Tatiana
asked
Joanne Harris:
Hi Joanne. I'm working on a novel right now. It's a story I have been imagining for 10+ years since I was a young teenager. The more I write, the more I realize it has themes similar to another story that has become popular in just the last couple of years. Although I know my idea is unique on the whole, I can't help but feel like people will judge it as a rip-off or play-on of the popular on. Any suggestions?
Joanne Harris
Hi Tatiana,
No-one ever comes up with an idea that is entirely unique: all stories have links to the past, and so the only way we can try to keep fresh is to make sure we give the stories we write our own individual spin - that means trying to make them ours in a way that no-one else has tried before. My advice? Don't worry if your story shares themes with someone else's work: just make sure that the voice you use is uniquely yours, and you'll be fine...
No-one ever comes up with an idea that is entirely unique: all stories have links to the past, and so the only way we can try to keep fresh is to make sure we give the stories we write our own individual spin - that means trying to make them ours in a way that no-one else has tried before. My advice? Don't worry if your story shares themes with someone else's work: just make sure that the voice you use is uniquely yours, and you'll be fine...
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