Is Anything New Anymore? Remakes, Retellings, & Inspiration
Why are retellings so popular, and can anything really be "new" anymore?
"There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know," Harry Truman once said, and you might've heard a variety of other quotes with similar meanings—ultimately, some people suggest that there is nothing truly new to be done or thought.
For creatives, including writers, that sentiment can feel unsettling. It might even make you feel a little defensive. No one else can write your story the way you can, after all.
Of course, there are universal themes that you'll see repeated in books, movies, and other forms of media. When people say that nothing is "new" anymore, this is often what they're referencing. There are an infinite number of stories to be told...but there are a handful of common tropes or themes you'll see expressed over and over again.
So, can any piece of art really be original? And should people keep making remakes or retellings? And is it okay to take inspiration from others' work?
Obviously, there's no one right answer to these questions, but we wanted to share our take on some of these topics. So, here are our thoughts!
1) There will always be new stories to tell—even if there are certain themes that will always exist.
If you're a new writer, the idea that your story will share a theme with another book might seem like a bummer on the surface. There are niches, of course, but there will always be books with central themes because big themes about love, loss, trust, hope, etc. are relatable. This isn't a bad thing!
You want your story to pull readers in, and creating a story with a theme readers want to explore more of can be a good way to do that.
What's important to remember is that the way you tell your story is what makes it unique. Your characters, settings, and the ways you depict the world in your mind can't be replicated by another writer. And while one reader may be drawn to a dystopian fiction book with a theme of overcoming oppression, another reader might prefer to read a memoir with the same theme. There is room for your story to be told!
2) Retellings or remakes aren't inherently bad, but reworking an existing story is surprisingly difficult!
There's a reason certain stories are told repeatedly in different forms of media. For example, there are dozens of retellings of Little Red Riding Hood. Why? Well, in part because Little Red Riding Hood is a well-known story with evocative imagery and important, relatable themes about trust and deception.
(We should mention that the reason it's okay for authors, filmmakers, and other artists to use the original story is that the original story is in the public domain, meaning there's no copyright on the work.)
And these retellings aren't automatically bad! But writers do have an uphill battle if they want to create a retelling that really captures readers' attention. Readers already know about the basic plot and themes as well as the characters, so authors have to change enough of the story to make it unique and engaging while still depicting something similar enough that its ties to the original are obvious.
If you're looking for a challenge, retelling a story can be a fun exercise! You might be surprised at what you learn.
3) It's okay to take inspiration from other authors' work!
Obviously, when we use the word "inspiration" here, we're not talking about plagiarizing another author's work. If you plan to share a piece of writing, you should make sure it's your own, and you should always cite your sources.
However, it's totally normal to be inspired by other writers' words. Other than writing, reading is one of the best ways to hone your craft! You might find yourself really loving how one author uses metaphors, or maybe you're inspired by the world-building in a book you read. You can take these techniques and apply them to your own work.
The more you read and write, the easier it will become to develop your own style. You may not even realize that you've picked something up from another writer immediately, and again, that's okay. Writing is meant to make us feel things, so if someone else's writing inspires you to write something of your own, go for it!
Unless you're choosing to retell a story that's well-known (and public domain), you probably don't have to be too worried about originality. You can be inspired by other authors, write about common themes, and still create a work of art that is beautiful and worth sharing!
What do you think about remakes, retellings, and the idea of nothing being new? We'd love to hear your opinions, so feel free to leave a comment, share, or to engage with the post by giving it a heart!
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Taylor, Emily, Maria, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“Imagination should be used not to escape reality but to create it.”
–Colin Wilson
Children’s Tapestry Recap: Thank You for Attending!
Thank you to those who attended this past weekend’s amazing event in Charlottesville, Virginia! The Children’s Tapestry, which was held in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville, was an amazing event that allowed us to spread awareness of various conditions that affect children, share our amazing authors’ books, and help the Ronald McDonald House along the way!
We appreciate everyone who attended, and we’re thankful that KWE Publishing’s first big event was a success!
Check Out Val Rogers’ A Pagan’s Path to Meditation, Available Now!
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Resources:
Here at KWE Publishing, we want to share a few of our favorite resources with our newsletter readers. Check back weekly to see what resources we recommend!
When you’re starting to write a book, you can feel really overwhelmed. Where do you start? What are your options when it comes to publishing? And how the heck do you market your book?
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