Genre Convention VS. Cliché

First off, it would be appropriate to define the two. A genre convention is something common among many tales of one genre that helps define that genre, but aren’t necessarily a required component. A cliché, on the other hand, is undesired. Usually it starts out as an original idea that one author had, and then others began to use it as well because they liked it. Eventually, readers have become tired of hearing about it. I like to call it a 'chain theft'.

Genre conventions are a desired component that define what genre the book is a part of. In other words, genre conventions are your friends. They are even required in a book, and can help provide the story with unity. Clichés, I think, are a failed attempt by an author to achieve a genre convention, which turns into something that has been used before or has become over-used with time.

Sometimes the line between the two can become blurred, and an author may have a hard time being able to tell if the item is cliché or genre convention. One question I like to ask is: Will it make the reader groan? In other words, would you, as a reader, be unsatisfied and disappointed when you read it? If so, it is probably a cliché, or possibly even blatant copying.

That can be hard to tell sometimes, though. As authors, sometimes we have a special attachment to our works…in fact if you don’t I’d be worried. Anyways, this special attachment can make it hard for us to accurately dissect our own stories. If you simply can’t tell if your element is clichéd or not, a great thing to do is to get one of your editors or readers to be real honest with you.

Another interesting thing about clichés is that they don't have to be clichés. A genre convention can be just another over-used idea that is executed with just a hint of originality so that it is melted into a brand-new creation that readers will love to read. And since it comes from other sources and fodder from other authors, readers will feel more familiar with it, and that will help to hook them.

The bottom line is that, quite obviously, no matter what you are writing you need genre conventions and you should avoid clichés. Get a good editor who is familiar with the genre (who is also brutally honest) and can point out the ups and downs of your work.

"Become" instead of "come" would make more sense to me...


"Unsatisfied" and "disappointed." The hyphens are unnecessary.

That's all I noticed, anyway.

*nods* You're absolutely right.

Okay, if no one else has anything else to add, this is ready for the blog, Little E. Go ahead and post it.

Um, how, exactly?

*needs to get someone to write up a HOW TO * How about you ask Philli to post it for you, and I'll set someone to write up the how to, so people know how.

Posted.

Thank you, Philadelphia.

Yep, many thanks!