It's important to be unique in any creative endeavor, which is why there are cliches to avoid when writing. You don't want your readers to roll their eyes during a dramatic scene. You have to create your own metaphors and descriptions so that your work doesn't feel predictable. As tempting as they can be, these are some of the hundreds of cliches to avoid when writing.
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Eye Color
Her eyes were as blue as the sky; His eyes were as deep as the sea; Their eyes shone like the sun. When describing eye color, you have to be careful. Either state the color without comparing it to anything, or create a metaphor that hasn't been done before. No one wants to hear the same thing over and over again. One of the biggest cliches to avoid when writing is giving a generic statement about facial features.
Crying
She cried a river of tears; The tears streamed down her face; She blinked the tears away. You have to be careful when writing any kind of emotional scene. You want your readers to be pulled in. However, they could be pulled away with a cliched description. Think about how you felt the last time you bawled. Pry those feelings from your soul and place them on paper. It'll be more effective than rewriting words we've all heard a thousand times before.
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Affection
He pressed his lips against mine; I felt his breath in my ear; He smelled like heaven. When you're in love, everything feels like a cliche. However, when you're writing, you have to portray love in a unique way. Don't stick to the script. Depict love as you feel it, not as you see it in the movies.
Instead, dare to dive into the raw nuances of emotion that you've personally encountered or imagined. Depict the tremble in his hands, the vulnerable glance that reveals a tumultuous past, or the way a simple, shared chuckle can feel like the stitching of two souls. Your narrative should transcend the boundaries of common expressions to unearth the authenticity of human connection, painting a picture so vivid, readers can't help but feel their own hearts beat in rhythm with your characters'.
Sleeping
His eyelids were heavy; He slept like a baby; His eyes fluttered open. It might feel natural to write down the phrases you always hear, but you should teach yourself to avoid using them. You want your work to be completely your own. You don't want someone else's voice to get mingled in with yours. Whenever you find yourself writing something that you've heard dozens of times, delete it. Your words are just as good as anyone else's.
Life Lessons
Every cloud has a silver lining; It's a blessing in disguise; Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If you want a lesson to make an impact, phrase it in your own words. You're not allowed to plagiarize in academic papers, so you shouldn't do it in your creative writing. If you love to write, you should be happy to come up with something creative. It'll test your skills.
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Little Phrases
In this day and age; At the end of the day; Comes full circle. Cliches aren't always full sentences. Sometimes they are single words or short phrases. It's normal to write down the things that you hear. However, when it's time to edit, you should get rid of anything that you've heard too often.
Five Senses
The cake tasted like heaven; His cologne smelled delicious; Her voice sounded like a melody. You've seen, smelled, and heard millions of different things over your lifetime. Relive those experiences by writing them down. Challenge yourself by taking a bite of your favorite dessert and describing it with all five senses. Describe the feel of it on your tongue, the sound of the crunch, and the scent it releases.
Once you stop using common phrases and start creating your own, you'll notice a huge difference in your storytelling. It'll be more compelling, and less commercial. Are there any cliches that bother you whenever you see them?
