Sitzblitz's List: Creative Writing

• A script reader (or “Reader”) is the person who reads scripts for agents, producers, managers, assistants, and…pretty much everyone.

   

  It works like this (I used “agent” here, but feel free to substitute “manager,” “producer,” “executive,” etc.):

• The industry term ‘script reader’ implies that we simply proofread screenplays. Our actual task is closer to that of story analyst or consultant. In reading your story we ask key questions. What’s it about? Who’s it about? What do they need? Who or what is stopping them and why should we care? Are our expectations let down? Does our attention flag or our suspension of disbelief sag? Is your story relevant to a contemporary audience?
• We read your entire screenplay or treatment in one sitting. During a second read we make extensive notes then set out our feedback in a report that will help you to develop your first or next draft.
• Rather than prescribe how to write, we aim to illuminate how well your storytelling engages. We may compare it with films that adopt similar themes, characters and dramatic devices as a basis for mutual understanding.

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• Creative writing, like art, is subjective, and therefore difficult to define.

   

  Certainly fiction and poetry qualify as creative writing, but what about journal writing, articles and essays, memoirs and biographies?
• Where do we draw the line between creative writing and other types of writing?
• As mentioned, when you think about creative writing, fiction and poetry spring to mind, possibly because the creative nature of both fiction and poetry is so obvious.
• While these types of writing may require some level of creativity, they are not usually considered members of the creative writing family. That might sound exclusive or elitist, but one of the things that defines creative writing is how enjoyable it is to read.

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• If representing and exploring the “real” by writing in the genre of creative non-fiction is your goal, we hope these tips about what creative non-fiction is, as well as some pointers on a few genres that are considered creative non-fiction (memoir and the personal essay) can help you.

• Cartography (map-making) is 'the discipline dealing with the conception, production, dissemination and study of maps in all forms' (International Cartographic Association, 1995, p.1). Another description of cartography is that it is the 'Art, Science and Technology' of map making.

• Cartography is one of the oldest professions in the world and is known as “The Art and Science of Making Maps “.
• Although the tools and methods of making maps has changed from the exquisite, hand drawn products of yesteryear to the highly sophisticated ,electronic systems of today ,the definition remains the same as many are still works of art.
• Today , a Cartographer has access to a vast amount of spatial and geographic data ,statistics and mathematical data ,data from satellite imagery and geographic information systems and many other sources from which to design a map.
• The Cartographer requires artistic and scientific ability to be able to transform this range of data into a product that is comprehensible to other users

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  Expressions that are not Clichés

   

  It is important to keep in mind that constant reuse of expressions does not necessarily create a cliché. Typical expressions that are used almost at all times in formal ceremonies, festivals, courts etc. are not considered cliché examples; rather they befit such occasions and are regarded as more appropriate:

   

   
  • “I second the motion” (Courts)
   
  • “I now pronounce you man and wife” (Wedding Ceremony)
   
  • “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” (Oath taking ceremony)
   
  • “Happy Birthday!”
   

   

  Similarly, certain epithets like “reverend” and “father” are attached to the names of church officials. Besides, people of the royal family are addressed with epithets “Your Grace”, “Your Highness” or “Your Royal Highness”. Such expressions are part of etiquette and do not fall under the category of clichés.

   

  Some Common Examples of Cliché

   

  Example #1

   

  In describing time, the following expressions have turned into cliché

   

   
  • in the nick of time – to happen just in time
   
  • only time will tell – to become clear over time
   
  • a matter of time – to happen sooner or later
   
  • at the speed of light – to do something very quickly
   
  • lasted an eternity – to last for a very long time
   
  • lost track of time – to stop paying attention to time
   

   

  Example #2

   

  In describing people, these expressions have turned into cliché

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  • as brave as a lion – a cliché to describe a very brave person
   
  • as clever as a fox – a cliché to describe a very clever person
   
  • as old as the hills – a cliché to describe an old person
   
  • a diamond in the rough – a cliché to describe someone with a brilliant future
   
  • fit as a fiddle – a cliché to describe a person in a good shape
   
  • as meek as a lamb – a cliché to describe a person who is too weak and humble
   

   

  Example #3

   

  In describing various sentiments, a number of expressions have turned into cliché e.g.

   

   
  • frightened to death – to be too frightened
   
  • scared out of one’s wits – to be too frightened
   
  • all is fair in love and war – to go to any extent to claim somebody’s love
   
  • all is well that ends well – a happy ending reduces the severity of problems that come in the way
   
  • every cloud has a silver lining – problems also have something good in them
   
  • the writing on the wall – something clear and already understood
   
  • time heals all wounds – pain and miseries get will with the passage of time
   
  • haste makes waste – people make mistakes in a rush
   

   

  Example #4

   

  Below is a list of some more common clichés:

   

   
  • They all lived happily ever after.
   
  • Read between the lines
   
  • Fall head over heals
   
  • Waking up on the wrong side of the bed
   
  • The quiet before the storm
   
  • Between the devil and the deep blue sea
   

   

  Function of Cliché

   

  Anton C. Zijderveld, a Dutch sociologist, throws light on the function of a cliché in the following extract taken from his treatise “On Clichés”:

   

  A cliché is a traditional form of human expression (in words, thoughts, emotions, gestures, acts) which–due to repetitive use in social life–has lost its original, often ingenious heuristic power. Although it thus fails positively to contribute meaning to social interactions and communication, it does function socially, since it manages to stimulate behavior (cognition, emotion, volition, action), while it avoids reflection on meanings.

    

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  Expressions that are not Clichés

   

  It is important to keep in mind that constant reuse of expressions does not necessarily create a cliché. Typical expressions that are used almost at all times in formal ceremonies, festivals, courts etc. are not considered cliché examples; rather they befit such occasions and are regarded as more appropriate:

   

   
  • “I second the motion” (Courts)
   
  • “I now pronounce you man and wife” (Wedding Ceremony)
   
  • “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” (Oath taking ceremony)
   
  • “Happy Birthday!”
   

   

  Similarly, certain epithets like “reverend” and “father” are attached to the names of church officials. Besides, people of the royal family are addressed with epithets “Your Grace”, “Your Highness” or “Your Royal Highness”. Such expressions are part of etiquette and do not fall under the category of clichés.

   

  Some Common Examples of Cliché

   

  Example #1

   

  In describing time, the following expressions have turned into cliché

   

   
  • in the nick of time – to happen just in time
   
  • only time will tell – to become clear over time
   
  • a matter of time – to happen sooner or later
   
  • at the speed of light – to do something very quickly
   
  • lasted an eternity – to last for a very long time
   
  • lost track of time – to stop paying attention to time
   

   

  Example #2

   

  In describing people, these expressions have turned into cliché

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  • as brave as a lion – a cliché to describe a very brave person
   
  • as clever as a fox – a cliché to describe a very clever person
   
  • as old as the hills – a cliché to describe an old person
   
  • a diamond in the rough – a cliché to describe someone with a brilliant future
   
  • fit as a fiddle – a cliché to describe a person in a good shape
   
  • as meek as a lamb – a cliché to describe a person who is too weak and humble
   

   

  Example #3

   

  In describing various sentiments, a number of expressions have turned into cliché e.g.

   

   
  • frightened to death – to be too frightened
   
  • scared out of one’s wits – to be too frightened
   
  • all is fair in love and war – to go to any extent to claim somebody’s love
   
  • all is well that ends well – a happy ending reduces the severity of problems that come in the way
   
  • every cloud has a silver lining – problems also have something good in them
   
  • the writing on the wall – something clear and already understood
   
  • time heals all wounds – pain and miseries get will with the passage of time
   
  • haste makes waste – people make mistakes in a rush
   

   

  Example #4

   

  Below is a list of some more common clichés:

   

   
  • They all lived happily ever after.
   
  • Read between the lines
   
  • Fall head over heals
   
  • Waking up on the wrong side of the bed
   
  • The quiet before the storm
   
  • Between the devil and the deep blue sea
   

   

  Function of Cliché

   

  Anton C. Zijderveld, a Dutch sociologist, throws light on the function of a cliché in the following extract taken from his treatise “On Clichés”:

   

  A cliché is a traditional form of human expression (in words, thoughts, emotions, gestures, acts) which–due to repetitive use in social life–has lost its original, often ingenious heuristic power. Although it thus fails positively to contribute meaning to social interactions and communication, it does function socially, since it manages to stimulate behavior (cognition, emotion, volition, action), while it avoids reflection on meanings.

    

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  Expressions that are not Clichés

   

  It is important to keep in mind that constant reuse of expressions does not necessarily create a cliché. Typical expressions that are used almost at all times in formal ceremonies, festivals, courts etc. are not considered cliché examples; rather they befit such occasions and are regarded as more appropriate:

   

   
  • “I second the motion” (Courts)
   
  • “I now pronounce you man and wife” (Wedding Ceremony)
   
  • “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” (Oath taking ceremony)
   
  • “Happy Birthday!”
   

   

  Similarly, certain epithets like “reverend” and “father” are attached to the names of church officials. Besides, people of the royal family are addressed with epithets “Your Grace”, “Your Highness” or “Your Royal Highness”. Such expressions are part of etiquette and do not fall under the category of clichés.

   

  Some Common Examples of Cliché

   

  Example #1

   

  In describing time, the following expressions have turned into cliché

   

   
  • in the nick of time – to happen just in time
   
  • only time will tell – to become clear over time
   
  • a matter of time – to happen sooner or later
   
  • at the speed of light – to do something very quickly
   
  • lasted an eternity – to last for a very long time
   
  • lost track of time – to stop paying attention to time
   

   

  Example #2

   

  In describing people, these expressions have turned into cliché

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  <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3251641771602819"; /* literarydevices net mid */ google_ad_slot = "7887861142"; google_ad_width = 728; google_ad_height = 90; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script>

   

    

   
  • as brave as a lion – a cliché to describe a very brave person
   
  • as clever as a fox – a cliché to describe a very clever person
   
  • as old as the hills – a cliché to describe an old person
   
  • a diamond in the rough – a cliché to describe someone with a brilliant future
   
  • fit as a fiddle – a cliché to describe a person in a good shape
   
  • as meek as a lamb – a cliché to describe a person who is too weak and humble
   

   

  Example #3

   

  In describing various sentiments, a number of expressions have turned into cliché e.g.

   

   
  • frightened to death – to be too frightened
   
  • scared out of one’s wits – to be too frightened
   
  • all is fair in love and war – to go to any extent to claim somebody’s love
   
  • all is well that ends well – a happy ending reduces the severity of problems that come in the way
   
  • every cloud has a silver lining – problems also have something good in them
   
  • the writing on the wall – something clear and already understood
   
  • time heals all wounds – pain and miseries get will with the passage of time
   
  • haste makes waste – people make mistakes in a rush
   

   

  Example #4

   

  Below is a list of some more common clichés:

   

   
  • They all lived happily ever after.
   
  • Read between the lines
   
  • Fall head over heals
   
  • Waking up on the wrong side of the bed
   
  • The quiet before the storm
   
  • Between the devil and the deep blue sea
   

   

  Function of Cliché

   

  Anton C. Zijderveld, a Dutch sociologist, throws light on the function of a cliché in the following extract taken from his treatise “On Clichés”:

   

  A cliché is a traditional form of human expression (in words, thoughts, emotions, gestures, acts) which–due to repetitive use in social life–has lost its original, often ingenious heuristic power. Although it thus fails positively to contribute meaning to social interactions and communication, it does function socially, since it manages to stimulate behavior (cognition, emotion, volition, action), while it avoids reflection on meanings.

    

  Share This Page

  • 6
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• Cliché refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. A cliché may also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events.
• All examples of Cliché are expressions that were once new and fresh. They won popularity in public and hence have been used so extensively that such expressions now sound boring and at times irritable due to the fact that they have lost their original color. For instance, the phrase “as red as a rose” must have been a fresh and innovative expression at some point in time but today it is considered universally as a cliché and does not sound good to be used in everyday formal writing.

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• CLICHÉ:   A hackneyed or trite phrase that has become overused. Clichés   are considered bad writing and bad literature. Click   here to download a PDF handout for more information. Cliché   rhymes are rhymes that are considered trite or predictable.   Cliché rhymes in poetry include love   and dove, moon   and June, trees   and breeze. Sometimes, to   avoid cliché rhymes, poets will go to hyperbolic lengths,   such as the trisyllabic rhymes in Lord Byron's Don Juan.

• The goal of this second report is to review how social media are changing the way we collectively map the world. To reach this goal I review different collective mapping practices that characterize the social media era. First I examine the situation of community mapping in the context of new cartographic processes and technologies, with a focus on indigenous cartographies.
• Finally, I discuss how map-making in the social media era reflects major trends in terms of power relationships that occur between the state, its citizens and the private sector.

• GEORGE ORWELL described clichés as those images, concepts or phrases that have "lost force." Most clichés probably started off as fresh and exciting but have lost their energy over repeated use. For example: He was tall, dark and handsome. Her heart skipped a beat. She worked like a dog.
• We've all heard these phrases before and understand what they mean. But they don't evoke an interesting image or a compelling emotion. In fact, images probably don't arise at all. We don't picture a dog straining while engaged in activity at the phrase "worked like a dog."

• 1. Publishing Contracts

   

  When I started working in trade publishing (1998), it was very rare that the company’s boilerplate contract would change. Obviously it was negotiated in minute detail by every agent that came into contact with it—so contracts differed from author to author—but the process always played out by a certain set of expectations or guidelines.

   

  By the time I left trade publishing (2010), the contracts were being tweaked every 6 months to reflect a changing business environment and new opportunities in digital and multimedia publishing. I’m starting to wonder if there will ever be a “typical” contract again, given the increasing number of variables. Consider:

   
   
  • The increasing leverage of successful self-published authors (see Hugh Howey and his traditional publishing deal that allow him to keep his e-book rights).
   
  • New digital imprints or start-ups that offer very different contracts than established outlets—and rightly so, though some are good contracts and others are bad, more on that below.
   
  • Print publishing deals and distribution rights are becoming more and more like subsidiary rights. In other words, they’re not always the most important or profitable right for an author to license.
   
  • Foreign and translation rights will become increasingly important as e-book sales grow in international markets.
   
   

  Unfortunately, most publishing contracts are closely guarded and not available for public review. So what is an author to do? Here’s my advice.

   
   
  • Do your due diligence on any publishing contract you sign. Fully understand what rights you’re granting and if it makes sense for your career and what you’re getting paid. If you don’t have an agent to negotiate your contract, consider hiring one on an hourly basis.
   
  • Think carefully and negotiate hard when it comes to digital-only publishing contracts. Some ebook-only publishers take a healthy share of your profits for doing things you could accomplish on your own. I’m skeptical of many digital start-ups that promise visibility and “talent discovery” when they have no success stories, no better distribution than what’s already available to a self-publishing author, and limited (or no) industry experience. If the publisher isn’t reaching a greater audience than you could on your own, ask yourself why you want to sign a contract with them. What value are they providing?
   
  • Always double-check how and when rights revert to you (the reversion clause). With traditional publishers, rights often revert after sales fall below a specific threshold. With digital-only publishers, rights often revert after specific time period has passed, or upon written notice. Make sure you understand the terms, and always negotiate for a better deal on this particular clause—to make it easier for you to get your rights back. (For more detail, read Dean Wesley Smith’s post on rights reversion.)
   
  • Don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal. Too many authors get caught up in the excitement of a publishing offer, and overlook contract terms that could hurt them in the future. If you can’t be hard nosed about negotiations, find someone who can. No deal is better than a bad one.