Publishing and Self-publishing: Advice for Writers

Topic Request: How to avoid cliche

Q: How can I make a cliche scene less cliche?

First of all, you have to read more. Mahilig ka bang magbasa ng genre mo? O ibang genre?

Cliche scenes are overused scenes. Scenes we see over and over, in movies, books, TV, etc.

Kung limited ang variety ng binabasa ng author, magiging limited din ang mga ideas na makukuha niya. Kung limited ang life experience ng author kasi, ang mga ideas na makukuha niya ay malamang manggagaling lang sa binabasa, napapanood, napagmamasdan sa paligid.

Hindi ko sinasabing iwasan ang cliche. There are scenes that readers love, and that's why we see them over and over again in one way or another. Skilled writers, however, are able to use a familiar scene but add their own voice to it. Their own style.

Paano to? Actually this is another thing that I don't think anyone can teach. This is where your talent comes in, your own ability to create something.

My suggestion: Una, alamin kung ano ang cliche. Kung ang concept mo ay similar sa isang movie o book, panoorin ang movie o basahin ang book para alam mo yung hindi mo gagawin. Kung ang scene mo ay medyo gasgas na, alamin kung saan ito nakita na, at wag gayahin.

Kung galing sa yo ang characters, kung buo ang personality nila, kung distinct ang mga boses nila, their scenes will be memorable because of them, and not because it's been done before.

Ha. This is another non-answer answer. Mahirap kasi talaga ito. But the best way to learn how to be better at this includes reading more, living more, observing more.