This week, my friend who is writing a book told me something interesting: "I was writing this book, but my (ex)boyfriend told me it was too much of a cliché, so I just stopped because I got unmotivated."
My response was immediate, and that's what this article is about: What is the problem with clichés? My answer? There is nothing wrong with them. On the contrary, some people might actually like them! I've heard it said that nothing is created, only modified, and this is so true. Fans of romance can relate to the pain of a couple not being able to stay together at the end—it's like walking into a solid door (it hurts, by the way).
If you're a fan of romantic comedies, you're probably familiar with Ali Hazelwood. She wrote the TikTok sensation The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically, which is just another of the famous book. I learned something interesting about her: Hazelwood, is a scientist who started her author’s career by writing fanfics. Her stories often feature smart women in academic settings. Now, here's the catch: these two books are essentially the same thing, 4.2 and 4.1 stars on Goodreads, respectively, and a lot, and I mean a lot of ratings.
With the "new" tropes like enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, the one-bed scenario, one falling first, slow-burn, and more, books are becoming more clichéd than ever. Plot twists are great, but they often follow the same formula: the three-act structure. That approach also works for fantasy, but for this article, let's stick with romance.
In both The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically, there are even some similar dialogues, yet readers have enjoyed both books, as evidenced by their ratings. Readers crave compelling romance and character development. They want quality writing and, at the very least, a satisfying ending. Personally, if the couple doesn't end up together, it makes me want to throw the book on the wall (though I'd never actually do that—I care too much about my books).
To answer the initial question: there's nothing wrong with clichés as long as the story is well-planned. Books exist to entertain readers, to make them laugh, enjoy, and feel happy or even sad sometimes. Worrying about whether your book is clichéd shouldn't be a reason to stop writing.
For someone like Hazelwood, a successful author, using clichés effectively has been a key to her success. This could be you. The best way to determine if your book falls into cliché territory is simply to write it and let others read it.
So, my advice? Just write. That's all.
Stick to the drama and see you soon!
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