I'm going to be working on a novel about strippers, after watching the channel 4 documentary. My issue is how do you write a novel on such a cliche topic without sounding cliche. When ironically all the real reasons given for stripping were very cliche?
I have two good friends who are ex-strippers. One now in her late seventies, and a successful author, the other is still pretty feisty and smokes too much weed. Their stories and paths, are as different as you could imagine.
There are as many different reasons for being a stripper as there are for being a cop. Some do it out of clear choice, others out of desperation.
Decide what sort of novel you want to write, and then find your source.
To avoid cliché, get on the inside and listen.
Thank you all for your answers! Very helpful!
I sometimes think the same about my job (only joking... I love it really!)