tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post4851243082574294542..comments2023-07-15T07:05:07.687-04:00Comments on PW Creighton: The Surveillance Report: Cliched ContrivancesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-30039546100003975722011-08-18T14:10:57.030-04:002011-08-18T14:10:57.030-04:00Donna, thanks for stopping by and that's what ...Donna, thanks for stopping by and that's what I hope to propagate myself. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-63456191976595307842011-08-18T08:28:14.511-04:002011-08-18T08:28:14.511-04:00Great post. As I am starting a new novel - a psyc...Great post. As I am starting a new novel - a psychological suspense - this will come in handy, to seek out the cliches in order to break them down and do the unexpected instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-59257226824076478352011-08-16T12:37:29.018-04:002011-08-16T12:37:29.018-04:00Michele, thanks for the compliments. Very true how...Michele, thanks for the compliments. Very true how many times have you picked up a book or even switched on a TV show to find another variant of those themes? Most do not reflect well and do make the audience groan. <br /><br />Jami, I think every writer struggles with this at some point. You've been conditioned to think a certain way about things but a little non-media insight can go a long way. Like the hit on the head and knocked out bit. How many times have you read that? Did you know that the physiological effects of that include disorientation, loss of equilibrium and hearing, vomiting even lesions and hemorrhaging that can lead to death? Not to mention that any blow that violent is also very likely to fracture the skull. Now, how often do you see these effects used in a story? There are some nifty solutions for these cliches so long as you can recognize them.<br /><br />AG, I do something similar but in truth it is a bit of cliche on both of our accounts to use that sort of trauma. The case in #3 is actually the amnesia, the shock or abuse style traumas that are used as an explanation without showing the effects of these psychological conditions. To avoid a cliche it's easy, show the effects of the traumas not just have it as an explanation.<br /><br />Ron, thanks for the comment. Ha that really sounds like a cliche wrapped in a contrivance with a nice twist away from the cliche. So long as we are aware of the cliche we can take them a twist them away into something useful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-28305260617247216562011-08-16T12:37:12.691-04:002011-08-16T12:37:12.691-04:00Excellent breakdown!! As a reader, I don't lik...Excellent breakdown!! As a reader, I don't like for things to be wrapped up too tidily the way you mentioned in the human encyclopedia. I like to watch the protagonist put things together and actively search for the needed information. <br /><br />I've never thought of these problems in this way--thanks for clarifying!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-50245235754279822232011-08-16T11:51:36.544-04:002011-08-16T11:51:36.544-04:00I think this is a great post. Very useful and nece...I think this is a great post. Very useful and necessary. Actually, in my novel (editing still in progress), the character that might seem to qualify as both the Almighty whatsit AND the Walking Encyclopedia is a magician whose magic proves useless at a key moment! The matter is instead resolved via sweat, blood and human ingenuity. :) But all these cliches are something to watch out for, certainly.Ron Leightonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16601390062709042769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-52304744150412334082011-08-16T11:43:30.445-04:002011-08-16T11:43:30.445-04:00Hmm...the hero of my latest novel saw his lover di...Hmm...the hero of my latest novel saw his lover die four years before the book starts. His recovery from this shock and grief underlies much of what happens. Is this a case of your #3 or not?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-28140561167537948222011-08-16T11:29:30.559-04:002011-08-16T11:29:30.559-04:00Michele is right - this is a *great* post. :) I ...Michele is right - this is a *great* post. :) I struggle with some of these more than others.Jami Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957122956518765455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765423674299337418.post-6291511415724723702011-08-16T10:13:33.302-04:002011-08-16T10:13:33.302-04:00WOW! One of my favorite posts to date, Phil. I'...WOW! One of my favorite posts to date, Phil. I've never seen it explained this way, but so very true! Hmm, my work? I'm sure I'm not immune to it, but I'd have to think on it. Hopefully, if I've used any it is in a unique way and presented well, but I really want to stay away from anything that makes a reader groan and say,"Oh, no! Not again!" ThanksMichele Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768815750264631798noreply@blogger.com