Writing Tip – Your Unique Story

I’ve touched on this particular subject before, but I wanted to have a blog specific to it, so that you could find it easily in my directory. I’ve recently had the subject brought up again… and it’s something that I think a lot of writers worry about.

Originality. 

I swear, if I could somehow make that a four letter word, I would. As writers, we are always worried about being original, about our ideas being out done, out played, out written, over saturating the market to the point of being completely redundant to write.

Someone’s already done this idea. Maybe I just shouldn’t.

Oh, I hate hearing that. Even though I have the thought myself sometimes, I hate hearing it.

I’m going to give you a solid piece of advice, and it’s something that I need to follow just as much as everyone else.

Yes, someone has already done it.

No, someone has not already done it in the way that you can.

There’s nothing wrong with doing an idea that’s already been done, because I can promise you that most things have already been written about. In a platform that has existed for as long as people had the capability to tell stories, I can promise you that every story has been told. The difference is, every story hasn’t been told in the way that you can tell it.

The fact is, there are formulas for every type of story telling. Example:

Fantasy Plot – there are dragons, someone in distress, a quest, and epic magic/and or battles.

Romance Plot – Person A meets person B. They don’t love each other at first, but they fall in love over ____ event.

Horror – The blonde always dies first. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself with that one.)

But, you see… those things are only formulas… they’re bare bones guidelines, but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to make your story generic, just like everything else. In fact, they’ve existed for so long for a reason. 

People like to read stories that follow those formulas.

Yes, we want something different to happen within the parameters of those formulas… and that’s where you come in. You are bringing something unique, that only you have. You’re bringing something that no one else has ever brought to the table before – and that’s your uniqueness and creativity. No one has been inside of your mind (unless you have something you need to tell me about o-o), and no one can make the characters or bring the experiences and emotion that you can bring.

Therein lies the core of this topic – your story will be unique, because you’re the only you who could ever write it.

So, if you’re worried about someone else having your idea? Yeah, they probably have… but that’s not what matters. What matters is the uniqueness that you can bring to the table – what matters is the fact that you’re telling a tale as old as time, and we all want to hear it, because you’re telling it in a new way that only you can bring to the world.

Don’t be afraid – don’t let your fears stop you from writing something that could be amazing. Don’t let your doubts hold you down. You take your idea, and you run with it, my dear writer, because I for one believe in you and everything that you’re capable of doing.

I want to see your story.

Until next time, you guys! Keep reading and writing, and keep being amazing!
Author Amanda McCormick

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