The Best Writing Comes from You, Not Someone Else

Writing novels and coming up with new ideas sets my heart on fire, feeling like I’ve struck gold within my mind. Writing forces writers to reach deep within themselves and pull out a long-hidden treasure trove of valuables. It’s one thing in my life that gives me immense satisfaction, that creative spark that flows out with engaging passion.

Do I know where every idea comes from?

No. I’d have to say I don’t.

Perhaps there’s something to the superstition of the writerly muse. To think about the gods of literature entangling themselves with a creative artist, sprinkling your brain with shimmering ideas, is fun. I only believe in one God in this universe, but in fictional worlds, we get to play that role and fashion the gods of those worlds as we see fit.

Many of my upcoming novels tackle the idea of supernatural beings and how they interact with modern geek culture. Though A Night Stained Black deals with the ancient game of chess and Polish folklore. The focus of that novel will be on owls and chess, and it is set in the 2040s.

Thinking of what the future holds for humanity is another side of being a writer. I cherish it with jubilation. Setting the novel in the future gives me some room to play and create technologies that complement the premise.

But no matter the premise or time, it’s best practice to go to the first source, not the writings of others and how they’ve done something.

Has everything been done before?

Maybe.

Maybe not, though.

And if something has been done, has it been done in your way? With your vision?

Think of the classic vampire novel.

It’s been done repeatedly.

An excellent example of a twist on this is the X-Files episode “Squeeze.”

In that episode, Mulder and Scully catch a serial killer who uses livers for sustenance before hibernating for a while and then returning.

It’s basically a liver-eating vampire.

But the showrunners used their imaginations and created something that no one had seen before.

Eugene Tooms is still a vampire, but not quite the type we’re used to.

Nostalgic ramblings for long-gone shows aside, my point is I put my spin on things. These differences in media and archetypal monsters and character tropes helped to mold the genres we know and love today.

Urban fantasy is a genre rife with supernatural beings. Romance has many tropes. It’s what the author does with those things that sets them apart, and the ones we remember the most are those that make us go: “Wow! That’s amazing!”

Everyone knows what a fairy is. But not everyone has seen a world where fairies are the main being and humans are the wish-granters with all the magical prowess. The fairy, Miniella, has a fairy god-human grant her access to the ball. Same trope as always, unorthodox method of execution. Because the entire story would be set up in such a way that everything seems backward. The towns and cities are scattered about, smaller than most plants and trees. Humans are normal size, but because they’re the rare, magical creature, dwellings of our size and prominence wouldn’t be there. The world would be far different. An author would experiment with world-building and have fun.

Ridiculous example that I’d likely never write, but you get the gist.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and do things uniquely.

Many times, people become successful at capturing the audience’s attention because they mix two things that don’t go together. And when you have two clashing ideas, or ones that collide, you have a tale to be told.

Working on creative projects gives me so many options. To have a vision, then see it fulfilled just as I envisioned it.

I’m sure many musicians, filmmakers, and game developers feel the same about their work.

Creativity is limitless, and possibilities are without end.

It’s okay to be afraid of failure and balk at the possibility of screwing things up.

But we write for ourselves first, then to make others happy.

We should never allow others to tell us what we can and can’t do, even in fiction writing. Perhaps it’s best to tell yourself this as well, as early as possible.

We must look inward and find that courage to carry out things in the way only we are able to, and as soon as possible. So, failure isn’t something to worry about. Learn that as fast as you can. The earlier you learn this, the better.

You’re you.

I’m me.

You and me.

They aren’t congruent words.

By definition, they mean opposite things.

It’s never a good idea to worry about how someone else did something.

But you know what?

You know how to do something only you can.

That’s what makes it uniquely yours.

So, thank you for being you.

As for me, I’m going to write what I want to write and be the best me I can be.

No two writers are the same, like how no two eyes are the same, or two snowflakes.

Unless you use a pen name.

But even if you do, your voice and your way is unique to you.