Cliché:

trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, tired, worn out. Kind of like a tv program one's children have watched...and watched...and watched some more.

In other words, find another way to say it. If you think your phase is unique, try a search for it at ClicheSite.com: Clichés, Sayings, Phrases & Figures of Speech to find out for sure. It's a fun resource.

A few examples:

• a dime a dozen - Yes, I used this one, but I swear it was only to make a point.
• cool as a cucumber - Psst...do you really want to compare your hero to a cucumber?
• a rose by any other name would smell as sweet - Maybe, but because of overuse, it's trite.
• ants in his pants - I sure hope not!
• kick the bucket - If it's your hero or heroine, it's not allowed in a romance.
• know it like the back of my hand - Your plot? You'd better--I learned my lesson on this one the hard way.
•  up the ante - Always a good idea when you feel your plot is struggling.

© Terescia Harvey

Terescia Harvey is a romance writer and the webmistress of Happily Ever After, a website for romance writers and readers. Visit HEA for many informative writing resources and articles at www.teresciaharvey.com