Those of you who know how I critique writing should be highly aware of my bias against clichés. But can you blame me? Who wants to read the same conflict over and over, with a resolution so predictable it's aggravating? 

However, one thing to remember, you can't write being afraid of making something too "cliché". There's a reason that specific plotlines are used so often--because they're popular, and people like to hear them. There are certain things readers want to read; limiting yourself only to things that "have never been done" will stress you out, causing you to dread writing, and potentially hindering your story in the long-run. Instead, I want to encourage you to turn a "cliché" into your classic. 

Adding little details to something that has been done before is an excellent way to create variation and add depth to your plot. Take the often used "Romeo & Juliet" romance scenario: two people who aren't supposed to associate with each other that fall in love and must keep their affair a secret. This same plotline is used so often in romance stories, but a good writer will make sure their reader doesn't detect the cliché. A simple change in setting, background on the characters, depth in the conflict, turns this cliché idea into a classic plotline--something unique to your story.

I constantly find myself taking ideas from other works and twisting them, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, if a writer tells you they have never taken an idea from something they've read, watched, or witnessed, they're either incredibly withdrawn or lying. 

A personal example in which I have done this is in my novel, "Metro". Those of you who are familiar with it will be acquainted with my character Sommer, a mute girl. Originally, I was never considering making any character with a disability such as this, however, after reading the novel "Three Day Road" by Joesph Boyden (a great novel I recommend to all of you), in which there is a mute character named Gordon, I fell in love with the idea and it inspired me to add this characteristic to Sommer. I didn't copy Boyden, I was simply inspired by his writing, and used that inspiration to add depth to my novel and strengthen my character. I encourage all of you to do the same as you go about your daily lives, not just in writing, but everywhere--movies, plays, a trip to the grocery store--look for inspiration and apply it to your writing.

So use clichés--that's why they are here. But don't let your readers see the cliché aspect of it, write so that they call it a "classic".

- Thank you to @hanginginclouds for inspiring this! I know it's not exactly what you suggested, but I hope it helps you anyway. -