《Quintessence》

❡Foreword

I'd like to tackle the tricky subject of cliches concerning this book.

Firstly, how do we define a cliché?

An idea that has been used so repetitively that it's lost its shine?

Personally, one of the main reasons I dislike clichés is because how they're mostly badly written—the delivery of the cliché should be written well in order to compensate for the lack of original thought. Correct; I dislike them for their unoriginal way of presenting the unoriginal idea and not because of the trite idea itself. Oh, but is an idea still trite and dull if the way in which the writer portrays it is skilful and unique?

Huh?

Admit it, the reason why clichés are clichés now is because the original idea was so awesome—or just because it makes logical sense.

The ones that make logical sense shouldn't be considered 'cliché'. For example, a character with cryokinesis might have pale blue eyes and platinum hair—it's logical to have an appearance that fits your power, right? Wouldn't you be squirming in your seat if a boy with fiery red eyes and matching hair has the ability to make ice cubes out of thin air, and he's allergic to fire or something? Why do I hear people consider it cliché and dull, then? That's like saying: we all have hands and feet, so maybe every character in a book should have garden tools at the end of their limbs because hands and feet are so overrated and cliché.

In this book, I'll strive to honour the creators of currently 'cliché' trends on Wattpad because my original ideas are nonexistent and cliché books have millions of views anyway. The only thing I can do to lessen the blow is to at least make the portrayal more entertaining—you gotta understand the pains of being a young Wattpad author with fewer views than the Smurfs movies.

What an excessive foreword. I applaud my remaining readers.

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This is my first draft of my first fantasy novel, so there will be a lot of mistakes/inconsistencies. Frankly, I suffer from spelling and grammar blindness when I read over my own writing, so please feel free to point my solecisms out! Don't be afraid to criticise the plot either. Or anything, apart from my obsessive love for doughnuts. I want to hear your thoughts. Don't waste your time trying to sugarcoat your comment—it's easier for both of us if it's simple and straightforward, and I promise I won't get offended.

Happy reading! :D