Wattpad Cliches

Cliche Ways of Describing Characters

Characters, plots and other elements in a story can be cliche and it's not just these things but also the language used in books as well. By language, I mean words. Take this sentence for instance, he had sandy blond hair. Ring a bell or more like five thousand bells because the phrase, sandy blond hair, is how the vast majority of blondies on here are described. It's not just this description which is overused. You've got that hottie with jet black hair, someone chilling in the corner with mousey brown hair and a few others with chestnut brown, chocolate brown and golden or honey coloured hair. What about fiery hair? Or dirty blond or auburn and raven or midnight black hair. Now cliche phrases aren't bad. I use them, you use them, heck we all use them. However, they get a bit boring when you're reading them in every book so try to whip out your creativity every now and then

Now when you're introducing a character, one of the first things you're probably gonna mention is their eye colour. You've got chocolate brown eyes, icy blue, emerald, hazel, sea green, forest green, sapphire, steel coloured eyes, baby blue ones and your sky blue ones here and there. What about beady eyes? You know, if an author wants to describe a character in an unlikable way you'll probably see this phrase strolling around. Common descriptions also include the polar opposites warm and cold. A nice compassionate character will be given warm, soft eyes and a heartless one will have cold ones. What about when the hot guy's piercing blue eyes meet the protagonist's ones in such a romantic way? Now that is defiantly overused

Cliche lips guys: full lips, ruby lips, thin, plump, kissable, rosy and soft lips. A few other typical descriptions are minty breath, pearly white teeth, strong jaw and musky scent

There's something on here which I think needs to end: describing your characters with pictures. I just done it here to make a point really but it's like come on guys, put in some effort. Describing characters is an important part of a story as you can manipulate the way they are seen by your readers and it helps them to visualise it more. A picture is kinda limiting as well. Isn't it better to let your readers imagine the characters in their own way, in their own heads; a picture different to everyone else's? No? Fine, stick with Francisco Lachowski

Now, if you're getting the wrong idea, I don't think cliches are bad. I mean sure they're predictable, lack originality and are used over and over again, but we all use them. Heck, I use them. However, cliches can block a good book from walking the path of a great book. Sometimes, you've just gotta throw the cliches out of the window and write like the true wizard you are