I was struck with a plot at the very end of September. I've been planning furiously ever since so that I don't forget any of the ideas I keep getting (really, at this point my outline is 8000 words). However, the other day it suddenly occurred to me that the basic premise of my novel has been done before (secret agent, har har) and I'm beginning to have second thoughts. I love my plot, and I know that's what really matters in NaNo, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if spending November writing something unoriginal is worth my time. I always go into NaNo with the intention to publish my novel if it ends up good because, again, I feel like anything else is a waste of time (which it totally isn't, I know, but I can't get myself to feel differently). I tried reassuring myself by pointing out all the things in my novel that make it different from your average, run-of-the-mill secret agent, evil government novel, but that doesn't seem to work for very long.
So basically, does anyone else have this issue? Do you just plow ahead with your plot anyway or do you change things?
----------
52,275 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 10 45
Don't be discouraged! Trust me, I've been through those emotions a LOT as well, because I have the same situation: a plot that has been 'done' several times before (deserted island, har har). But someone said to me a while back, can't remember who or the exact wordage, but their point was that if you strip any story down to its bare essentials it...will look like about a million other plots too. The vast majority of stories and movies we see these days have similar basic plot lines as others, but it's a matter of execution and adding your own 'special' touch to it that makes it your own.
You're not alone, I promise!
ETA: Also, it's a matter of wanting to do it. If you like the idea and want to see it through, then let that be your One True Reason. It sounds lame, but loving your story makes it easier to stick with it, but if there's actually a fundamental flaw that prevents you from actually liking the story, then yeah, I would put it through a reboot.
51,577 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 12 44
let the basic outline be the foundation, and let the pen and 'puter happen. Sometimes it is all about letting the ouline be the framework and let the details run as your pen and head meet each other somewhere and cross paths. Often times it is your head picturing things and your pen trying to catch up with your vision.
----------2006 - Faire Gypsy, Faire Game - winner
2007 - Immortal Jeopardy - winner
2008 - Armor of Sight
Gone Writing.
50,715 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 13 40
Take a deep breath!
The bad news is that it's been done before. The good news is that it's ALL been done before! The only person in the world that was truly original was Adam. He was the only one who didn't have to worry if all his ideas had been taken!
I read a book recently called "If You Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland and she says that everyone is unique, interesting, and has something to say. No one else has lived your life or had your experiences, so no one else could write your story, even if they wanted to. And if you don't write it, no one will ever know what you had to say.
So write your story, and try to not worry about it. I had written most of my NaNovel last year when I went to see the Spiderwick Chronicles. The whole basic plot was my novel. Not the magical creatures, but setting, characters, story progression, everything. I was so depressed! And I felt the need to prove that I came up with the idea before I saw the movie! But in the end, it was a different story. All stories come from the same basic plots, just with each author's original take.
Chin up!
~K
----------None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone. ~Emerson
121,344 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 14 07
Like the others have said - really, don't worry about it. It's not the story that makes it unique, it's how it's done. If you use original characters, giving the story your own 'voice', it'll be okay. A lot of my favorite novels aren't "original" but they're well-done and a good read, and that's what's important to me.
----------52,946 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 14 47
I agree with everyone else on the originality issue. Of course it's been done before, but *you* haven't done it before! You're going to make it your own, and it's going to be fantastic.
Instead of thinking about how similar your plot is to other stories, focus on what makes your characters, the setting, the particular obstacles, etc. unique! So, you have a secret agent - what's different about your secret agent compared to other secret agents?
Then, go back to the beginning, and ask yourself this very important question:
"Why did I originally want to write this story, anyway?"
Your answer should give you one of two possibilities:
1. You'll remember why you loved the idea and will be able to re-enthuse yourself about it, or
2. You'll discover that things have changed and that what made you love the idea is no longer there (for example, if it was related to a particular problem you were having that is now resolved, or interests you have moved beyond, etc.).
In the case of #2, you may feel the need to come up with an idea more appropriate for your current situation, but this doesn't mean that your idea is *BAD*, it just means it no longer calls *to you*.
----------Banner by August. Thank you!
Don't write badly, write madly
67,403 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 10 04
I've been having this exact problem myself - I had my plot bunny in late August, and while I haven't done anywhere near as much outlining, I've had the idea playing in my head, and I've been jotting down ideas and random things as they came to mind.
And then I started to realize that it's been done to death before, and there are some incredibly huge clichés in there, and I was getting incredibly discouraged.
But, I decided that this is the plot I want to write, because the characters would kill me in my sleep if I tried to write something completely different, and the story in itself does interest me, no matter how trite it is. What I have done to reassure myself, though, is to put some new things in that should make the thing more interesting (and far more complicated for me to write, oof), and I'm keeping my mind open for completely insane things. Samurais or ninjas popping up out of nowhere? I'm not ruling it out.
Reading this thread has encouraged me again as well. :)
So basically: hang in there, because even if it's been done before, you haven't done it before.
----------NaNo '05: Growing Up Lonely
NaNo '06: Three
NaNo '07: Yellow flowers and a bag of bones
NaNo '08: Yakuza Starfish
5,487 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 10 27
Don't get discouraged! What you may think is unoriginal, others may really enjoy - and your November could be spent writing something pretty spiffy! (: Me, I'm just going to wing it. I'm dumb like that. ;D
----------Nano '08: Guardian Angel
When you think we're lost We're exploring
What you think is worthless I'm adoring