Guest Post and Giveaway: The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

Welcome to Mia Kerick and The Art of Hero Worship blog tour. We’re so pleased to share Mia’s guest post and giveaway with all of you, so enjoy and check out the contest details below.

Good luck!

Clichés in Writing

Hello, and thank you for welcoming me today to your blog in support of my new release, The Art of Hero Worship.

“A cliché or cliche (/ˈkliːʃeɪ/ or /klɪˈʃeɪ/) is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, even to the point of being trite or irritating, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel.” Wikipedia

I do not shy away from using clichés in my writing, mainly because I write from the first person perspective and I believe that people very often think in cliché. However, I have a new sensitivity to these expressions, as I more critically consider their use in writing than when they slip out of my mouth.

In my process of researching clichés I realized that there are too many to speak of. Many are based in biblical word or in literature, but all come from common use. I would like to mention a few clichés that I like to overuse.

As a romance writer I’m quite fond of the Achilles Heel as what fun is a hero without a weakness? I recently used “all ears” in my writing yesterday. It creates a funny image, doesn’t it? I think I have used there’s no such thing as a free lunch more than any other cliché. But I love it when there actually is a free lunch, so my characters can say,“Oh, but, yes, there is.” And maybe you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, but many of my characters still try. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers was the basis of my first novel’s title. But my characters got to be beggars and choosers, at different points in the story. Cat got your tongue? Well, the cat frequently has my brooding male character’s tongue when he can’t or won’t speak. Love is very often blind in my novels. My characters toss their cookies, lose their lunches, and blow chunks. A shit eating grin is as common in my novels as a ball and chain. And I never write a book in which at least one character doesn’t cover his ass. There, but for the grace of God, go I is not a cliché that I use, but it is one that my mother often used to remind me how fortunate I am. My characters are frequently ON things…

                  …on fire

                    …on the same page

                    …on the back burner

                    …on their toes

I have a fondness for putting lipstick on a pig. How many times have Mia Kerick’s characters found themselves up a creek without a paddle? Well, the jury is still out on this one, but I’d say very frequently. Clichés might be as useful as tits on a bull, but they find their way into my writing.

Do you feel me?

Blurb: Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance.

Buy Links: GOODREADS | AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | GUMROAD | ALL ROMANCE

Listen to The Art of Hero Worship Playlist

About the Author: Mia Kerick Adult is an award-winning author of stories involving the type of life events that are riveting to read about, but you probably wouldn’t want to experience first hand. Into her fictional disasters, she sprinkles a sufficient quantity of touching and spicy adult LGBTQ romance to keep her readers coming back for more.

Having relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to rural New Hampshire, Mia lives with her doting husband, four brilliant and accomplished young adult children who will one day likely contribute to the establishment of world peace (Mia believes in self-fulfilling prophecies), and at least three too many cats. She suffers with a severe case of mall-withdrawal, which leads to frequent online shopping and an overly personal relationship with the UPS driver.

Author Links: AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | FACEBOOK PROFILE | FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE

TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

THE GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card and one ebook of your choice from Mia’s backlist (Kindle only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js