Re: Making a story more unique -- Scribbler's Corner

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 01:09:51 03/06/02 Wed
Author: Zora DB
Subject: Re: Making a story more unique
In reply to: ridcully 's message, "Making a story more unique" on 13:49:26 03/05/02 Tue

Well, it's a tricky one. Personally I don't think it matters if your plot has been used before, as long as you have your own message, your own twist... by that I mean that the structure of the novel and the things that happen may not be 100% new to your readers, but if you have something to say that they haven't heard before, they won't care. Some people say that there are only 7 stories in the world (or 14, or 36 but you get the idea - finite). However, with certain plot devices, settings and characters you will evoke a particular novel or author too strongly and that's to be avoided.

For example, I wouldn't write a story that had dwarves, elves, goblins et al unless it was a radically different style of novel than your average fantasy epic - in fact I think only humorists can get away with it these days - because it screams Tolkein and it's been done to death. (For a similarly cynical list of no-nos see this article on The Wandering Troll. http://www.thetroll.net/shatter0401.htm)
However, a Dark Lord who's power hungry and threatening - well that HAPPENS. The growth of evil and it's eventual defeat is a fundamental story, going back to the year dot. It will never, ever run out of juice.
I suppose the acid test is your own gut feeling (yes, guts are full of acid -well mine are anyway) If it feels to you like it's your story, nobody else's, the genuine creboozle, then go ahead and write it. You'll always be your own harshest critic.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Re: Making a story more unique -- ridcully, 15:43:15 03/06/02 Wed
- Re: Making a story more unique -- novae, 01:30:04 03/08/02 Fri
  - Re: Making a story more unique -- Zora, 04:46:35 03/08/02 Fri
    - Re: Making a story more unique -- ridcully, 13:31:24 03/08/02 Fri
      - Re: Making a story more unique -- novae, 15:39:52 03/08/02 Fri