Some thoughts on originality in writing
Jun. 15th, 2011 07:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenithFrom a friend's blog
And now the impasse. How does a writer extend their capacity for originality? Working in the speculative fiction genre, writers are up against a barrage of clichés at every word.
I didn't want to give the obvious answer, but maybe it's not obvious. Even if it is, it doesn't help to remind ourselves.
So, read outside of the genre.
Read romances and thrillers. Read non-fiction. Read fiction written in different times (it's like historical fiction but with less worrying about whether the author has done their research.)
Read about people in different places. Read about people in different times. I think everyone should read history -- yes, even science fiction readers -- and primary sources*.
And not just read, of course. Visit places. Visit museums, and keep an eye on upcoming travelling/temporary exhibitions. Visit events where people demonstrate skills. Try them yourself if you get a chance.
You can't create original stories by rehashing what you've read. You have to bring in new material. But even old story ideas can be given new life if the materials used to build them are fresh.
* We do know about Trove, yes? Particularly their digitised newspapers which I've made use of once or twice? I live the newspapers, they're a window into different societies, and what mattered to them and who they worried about, and how they dealt with the day to day happenings.
If you want to know the concerns of a new colony in a strange new world, read the Sydney Gazette from March 1803
More than the newspapers though, if you want to do your eyes in/pull out your hair, there's the diaries, letters, archives section. That accesses overseas archives too. Just as a matter of interesting, there is Bligh's notebook and list of mutineers, but I wasn't joking out the eyes bit.
And now the impasse. How does a writer extend their capacity for originality? Working in the speculative fiction genre, writers are up against a barrage of clichés at every word.
I didn't want to give the obvious answer, but maybe it's not obvious. Even if it is, it doesn't help to remind ourselves.
So, read outside of the genre.
Read romances and thrillers. Read non-fiction. Read fiction written in different times (it's like historical fiction but with less worrying about whether the author has done their research.)
Read about people in different places. Read about people in different times. I think everyone should read history -- yes, even science fiction readers -- and primary sources*.
And not just read, of course. Visit places. Visit museums, and keep an eye on upcoming travelling/temporary exhibitions. Visit events where people demonstrate skills. Try them yourself if you get a chance.
You can't create original stories by rehashing what you've read. You have to bring in new material. But even old story ideas can be given new life if the materials used to build them are fresh.
* We do know about Trove, yes? Particularly their digitised newspapers which I've made use of once or twice? I live the newspapers, they're a window into different societies, and what mattered to them and who they worried about, and how they dealt with the day to day happenings.
If you want to know the concerns of a new colony in a strange new world, read the Sydney Gazette from March 1803
More than the newspapers though, if you want to do your eyes in/pull out your hair, there's the diaries, letters, archives section. That accesses overseas archives too. Just as a matter of interesting, there is Bligh's notebook and list of mutineers, but I wasn't joking out the eyes bit.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-16 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-16 05:34 am (UTC)You're welcome