“Is there anything new under the sun?”*

October’s question for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

First – I don’t think you can be a writer of anything without first have been a reader. Just thinking of those primary grade teachers and the progression of learning.

Second – Once you are an avid reader I think some of us reach some point where we say (with all confidence and bluster), “I can write better than that!”

As to new ideas. You are immersed in society and media. Memes, tv shows, movies, you can’t get away from their influence and even if you try to be ‘a free thinker’ you are going to be influenced. So, no, I don’t think the big ideas are generally ‘new’, but I do think you can put an unique twist on old ideas. What comes to mind quickly are new takes on ‘old stories or fairy tales’ such as “Wicked” or “Enchanted”.

Most stories are going to follow predictable lines and that’s okay with most readers. My mother read through a ton of ‘bodice rippers’ that she and her friends read, enjoyed, and passed around. She sometimes found herself reading the same book so she put her initials discretely on a particular page so she knew she had seen that book. Each story was different but the same, boy and girl meet, something keeps them from staying together, that hurdle is overcome, “AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.” (Unless in a sequel they didn’t and get a second chance.)

I think by being a reader first, you know what would be the most ‘predictable’ story line for what you are writing and you might therefore be able to avoid the clichés.

And one last comment, by reading widely you are also exposed to lots of styles of writing and through reading them find your own ‘voice’.

So be a reader! Find out what you like and what you don’t and remember ‘copying is the sincerest form of flattery’. Of course I mean that in terms of style!

Go to The Insecure Writer’s Support Group for other responses to this month’s prompt.