Cliche response for significant person?

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>So I was thinking about writing a novel on a fictional character from a tale of two cities. Would that be too cliche? I’ve written the beginning and need input.</p>

<p>I’d really appreciate some advice.
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Your typo is a cliche – it should be “cliched.”</p>

<p>Anyway, no – pretty much any topic is a viable one so long as it is presented in a novel and interesting fashion.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think it’s cliche. Cliche = your parent. I think they say DON’T use that one!</p>

4

<p>Ok thank you for your input</p>

5

<p>I was thinking to say something like: “It wouldn’t be fair to avoid writing about my mom just because it’s considered cliched” but that sort of opening statement itself is trite. </p>

<p>I just ended up avoiding the topic.</p>

6

<p>I honestly believe that if it comes across as genuine it won’t matter. It should show something about you, your values, your experience. I don’t think it matters if the subject might not be some crazy new original idea. If it’s true for you, it’ll be strong. Just write it well.</p>

7

<p>Would it be inappropriate to write about two people who have influenced you?</p>

8

<p>It’s not INAPPROPRIATE but I think it’s harder to pull off in a cohesive way, especially if they are two unrelated people. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to do “my uncle was influential for this and this and a historical figure was influential for this other thing and this other thing.”</p>

<p>However, if you want to talk about two heads of an organization you were really involved with, it might work out if you write it well.</p>

<p>I tend to think that writing about one person is usually more powerful.</p>

9

<p>@112233: no, it wouldn’t be too cliched. a novel, though?!</p>

<p>@dbc9todd: pick one person from the two.</p>

10

<p>Yupp…a novel. but the person who influenced me was a character from a novel</p>

11

<p>Who cares if it’s cliche?</p>

<p>It only matters if it’s interesting and good. Whether you do that through unique essays or through well-presented, though less-unique subjects is really up to you.</p>