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As the saying goes, there is no such thing as an original idea. Every idea is an amalgamation of many old ideas before it. Coming up with an original story idea can be challenging, but it is not impossible with the proper techniques under your belt. 


How to Write an Original Story: 5 Writing Clichés to Avoid

An original story is a unique narrative or fresh interpretation of a familiar concept. Original stories haven’t been attempted before (or tried in your specific way). They are devoid of clichés, overly familiar phrases and stereotypes, and overused [tropes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-character-tropes-and-tips-for-avoiding-them), which are a common motif or pattern in a work of art. In the context of fiction, character tropes refer to common attributes or even entire stock characters. While all writing is influenced in some way by the work that precedes it, using too many tropes and derivative storylines may be viewed as a sign of lazy or uninspired writing.

It may feel easier to rely on familiar <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-tropes-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-tropes-in-writing","linkCopy":"literary tropes","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>literary tropes</a>, but clichés can make a storyline feel bland or predictable. Here is a list of common <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/shonda-rhimess-tips-for-avoiding-cliches-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/shonda-rhimess-tips-for-avoiding-cliches-in-writing","linkCopy":"writing clich","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>writing clich</a>és to avoid when crafting your own original story: 

1. __The chosen one__: Some stories, especially those in the [young-adult](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-ya-fiction) fantasy genre, center around a chosen one—only one hero who can save the world (and often reluctantly). Plots that center this trope can be predictable because of how frequently it is used in various genres. The audience or readers may already know that the protagonist will eventually step up and be the hero the people need. 
2. __The dream revelation__: Ending a story with a character waking up and realizing it was all a dream can leave the audience with feelings of dissatisfaction. This twist ending can make the journey feel pointless because there’s no real development or consequences for the characters. The audience needs a reason to invest their time in the story. 
3. __The love triangle__: The love triangle cliché—where one character falls in love with two people and has to choose between them—is prevalent in the [romance genre](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-romance-subgenres-to-guide-your-writing). Lovers entangled in a perpetual will-they-won’t-they situation can become repetitive, leading to little satisfaction when a character decides who they want. 
4. __The magical supporting character__: In some stories, one common character trope is when writers use a Black supporting character as a literary device to provide the main character (often white) with guidance or sage wisdom. To counter this, write in characters of color who contribute to the plot or narrative in a meaningful, three-dimensional way. When outlining your novel or developing your plot, remember to include diverse characters that exist without playing into [cultural bias](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias), perceived stereotypes, or commonly held beliefs within society about a character’s culture or identity based on their ethnicity. 
5. __Overused literary devices__: Certain turns of phrase may come to mind easily when writing descriptions or dialogue, but there’s a reason for that: they’re usually overdone. Try not to overload your text with similes or gimmicky phrases. Spend time finding new ways to describe common or familiar things and avoid relying on unoriginal figures of speech. 

A good story can paint a vivid image with words in many creative ways. Whether you’re a <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriter","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriter</a> drafting a [pilot script](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-tv-script-a-guide-to-starting-your-career-in-television-writing) or an author writing a children’s literature series, it’s essential to know how to keep your ideas fresh and exciting: 

1. __Use your life as inspiration__. Your life is unique, as are your specific experiences. Use elements from your own life to inform specific story components like the [setting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-setting-in-writing-plus-dan-browns-5-tips-on-writing-setting), subject matter, or backstories of the main characters. Draw inspiration for a character in your short story from your own best friend, or base the quirky character in your fiction novel on a memorable neighbor. Your own life is rife with material, so mine it for inspiration. 
2. __Plan your character development__. While you don’t have to stick to your original plan, creating a road map of growth and [conflict](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sharpen-your-writing-skills-internal-vs-external-conflict) for your characters can help you insert unique tidbits into their story and prevent you from falling into literary traps (like writing yourself into a corner and taking an easy way out). 
3. Outline your main <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story","linkCopy":"plot points","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>plot points</a>. Writing without a direction or guidance can be frustrating and lead to cutting corners under pressure or time constraints. Outlining the crucial moments of your story can give you a solid skeleton to build upon, rather than forcing you to scramble for ideas that may have already been told before. Learn [how to outline a novel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-outline-your-novel) in our complete guide.
4. __Change the context__. According to the theory of [intertextuality](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-apply-literary-inspiration-to-your-writing), all works of literature are a derivation or have been influenced by a previous work of literature. However, each of those works of literature has a nearly infinite number of ways to combine various story elements. For instance, you can take a famous period piece or fairy tale and set it in contemporary New York or swap the genders and [backstories](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-compelling-character-backstories) of historical figures of the past. Writers can morph stories into fresh narratives by taking a familiar structure and refurbishing it with new parts. Borrowing structure from another writer’s work is not the same as plagiarizing, which is directly copying a literary work—it is adapting a concept into a different form to tell a new story. 
5. __Cross genres__. Whether writing romance, comedy, or romantic comedy, leave room to break out of your genre’s mold and surprise the reader. Consider adding an incredibly dark moment into your comedy script or a refreshingly funny moment into a romantic scene. Keep the reader on their toes by infusing your voice into your genre and incorporating a variety of different elements—but stay believable. Suddenly including an alien abduction into a work of [historical fiction](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-historical-fiction) will likely make the work feel ridiculous rather than original. 
Become a better filmmaker with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Shonda Rhimes, Aaron Sorkin, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, and more.
As the saying goes, there is no such thing as an original idea. Every idea is an amalgamation of many old ideas before it. Coming up with an original story idea can be challenging, but it is not impossible with the proper techniques under your belt.

An original story is a unique narrative or fresh interpretation of a familiar concept. Original stories haven’t been attempted before (or tried in your specific way). They are devoid of clichés, overly familiar phrases and stereotypes, and overused <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-character-tropes-and-tips-for-avoiding-them' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-character-tropes-and-tips-for-avoiding-them","linkCopy":"tropes","category":null}'>tropes</a>, which are a common motif or pattern in a work of art. In the context of fiction, character tropes refer to common attributes or even entire stock characters. While all writing is influenced in some way by the work that precedes it, using too many tropes and derivative storylines may be viewed as a sign of lazy or uninspired writing.

What Is an Original Story?

Shonda Rhimes Describes the Importance of Avoiding Clichés in Your Writing

It may feel easier to rely on familiar <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-tropes-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-tropes-in-writing","linkCopy":"literary tropes","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>literary tropes</a>, but clichés can make a storyline feel bland or predictable. Here is a list of common <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/shonda-rhimess-tips-for-avoiding-cliches-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/shonda-rhimess-tips-for-avoiding-cliches-in-writing","linkCopy":"writing clich","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>writing clich</a>és to avoid when crafting your own original story: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. The chosen one: Some stories, especially those in the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-ya-fiction' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-ya-fiction","linkCopy":"young-adult","category":null}'>young-adult</a> fantasy genre, center around a chosen one—only one hero who can save the world (and often reluctantly). Plots that center this trope can be predictable because of how frequently it is used in various genres. The audience or readers may already know that the protagonist will eventually step up and be the hero the people need. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. The dream revelation: Ending a story with a character waking up and realizing it was all a dream can leave the audience with feelings of dissatisfaction. This twist ending can make the journey feel pointless because there’s no real development or consequences for the characters. The audience needs a reason to invest their time in the story. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. The love triangle: The love triangle cliché—where one character falls in love with two people and has to choose between them—is prevalent in the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-romance-subgenres-to-guide-your-writing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/common-romance-subgenres-to-guide-your-writing","linkCopy":"romance genre","category":null}'>romance genre</a>. Lovers entangled in a perpetual will-they-won’t-they situation can become repetitive, leading to little satisfaction when a character decides who they want. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. The magical supporting character: In some stories, one common character trope is when writers use a Black supporting character as a literary device to provide the main character (often white) with guidance or sage wisdom. To counter this, write in characters of color who contribute to the plot or narrative in a meaningful, three-dimensional way. When outlining your novel or developing your plot, remember to include diverse characters that exist without playing into <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias","linkCopy":"cultural bias","category":null}'>cultural bias</a>, perceived stereotypes, or commonly held beliefs within society about a character’s culture or identity based on their ethnicity. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Overused literary devices: Certain turns of phrase may come to mind easily when writing descriptions or dialogue, but there’s a reason for that: they’re usually overdone. Try not to overload your text with similes or gimmicky phrases. Spend time finding new ways to describe common or familiar things and avoid relying on unoriginal figures of speech. </li></ol>

5 Writing Clichés to Avoid

A good story can paint a vivid image with words in many creative ways. Whether you’re a <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriter","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriter</a> drafting a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-tv-script-a-guide-to-starting-your-career-in-television-writing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-tv-script-a-guide-to-starting-your-career-in-television-writing","linkCopy":"pilot script","category":null}'>pilot script</a> or an author writing a children’s literature series, it’s essential to know how to keep your ideas fresh and exciting: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use your life as inspiration. Your life is unique, as are your specific experiences. Use elements from your own life to inform specific story components like the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-setting-in-writing-plus-dan-browns-5-tips-on-writing-setting' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-setting-in-writing-plus-dan-browns-5-tips-on-writing-setting","linkCopy":"setting","category":null}'>setting</a>, subject matter, or backstories of the main characters. Draw inspiration for a character in your short story from your own best friend, or base the quirky character in your fiction novel on a memorable neighbor. Your own life is rife with material, so mine it for inspiration. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Plan your character development. While you don’t have to stick to your original plan, creating a road map of growth and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sharpen-your-writing-skills-internal-vs-external-conflict' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sharpen-your-writing-skills-internal-vs-external-conflict","linkCopy":"conflict","category":null}'>conflict</a> for your characters can help you insert unique tidbits into their story and prevent you from falling into literary traps (like writing yourself into a corner and taking an easy way out). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Outline your main <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story","linkCopy":"plot points","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>plot points</a>. Writing without a direction or guidance can be frustrating and lead to cutting corners under pressure or time constraints. Outlining the crucial moments of your story can give you a solid skeleton to build upon, rather than forcing you to scramble for ideas that may have already been told before. Learn <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-outline-your-novel' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-outline-your-novel","linkCopy":"how to outline a novel","category":null}'>how to outline a novel</a> in our complete guide. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Change the context. According to the theory of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-apply-literary-inspiration-to-your-writing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-apply-literary-inspiration-to-your-writing","linkCopy":"intertextuality","category":null}'>intertextuality</a>, all works of literature are a derivation or have been influenced by a previous work of literature. However, each of those works of literature has a nearly infinite number of ways to combine various story elements. For instance, you can take a famous period piece or fairy tale and set it in contemporary New York or swap the genders and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-compelling-character-backstories' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-compelling-character-backstories","linkCopy":"backstories","category":null}'>backstories</a> of historical figures of the past. Writers can morph stories into fresh narratives by taking a familiar structure and refurbishing it with new parts. Borrowing structure from another writer’s work is not the same as plagiarizing, which is directly copying a literary work—it is adapting a concept into a different form to tell a new story. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Cross genres. Whether writing romance, comedy, or romantic comedy, leave room to break out of your genre’s mold and surprise the reader. Consider adding an incredibly dark moment into your comedy script or a refreshingly funny moment into a romantic scene. Keep the reader on their toes by infusing your voice into your genre and incorporating a variety of different elements—but stay believable. Suddenly including an alien abduction into a work of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-historical-fiction' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-historical-fiction","linkCopy":"historical fiction","category":null}'>historical fiction</a> will likely make the work feel ridiculous rather than original. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Writing an Original Story

Become a better filmmaker with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Shonda Rhimes, Aaron Sorkin, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, and more.

Want to Learn More About Film?

As the saying goes, there is no such thing as an original idea. Every idea is an amalgamation of many old ideas before it. Coming up with an original story idea can be challenging, but it is not impossible with the proper techniques under your belt.