A Thought on Originality

I often hear people complaining about a story they just read, saying it’s not original, and it pisses me off. I mean, people, what do you expect? This is 2011. We’re not exactly living in the dawn of time. Storytellers around the world have been at it since day one. Everything has been told. It has all been done countless times.

What does it mean for an aspiring storyteller in 2011? Does it mean it is pointless to try? Of course not!

No story needs to be original. Take Romeo and Juliet, for instance. Their story is as old as time. What makes it special is not the details of the plot, it’s the voice of the Bard. Sure, you can point out setting and characterization elements that are particular to that story, but truly, change these while keeping the voice, and it will still be an incredible piece of art.

So you want to write about vampires? Well, yes, of course it has been done. And yes, it has been done by people who are better at it than you will ever be. Should that stop you? Fuck no. You, my dear storyteller, are unique. You are what’s original about your story. Not that vampire, not his sparkly skin, you and the voice you command.

In the end, it all comes down to this: speak with strength and assurance and truthfulness. If you do that and you put the necessary work into the writing, you will eventually succeed. It doesn’t matter if your story has been told a thousand times before. It has never been told by you. The only thing you should avoid doing is trying to tell it in the manner of [insert name of successful novelist]. It won’t work. Imitation will only lead to catastrophic failure.

And it’s true, into every generation a writer is born who will tell a truly original story, the like of which has never been consigned to paper, but what is also true is the chances are slim that this guy is you. And if that guy is you, you still have to tell it in an original voice for it to work. A good story is not enough. It takes a good writer—a good teller.

Speaking of which… if you will excuse me, I’ve got a werewolf story to write.