I'll add a bit to the previous responses: cliches can be used as starting points, but it's important to take them a step further. For instance, don't start your story with the protagonist waking up; there's a reason why readers here hate those kinds of storygames. An exceptional exception to this can be found here. Also, if you're only using archetypal characters (e.g. the self-sacrificial hero), stereotypical settings (e.g. dark, scary forest) or overused tropes (e.g. hero saves the day and wins the girl), chances are the story would feel pretty trite.
These cliches can be executed well, but they have to serve a greater purpose than being included just because they’re a cliche. When introducing your protagonist, you can start by portraying them as a stereotype, but make sure they develop beyond that (hint: give them a desire, fear, and misbelief. Same with settings: you may use a cliche medieval kingdom with castles and cottages, but if it plays a large role in the story, give it a few unique features or a thematic significance.
Now, when it comes to tropes, here’s what I’d suggest: only use cliches if they fit your story, not the other way around. Too many new authors start with the specific tropes they enjoy in stories, resulting in their characters, plots and storylines revolving around the cliches themselves. We see this often in badly written fanfiction. The alternative is this: start with your characters and their narrative arcs, so if you later include a trope/ cliche, it feels natural and makes sense in the overall story. The worst thing to do is forcing your characters to make a certain choice just to fulfill a cliche. Some of the best written works use several tropes, but they execute it in a way that makes it their own.
Here are a few exceptions to everything I’ve just said:
Caveat 1: You’re writing a satire. If your story is a satire intended to criticize a cliche/ utilize it to prove a point, then by all means, go ahead. Stuff as many cliches in your story as you can.
Caveat 2: The cliche isn’t a large part of your story. If you’re writing a shorter story, then it’s alright to include a few cliche side characters (e.g. helpful sidekick, wise old mentor, victim who needs saving). This has to be done purposefully—to direct the reader’s attention to the parts of the story that matters most, like the protagonist/ plot, rather than a dozen different fleshed-out characters. Another plot-related example: a side character tells the protagonist a story which relates to their overall struggle, foreshadows the theme, and runs parallel to their arc. This side story can be somewhat cliche, but because it is the message which matters most, you can minimize the words spent on it, relying upon well-known cliches familiar to the reader. But be careful not to rely too much on this device if you choose to use it.
Caveat 3: You’re using cliches to subvert them. Imo, this is one of the most fun things to do. Take a cliche, then turn it on its head (e.g. the typical heroic protagonist turns out to be the villain all along, or the main character in a love triangle decides to reject both love interests because they represented the personification of her two negative extremes). Not only will your story be refreshing to readers, but you’ll also surprise them by taking your story in a whole new direction. A note of caution—again, this has to be consistent with your overall story; you can’t have your protagonist spend the whole story saving an important family member, only to turn around and kill them at the end. Subverting tropes only works when they are properly foreshadowed and part of a causal chain.
Final disclaimer: Just write the story you want to write— Oh wait, that’s a cliche, isn’t it? Anyway, there will be times when everything I say here is wildly incorrect, so just ignore all this unsolicited advice, as you know what works best for your story. This is more of a guide than an instruction manual.
Best of luck with your writing!
