Is Originaltiy Dead?

I was at the Lunicon conference last Friday, and one panelist discouraged authors from promoting their works as original.  He thinks that virtually all stories have all ready been told.  He believes the trick is in the re-telling.

I left the panel slightly depressed.  Have all the stories been told?  I guess it depends upon how you define a story.  If you drill to the essence of every novel and view the main character’s evolution or relationships or the themes expressed, then I think he’s probably right. 

And that is okay. My mood immediately improved.  The big themes of right and wrong, of personal identity, love, hate, ambition, you name it are what makes us human.  Those stories have been told and should be retold over and over again in new, fun, interesting ways.  So don’t be afraid to retell an old story.  Just make sure you do a heck of a good job while doing it.

By Jeff Altabef, author of the political thriller, Fourteenth Colony.  http://www.amazon.com/Fourteenth-Colony-Jeff-Altabef-ebook/dp/B00C2D97OS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encod...

You can now follow my incoherent ramblings on twitter @JeffAltabef or my new Facebook Page – Jeff Altabef Author