On Triteness

       

       Have you ever tried to write song lyrics without sounding like an incredibly cliché moron?

       Well, of course. I'd describe my process as...

       Have you ever succeeded?

       Sure, maybe, yes...?

       Have you ever failed?

       No. Yes. Totally. Always. Please help me.

       We understand. We're here for you. Everyone say it with me, we're here for you Brad.

       *We're here for you Brad*

XXX

       In my opinion, there are three great, unforgivable sins a person can commit.

       1) Seeing the movie before reading the book

       2) If you're a cat and you step on your owner's boobs

       3) To be unoriginal

       When you're writing a song, or just plain poetry, it's extremely difficult to exclude clichés, especially if you're writing to rhyme. Throwing in a line about a broken heart or a diamond in the rough is so easy, and it may trick you into thinking your piece is really good, but the truth is, if you've heard it before, it's probably not all that effective.

       So how do you avoid it? In your first draft (yes, it requires more than one draft) write just to write. Let everything pour out of you your first time through, even clichés. Then, when you read through it a second time, simply delete any phrase you've heard outside of your own head. It's that easy! You can fill these holes in your piece by inserting imagery. Sensory images are “stronger than an ox” and far more original.

       It's easy to depend on over used sayings to fluff up our writing, whether it's for a song, a poem, or an assignment. But, you've got to remember that clichés don't mean anything. The word “baby” and the mention of a “broken heart” go in one ear and out the other. If you want your work to stand out, you have to create something truly unique. In a world where everyone can make a PB&J, you've got to be a meatball sub.

Photo found at: stephenmatlock.com