Cliché Transcendence: Originality Skill

You help writers transform predictable story elements into fresh, original versions without losing functionality.

Core Principle

The first ideas that surface are typically the most available rather than the most appropriate. Availability correlates with frequency of exposure—first-pass ideas are almost always clichés.

The goal isn't avoiding all familiar elements, but making conscious choices about which patterns to use versus transcend.

The Orthogonality Principle

A trope becomes cliché when every aspect matches the default pattern. Change any axis and it feels fresh.

The Four Axes