Nothing New Under the Sun: What To Do When Your Idea Isn’t Completely Original
I’ve been working at a used bookstore based in Dallas, TX. The work is pretty simple and the benefits are good. Plus, I’m surrounded by books and have tons of chances to add to my own growing collection. You can never have too many books, you know. Only too few bookshelves. It’s not the kind of job that I want to make my career forever, but it’s a great job. I don’t know if you have heard, but I adore reading.
While straightening a shelf I came across a book called The Boys Are Back in Town. I had never heard of this book, or Christopher Golden, who wrote it. I don’t usually read horror. When I saw this book, I did a double take and felt a little part of my soul bend beneath the weight of disappointment and frustration. I grabbed the book and read the synopsis on the back, only to have my heart sink even further.
You see, I’ve been writing a mystery/thriller with the same working title, and an eerily similar premise. I know for a fact that I didn’t know this book existed, but it does, and if I’d described my book to anyone who knew about Golden’s I’m confident they’d assume I was ripping him off. Somehow, in some kind of independent discovery or convergent evolution of ideas, I had begun developing a book about a group of high school friends getting back together for their high school reunion only for things to get spooky.
Much of western fiction is some re-imagining of the Monomyth, and even when it’s not, all ideas are inspired by something that already exists. So, what should you do when you inevitably find out that the idea you’ve been nurturing… well, the Simpsons already did it?
Here are some things to consider before freaking out.
Make it New
If enough time has passed between the original idea (or most recent version of it) you are using, it’s possible that your version will be seen as a fun homage or cool re-telling. Take Rick Riordan for example. His wildly successful career has consisted almost entirely of writing re-imagined versions of ancient religions. He’s struck gold by taking Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian mythologies and turning them into fast paced, exciting, relatable middle grade fiction.
Even if you’re working with an idea that’s a bit more recent than 4000 BC, there’s no reason your work has to be a Shark Tale to someone else’s Finding Nemo. That brings me to my next point.
Make it Good
Just because two projects are similar doesn’t mean they can’t both be entertaining, worthwhile art. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark are both un-powered billionaires who use their wealth and intellect developing tech to give them the upper hand when fighting villains; yet I don’t think anyone would legitimately argue that only one of the two should exist. Both characters have amazing stories told about their adventures.
When you are writing based on an idea that is reminiscent of an existing property, it’s that much more important that you make yours good. A fascinating idea poorly executed is infinitely more disappointing than a re-purposed idea done extremely well.
Make it Yours
A big part of writing is developing the confidence to believe that what you have to say is worth saying and that no one can say it like you can. You have to find your voice and use it well. Do you know why Sherlock Holmes has been adapted in so many ways and to so many mediums?
Well, yes, duh, because he’s in the public domain so he’s a popular, pre-existing character with a built in fan-base and unparalleled name recognition that anyone can use for free. Of course that’s part of it. But it’s also because he’s a character that can be flexed to fit into a variety of different time-periods, contexts, or genres. Holmes can be re-written in dozens of different ways without ever being wholly unfaithful to the core of the character. Each version of the character reflects the writer behind him, and the writers find particular success when they manage to retain his basic Holmsian qualities while still offering a unique perspective on him.
So don’t despair when you realize that your idea isn’t as original as you thought. There’s nothing new under the sun, and every idea has been done in some way by someone. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use it to make something that is new, good, and yours.
