Classic Cliche

Definition of cliche: a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse.

One of the biggest accusations that’s been sent my way is that I use cliches.  Well, one problem with genre writing is that there are standards and traditions that you really need to use a few of.  If you don’t use some of the ‘cliches’ then you’re not in the genre.  For fantasy, this can include magic, swords, medieval setting, and the overall atmosphere of the book.  My point here is that you can find at least one cliche in every book.  Although, this depends on the reader.

A person who has not read much of a genre won’t know the cliches.  A halfling thief like Nimby can be a cliche to hardcore fantasy readers and a unique character to somebody new to the genre.  This leads me to believe that cliche is really subjective and in the eye of the beholder.  I know this is not a popular thought because a lot of people hold onto their hated cliches more than stuff they like.  God forbid something you claim is cliche is proven not to be.  Such a revelation ruins worlds for some people.

Still a little confused?  Here is where this idea came from.  Nimby is a halfling thief, which is a rather standard Dungeons & Dragons character type.  I pushed for an interesting character, which requires readers to move beyond the archetype.  Well, a few people sent me messages about how Nimby was an utter cliche and they hated him.  Fair enough, but they had some advice within the same message.  This was that Nimby as the retired thief should have been utilized as a red herring for the reader.  Suspicions should have been thrown on him that he was the Hellfire Elf in disguise or working with the demon.  Really?  The retired thief being the assassin everyone is looking for is considered a cliche, especially the way that was being suggested.  I’m not against using this tactic in a story, but to point at a character as cliche and then suggest I add another ‘cliche’ to him is rather odd.

This is why I think cliche is in the eye of the beholder.  Every reader has different experiences with reading and different books in their background.  This brings a varied perspective, which can include a ‘cliche’ not being a cliche to them.  It’s the mindset that everyone has seen something before that irks me at times because that isn’t true.  We throw this accusation out as fact when it’s really a subjective opinion.  It can drive an author mad trying to figure out what’s a cliche and what isn’t.

Is there a way for an author to get around this?  Yes.  Just write what you love and avoid plagiarism because that’s not the same as cliche.  You’re going to be influenced by what came before you.  That will show.  Put your own twist or mark on it, but understand that some people will ignore that twist/mark in favor of finding cliches.  There are readers who purposely read to point out what a new author has ‘taken’ from those that came before and to harp on this.  They’re part of the literary world, so take your lumps and enjoy writing what you love to write.