Originality, Overrated

Writers who admit to not being original with their ideas.

Edith Wharton, a secular writer, said of her book Ethan Frome, “I make no claim for originality in following a method of which “La Grande Bertêche” and “The Ring and the Book” had set me the magnificent example; my one merit is, perhaps, to have guessed that the proceeding there employed was also applicable to my small tale.”  She admitted to having her ideas come from other writers and was a bestselling author of her time.

Many other writers admit the same.  They read an article in the local newspaper, magazine or hear a radio broadcast, their story line explodes into their own ideas of “what if.” 

Even Einstein was inspired by the likes of mathematician Minkowski, physician Lorentz, the Latin poet Lucretius and Gandhi.  Again, someone whose inspiration came from others.

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

C. S. Lewis

So if it is your dream to be a writer, professional or hobbyist, just look around.  There are plenty of ideas for stories from everywhere.  It makes your work no less brilliant, but something unique does not always come from nothing.

 

Now is the time to get inspired to write a story of the newspaper article you read this morning.  That radio journalist your listening to can give you the inspiration you need to be the next great author of our time.