We all know that using cliches are bad. They're boring. They're...here goes...wait for it...overused.
Cut all cliches. Edit them out. Get rid of them.
Here are some cliches:
- sands of time
- selling like hotcakes
- in the same boat
- paying the piper
- jump-start
- lap of luxury
- over the top
- cut to the chase
- chomping at the bit
- work in progress
- only one thing is certain
- whirlwind tour
- fell on deaf ears
Once a month I meet up with a bunch of published and aspiring authors for a writer's circle at our local library. We come together to share ideas, read each others writing samples, express thoughts, and sometimes we even do a writing prompt or two.
Tonight was our monthly meeting. It was a much needed break from all the crazy summer swim team stuff I've been involved with this last month. It was great to spend a few hours with fellow writers and be creative.
After gathering and catching up, we did an activity where we picked a couple of pieces of paper out of a bowl. Written on the paper were cliches. We were instructed to write them into a short story/flash fiction piece. After writing for about ten minutes, we shared our stories...and a lot of laughs!
I chose three from the bowl at random. Here is my short story/flash fiction:
It was a whirlwind tour. The tickets were selling like hotcakes, and I couldn't pass them up. I bought two, one for me and one for him. We left early, and I loved every moment of it. We saw everything in all the cities we visited. I wanted to do it all: the museums, the art galleries, the parks. The trip was everything I needed to jump-start my new life. -RGG
Bet you can't find the cliches I used...?? Haha!
Here is what one of my critique partners, Patrick Dawson, wrote after drawing three cliches at random:
One thing is certain in today's economy, the sands of time will never place us in the lap of luxury. -Patrick Dawson
Everyone's story brought smiles and lots of laughs. We had a great time. If you get a chance, pick a few of the cliches from above and write your own. Add your story piece to the comments. I can't wait to hear what you come up with!
Patrick Dawson is the author of Lessons in the Journey. You can find him at his website http://www.patrickkdawson.com/ or on goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4805249.Patrick_K_Dawson
