Rom-com cliches–good or bad?

The fabulous Jenny Cruisie, on her blog, pointed out this list of 24 rom-com cliches that must be retired from EW.com and found several that she thought shouldn’t be retired.

I decided to have a look myself and see what I thought of it all, being a lover of romance and the rom-com myself. First, my thoughts on cliches. I don’t automatically subscribe to the theory that all cliches are bad. Sometimes, the cliché is so true that it’s the best way to show a particular idea (some of the below cliches fit into that). Sometimes, a cliché can be done so well that it rises above itself and becomes a magical moment (some of the below have achieved that too). So I don’t hate something just because it’s a cliché.

Now, onto my thoughts:

 

So, the cliches I’d absolutely get rid of: Media Mavens, Blooming Wallflowers, The Lonely Montage, Ridiculous Proofs of Love, PDA, Wet Climax and Quirky BFF

Cliches only to be used if done brilliantly – Last Minute Sprint, Love at First Fight, Bad Influence Buddies

Cliches to be embraced – Do You Believe In Magic?, Mischievious Dogs, Working Girl Needs Balance, Mr and Mrs Right In Front Of Your, Easy Sex, Schlubby Guy Pretty Girl (although turn it around sometimes), Fake ID, Top of the Stairs Moment, Eating for Two or Three, Egregarious Girl Bonding, I’ve “Nothing” to Wear, Singing into Objects.

Things I don’t think are cliches – Clumsy heroines, bad drivers.

Now, to get onto my own romance writing [image error]