I\u2019m back, but not completely. The flu bug still has a hold on me. So much for this year\u2019s flu shot. Have any of you contracted the flu this year after having the shot? I should have known the shot was no good\u2014my arm didn\u2019t even hurt afterward. Usually I go around with a pretty achy arm for a few days.<\/p>\n
I must say, however, that I\u2019m working again. Isn\u2019t it wonderful to be able to work at home where no one can see how you look or catch what you have? <\/p>\n
Today\u2019s topic involves clich\u00e9s. What is a clich\u00e9? It\u2019s a trite, predictable, overused phrase. <\/p>\n
Frankly, I love clich\u00e9s. I speak in clich\u00e9s. I don\u2019t know why. I guess because it is easier than coming up with fresh statements and you know you will be understood if you use a time-tested, familiar phrase. Sometimes I make up clich\u00e9s. How do I do that? By tweaking a real clich\u00e9 into something similar, but original. But then, it isn\u2019t actually a clich\u00e9, is it?<\/p>\n
In writing, however, we are cautioned against using clich\u00e9s at all\u2014except in dialog when your character has a habit of spewing clich\u00e9s, of course; when this is part of his personality. In narrative writing all professionals recommend that you avoid clich\u00e9s like the plague. (Oops, there\u2019s a clich\u00e9.)<\/p>\n
Instead of saying, \u201cThat night, it rained cats and dogs,\u201d say, \u201cThe trio drove right into a Nor Easter and the fierce storm tormented them throughout the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of, \u201cHe took off like a bat out of hell,\u201d try describing the details of the scene\u2014color of car, how he slid into the seat, turned on the engine and slammed his foot down on the accelerator. Or keep it simple and say that white smoke spewed from under his back tires and everyone heard a squeal when he took off. Or say, \u201cHe was obviously in a big hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of saying, \u201cHe was wasting his breath as far as I was concerned,\u201d say, \u201cI wasn\u2019t interested in a lying word he said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than \u201cThat\u2019s something you don\u2019t see much in this day and age,\u201d try, \u201cThe last time anyone saw that was at a disco club in the \u201860s.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week, if you\u2019re not down with the flu, take a look at your current manuscript and scan it for clich\u00e9s. I\u2019d like to know how many of them you find and how you changed them to make your writing more fresh.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m offering an unadvertised special on my book these next few weeks. Send me a check for $19.85 to Patricia Fry, PMB 123, 323 E. Matilija St., Ste. 110, Ojai, CA 93023 and I will ship you one copy of \u201cThe Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/strong>.\u201d That\u2019s $15.00 for the book and $4.85 for flat rate priority shipping. Learn more about this extremely useful book here: Offer ends November 5th, 2009. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019m back, but not completely. The flu bug still has a hold on me. So much for this year\u2019s flu shot. Have any of you contracted the flu this year after having the shot? I should have known the shot was no good\u2014my arm didn\u2019t even hurt afterward. Usually I go around with a pretty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n