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Writers often say to avoid cliches. They say they are bad for your writing. Cliches make your story trite or boring. The push for originality is actually actively harmful in many cases and a more useful skill is using cliches well. Either doing research to portray an existing cliche more realisticly or applying it in a novel way makes it better for your fiction. And one point on cliches: they sell. Most readers don't care that it's done before if your story is interesting enough.

Starting with 'cliches that aren't' there is 'using the character as a mouth piece.' To be frank, many allegorical works have used this, and it's still the best way to present a persuasive point through fiction. This is not cliche. Another, oft quoted, 'cliche' is 'the character as a role model'. In any work that aims to be 'literary' and have an effect better than 'I sold lots of copies' should aim to use its characters as examples. Of what is questionable, but they should be an example, and therefore a role model. A final note on this subject: Your protagonist is supposed to save the day, or at least try to. Don't let the litmus test lie to you.

Naming conventions are a major area of contention with a number of sources describing 'Mary Sue'. One of these conventions is names with a special or overt significance. This is cliche because it's been done time and again through history. Some of the myths that shaped western civilization use this trope, see the story of Jesus Christ. Did you know that his name was given to Mary by an angel? Used appropriately it models this myths and makes your StoryWorld that much more accessible by the reader. Another trope is giving a unique title to a character. As long as they have earned the title, making one up is not a bad idea. Look at Johnny Appleseed, who was born John Chapman, his title was given based on his legend.

Other tropes deal with character description or looks. One often cited cliche is giving the character clothing you would want, or already own. This shouldn't matter as long as you're not giving too much attention to the clothing. The clothing is not the character and it is not the plot, but it does add credence to your StoryWorld, describe it once, in as simple language as possible, and move on. Only one thing I ask you do not do: purple prose needs to be shot. If you can say it with an adverb and a verb there is likely a single verb that does it better.

Motivations are a sticky subject and often quoted for their overuse. One such motivation is amnesia which is hardly compelling as a motivation in most cases. Use with care, and do your research. Personal tragedy is an oft used motivation, be it in the form of dead parents, personal failures, or being victimized. This is actually used so often because personal tragedy is a real life motivator. In many cases it spurs people to action, which is what you need for good fiction. The trap with such motivation is portraying the recovery process incorrectly or treating it too lightly. Another cliche is legacy, many characters go about their tasks because that's what they are supposed to do, or it's what their family has done. This motivation is fine if that character had a reason to follow the legacy. Either paternal or maternal training, consequences that teach the lesson, or a mentor who encourages them to prove themselves.

Your StoryWorld should have rules: rules on physics, rules on etiquette, rules on everything of significance in it. A character should, generally, follow these rules, but there are exceptions. Characters with great talent or ability, including natural prodigies, are often used in fiction as escapism. Following the thoughts and actions of one of these masters is a way to escape otherwise dull lives. Just remember when writing prodigies that mastery takes dedication and specialists are often lacking in other, often common, areas. Social rules always apply to your character, but sometimes the bend around them. If your character is a prodigy or master, they often are given leeway in situations in respect to their mastery, though this cannot be abused.

There are some things not to do when trying to work in cliches. Don't poke fun at characters weaknesses in text, especially in the narrative. It's jarring, it's pointless, and it's sloppy. Remember that in reality, there are not 'weaknesses' to characters, there are qualities. Qualities define characters not strengths and weaknesses. Some qualities can be both, depending on the circumstance. Another thing to avoid is having non-human characters act 'not human'. Unless you're writing an alien mindset to contrast the human condition, your point is to deliver a powerful emotional experience, and when your character cannot be fathomed by your reader, they won't have that. No matter what species, family, or class your character is treat them as human when writing about their emotions and thoughts. This is called personification and it's a powerful tool.

What are some examples of cliches done right that you can think of?

Cliches I've seen done right:

Buffy. All of Buffy. Wonder where Twilight came from? Season 2, Angel out-Edwards Edward. Stalking, brooding, pale makeup with red lipstick, the lot of it. Buffy herself is everything a Mary Sue should be shot for being; she is a super-kickass-ninja-babe who dies saving the world on a semi-regular basis, has every boy in it in love with her (except Oz, but he's too short; all of her beaux are tall and dark), and has magic spidey-senses which do absolutely nothing to stop her being ambushed on a regular basis. Xander is the schlubby best friend in love with the main character. Willow is the nerdy girl in love with her best friend who doesn't notice her (at this point; only watched until about halfway through Season 2 last night). Giles is Wise Mentor With Mysterious Past. Then there's Cordelia.

And we love it. We love all of it. Buffy has a huge and rabid fandom, Buffy made Joss Whedon a household name. Because Whedon does the cliches really, really well.

Another example is Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber. The main character, Corwin, wakes up with amnesia. But it evolves from that beginning to a wonderful world you probably don't want to read unless you're okay with it never having finished.