Eli
asked
Leah Thomas:
One of my favourite things about Because You'll Never Meet Me is how is gracefully sidesteps the dreaded monster of cliché. As a young writer, that is one of the things that is very challenging for me. Do you have any tips on how to avoid it?
Leah Thomas
Aw, thank you, Eli!
I'm not sure I always do avoid cliches! Certainly there are tropes in coming of age stories that you see in my books and in a lot of other books, too. This is because as people there are some shared experiences we like telling each other about, I think. But the way to take those familiar stories and keep them away from *feeling* cliched is by delving deeper and adding nuance. Sure, lots of kids want to run away from home as teenagers. But *not* all kids are blocked from doing so by power lines. And yes, bullies suck. But not all bullies find redemption in the end. I think keeping it human and listening to your characters, letting them be complicated people, is the best way to combat making cookie-cutter characters!
I'm not sure I always do avoid cliches! Certainly there are tropes in coming of age stories that you see in my books and in a lot of other books, too. This is because as people there are some shared experiences we like telling each other about, I think. But the way to take those familiar stories and keep them away from *feeling* cliched is by delving deeper and adding nuance. Sure, lots of kids want to run away from home as teenagers. But *not* all kids are blocked from doing so by power lines. And yes, bullies suck. But not all bullies find redemption in the end. I think keeping it human and listening to your characters, letting them be complicated people, is the best way to combat making cookie-cutter characters!
More Answered Questions
Tom Blacklock
asked
Leah Thomas:
Firstly I wanted to thank you for two amazing books that both made me cry and made me feel less alone (I was only diagnosed with Asperger's in my late 30s and felt just like Moritz growing up). My question is: how do you manage to write two distinct first person voices so successfully? Do you actually hear both boys' voices in your head or is it something you can learn as a writer or is just that you are a genius?
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