Why do you think that it is so hard to come up with original story plots?

Question

I mean, almost everything is based off another thing. There's really nothing original to read or see anymore! Why is it so hard to come up with original ideas, do you think?

Ex: Tim Burton movies. (Love them all, but how is it thinks up such wonderful things?)

Do you think it's because it's hard to imagine what we've never learned?

And the most important question: How can someone open up their imagination to think up the impossible? Any books that can help with expanding one's mind?

It's quite difficult to twist our minds in strange ways, i suppose we are afraid to see what is strangely possible.

Answer 1

Burton uses the same old plots that have been around since the beginning of time. All he does is twist the circumstances to make it seem like something new.

Answer 2

Nothing is original anymore. Except for the thoughts that come out of your head and heart. That the only thing that you can truly call your own. Yeah, you can take an idea and spin it. But it won't belong to you. Go with wht you love.

The only thing I've been able to do to expand how I see is create a universe inside myself. In that universe I can be or do or act any way I want ... and not have to worry about affecting anyone else. Then I open my eyes and stare at the blank page and it scares me. Then you write.

Answer 3

There ARE no original story plots. This is the view maintained by Northrup Frye. He believes that all plots spiral back to the Bible. Don't get me wrong, I'm not religious, and it's been several years since I've read anything by Frye. In university, we did an entire literary criticism course on his writings only. The easiest essay collection by him is 'The Educated Imagination', if memory serves. Try it. And I'll try to find my university notes in the next couple of months..I think they're in storage....Anyhow, like I said, he maintains that there is only one source for plots and that all plots lead back to those in the Bible. His books are not easy to read, either. They force you to read extremely closely and to try to understand things in terms that you never would have thought of. We even have a festival created in his memory here in my city; it actually just happened last week. Anyhow, if I find my university notes, I'll let you know.

Answer 4

Why? Probably 'cause there's so much already out there. People have been writing books practically forever. Originality is a difficult thing. There isn't much that hasn't already been done, so basically those of us who love writing are stuck just trying to capitalize on what we've seen and one up those writers.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with that because what I write is outside the mainstream.

Secondly, the reason why is because everything is being "cloned" to the point of insanity.

There isn't much ORIGINALITY when what you've written is just in a vain effort to "1up" someone else.

Answer 6

It''s no longer the thought as to be unique, this is basically the execution of it that makes it unique. you are able to have the common lady meets boy, lady likes boy, boy likes lady sort of plot and make it relaxing as long as you have some sort of unique POV. All techniques have been taken, yet theres nonetheless a brilliant number of hassle-free procedures to coach human beings a reliable storyline.

Answer 7

It is tough. If you look at some of the stories you've written (and I do include a link to them in my profile if you want to read), there's not a single original concept in them. I just combine them in new ways.