Ways to Expel Clichés – Keep Your Fiction Fresh and Original

Hello, fiction writers! If you've ever reread a scene and thought, "Ugh, this feels like I've read it a hundred times," you're probably dealing with a good old-fashioned cliché. And guess what? You're not alone. Clichés creep into our writing like uninvited guests—we don't always notice them at first, but once we do, they're everywhere.

So, let's discuss how to spot clichés, why they're a problem, and—most importantly--how to eliminate them and make room for fresh, original storytelling.

What Exactly Is a Cliché (and Why Should You Avoid It)?
A cliché is a phrase, plot point, character, or situation that has been used so often that it has lost its impact. It's the literary equivalent of microwave pizza—once delicious, now just meh.
Examples of typical fiction clichés:

• The "chosen one" who doesn't know they're unique (but everyone else does)
• The villain who monologues their entire evil plan
• Describing eyes as "windows to the soul."
• Love triangles that solve themselves when one love interest conveniently dies

Now, don't panic. Some familiar ideas are wonderful if you give them a fresh spin. But if your story runs on autopilot, your readers might bail before chapter three.

How to Spot Clichés in Your Writing
1. Reread With Fresh Eyes
Step away from your draft for a bit. When you return, you'll be more likely to notice phrases or scenes that feel tired or predictable.
2. Ask Beta Readers for FeedbackA good critique partner will gently (or not-so-gently) tell you if your mysterious hooded figure or "fiery redhead with a temper" has been done to death.
3. Trust Your GutIf you cringe while reading a sentence—or think, "This feels lazy"—trust that instinct. That's your writer's brain waving a red flag.

Ways to Expel Clichés From Your Fiction
✅ 1. Twist the TropeInstead of avoiding a cliché altogether, try flipping it on its head. Readers love it when you take something familiar and surprise them.
Example:
Instead of "the chosen one," make your protagonist the one who isn't chosen—but they decide to fight anyway.
Or give your villain a tragic backstory that makes readers sympathize with them, even if they're doing terrible things.
Bonus Tip: Take a familiar trope and ask, "What if the opposite happened?"

✅ 2. Be Specific, Not GenericClichés often rely on vague, overused language. Replace them with concrete, sensory details that bring your story to life.
Cliché: "She was heartbroken."
Fresh Version: "She stared at his toothbrush still sitting in the cup by the sink as if he might walk in and need it any second."
Specific = powerful. It tells the reader exactly what your character is experiencing without relying on overused phrases.

✅ 3. Dig Deeper Into Character MotivationFlat, cliché characters often act out of convenience for the plot. Instead, explore why your characters do what they do. People are complex, messy, and full of contradictions—let your characters be the same.
Example:
Instead of the tough-as-nails female character who never shows emotion (hello, 2000s action flicks), let her have fears, regrets, or a soft side she's terrified to show.
The more human your characters are, the less likely they'll feel like recycled stereotypes.

✅ 4. Replace Idioms With Original Imagery"I was over the moon."
"He was cold as ice."
"She had butterflies in her stomach."
We've heard these so many times that they've lost their flavour. Try describing emotions or reactions in your own voice.
Example:
Instead of "butterflies in her stomach," try:
"Her insides felt like someone had shaken a can of soda and left it fizzing beneath her ribs."
Now, that's a feeling we can feel.

✅ 5. Read Widely—Outside Your GenreOne of the best ways to recognize and avoid clichés is to read everything, especially books outside your comfort zone.
Romance writers can learn pacing from thrillers. Fantasy writers can learn voice from literary fiction.
The more variety you feed your brain, the more original your ideas will become.

✅ 6. Make It Weird (In a Good Way)Sometimes, the best way to bust clichés is to let your weird, quirky voice shine through. Don't be afraid to write the unexpected—even if it feels risky. Those risks often lead to the best, most original writing.
Example:
Don't write: "He was handsome, with piercing blue eyes and a chiselled jaw."
Try: "He looked like a guy who took gym selfies and had opinions about protein powder—but also probably cried at Pixar movies."
See? Way more interesting.

A Personal "Oops, That Was a Cliché" Moment
I once wrote a scene where the protagonist looked into a "cracked mirror" and saw "how broken she really was."
Yikes.
I thought I was being deep, but my writing buddy pointed out how overused that metaphor was. So I rewrote it to show her feeling disconnected through her actions—avoiding eye contact, skipping meals, ignoring messages.
Much more real. Much less melodrama.

Wrapping It Up
Clichés happen to the best of us—they're sneaky, familiar, and easy to fall into. But with a little awareness, a lot of rewriting, and a healthy dose of creativity, you can expel clichés and replace them with storytelling that feels bold, fresh, and totally you.
So next time you catch yourself writing "her heart skipped a beat" or "he ran like the wind," pause and ask: Is there a better way to say this?
(Hint: There probably is.)
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Do you have a favourite cliché you love to hate or one you flipped into something extraordinary? Share it in the comments. Let's swap ideas and banish the tired tropes together!