tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post418115416991395259..comments2023-10-26T10:00:18.987-05:00Comments on A Good Addiction: Plot Devices: Cliche or UsefulKari Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06447222718229334520noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-23029386691154949572010-09-23T20:10:03.247-05:002010-09-23T20:10:03.247-05:00There's a saying that goes around in almost ev...There's a saying that goes around in almost every creative writing class "there are no new stories, just new ways to tell them". It's kind of true - there are only so many human basic human experiences - loss, falling in love, growing up, overcoming hardship, etc. - there are just different ways to color those experiences. I can be frustrating to always read about the girl who lost her sister in a car crash or the rich white girl who falls in love with the poor latin boy, but when it's done well, it doesn't matter how many times you've read "that" story - it's still mind blowing.<br /><br />-excellent postAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-68707301206669144802010-09-23T18:52:00.922-05:002010-09-23T18:52:00.922-05:00This could very well be a list of my top favourite...This could very well be a list of my top favourite things that I love to read in a story. Every once in a while, especially if a story is not particularly well written, I will get annoyed with these cliches but for the most part I love them :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902541596563744575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-78882482198765044002010-09-23T14:04:22.962-05:002010-09-23T14:04:22.962-05:00I totally agree with you on this! I don't have...I totally agree with you on this! I don't have a problem with these kinds of plot devices at all, for the reason that you mentioned: sure, these things don't happen all the time in real life, but they do *happen* ... and if they weren't happening to the MC, why on earth would we be reading his / her story! I'm happy reading what essentially amounts to the *same thing* in loads of books, because it's a different author's spin on it! I don't expect a completely unique-in-every-way story whenever I pick up a book, as long as it's unique in its OWN way ... there's a reason we have favourite genres - we *like* these plot devices ... readers sometimes seem to forget that! If someone wants something completely different, maybe they should try reading outside their genres, instead of complaining about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-38413964584523855342010-09-23T10:48:25.943-05:002010-09-23T10:48:25.943-05:00It really depends on the prowess of the author for...It really depends on the prowess of the author for me. I've read authors who can hide those cliches in wonderful stories and I'm not bothered by them at all (or sometimes they point them out blatantly, ex. Harry Potter, still a wonderful story in a rich world though)... then there are people like Robert Jordan, whose "Chosen One" cliche made me stop reading the fantasy genre for a long time, I was so disgusted by his over-use of it.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-2621479873504458102010-09-23T09:08:24.981-05:002010-09-23T09:08:24.981-05:00Great list and food for thought.
I know there are...Great list and food for thought.<br /><br />I know there are no new stories and all that, and that I fall into cliches in my own writing from time to time, but it is nice to at least put a new spin on an old cliche.<br /><br />The two that I notice a lot:<br /><br />1.The insecure and inexperienced female YA protag who's attractive to guys but somehow just doesn't know it (until the two hottest guys in town fall in love with her). Okay, I get the fantasy fulfillment factor here with the two guys, but it bothers me that part of why this is overdone is to keep the protags likable and sexually inexperienced.<br /><br />2.The children's, MG or YA protag with a dead parent or parents. I know this provides instant sympathy and conflict, and adds to the "chosen one" factor in fantasy and paranormal, but it occurs far more often in fiction than in real life.Jennifer Hoffinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616744694563644199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1955366291979370756.post-34432471627659347192010-09-23T09:00:32.930-05:002010-09-23T09:00:32.930-05:00those are all so true cliques and used over and ov...those are all so true cliques and used over and over in books. so trueJulie@My5monkeyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17861113387434481518noreply@blogger.com