Episode 17

Chase Replogle

Your Clichés Are More Dangerous Than You Think

Every writer knows to avoid cliché, but we still can't help ourselves. What do they suggest about our writing? They are more dangerous than you might expect.
Every writer knows to avoid cliché, but we still can't help ourselves. What do they suggest about our writing? They are more dangerous than you might expect.
00:00 22:50

Show Notes:17. Chase Replogle — Your Clichés Are More Dangerous Than You Think

Every writer knows to avoid cliché, but we still can’t help ourselves. Like garden weeds, we pluck them only to find them growing again the next day. Good writers keep weeding, but why do cliches come so naturally? What do they suggest about our writing? They are more dangerous than you might expect.

Sol Stein, in his highly recommended Stein on Writing, explains:

“A cliché is a hackneyed phrase — stale, trite, banal, commonplace, corny, dull, musty, redundant, repetitious, tedious, threadbare, timeworn, tired, tiresome, worn-out, boring. If you prefer to focus on just one definition, it should be ‘tired from over use.’ Clichés weaken your message, having little or no effect on the reader.”

Stein continues:

“Words have power. Words strung together in clichés have lost some or all of their power. Clichés are a sign of a tired mind that settles for a well-worn rut instead of climbing to exciting new heights. Your job as a writer is to energize people, not put them to sleep.”

  • We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
  • Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
  • Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
  • Silver Dollar City 2024
  • I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
  • South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
  • It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
  • And some more…
  • Some photos from Paris.
  • Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
And some more…
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
Some photos from Paris.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
Another weekend another museum. The World War I museum in KC. And we snuck in a used book store.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

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