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How I Realized No Idea is Original and You Should Write What You Want, a short thread for the #WritingCommunity
It all started today at work. Brain fried, need distraction, you know the drill. So I pull up the BBC and start reading an article about "15 minute cities."
It all started today at work. Brain fried, need distraction, you know the drill. So I pull up the BBC and start reading an article about "15 minute cities."
They sound delightful. I'm captivated. Anything you need, within a 15 minute walking distance.
I think, I would like to live in a place like this. Alas, I know the world, and this is but a beautiful pipe dream. I decide the next best thing is to write about a place like this.
I think, I would like to live in a place like this. Alas, I know the world, and this is but a beautiful pipe dream. I decide the next best thing is to write about a place like this.
And then I think, "wouldn't it be cool to tell two contrasting stories that paint one coherent picture, like Paradise of Bachelors and Tartarus of Maids?"
And then I remember I already have a short story that could work for this! A little expansion is needed, sure.
And then I remember I already have a short story that could work for this! A little expansion is needed, sure.
Me, realizing how well it works
And then I'm thinking about how to connect these two stories. One set of characters descended from the other?
NO. They meet and realize they've been leading vastly different lives inside their insular communities! They want to change this and bring the whole world together!
NO. They meet and realize they've been leading vastly different lives inside their insular communities! They want to change this and bring the whole world together!
And THAT, friends, is when I realized I was accidentally recreating The Giver 
But I'm gonna write it anyway, because it's different enough, and I'm excited about the idea. So that idea you're afraid to write because you think it's been done?
Write it anyway.
But I'm gonna write it anyway, because it's different enough, and I'm excited about the idea. So that idea you're afraid to write because you think it's been done?
Write it anyway.
