7 Cliche Tropes to Avoid in Your Fiction Writing ...

By Holly

Whether you write fan fiction to post online or write original short stories to enter into contests, there are a few things you should avoid adding to your stories. You don't want them to be predictable, do you? Even though some people say that "everything has been done before," that doesn't give you permission to reuse story lines that you've seen in movies a million times. Try to get creative and avoid using these cliche tropes in your fiction writing:

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1

It Was All a Dream

Your fans will feel cheated if they read through an entire story, only to find out that it was all a dream in the end. Don't take the easy way out. If your character is getting chased by a monster and you're not sure how to save them from the situation, don't settle for using the dream cliche. You're creative! You can think of something clever.

UPD:

When writing fiction, it is important to avoid cliches in order to create an engaging and unique story. One of the most common cliches in fiction writing is the “it was all a dream” trope. This trope is often used when the writer is stuck in a plot point and needs an easy way out. Unfortunately, this trope can be extremely frustrating for readers, as they have invested time and energy into the story only to have it be revealed as a dream in the end.

In order to create a more satisfying story, writers should avoid this trope altogether and instead focus on creative solutions to their plot problems. This can involve using elements of suspense, surprise, and unexpected plot twists to keep readers engaged. For example, if a character is being chased by a monster, the writer could create a clever plan to save them instead of simply having it be a dream in the end.

Additionally, writers should avoid using cliches in general, as cliches can be seen as lazy writing and can make the story feel unoriginal and dull. Instead, writers should strive to create unique and interesting characters, settings, and plot lines to make their story stand out.

2

Love at First Site

If your story takes place over the course of a day, you probably shouldn't have two characters meet and fall in love. Even though Shakespeare made Romeo and Juliet seem romantic, it's rare for two people to develop a deep connection over the course of a few hours. If you want to write a love story, you can show the characters meeting, and then jump ahead in time to when they've gotten a chance to know each other. It'll make everything feel more realistic.

UPD:

When it comes to writing fiction, it is important to avoid common cliches such as love at first sight. While it may seem romantic for two characters to meet and fall in love within a few hours, it is not realistic. It is far more likely that two people will need more time to develop a deep connection.

When writing a love story, it is important to show the characters meeting, and then jump ahead in time to when they have had a chance to get to know each other. This will make the story more believable and will help the reader to become more invested in the characters.

In addition to avoiding cliches, it is important to consider the genre of the story. For example, a romance novel should focus on developing the relationship between two characters, while a thriller should focus more on suspense and action. It is also important to consider the target audience of the story. For example, a story aimed at young adults should be written differently than one aimed at adults.

3

"Bad Guy" Monologue

Don't let "the bad guy" explain his whole evil plan to the "good guy." In real life, no one would be naive enough to ruin their plan by busting into a monologue. Besides, this cliche has been done time and time again. If you want to stand out from the rest of the writers in the world, you need to find new ways to spoil the bad guy's plan.

UPD:

As fiction writers, we want to stand out from the crowd. But often, we find ourselves unintentionally using cliches that have been done time and time again. One of the most common cliches is the "Bad Guy" monologue, where the antagonist explains their entire evil plan to the protagonist. This trope has been used in countless films, books, and television shows, and it can be seen as a lazy way of writing.

But why is it so important to avoid this trope? Firstly, it's not realistic. In real life, no one would be naive enough to ruin their plan by busting into a monologue. Secondly, it can be seen as a lazy way of writing, as it's been done so many times before. Finally, it can make the story feel predictable and formulaic.

4

The Hero Dodges Every Bullet

This is a cliche that pops up often in action movies. Even though a dozen people are shooting at the hero, he never gets hit with a bullet. Meanwhile, the hero ends up shooting down every bad guy without a problem. Unless your character is a superhero, they probably can't take on an entire room full of bad guys, so don't put them in situations that they don't have a chance to walk out of.

5

Horror Cliches

Horror stories are filled with cliches that you have to be careful to avoid. While it's easy to make the story feel creepy by having a car break down or a key that won't fit into a lock, those situations have been overdone. There are plenty of things in the world that are more terrifying than getting stranded on the side of the road or locked out of the house--you just have to think of them.

UPD:

Horror stories are a popular genre of fiction, but they can easily become cliche if the writer isn’t careful. Cliche tropes like a car breaking down, a key that won’t fit into a lock, or a dark and stormy night are all overused and predictable. It’s important for writers of horror fiction to think outside of the box and come up with more creative and unexpected ways to create suspense and terror.

A great way to avoid cliches in horror writing is to focus on the characters and their emotions. Instead of relying on cliched situations, explore the characters’ reactions to the events they experience. By delving into the characters’ feelings of fear and dread, writers can create a more realistic and effective sense of horror.

Writers should also avoid relying too heavily on jump scares. While jump scares can be effective in creating a moment of shock, they can quickly become predictable and tiresome. Instead, focus on building tension and suspense throughout the story. Suspense can be created through a variety of ways, such as foreshadowing, misdirection, and the use of sound and visuals.

Famous Quotes

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

Aristotle
6

Amnesia

The amnesia cliche has been done on virtually every soap opera ever created. It was even done on Full House. Instead of making your character forget all about their perfect life, throw them into a situation that makes that perfect life fall apart.

UPD:

Amnesia is a common plot device seen in many forms of fiction, from soap operas to Full House. It is often used to create dramatic tension and suspense, as well as to give the protagonist a chance to start over with a clean slate.

Amnesia is typically used to make the protagonist forget their past life, creating a new set of problems and challenges for them to face. It also allows the writer to explore the protagonist’s character in a new light, as they try and make sense of their new life.

However, this plot device can often be overused and can become cliche. To avoid this, writers should be creative and use the amnesia trope to create a unique and interesting story. Instead of making the protagonist forget their perfect life, the writer can put them in a situation where their perfect life falls apart. This can make for a more compelling story and give the protagonist more interesting obstacles to overcome.

7

Stereotypical Characters

You should avoid creating stereotypical characters. If there's a nerd in your story, don't give her glasses and braces. If there's an evil character, don't give him black hair and a mustache. Switch it up!

If you can manage to stay away from cliches, then your story will be unpredictable and thrilling. Everyone will want to read it. What cliche do you hate seeing the most in movies and novels?

UPD:

When writing fiction, it is important to avoid cliches and stereotypical characters. Stereotypes can be limiting and can make characters seem one-dimensional and uninteresting. By avoiding cliche characters, you can create a more unpredictable and exciting story that will draw readers in.

One way to avoid stereotypical characters is to be mindful of physical descriptions. For example, if you have a nerdy character, don't give them glasses and braces. Instead, find other ways to make the character stand out. You could give them a unique hobby, an interesting background, or an unexpected personality trait.

It is also important to avoid cliche plot points and tropes. For example, if you are writing a romance, don't make it a story of a couple overcoming insurmountable odds to be together. Instead, find a unique way for the couple to meet or a creative conflict for them to overcome.

In addition, be mindful of dialogue. Cliché dialogue can make characters seem flat and uninteresting. Instead, give characters distinct voices and unique ways of expressing themselves.

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Best friends falling in love is SO overrated...

Great tips thanks

I've been so stuck lately and have lost so much creativity and motivation in terms of writing. This article, without intention, has really excited me to start writing again. Never thought this app could be as helpful as it has, thank you:)

good idea. I have completed a novel afraid to get a publisher. All I see is rejection rejection!!! Good points though.

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