Fanfiction Cliches (and Where to Find Them)

Cliche #10 - Lack of Siblings

Cliche: Main characters in fanfictions don't have any siblings - and if they did, they probably died in a fire or something and their deaths will be mentioned unnecessarily later on in the fic (see Cliche #6).

Example:
"So, Helen, how many brothers and sisters do you have?"

"Oh, I don't have any anymore."

"Anymore? What happened to them?"

I shrugged. "Apparently sacrificing someone to Satan by decapitation kills people. Who knew, right?"

Why it's a cliche:
There are a lot of families in this world who have had more than one child. I've only know one or two only children during my entire 17 years on this earth, and everyone one else has had siblings.

I myself have two younger brothers and a sister, but that's essentially nothing compared to some of the other homeschooling families we know. (We're talking a maximum of THIRTEEN kids!!)

So, yeah, a majority of people have siblings. I'm willing to be that you, the reader, have a brother or sister - or maybe even a few.

In My Own Words:
Now, since I myself grew up surrounded by little brothers and sisters, I give my characters siblings without really thinking about it. It's just kind of a second nature, really.

* * * *

"Why did you bring her here?" I asked, pointing at Serenity.

"Well, I thought it would be nice for her to meet you," George said. "She's your sister."

While it's true Georgia grew up without any siblings, she does discover she has a younger half-sister in A Bit More of You. So she's not really an only child after all!

* * * *

R.L. is four years older than I am. He's away at university studying to be a writer. It's been his dream for many years, but Dad absolutely hates the idea of his oldest son being in such a soppy profession. There was a huge row between Dad and R.L. the night before he had to leave for university. Judy and I stayed hidden on the upstairs landing, eavesdropping shamelessly.

My newest hero, Kevin, has two siblings in his story, Exposing Kevin Clark. He has an older brother and a younger sister. (I've always wanted an older sibling... too bad I'll never get one.)

* * * *

Slowly, softly, almost calmly, Paul told Richie exactly what was happening.

"Darling, you're going to be a big brother."

Richie blinked his big blue eyes, looking blank. 

"What?" he said after several seconds.

"You're going to have a baby brother or sister," Paul said.

"Surprise!" John added, making jazz hands at his son.

... yup, I did write a fanfiction about a McLennon child having to cope with a new baby brother. It's called Let's Play House if you want to check it out.

* * * *

I sometimes think Harrison is right about Mum and Dad just giving up on presenting me with a name that had some kind of significance. I wouldn't blame them if that was the case, especially since they had five kids before me.

That's right. Five.

Here's the doozy. Glory, the protagonist of my now-unpublished Phanfic G is for Glory, has FIVE older siblings. I did say I've always wanted an older brother or sister, but five of them might be pushing it a little.