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Same Ol' Song and Dance
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Aerosmith, Same Ol' Song and Dance.I think it can be either. Although if it's an original story, the writing would most likely be somewhat original right? Or am I missing exactly what you're askng?
damn how the hell could I not know that. Thanks Q!i'll pull an example out of my ass. say there's a review on Twilight calling it an unoriginal story. a classic love triangle or something, just with vampires and werewolves. (whether there is a review saying that I don't know)
well what was the thing they hated about it, was it the unoriginal story, or the writing style that just made it seem as though it were not original. just another bland replica of such and such, instead of the intriguing tale that it's meant to be or something.
that make a bit more sense?
In a way I think you're saying can bland writing kill an original idea, and I think so, yes. I think it's much easier to come up with an original idea for a novel than to actually execute said idea. And I think a really good writer can take a rehashed idea and make it pretty cool. I think it works both ways.
Q, you are a life saver, thank you! that is what I was trying to say, just more in a question form. Because i'll see reviews you the example above, and they'll use another book as a comparison. but at the same time the idea for that book is one that has been executed several times before.
So I was just curious if people pay more attention to the way that it's written to help them kind of see past the already rehashed idea, or if they pay more attention to the way the plot is executed.
yay for thoughts on a half-asleep brain -__-'
I do think it's both. I have read original books where the writing just wasn't that good and it sort of kills the plot. I have also read books where the basic story has been done to death and it's still a great read.
I too have seen both, it just feels like there are people who only zone in on one or the other. i'm just curious about which gets more of it lol and if anyone has any fully interesting ideas on the topic in general.
I don't think it's that there are only so many stories as much as it is there are only so many basic themes and so many basic types of stories.
This is quite the paradoxical question. On the one hand, there are readers who expect stories to be fresh, unique, original.
On the other hand, regardless of genre, writing style, etc., one cannot escape the trappings of the universal human condition. There can only be those inherent, predictable conclusions that can be drawn from human actions, emotions, motivations, etc.
Maybe I'm spouting nonsense (it makes sense in my head), but I think readers who complain about predictability or lack of originality are the same ones that would complain about the fact that the sky is blue (i.e. the joy of complaining). Or they're simply complaining about bad writing and can't articulate it as such.
it makes sense. there are only so many stories out there and its up to skilled writers to slap a new coat of paint on it and make that shiz sparkle. basically it comes down to a selection of choices. I use the plotto/plots unlimited method to craft a novel if I have to dial one in. if you ever have taken a look at the book you can find virtually any plot in any book or movie in there. its been done already. so what? so bone up on your skills love your thesaurus and dictionary and get cracking.
Renee wrote: "I don't think it's that there are only so many stories as much as it is there are only so many basic themes and so many basic types of stories."Yes thats what I meant lol. I was partially asleep while writing that
Michael wrote: "I'm just curious,People always seem to bring up the idea that there are only so many stories to be told. To me it seems like they're saying it's up to the writer to pretty much style it different..."
It'll be the writing style that makes it unoriginal. Whenever I come across a book that I find utterly predicatable and/or unoriginal, just about every time it's because the author doesn't have a fully developed writing style.
That's kinda what I what I was thinking, it's bad writing. But all these reviews always say "the story was unoriginal". Is the writer me that wishes they'd be clear that it's the writing that's shit? Lol
Michael wrote: "That's kinda what I what I was thinking, it's bad writing. But all these reviews always say "the story was unoriginal". Is the writer me that wishes they'd be clear that it's the writing that's s..."I find the average reader tends to use "unoriginal" as a default catch all answer for why they didn't like the story. Authors know about things like plot points, grammar styles, character development, etc, etc, which are all the behind the scenes hard work that the reader never sees. Well, at least they're not suppose to see that.
Readers see the magic. If the magic falls apart, they see the trick behind the magic. Authors are a specific kind of writer who knows how to create the trick behind the magic. If the author failed to provide a fully developed trick, all the readers will see is they've been tricked.
Wow now there's something to think on
Michael wrote: "Wow now there's something to think on"Good luck with that :)
Yes I need luck lol brain refuses to wake up
Michael wrote: "Yes I need luck lol brain refuses to wake up"Iknow the feeling.
I think you pretty much answered Mikey's question Lily, and I agree. It's more the writing than the story itself, as there are several ways to tell the same story. Some ways are just better than others.
People always seem to bring up the idea that there are only so many stories to be told. To me it seems like they're saying it's up to the writer to pretty much style it differently to make it their own. Or just mix it up basically.
Yet I often stumble upon reviews that complain that "this book isn't original" or "it's a copy and paste of such and such story".
So my question isn't whether you can only tell a story so many times in so many different ways, but more along the lines of 'Do you not like the story because the story itself was unoriginal. or because the writing was what seemed unoriginal"
just a late night thought, hope it makes sense, as always.
not sure on the title if it fits. just got a song stuck in my head, can't remember what song, but that line is stuck in my head.
There ya have it.