What clichés are you tired of seeing in stories?

[Guest]

(for fantasy writers, I’m writing a fantasy book, and would love to learn fantasy clichés to avoid)

[Rosie]

Please don’t release the breath you didn’t know you were holding. I’m reading a book at the moment which is really very good but so far has used that cliche at least 3 times, and it really is detracting from my pleasure in the book!

Not to mention it seems like most books use this cliche.

You can use something else to show the same thing - e.g. «my chest, tightly constricted, suddenly released and filled with air, which I gulped thirstily».

Don't forget to take a look at: I know rejection is part of the process of submitting stories but it still cuts so deep!

[Paul]

A cliche is only a cliche if you do it badly.

[Douglas]

You cannot really avoid writing cliches altogether. The best you can do is find a newer or different point of view to write them, then do it better than anyone else.

Especially in fantasy you can get pretty out there with your perspective as long as you can entice your readers into suspending belief and accepting your version of the cliche.

[Joel]

While there's some overlap between clichés and tropes, clichés are often specific expressions, situations, or elements that have become overused to the point of losing their original meaning or effect. In the context of fantasy writing, here are 100 clichés that often crop up:
1. The chosen one.
2. An ancient, foretold prophecy.
3. A farm boy destined for greatness.
4. The wise old mentor.
5. A mystical artifact of immense power.
6. The evil overlord.
7. Dark and mysterious strangers.
8. Reluctant heroes.
9. Love at first sight.
10. Elves are aloof, dwarves are gruff, and orcs are bad.
11. The tavern meeting.
12. Amnesia or lost memories.
13. Dragons hoarding gold.
14. Magic is just a lost art.
15. Quest for revenge.
16. Rescuing the damsel in distress.
17. Birthmarks or symbols indicating destiny.
18. Last of their kind.
19. Forbidden love between races or classes.
20. Twins or siblings with a unique bond.
21. Betrayal by a trusted friend.
22. Magic schools.
23. The lost prince/princess.
24. A weapon that chooses its wielder.
25. The unbeatable black-clad assassin.
26. Visions or dreams guiding the way.
27. “You are not ready” said by a mentor.
28. A loyal animal companion.
29. Cities hidden from the world.
30. The "dark" side of magic.
31. Heroic self-sacrifice.
32. Magical forests where time works differently.
33. Orphans with mysterious pasts.
34. Rebellions against an evil empire.
35. An evil character being ugly.
36. Magic having a price.
37. Characters described by eye color, especially if unique.
38. Inheriting powers on a specific birthday.
39. The return of a believed-dead character.
40. Mentor dies to motivate the hero.
41. Mystical moon phases.
42. An evil minion with a change of heart.
43. The misunderstood monster.
44. A magical portal to another world.
45. Creatures like unicorns or phoenixes being symbols of purity.
46. Hero must gather a group of diverse warriors.
47. Immortality as a curse.
48. Elves living in forests, dwarves in mountains.
49. Wise talking animals.

Would you also like to explore: Do any of you make decent income from short stories?

[Carole]

I once made a cliche out of a cliche. I was very proud of myself.

[Malory]

Just a note that some of these listed aren't cliches, they're tropes. Tropes are a valuable marketing tool if you want to make money on your books, you just have to do them well.

Be sure you're clear on the difference before you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

You can check also: I need a legit platform that pays for short and long stories

[Gary]

'Fantasy' as a genre is a repetition of what has gone before in many ways - elves, goblins, dwarves, unicorns, wizards, dragons... Trying to avoid being cliche in what is very much a landscapes of cliches.... How's that for the opening to a discussion? Do I have a point?

Though I expect there would be books out there in this genre I might enjoy, I do prefer something more unique and mysterious.

[Darwin]

One love, people move on, but all heroes only ever have one true love.

Also, The creepy incel obsessed with someone since kindergarten and they're graduating and suddenly the girl is single and BAM, he meets her and its love even though she has no idea who he is really. The Messiah mission. A reluctant unlikely hero must step up and protect a person or item and take them/it on a long journey while being hunted by monsters and people, and often dies at the end or ends up leaving after arriving at destination.

The ROM COM, a couple meets often dude is in love first and must woo her and everything goes great then one misunder stood moment often something that looks like cheating happens and they break up usually for a month or so, then the guy gets his life together or makes a big change appologizes and wins her back. Or the one where the dude sees and falls in love with a girl out of his class lies and manipulates his way into her life and makes her fall in love, He never comes clean and always doubles down, if there is a villain or a dude who is also into girl, he busts the mc and he ends up with girl or tries to get with her, the mc must save her, and he makes a simple appology and BAM all that lying and shit is forgotten.