Ever think about cliches? Any time around writers comes with the admonish not to use cliche phrases. I agree. Why do we want to sound like other writers by using the same tired phrases everyone uses? But what of cliche actions? Waking to the alarm clock. Wiping sweat from the brow. You get the idea.
For today’s prompt, pull one (or ten) books from your shelf. Flip through the book and see how many cliche phrases or actions you can identify. Next, look at your work in progress. Do you have cliches? If so, consider changing them.