Should I just settle with a cliched, overdone plot and get on with it?

Question

I've been spending the last who-knows-how-long (many months, in case you're interested) trying to come up with an at-least-somewhat-original, "quality" plot that's not your stereotypical, run-of-the-mill fantasy - hero on quest to take down the dark king, find the magical object to save the land, and so on.

I just can't seem to do it. I can smash my head against the wall all day long but nothing has come up. I've tried sitting down and trying to think it into being, but my mind skips around it; I've tried keeping it in the back of my head but no great idea surprises me (well, not necessarily great, but you get the idea). And I just can't seem to write a plot that's very politically based (the fighting of kings, military strategies, and that stuff) because I don't know hardly enough and I wouldn't be interested anyway, and I would just get a muck of - ah, muck - if I tried to write some kind of sentimental story about love, friendship, family, great sorrow, and what have you.

So it seems like the only thing that would interest me (and I'm tempted to say "not fail badly at", but it's probably more accurate to say "not fail AS badly at") would be one of those "take down the great bad king/great bad evil" stories. As shameful as it might be to say, it's just one of those types of stories I find exciting and interesting, however predictable or done to death - I just enjoy reading/writing about a character with awesome powers and struggles and epic clashes.

But I'm still not sure that's the best thing to do. Might it be better to just keep wracking my brains, come up with something not-so-cliche? Or should I just try to work very hard at a cliched plot and try to make things more realistic, more interesting than the usual flat stereotypes? Might I still be able to work something good out of a cliched base?

Any help or other advice is greatly appreciated. :D Thank you!

(A few BQs, if you're interested and just for the heck of it)
BQ: What do you think of when you think of certain colors - white, gray, black, red, gold, etc.?
BQ2: Bread/toast with crusts or no crusts?
BQ3: Square sandwiches or triangle?
BQ4: Wouldn't it be fun to learn how to write with a quill? :P
BQ5: Just curious, what do you think of the (girl) name Shar (short for Sharana)? I seem to not be able to get over anything having to do with my story. ;P It seems if I have name stuck too long in my head, it gets boring/annoying and I become critical, yet I couldn't bear to change it. XD

Answer 1

Hmm, I hope what I said a long time ago about cliched plots hasn't added to your troubles Seal. I've read your ideas (the ones you mailed me), and they were good. Though the skeleton of the story might appear, at first glance, to be a cliched storyline, the characters and everything that happens will be original in their own way and will guide the story in different directions.



Besides, if you include subplots that aren't typical in your genre then that will make it even more original. I think you're trying too hard to think of an undone plot. There isn't one. There are only different twists on a plot and different combinations of plots/subplots. So write it, mate. I'm sure it will be good.



Look at Harry Potter. It had a load of cliched plot lines and also very original subplots you don't see in epic fantasy. Plus there were original details mixed in with cliched details. But that story, in many regards, is considered "original."



Anyway, go ahead and do it. Don't second guess yourself. Like you said, there's still a market for these stories and they're something you particularly like to read/write. So go for it. I'd never discourage someone from writing something they were passionate about no matter what my thoughts were. Like chic lit, not my sort of thing, but there are some great chic lit stories out there which wouldn't be if those writers listened to people who may not love that genre or formula they use.





BQ: Depends on the context they're used. White is ugly to me but is associated with purity and goodness. Gray could be considered ugly and depressing or complex with many meanings, etc.



BQ2: crust, assuming they aren't hard/burned/stale



BQ3: Doesn't matter. Square I suppose. I'm not picky about food.



BQ4: haha it's slower and I would slop ink everywhere or else wear a permanent ink mark on my fingers



BQ5: It's a name, I don't think it's bad at all. If you like it, use it. Sharana is interesting so I like it.

Answer 2

Yes, I would just go for it. You can start with a cliched plot and work in other things. There are ways of using cliched plots to your own advantage. Even adding in original subplots as you go along could make a cliched plot more interesting and different. Best to have a cliched plot to work with than none if you ask me.



BQ: What do you think of when you think of certain colors - white, gray, black, red, gold, etc.?

Um nothing



BQ2: Bread/toast with crusts or no crusts?

Well I always eat the crust because I don't waste, but I kind of like it without best.



BQ3: Square sandwiches or triangle?

Square.



BQ4: Wouldn't it be fun to learn how to write with a quill? :P

Yes! That would be awesome. I'd totally love to.



BQ5: Just curious, what do you think of the (girl) name Shar (short for Sharana)? I seem to not be able to get over anything having to do with my story. ;P It seems if I have name stuck too long in my head, it gets boring/annoying and I become critical, yet I couldn't bear to change it. XD

I think it sounds fine. A little different but not annoyingly so.

Answer 3

Aww, that happens to me all the time. I'd say just go with your cliche idea. No idea's going to be completely original, and if you like the not-as-original ideas, go ahead and write it. Chances are, while writing you'll get inspired and expand your idea, make more sense of things, be able to explain why this, this, and this happened. Also, writing a cliche idea you love is better than an original one you hate. Oh, also, I suggest you plan out your story, that'll help you organize your ideas more and you may think of things that'll make it less cliche.



BQ: White: Snow

Gray: I think of one of those rainy, gray days

Black: I think of a giant pool of ink (yeah, I don't know...)

Red: I think of lava, or blood. Either one.

Gold: Money

BQ2: Usually crust. Sometimes I'm not in the mood for it.

BQ3: Triangle. It seems bigger that way.

BQ4:Yes! When I was little I always wanted to do that. I thought it was cool.

BQ5: Hmm, Shar, I like it. I think it's kind of cute. To be honest, I kind of like Shara better if it's short for Sharana, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 4

Why not just write it? I've thought of great ideas by brainstorming off of and writing cliche ideas. If you really can't think of something else, then use what you have. The more you write the more ideas will come to you. Besides, your story may start out cliche, but by the end, who knows. Maybe you'll have turned it into something fantastic ^.^ Lots of my stories have been like that - they start out one way and then they surprise me :D If nothing else, writing it will help you practice.



BQ: I think of words and names. To me, words and names have color, so when I see the word 'gold' I think of a name or a word that sounds gold to me. (I'm odd, I know ^.^)

BQ2: I prefer no crusts, but I don't hate them either

BQ3: Triangle, because they're fun! :D

BQ4: So fun! I would love to try it, though if I had to use a quill all of the time it would probably get old after a while, having to dip the quill in the ink every minute or so :)

BQ5: I love that name! Shar (and Sharana) are such beautiful names.

Answer 5

Yes, I think you should go with something new. Obviously racking your brains over trying to come up with something entirely original isn't working, so perhaps a few cliches with original spins on them might help. Back when I was first writing, I had the same problem. My science fiction novel was all that I cared about, and I wanted it to be original and full of quality, only that I couldn't think of anything help it along. So I decided one day to try my hand at vampires, the biggest cliche out there right now. And you know what ended up happening? I ended up enjoying myself more with vampires than an elaborate plot about time travel and historical chaos. The vampire novel made me a better writer, helped me with my description, and the time spent on it and away from the sf novel allowed me to go back to the first novel and finally come up with a decent plot for it, because by that time, I had grown as a writer. Sometimes working with less than original material can be the best thing for you as a writer. Good luck.

Answer 6

Seal. Yes, if you've wracked your brains out trying to come up with something fresh just start writing for fun and see where it takes you. You know, I've found that my characters really make a difference for me, a well developed character can lead you places you wouldn't believe it could otherwise.



BQ- Oh no dont get me started... blue- peace, red- passion, white- i want to say idiocy but it's hard to explain, gold- relics, silver- cutlery and status, and it goes on and on

BQ2- With crust!

BQ3- Triangle

BQ4- I have a quill and and several colors of ink jars. Sometimes, it can be very inspirational. Barnes and Noble has them and probably any craft store.

BQ5- I love it if it's working for you. If it's a cheap trick, lose it

Answer 7

I think I've read at least 10 books this year with that exact same plot, Mortal instruments (3 novels), Sword of truth (11 novels), etc and to be honest each one is different in its own way and interesting but personally I would be interested in something more original.



Unless your trying to get published I think you should go for whatever makes you comfortable develop your skills and work with what you can do. And later on if you want to try for something new it will probably be easier, the more you read and write the easier ideas come to you.

Anyway there are billions of books and each piece of work is different in its own ways, but a lot have the same ideas and plots.

Tolkien's idea for Lord of the Rings, a ring that turns you invisible and evil, came from an old story written by Plato. Written thousands of years prior yet it is considered one of the greatest works of fantasy.

(Of course he did change a lot of it)

"Plato introduces the story of Gyges. Gyges, a shepherd, stumbles across a cave. Inside, he finds a corpse with a ring on one of its fingers. Gyges takes the ring and discovers that, by turning it around, it makes him invisible. With this power, he kills the king of Lydia, takes his throne, marries his wife and founds a new dynasty."

What I am saying is that really it doesn't matter. Do what you want.

Answer 8

Things are cliche because people love them so much that they get used to death & 'become' cliches. But yeah, the other guy on here was right I think; you bang your head against the wall & can't come up with anything else because you probably don't read anything but epic fantansy books. So when it comes time to write yours all you can do is regurgitate everything you've read so far. This is no good because you need to branch out in other genres & read those books.



Edit: I'm sorry for this unusually short answer but I'm not feeling well.

Answer 9

The plot isn't so much what makes a story unless it's like a mystery novel or your selling the idea to movie producers and have to sum it up, quick.



The best parts of the story are the little details and the touches which make it seem...story like.



BQ: I actually just think of the colors except for gold, in which case I see a crown

2: Definitely crusts, but NOO 'crust' on meat

3: Square.

4: Not really, I would just sympathize with Benjamin Franklin

5: Don't like it. It's ambiguous as to pronunciation.

Answer 10

Well, it's better to have a fantastically written overdone story than a terribly written original one. Maybe you should start with a normal plot and try to get a twist along the way. I think you may be able to work something good out of a cliched start.



BQ: I think of paint, skies, paint, blushing, paint . . . I guess I think my colors in paint.

BQ2: Toast with crunchy crusts.

BQ3: Square.

BQ4: I actually have a quill. I've been trying to write with it for the past few months, but since I already have the worst handwriting in the world, it's not coming along too well.

BQ5: Sure, I like it. Not too exotic (like Sharon) but not too normal.

Answer 11

Just go with it, Seal =P Months and you haven't come up with anything yet... I think you should just practice your writing anyway then. It's going to be a while or in a few days you'll get a good idea so you can work on this and hone your skills until that light bulb moment comes. It will, trust me ^_^



BQ: I love them. Add in purple and we're set.

BQ2: CRUST!!!!!!!!!!! You stay away from my crust!

BQ3: I would like them to be in triangles... I've never had them in triangles =(

BQ4: YES! GET ME A QUILL SEAL!

BQ5: Shar is a good name. Sharana isn't as good =P

Answer 12

Just get on with it. First you've said that is what you find exciting and interesting, so just trust that other readers will too. Secondly the subtleties of what you are writing should become clearer as you go. I don't plan, I just get on with whatever first comes to mind and then the characters reveal things to me bit by bit and I go "Aaahh that's what that was about!"

It's easier when you don't rack your brain about it - at least for me it is.



BQ: green is always Ireland to me. No getting around it. Other colours I don't particularly assign to anything.

BQ2: crusts please

BQ3: square.

BQ4: meh. I do miss my fountain pens though. They don't really sell them much here and they only seem to have Parker. I'm a Waterman girl.

BQ5: I'm Char (lotte), so the S looks weird to me and so does the full name Sharana. But if it's the name that is stuck in your head for the character, then it's the right one. Remember: the character makes the name, not the other way around.

Answer 13

Even a cliche story will sound better than something original if the person writing it cares more about the story they are writing. Don't worry about making the plot "different" and just write what you like. Let the characters and the story shine through and it will turn out great.



And also, remember that writing a cliched story is better than writing nothing at all.



BQ1: White makes me think of coldness, and purity. Gray makes me think of spookiness and shadows. Black makes me think of darkness and gloominess and solemnity. Red makes me think of passion. Gold makes me think of royalty/richness.

BQ2: With crusts originally, but I pull it off myself.

BQ3: Triangle.

BQ4: I have. 'tis!

BQ5: It's okay. I'd prefer Shara as a shortened form of that name though.

Answer 14

If you want to learn how to write about a wider range of subjects, you need to read a wider range of subjects. You can read history (not textbooks, but history written by good authors), newspapers, other non-fiction... This gives you a frame work to see how things interact.



Then you can write your standard quest tale but start adding layers of additional information. Knight rides out to save Princess... Then add in a layer of plot where a rival kingdom kidnapped her to prevent a political alliance. Then add in a layer that has an adviser to the king who is working as a double agent... Outline the plot and then write it with more info and more characters.



It will still be cliche and overdone, but at least it will be more original to you.

Answer 15

there's no longer something like a physically powerful cliche to force a narrative. What we are searching for as visitors or readers is a million. resonance, does this tale remember to me 2. originality, how is this tale taking the cliche someplace new occasion, in line with probability the heros are the international over based, each and each is going with the aid of their very very own quest in Tokyo, Chicago, Rio, Sydney, Glasgow, Botswanna, and Dubai you initiate with man or woman memories that develop into slowly interlinked in line with probability, merely an concept. and are available on, shall we offer Orochi a wreck, or maybe Orochi additionally turns up in college, and bullies the heroes, varieties a gang and that they might desire to benefit their powers and unite to defeat them, get the girl, bypass Math and shop the international

Answer 16

NO! No, no, no, no! Never do a cliched plot! Make a twist in it! I.E. The hero falls in love with the perfect girl, they travel on the quest with eachother, and the whole time she's flirting with different men on the travels, when the night before she admitted she loved him, maybe she even kisses one of them. The hero gets mad, and he ignores her. She goes along, and finally kisses him, at the end of the quest, she takes him to her homeland, where she kidnaps him and takes him to the castle during the night. The next day, the hero finds himself in prison, and learns the girl is married and has lied to him all along. See, cliched, but intresting,m right? DO something like that.



BQ: Flowers or the clouds

BQ2: Crusts

BQ3: Triangle!!!!!!1

BQ4: Yea buddy!

BQ5: I think it's interesting, something I'd use, haha. Go for it!

Answer 17

Well, it doesn't matter how cliched your plot is, I guess, it is still your own work.



BQ:

White -- Purity, heavenly <3.

Gray -- Balance.

Black -- Sexy (lol), evil.

Red -- Blood, War.

Gold -- Royalty.



BQ2: Crusts :3.



BQ3: Triangle.



BQ4: Um...



BQ5: It's nice enough I guess, it's cute, though.

Answer 18

I'm having same trouble.... Do cliched plot and make it epically epic!!!!!!! :)