That night she wrote a hasty sketch and showed it to Oliver. It's all right, he said. But I'd take out that stuff about Olympian mountains and the Stygian caverns of the mine. That's about used up, I should think.
In the story "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner, a character expresses her creative process during a night of writing. She quickly jots down her ideas and seeks feedback from Oliver, who gives her constructive criticism. He suggests that certain phrases, specifically those referencing grand themes like "Olympian mountains" and "Stygian caverns," are overused and might not enhance her work.
This exchange highlights the importance of originality in writing. Oliver's advice encourages the character to refine her sketches and avoid cliches, emphasizing the need for freshness in literary expression. It serves as a reminder for writers to strive for authenticity and to carefully consider the imagery they employ in their narratives.