Reblogged from Chris, The Story Reading Ape:

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

I’m old-fashioned in a lot of ways. I could list twenty different qualities that put me into the senior box instead of the middle-age category.  One of the ways people show their age is through their use of language.  If you’re like me, then perhaps you speak with idioms.  I don’t purposely plan on saying them, but that’s what comes out of my mouth.  As I’m going over my first novel with my critique group, these critters sometimes slip into my writing.  It’s not an issue if grandma or grandpa occasionally tosses one in but not if your protagonist is twelve.

Idioms are not a problem as long as your characters don’t use too many clichés.  You can get more bang for your buck that way.  Oh, stop it!  I was just pulling your leg, or was it your chain? If you fall in love with those phrases, you’ll end up with egg on your face.  Come on, Springer.  It would help if you thought outside the box.  (As opposed to thinking in a box?)  Please don’t get me sidetracked!  I was starting to get the ball rolling.  Bear with me because I’m about to turn over a new leaf.  While you’re at it, don’t have a cow!  That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

Continue reading at The Story Reading Ape