Stories. There are literally thousands upon thousands of stories out in the world today. So, let’s say you have a great, new idea that pops into your head while you’re eating breakfast. You have to get it written down right away so you don’t miss one word of it.
You put the idea in your box/basket/folder, or wherever you keep story ideas, and you continue what you’re doing. A couple of days later you decide to pick up a new book to read. You start to read it and sure enough, right there in front of you in black and white is your story idea. Except this or that is not exactly as you had planned.
You continue reading and sure enough the story is very similar to what yours would be but at the same time different.
That’s what is neat about writing whether it is fiction or nonfiction. The fact is that your story idea has probably been done before. However, when you go to write it, it will be in a slightly, or largely, different way. That’s what keeps stories new and fresh.
For example, how many different way can a dashing duke and a lovely heiress fall in love. As many as our minds will let us. Each writer is unique in their own right. Each one unique to their own writing style. As the reader you then have plenty of choices to find just the right writing style that fits your fancy.
Your comment on the duke and heiress reminded me that my prairie romance of a cattle baron and rich eastern do-gooder was just another twist to this age-old theme. You’re right. There is nothing new, just different.
Good post.
Elaine, thank you for your comment. I don’t know how many historical romances set in the UK somewhere, usually London, that all involved sometype of nobility and how the hero and heroine fall in love and get together. Every love story isn’t the same which makes them all that more interesting.