State of the Fandom – Cliches in Fanfic
It seems that clichés are running rampant in fan fiction. We’ve all read that one phrase that just gets you all riled up – and not in the good way. I’m talking about that phrase you read that makes you go, “Really? They’re using that again?”
Now, I’m not teasing or making fun of anyone who uses or has used these phrases – I’ve used some of these. They got popular for a reason – because they’re good. They’re descriptive and they capture the emotion of a scene. But they’re too popular, too overly used.
- Tongues battling for dominance – if they’re just kissing aggressively, why not say that? This is one of those phrases that everyone fell in love with and it’s just everywhere. There are so, so many ways to describe kissing, try another one.
- Panties ripped from someone’s body – This one has a stipulation. If the ripped panties are going to be a part of the plot later (ie – they get left somewhere for someone else to find) that’s one thing. But if the panty ripping is just to show how mach or desperate someone is, there are a thousand other ways to say it.
- Referring to genetalia in overly flowery terms (love petals, column of steely man flesh) – It’s one thing to be creative; it’s an entirely different thing to give your readers the giggles. Think long and hard about the euphemisms you use. If you’re not sure, ask a friend.
- Why does Edward carry Bella everywhere? Can she not walk? To paraphrase a friend of mine, “I think my husband has only carried me twice the whole time we’ve been together. And there were no fluffy words – just lots of grunting and swearing.” And she’s not a big girl, not by any stretch. Ladies, our men are simply not equipped to carry us everywhere we go. Period.
- Why is Edward always pinching the bridge of his nose? This is probably one of the most common Edward mannerisms. Right after “running his hands through/tugging at his bronze/copper hair”. Is there nothing else for him to do with his hands?
- Pixie Alice, Emmett the Teddy Bear, Rosalie the Ice Princess with the Heart of Gold, Sullen Cullen – Pixie Alice is great fun. But don’t call her that every other paragraph and don’t use her in the same fic with all of the other over generalized over used characterizations. There are so many ways to use these characters!
I’m sure there are hundreds of other clichés to be thought of, and I’m sure that I’ve used half of them in my writing too. Point being, in a fandom with literally hundreds of thousands of fics, there is so little originality left. Obviously not every fic can be completely different and most ideas can be used in different ways to completely different outcomes. Why not try something new?
Remember, Read, Rate and Review!!
♥SB
I totally agree – there are so many phrases that are over used in fan fic. I know for a fact I have used several of them at least once *lol* I’m really trying to be conscious of the phrases I’m choosing in the new fic I’m writing. As you said, there are so many ways to describe kissing someone’s ear, and many creative ways to describe the personalities of the Cullens. It’s so easy to fall back on well used phrases – I think their ingrained in our fan fic consciousness.
And yes, how in the hell is it all romantic in fic when Edward picks up Bella. That has totes never, ever happened in the 12 years that I’ve been with my husband. Oh, he’s tried for romance, but it’s hard to keep a straight face when he’s straining to make it to the bed!
Thanks for reminding us to be creative!
the amount of times ive seen all of those sentences in fics is actually unbelievable.
the one thing im starting to get annoyed with seeing is the player edward and virgin bella. at first it was amazing and i do still enjoy these stories but its starting to get old now.
Okay, I admit to having Edward pinch the bridge of his nose a few times in the beginning of my story, and I did have Alice called a pixie ballerina a few times by Bella. So I think we’re all probably guilty of using the overused cliches a time or two even when we don’t mean too.
I also have noticed things like “kissed the shell of her ear” – which I found myself using too much in my own story only after a reviewer pointed it out. Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out where you’re overusing things, and I appreciate reviews like that. It helps me pick that thesaurus up again and look a little harder for new phrases and words.
Good topic. :)
~Lisa
With the exception of the column of steely man flesh, I think I’ve used at least half of these descriptions. *lol*
I have to agree with you though, these are definitely some of the most over used. Especially Edward carrying Bella everywhere. That whole conversation in Vegas just makes me giggle. *lol*
You missed my least favorite: dripping hoohas. Oy vey.