The "Unique Story" Predicament

A challenge many writers face is whether their stories are unique. Similarly, many writers are also faced with the criticism that their stories are not unique enough. Many works are compared, either by their readers or their authors, and parallels are drawn. Similarities between their stories and previously written works are found. A lot of the time, these things are done completely by accident. I myself have been in the middle of a first or second, or fiftieth draft and I’ll come across a story whose plot is nearly identical to the story I am currently writing. This never fails to discourage me and make me feel like I’m not creative enough or that if I publish this work, which I am so passionate about, then I’ll get called a copycat.

But people tend to forget. Similar does not mean the same. Writing consists of patterns. A combination of events and a flexible yet set formula that comes together to create something. Patterns are not only capable of being entirely new, but also in becoming a reoccurring phenomenon. For example:

The western music scale consists of seven major and seven minor notes which are combined in a million different ways to create different songs. Songs can be completely new and undiscovered, or they can be annoyingly repetitive like pretty much every pop song in the last century. And yet somehow, they are all different. Still, though, at it's very core, they are just fourteen notes played in slightly different ways.

The English language consists of 26 letters which are combined millions of times to create a language which has become one of the most important languages in the modern world. Many words are strange and unique such as serendipity, ineffable, nefarious, and many more. Some have many different meanings with slightly different spellings such as there, their, and they’re. Some have many different meanings with the exact same spelling like set and run. Still so there are words that always mean the same thing, but somehow, their meanings change based on how their said. And somehow, we are continuously finding new combinations with the introduction of slang and the need to expand due to new discoveries.

Stories are no different. Patterns repeat. Similar experiences are shared. Similar ideas are thought. What makes them different are the unique combinations and colors of your own perspective.