Tired Old Cliche

Our workshop forum is located here:

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #1392002 by Not Available.

Axilea wrote:

Day 6 assignment. Clichés


Let's begin with a definition of clichés taken from wikipedia. But definitions can be clichés too, right? Hmm.


A cliché is a phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty, especially when at some time it was considered distinctively forceful or novel. The term is generally used in a negative context.

"Cliché" applies also to almost any situation, plot device, subject, characterization, figure of speech, or object—in short, any sign—that has become overly familiar or commonplace.
Because the novelty or frequency of an expression's use varies across different times and places, whether or not it is a cliché depends largely on who uses it, the context in which it is used, and who is making the judgment.
The meaning of a particular cliché may shift over time, often leading to confusion or misuse


Here's our exercise:

1) Write 500 lines of prose without due care to cliché or figures of speech.

2) Read your prose and underline all the phrases you’ve heard before; these are the clichés.

3) Now rewrite the piece of prose without the offending clichés.

This is an example:

I always learn from my mistakes and I know my dreams will come true: my life will be sweeter than brown sugar and I'll open my eyes to a whole new world.

You could begin with:

I always learn ______ I know____________: my life will be ___________ and I'll _____________.

and try to look for answers that feel more personal to you and/or new solutions.

I'm so curious to see the results of your cliché-free efforts.

David wrote:

Tired Old Cliche

 
I am too tired for this assignment. There is no way my brain can effort the creation of five hundred words. I hope the Angels in the universe known as cyberspace, in a galaxy named Writing.com never fly this way. I mean to this planet. The one in the ancient books of lore known as stargazer1. I hope if they ever touch foot on the continent of cliché they do so like angels. With love in their hearts.

I know angels have special powers. But there is no way they will ever notice that I am too tired for this assignment. They will not pick up on the fact that not only do I not know what an extended metaphor is… I try never to use clichés. I rather try to make them up. So with that in mind I will continue.

I have decided to be kind to myself. The last thing that Stargazer wants ever to do is become a white dwarf star. I do not want to burn out… become a black hole and collapse in on myself.

So with no word count provided. Nor editing at all. This is the end of my free flow of thought. I will not be doing a rewrite. I have already bathed in that task.

So I close with Love and Peace to All.


Stargazer