to have someone to run ideas past. I'm currently trying to work out the plot ideas for my third book and am having conversations with my Bethany editor about it. I'm not sure that I'm dealing with cliche issues, but am looking for ways to write the story in a way that my readers will like (and that could take a whole blog post to explain!).
Originality and freshness with plot ideas is critical. I like what James Scott Bell says. Brainstorm, write up a list, but then discard the first ones that come to your mind. They're probably the cliches.
OH man, I'm the queen of cliche! I happen to like those cliche stories, esp. marriages of convenience, etc. 🙂
I want to do a post on if cliche can be subjective, because a cliche is only good for those who've read it. I think we've got a whole new generation whose cliched books will be different than ours.
LOL
I might as well do my post in your comment section. Ha!
You could always put a twist on the writer job somehow…