There is something to a cliche. They're in existence because there's truth to them. I was on the phone with my 8-year old niece the other day. My sister-in-law obviously told her that her aunt is writing a book, so she asked me... "You're writing a book? What's it about?"
Me... UMMMM nothing like being backed into a corner by a kid's question I was ill-equipped to answer! I told her it's about scary people doing bad things
My niece.... "What kinds of things?"
Me .... DOUBLE ummmmm .... death, murder, serial killers? eeeek!! I told her... "Oh just scary stuff."
How lame am I? After the call, I promptly emailed my sis-in-law to thank her for that! Thank goodness she and I are close, so she found it funny...so did I...although not in the moment. In the moment, I was like a deer in headlights! (ahhh there, another cliche!)
Two words: Elevator Pitch. ;) (Two sentences describing your work in progress should an agent/editor/publisher ask you what your WIP is about.)
ReplyDeleteIt's a challenge, but anything, ANYTHING, to stop the cliches! :D
Except you can't tell an 8-year old your elevator pitch when you write about a serial killer and caught by surprise. When I see my niece in a few weeks, I better have some other line prepared to tell her in case she asks again!
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