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Young Writers
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Don't Use Cliches.
You've probably heard many times over, don¹t use clichés
in your writing.
First of all, why not? What's wrong with using clichés? Well, they can get
boring, and they don't always explain what you mean. They lack originality.
So, what is a cliché? It is usually a phrase or word that stands for an
event, situation or something you want to describe and instead of actually
describing it, you use the phrase. It is a sort of verbal shorthand that is
effective when you and your listener/reader both know what it means. For
example, his eyes were bigger than his stomach. It doesn't mean he has huge
eyes or a tiny stomach. We all know it means, he took too big a helping and
couldn't eat it all.
As far as clichés are concerned in writing, you have several choices. You
can avoid them. Or you can make up your own. Or you can use old trite ones
very carefully, as for a character who is not very original. But the secret of good use of clichés is to make that phrase or word fit the
character who uses it. Make the cliché fit into the story and help tell the
story. For example, what if you wanted to describe the rain that falls very hard
with large pellets? Could say it was raining like cats and dogs. How else
could you say it?
Let's brainstorm this rainstorm. Sky's the limit. (Oooops that's a cliché
too!) What I mean is, don't be limited by what you usually think about rain,
just let your mind expand and try new comparisons, new ways to say it.
This rain was coming down soooooo hard, it was like soft hail. It was a
sheet of water. It was impenetrable. It blanketed the earth and my eyes. It
was raining very very hard and I couldn't see through it. Now what kind of character would say it each of those ways? Would your
characters say that, or would they say it was raining really hard some other
way? I would be delighted to hear what original way you would describe the rain.
And what kind of character said it. If you want to share it, call June Read (336) 854-3597.
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What's a Timed Writing?
Sounds scary and to some it is, but it is always a challenge.
This is one way to encourage creativity and writing skills. Usually, it is done with one person providing the prompt and others writing from it. In person. However, it can be done without another person present. Try it this way.
Write down several phrases on a piece of paper. They could include: the short gray cat; the rickety old fence; the bright clear moon. Or you could write something like: the door creaked even before he opened it, something, or someone was downstairs; the dog barked twice, yelped once, then all was silent; "Now what do you mean by that?" she asked. Or you may write something else.
Cut your phrases apart, fold until you can¹t see the writing and place in a box or other container. Don¹t watch yourself as you pull one from the container. Set a clock or notice what time it is, and write for the next 15 minutes. Write as fast as you can, though you may take a few minutes from time to time to think what to say next.
Stop at the end of the time, and read over what you have written. Sometimes, you'll be surprised at how good it is; other times you'll know this was just a fun exercise. Either way, lay it aside for another day, and pat yourself on the back for trying out a new way to be creative.
- June Read
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Your Assignment For Kids
Attention kids age 13 and under: Writer's Digest has a monthly Your Assignment
for Kids contest just for you! Winners
receive
gift certificates to Barnes & Noble,
a free
issue of Writer's Digest and more.
You may
also get published online.
The Rules
E-mail entries using the online submission
form.
One entry per person please.
You must be 13 or younger to enter.
Your entry, including title, must be 75 words
or less. (Count them up!)
Your entry must be e-mailed on or before the 10th of the month.
Winners will be published online.
Prizes
The winner will receive a free copy of The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published (Writer's Digest Books). He or she will also receive a certificate of achievement from the editors of Writer's Digest magazine, a copy of the latest issue, and a $10 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble bookstore.
The Honorable Mentions will receive certificates of achievement, a copy of the latest issue, and a $5 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble bookstore.
Note: Writer's Digest reserves the right to publish the winners in any of their print magazines or special issues. If so, winners will be notified and receive a complimentary copy of the issue in which their writing appears.
Note: Writer's Digest reserves the right
to publish the winners in any of their
print
magazines or special issues. If so,
winners
will be notified and receive a complimentary
copy of the issue in which their writing
appears.
How to enter:
You must write to a specific subject which changes monthly. On the internet, go to: http://writersdigest.com/contests and then click on Assignment for Kids in the left column. If you want to see other recent winners, then click on "view previous winners" in red type at the bottom of the page. Under Rules (on the Assignment for Kids page) click on the words in blue: "online submission form." Fill out the form and then send your story electronically to Writers Digest. It's that simple.
