Writing Excuses 7.27: The Problem of Originality

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses 7.27: The Problem of Originality

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2012/07/02/writing-excuses-7-27-the-problem-of-originality/

Key points: originality is important, but sometimes it is possible to be too original. Don't let originality trump entertainment. You need to know what other people are doing, and avoid too much influence -- which is a difficult problem. If you think an idea is not original, try pushing it farther. Write what you're passionate about that feels fresh to you, without worrying about whether someone else might have done it. Don't go overboard, if a horse is enough, use a horse. Be original to enhance your story, not just for the sake of being original.
( How about riding dolphins? )

[Howard] I know. I do make it sound silly. Well, no, here... But consider this for a moment. You've got a horse that you control telepathically through a physical link, and as a result of this, there is a huge metabolic price that you, the rider, pay. To the point that it's almost not worth it to ride the horse. It's not just Dragonriders of Pern level, but to the point there's almost no reason to ride the horse. Now come up with a plot reason why you would actually engage in that, get on that animal and put yourself through that.
[Mary] That sounds like our writing prompt.
( Accidents do happen )