Annie Types – Sometimes You Just Have To Be a Rebel

Sometimes you just have to be a rebel.  Harper Reed would understand that.  Maggie would, too.  In fact there are a lot of rebels in Bittersweet Hollow.  I want to be a writing rebel.  Take the use of clichés.  Webster’s says clichés are stereotypes and outworn, stale or trite expressions.  Please.  I find the proper use of clichés to be very useful.  Everyone knows what you mean when you use clichés.

Here are two examples: #1. Dumber than a post.  And #2.(which I really like) Just fell off a turnip truck. Now you could combine the two as in, Dumber than a post that just fell off a turnip truck.  Or, He was dumber than a turnip that just fell off a post.  Never put the post on top of the turnip, which is just silly and incongruous.  But nothing catches the attention of a reader more than being incongruous.  Say you are setting your scene at high noon and you mention that the stars are shining as brightly as turnips.  IF, and this can be a big one, IF anyone catches this incongruous remark, they are paying attention to your work and this can only be a good thing.

But I guess the star thing only works if you are writing science fiction and then anything goes.

Hope to see you in the Hollow soon.  We will start as soon as Rae gets her turnips planted.