Avoid Cliches!

Avoid cliches in your writing.  Here are a few examples of cliches--you should avoid using all of them!

• As quick as lightning
• It was a dark and stormy night
• It was love at first sight
• Everything happens for a reason
• Tall, dark, and handsome
• Life is like a box of chocolates
• Sports metaphors: Winning isn't everything--it's the only thing
• We were born ready
• Opposites attract 
• Things come and go
• It was all a dream
• Please, Mr. Wieffering is my father...call me Freddy.
• Ugly bridesmaids dresses
• tall drink of water
• rain in a scary story
• The word "beautiful"
• Stock characters like the nerd; popular girl/guy; ordinary, nondescript average man, blond, blue-eyed beauty, cheerleader, Disney movies