Day 72

Originality

…

So, can you write a completely original fiction story? Some would say they could, but every time you pick up a book, can you say that you have not seen parts of it before, in one form or another?

It is said that there are only seven basic plots that are used over and over again.

Others will say there are three, six, or thirty-six. No one can seem to agree on a number, but they all believe there is just a small number of master plots from which every story is written.

1. Overcoming the Monster
2. Rags to Riches
3. The Quest
4. Voyage and Return
5. Rebirth
6. Comedy
7. Tragedy

This is from The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories by Christopher Booker.

There are endless variations, some end happy, others sad, and what is left in tragedy.

I like to have happy endings and am not a fan of sad endings, there’s enough of those on TV, and I think the last thing we want before we go to bed is to see a show that reflects daily life. I like to see the good guys win every now and then just to restore my faith in human nature.