Resources

Now, I've always been a fan of the various 'Evil Overlord' lists that have floated around the internets.

Here's a link to a site from a writers workshop that uses an augmented set of them for plot generators.

http://www.sff.net/paradise/plottricks.htm

A Random Plot Generator is at:
http://nielsenhayden.com/overlord/

If you just want read the lists themselves, they're at:
http://www.sff.net/paradise/lists.htm

I was particularly taken by the tips for the Wicked but Beautiful Daughter ("55. If you fall in love with the Hero, and decide to help him, do not declare your intentions to Daddy. He'll just clap you in irons pending execution. Of course the Hero will rescue you, but it's demeaning.")

Michael.

good one!

I found a list of cliches for sci-fi writers here.

There are tons of these out there, and they are almost all quite amusing.

Travis.
--
http://cottreau.blogspot.com
http://cottreaureviews.blogspot.com/

On 'The Grand List of Overused Science Fiction Clichés', I think 14 and 15 are funny - I don't know which one would be more likely!

Andrew Chilton - http://kapiti.geek.nz/

I love those lists. Especially the Evil Empress ones. It's inspired me. My next story will be about an evil empress.

Sanity: Ha ha ha ha...look! A caterpillar!

LOL, these made me laugh so hard, especially:

101. If you enter a house, fortress, cave, temple, tomb, graveyard, etc., especially one with a malevolent aura or history of macabre events, and an eerie, disembodied voice orders you to depart the premises, go.

Amen to that. For me, cliches have gotten to the point where when I see one on TV, I go, "oh, look. If only -person- just did as they were told this story could've ended by now and I could've gone and watch something else".