I don’t so much mind cliches if they’re used sparingly and not repeated. I find some examples where authors try to avoid them a little odd sometimes – real people use them so realistic characters will.
I find over used words more annoying in a book. Leaden in ‘The Girl on the Train’ is one example – once I spot them, I can’t stop!
If certain words are repeated more than once a page, I chalk it up to bad writing and lose a bit of my enthusiasm for the book. Variety is life! Without it, a book feels flat.
I also read a book recently where the author used the phrase, “grabbed/led by the elbow” more times than I could count. Besides its overuse, is that even realistic? Can’t think of a time my husband grabbed me and walked me by my elbow….
was it set in a victorian era? Im wondering if they meant locked arms? But I have been physically grabbed and yanked by my arm just above the elbow by friends lol
no it was a modern romantic suspense lol. and I could understand if it only happened in tense moments, but it was almost every time these two characters had interaction, positive or negative.
I don’t mind cliches unless they are over used within a book. Same goes for over used words. If I start thinking drinking game I am thinking time to move from the book.
I never noticed until I saw the list of overused phrases!!! I don’t read a lot of YA. Too bad because it totally makes sense, it’s just become very cliche.
probably since 50 shades (well, I think it has exist before but admit it, 50 shades helps a lot) … the rich guy who get everything because he rich (because if not, it would be a Criminal mind or Law & Order episode)
Since 50 shades, the women who are able to orgasm on command. ‘Come for me!’ Yeah, tried it. Don’t work. My husband says it’s coz I’m too hard headed, I never listen to him. lol
she/he said incredulously…
It was all he could do not to…
steaming cup of. . .
I don’t so much mind cliches if they’re used sparingly and not repeated. I find some examples where authors try to avoid them a little odd sometimes – real people use them so realistic characters will.
I find over used words more annoying in a book. Leaden in ‘The Girl on the Train’ is one example – once I spot them, I can’t stop!
If certain words are repeated more than once a page, I chalk it up to bad writing and lose a bit of my enthusiasm for the book. Variety is life! Without it, a book feels flat.
Lips curved into a smile ?
I also read a book recently where the author used the phrase, “grabbed/led by the elbow” more times than I could count. Besides its overuse, is that even realistic? Can’t think of a time my husband grabbed me and walked me by my elbow….
was it set in a victorian era? Im wondering if they meant locked arms? But I have been physically grabbed and yanked by my arm just above the elbow by friends lol
no it was a modern romantic suspense lol. and I could understand if it only happened in tense moments, but it was almost every time these two characters had interaction, positive or negative.
@Amanda lol thats just weird. No ive only had it happen to me when my friends or partner get overly excited and NEED to show me a thing
I’m not sure how it was meant to be honestly, I just know that by the end of the book I was exhausted by it haha, and it was just weird
@Amanda i dont doubt that lol
I don’t mind cliches unless they are over used within a book. Same goes for over used words. If I start thinking drinking game I am thinking time to move from the book.
D: All of that are in my books…
I melted
“Released a breathe he/she didn’t know he/she was holding.”
That came up in a list of cliches in YA, blew it off, then read it in Mortal Instruments ?
Makes so much sense, but it’s sooooo overused… No different wording, it’s all copy-paste sameness…
Yes! I honestly can’t believe how many times I’ve read that exact line in books
That particular phrase is all over YA books, and it drives me crazy too.
I never noticed until I saw the list of overused phrases!!! I don’t read a lot of YA. Too bad because it totally makes sense, it’s just become very cliche.
Tall…dark…handsome. give the guy love handles!
I wouldn’t fancy him then lol…book boyfriends are meant to be fantasy men 😉
Absolutely @Leanne!
I prefer a guy with love handles in life, I’d love to read a romantic lead like that in a book!
Sometimes Cliche can work…if you have enough skill to make them unnoticeable 😉
Doesn’t that make it a trope?
No idea I have no idea what that is lol ?
I don’t know why, but it drives me nuts when authors say when a girl is flirting she “looks up at him through her lashes.” It just… isn’t a thing. Lol
I could drown in your smoldering eyes
“I’m just confused”
“I woke up, it was all a dream”
A whole romance novels is cliche lol
probably since 50 shades (well, I think it has exist before but admit it, 50 shades helps a lot) … the rich guy who get everything because he rich (because if not, it would be a Criminal mind or Law & Order episode)
Women are always wet and tight and men are all hung like a horse.
Since 50 shades, the women who are able to orgasm on command. ‘Come for me!’
Yeah, tried it. Don’t work. My husband says it’s coz I’m too hard headed, I never listen to him. lol
That girl was always clambering into things. She never just climbes into a helicopter, etc.
That’s my line when I’ve had enough and want him to be done already?
Imagine my surprise.
“Stygian darkness” seems to be fairly popular now.
She bit or sucked her lower lip. Knitted or furrowed her/his brow.
I’m a cliche. Iol
I bite my lip all the time, but in the very non-sexy way. It’s more like the keep-your-mouth-shut way. 🙂
“Chocolate eyes” I swear EVERY book I’ve read describes eyes as though they’re chocolate. ?
Or whiskey
hmmm..whiskey eyes? I’ve never heard of that one!
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
:DDDDD So true!
She was breathless with anticipation of his kiss……..
THIS^^^^
Scrubbed his beard
A crooked smile and how sexy it is! So overused, I hate it. A crooked smile doesn’t even sound attractive anyway
He growls, she bites her lip ?
I hate lip biting / chewing too.
@Natalie soooo many females in YA do it and I don’t understand ?
I didn’t notice I was smiling.
“To be sure”. No one ever says this and characters/the narrator is always thinking this. Why….
“With every fiber of my being”
“OMG”
“This ends tonight” ugh