Regarding originality in fiction, Tolkien said: Speaking of the history of stories and especially of fairy stories, we may say that the pot of soup, the Cauldron of Story, has always been boiling and to it have continually been added new bits, dainty and undainty. There are many things in the Cauldron, but the cooks do not dip the ladle quite blindly. Their selection is important.
There was something I read by CS Lewis that always stuck with me, and he said something to the effect of, if you try to be original, you won't be. If you just write what is true, more often than not, you'll be original. His Narnia books, were basically Biblical stories filtered through the lens of fantasy, with tons of unrelated mythology crammed together. Very little is wholly new, but the combination contextualized it and the books are immensely popular, and a great series for children.
I mean, I wouldn't look to Lewis for writing advice, considering how badly the Narnia series is written. Both from a technical and a moral viewpoint. But I agree that trying to be original for it's own sake is a bad idea. Focus on why you want to write this story in the first place, and if that means taking liberally from other works then that can be just fine.
@S Heutink The series is actually pretty well written for what it is. Morally bad, how? Seems to be good vs evil, and that I would say is great from a moral standpoint.
@@christianbjorck816 I meant all the racism, sexism, classism, colonialism and the whole God Is Terrifying Dictator And You Must Obey theme that saturates the series. And it's honestly just badly written, even by the standards of childrens literature. Characters sometimes change their (often nonsensical) characterization on a dime, the worldbuilding is slapdash and often nonexistent, and the characters often seem to have a direct line to the author.
@S Heutink ”racism, sexism, classism, colonialism” jeez okay you are one of those types. Honestly for children’s literature is some of the more well written. Characters have interesting arcs that do teach a moral lesson, the world build is decent, very iconic though. The direct line is more of stylistic choice I’d say, not really a big problem.
@@christianbjorck816 No, thats the sort of person Lewis was. And the moral lessons they teach are usually somewhere between bad, outright vile, or sound good but are actively contradicted in the story. And characters shouldn't just know things they cannot know. Especially when the entire plot of the book is about delivering messages to people. And thats before we get into all the blatant retconning he did every book.
I used to be quite self conscious about originality. Then I heard from someone about how it was not being origin, but being authentic that matters. That's when I realized the problem was not lack of originality, but writing to market. You can write the most unoriginal Arthurian style epic, and still write something good if you do so out of your own desires and ensure things such as plot coherence take priority.
I feel like even overused situations/tropes can be made interesting if we have interesting characters, mainly the protagonist. I mean, we all react differently to a given situation (for example, let's say that a person is supposed to be home alone for a while- lame example, I know, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind lol, anyway- one person may be afraid of being alone, while another may be happy and enjoy the alone time, while someone else may throw a party), as in, not everyone would react in the same way to a given situation since not everyone is the same. The same thing goes to characters. When presented with a plot point/situation which is often used, they may all react differently to it and make different decisions, which changes the plot and makes something that we have seen so much in fiction seem so different all of a sudden. This is the main reason I like reading about active protagonists who control everything that happens and are the cause of most of the things that happen in the book, not just people absorbing everything that happens and letting the plot drive them. I feel like an overused trope can be used at the beginning of the book as an idea/starting point/inciting incident, but the way the characters handle it and drive the plot and make decisions instead of things happening "for plot reasons" is what makes a book interesting and even an overused trope seem new and fresh.
You say it's a lame example but I recently watched a video on true crime. And basically the protagonist(criminal) got left alone in the family house at 18 when his parents seperated. What does he do ? He uses this precious time to murder people passing by the neighborhood. So this combination is pretty original. Getting left home alone is a great example actually.
I won't lie to you, the most original and unexpected thing in this entire video was Stalin having a cameo. Any other content creator would be way too afraid of being cancelled to do that. I love your work Galatea :)
On the concept of being original, I've always enjoyed the 10 stories idea. It's essentially the concept that there are only a handful of stories we can tell, but the amount of ways it can be told have no end. Like if you give 10 sculptors the same sized ball of clay they will all make something vastly different, but it's the same tools.
I used to worry about being original. Then, in college, we had to translate Pascal from French. One of his penses was: Nothing is written until I write it. I took this to mean that each of us have our own point of view of life, and therefore, our take on something will be unique. Never really worried about originality again. Thanks again to you both. This was a delightful video. You guys really found a good balance between too contrived and too original.
Same. I listened to the video with headphones and was cooking at the same time. I was about two thirds I think through and then I turned around to look at the battery of my laptop and I saw. fucking Stalin. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt.
I’ve been working a novel for like 2 years now but have been very concerned that it’s not “original enough.” I’m worried that if for some crazy reason, it were to get published and read by other people, that everyone would think “she ripped off the mortal instruments.” (I know, quite a coincidence that those books are the ones I’m worried about.) I’ve never read the mortal instruments but I’ve seen some videos on it in the past year or so and now I’m certain that it seems too similar. The whole angels and demons thing. I don’t know haha. Part of me has considered scrapping the whole thing and finding something different to write about. Anyway, cool video!
Having similarities to another story can be beneficial. Think of something along the lines of "have you read *insert title here*? It's kind of like Mortal Instruments." or "If you like Mortal Instruments, you should try reading *insert title here*" I personally believe that nothing is original, and that that's a good thing, because it makes it easier to find things you like.
I think while not a particularly wide line. The is a line between being inspired and liking an aspect well enough to duplicate it and outright copying. Sometimes it's a nod to a fellow writer and sometimes a jab. Glad you are having this talk. 😁
Better to make a good story structured traditionally than trying to be original and end up with a mess. The world build and characters are where you can be more original.
Such a great video idea Also though it was truly so funny about changing famous "Joe's" faces when Joseph Gordon Levitt's face showed I cracked up! And everytime the face changed after that. "Castle in the sky" is my favorite movie I really recommend if you haven't seen it.
Thank you sooo much for this video.You are one of the youtubers I really trust and hearing your advices and your opinions on the subject of originality made me feel way better.You see,I really enjoy mythologies and stories based on angels,demons and christian themes so I decided to write one.I have started worldbuilding and I am really excited about it,I really want it to be good.But I am aware of Cassandra Clare and I was reaally scared of keep writing cause I knew that her books are...quite popular.I had this huge fear that her fans are gonna point at me and judge me for "copying their godess" or something...(For the record,I have read City of Bones and didn't enjoy it but that's another story.I totally agree with every point you made in "The Shadowhunter Books are dreadful" series). Anyway,I decided to just stop worrying about something I haven't even finished yet and tell my story,with my own voice,express my own opinions and explore the themes I want to.I am not gonna copy someone,let alone someone whose books I don't like. (Seriously though,why does she romanticize incest?) So,yeah,thank you for being The Authentic Observer I need,keep it up! :)
I know this comment is months old but I agree with you. Clare's books kinda made me afraid to go on writing my own ideas but the point is ideas can be taken but you are in charge in shaping it into something more different. Totally with you, I decided to just write what I like and go on from there. (The incest is just...eh terrible.)
I like your rants! I do add Easter eggs to my stories. I'm very much inspired by other stories, but try to make them my own. Also mash up very different concepts. Thank you for your videos.
Even though I had no interest in the newest Shadowhunter series, I did pick up Chain of Gold in the end just because I wanted to see if it could peak my interest. It did not. It was the most boring, but also confusing book Cassandra Clare has written. Though she did manage to accomplish creating a character I absolutely loathe ever since Clary herself, who funnily enough is her relative, Charles Fairchild. He was such an powerhungry asshole that I wished to choke him at his every scene since about halfway through the book. I swear, I am only going to pick up the side novels and try the Wicked Power novels for the few side characters I like, but I don't think I'm going to continue reading this trilogy.
Yeah,I couldn't stand her characters which is one of the reasons I stopped with The Mortan Instruments after finishing City of Bones.I hate Clary and never understood what was the whole point with all of these love triangles like...a relationship doesn't need drama to work.Has she improved her writing?Because I remember a lot of similes that made zero sense in her first book.
I think there can be truly original stories to a certain point. The fundamental story of being human is always underlying every attempt to write a beginning, middle and end. We can’t ever escape certain tropes, like growing from giving, for example.
Far be it from me to defend Rowling at the moment, as a person she can get bent, but I’ll stick the example you used to make my point. I think it’s important to remember that Harry Potter wasn’t always...well, Harry Potter. If she had taken the idea for her later books it would be a lot more questionable, but when she used that idea no one knew who she was either. She couldn’t have known that her books would blow up way past the ones she took the idea from. I think it’s a lot more questionable for a famous author to pull ideas from a lesser known author. But for someone, at the time of writing, to borrow ideas from someone on the same level or above them as far as how well known they are, is less so. Rowling wasn’t the world famous author she is today when she borrowed that idea. Of course if she goes on to deny the inspiration or if she doesn’t make the idea enough her own, that changes things. But her books becoming as huge as they did wasn’t something she could have predicted at the time.
I love Spirited Away, too! It reminds me of the stories my mom told me when I was really little. I do hope you do the video on "What it means to be British?" I'm really interested to hear your thoughts...even if it is a shorter one. I realize I've left this for you before, but I still think you might enjoy it. FREE book: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FVJ7DAY
One of my favorite children's stories, Carbonel: The King of Cats by Barbara Sleigh, has little bits reminiscent of Harry Potter, too, such as the villain being called You Know Who, also some names we see in Harry Potter. I have wondered if maybe J K Rowlings loved Carbonel when she was young.
At 35:00, can someone explain to me what she means by being “honest’? The answer may be completely obvious, i’m just sadly not quick enough to understand what she means.
I'm only 21 mins in but do we mention that 'The Jungle Book' is considered to be in the public domain and 'The Graveyard Book' wouldn't be subject to a lawsuit whilst Platform 13/Harry Potter would be? 🤔
@@moviefiendz Sad, but too true. But a key point that could have been expanded with the mere mention of the public domain vs not being in the public domain and being subject to Intellectual Copyright and grounds for compensation. 🤷♀️
It also can't be proven that she did get her ideas from Ibbotson. Personally I don't actually think that she did, but who knows. It's possible to come up with an idea, and later find out that someone has already done something similar. And it's not like Ibbotsons ideas were never used before. I believe she took some ideas as well and made it her own. For instance having a magical world coexist with the real world is something that has been used endlessly before her. Also having to go through some kind of portal to enter this world isn't original either. Also having a child growing up with horrendous step parents and step siblings has been used many times before. Rowling said in a documentary that she got her idea for Harry Potter when she was on a train journey. It would therefore make sense that trains played an important part in the story. She said she chose King's Cross because it was were her parents met, so the place holds a deep meaning to her. I honestly don't think Rowling intentionally copied Ibbotson. As I've said, it's possible to great something, and afterwards discover that there's people who has already done something similar. And the similarities between Rowling and Ibbotson is simply not strong enough for a court case in my opinion.
Loved this topic and video--I'd love to see more story-centric deep dives in the future when and if you felt so inclined and had the time! I literally laughed out loud when Stalin came on just before the caption saying you were running out of Joes and was half expecting a picture of a cup of coffee towards the end lol (though I don't know if "Cup of Joe" is just an American thing or not). Excellent video! =)
This is such a lovely video! You are both fascinating to listen! This issue comes up so much in so many creative endeavours! I also tend to find that people who claim the pretention of originality without acknowledging their inspirations tend to create very basic stories because there isn't the important strive to make it more than... There's a massive intellectual trap there. Anyways! Love your video!
This might be a stupid question but is originality an objective concept? I'd argue that it isn't and originality lays completely in the hands of the audience and their subjective experiences. Therefore it cannot be bad to be unoriginal because what is unoriginal to one person could be original to another but the work could still be shit. Or, to think of it another way, the author could come up with an idea which is wholly original to them but not to their audience or to the wider public. I'm sure this happens in writing but the two cases I can think of off the top of my head are from science where Newton and another bloke created calculus around the same time and I'm fairly certain the periodic table was found by two people independent. Who then made the original? Or are they both original, but who can you be original when you produce the same work? If I'm trying to make a point it'd be that originality can only exist "in the eye of the beholder" and so originality only matters in terms of who gets credit and monetary consideration not creative worth in and of itself. Both of these metrics value will differ from case to case and therefore, unoriginality being bad will differ depending on what specific case you're talking about. I think there's a point there.
True. I remember watching the mandalorian and thinking it was just a rip-off of warriors way. But to all lot of other people it was fresh. That being said, i still feel like authors especially new authors need to do some research before they choose a story or concept
I know I'm late to this channel but hear me out plz :) I just watched your video series about how the Shadowhunter chronicles are crap, and honestly I agree with ALMOST ALL that you said. But srsly I think you're looking at the entire series a little too darkly, you should at least read the infernal devices to develop a complete opinion about the books bc I SWEAR..the infernal devices are a 100 times better written than TMI or TDA and if you ever get time, I recommend giving them a chance. P.S after you had to go through the torture of reading about Jace lmao I think you definitely deserve to meet Jem Carstairs. Hopefully you'll fall in love hehe:))
I kind of get the Harry potter thing. I mean the part with taking the plattform 13 idea from another "less known" book. But you have to remember JKR wasn't a big writer before her books came out. And Harry Potter wasn't a big franchise back then.
Hi! Just came across this video and it’s super interesting. I have some questions! You talk about originality as having an element of unpredictability, is originality measured in terms of unpredictability in your opinion? Can something original have a measure of familiarity, without this reducing the originality? If someone can predict the outcome, does it make it inherently unoriginal (eg. you set up enough hints like a murder mystery to help uncover the ending, but someone predicts it, does that take away from the story’s originality? What is the measure of unpredictability you can have before something becomes inauthentic? If authenticity comes from truth, and that’s something we experience and familiar to us, how much truth can you have before it becomes too real and truthful to become original (think like a documentary about someone’s life, at what point does it go from being an original story based on someone to a play by play of their life)? I guess this leads me to then the ultimate question of: what is originality, and how do you quantify it? I know that’s a lot, I was just curious, I hope that’s okay. I love your videos, so thanks for all the content, you’re incredible! 💕
I had to restart the video because I spent the first 10 minutes just admiring how beautiful the british accent is and couldn't understant the topic of the discussion😂
I have to agree on storytelling: Blood Herring was heavily inspired by Jessica Jones and Who Framed Roger Rabbit... how I got a buddy cop vampire novel from that, don't ask. But seriously, inspiration comes from life, and you get your first draft. Then edit and refine it to your own
It seems to me, many YA authors are trying to ride Harry Potter’s coattails. (It should be acknowledged that Harry Potter came out in 1997, before many of these fantasy novels were even written.)
Have you read "Hamlet's Mill" by Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha von Dechend? (Myth and stars and powerfully great numbers) So many myths have repeat themes. So many based on the passage of the stars and the correlation with each other and the earth. So, no, not many original ideas. If they can pass on stories for 2160-year-cycles (the great ages along the ecliptic, 2160 years for each zodiak sign), 72 years for one degree of precession, and based on a mill that churns (galaxy? how did they know what a galaxy looked like? HOW?) out knowledge. Shakespeare has been said to take some of his plays from these myths...
Maybe it's all about moderation. You can get inspiration from something but not too much, or it becomes unoriginal. Great video, thanks! And nice earrings btw :)
I think it depends on how the author handles it. Like, for example: everyone knows that Carry on is a Harry Potter parody basically. (It’s the point of the book) But than there is Sorcery of Thorns, that just ripped Black Butler so badly and author hoped no one will notice. That just makes me angry.
I wish people would point out more often, the glaring “similarities” that Harry Potter has with the Lord of the Rings. I’m not saying JKR ripped off the Lord of the Rings but she CLEARLY was “inspired” and took some very big elements from the Lord of the Rings (which is totally fine because I definitely don’t have a problem with it. It just tells me that JKR recognizes good literature haha) and I wish more people would acknowledge it, as it rarely, if ever, is acknowledged, and I think it deserves to be. Like nearly no elements of her stories were original, BUT she did adjust them and adapt them and twist them to make them into a compelling, original story. Again, I just wish the LOTR would get more credit when it comes to the inspiration for HP considering how obvious and glaring it is
I don't think a writer has to reinvent the wheel every time. Sometimes, a traditional story with all the tropes can work too if it is told well and thr characters are likeable and relatabel.
Another interesting similarity- Neil Gaiman's Timothy Hunter from The Books of Magic comics is pretty much Harry Potter before Harry Potter. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Books_of_Magic
8:46 - It's not a good idea to be completely original. The most valuable aspect of a story is how well the reader relates to it. People these days get incredibly stupid and superficial by tying that relatability to skin color and gender, but the value is there. If a story is completely original, who else is going to be able to relate to it? You might as well be reading a phone book. Maybe, you see your name or someone you know, but most of it is going to be irrelevant to you. Is it possible? I like to think I acquitted myself well in some of my character/story ideas. I'm a little messed up, so a lot of my ideas are "Where Did That Come From!?" Territory. Others will be recognizable, but I try to take a unique spin on it.
It's hard to say. Not much is original about the Harry potter series either. Teen story. Magic. Tolkein. The Bible.. Perhaps the way she organised it was original. But her influences are very obvious.
The Authentic Observer well... I suppose... I can only Hope that if I’m gonna be a Mate to Galatea - I get to be the Best Kind of Mate possible - a SOUL-Mate 💘💘🥰
Sadly, I think I've found a problem with your videos. Doing so requires two different parts of my brain, and it's an Either/Or situation. I can do one or the other, but there's not a hope of doing both. I could listen to what you are saying and actually pay attention, but it's adorable how you ramble on like that. The more I enjoy your rambling the less my mind listens to what you are saying. I want to listen to what you're saying, but I'm enjoying your rambling too much to do so! It's not fair!
This is also true in music. A good example is Led Zeppelin's master piece "Stairway To Heaven" which has several similarities with an older song from the band Taurus, called "Spirit", but can anyone say that zeppelin's song is "piracy"?... i don't think so. Although the obvious similar arrangements it is an entirely different song, a much better one in my opinion and Spirit, despite being a very good song, is far for being a master piece as Stairway To Heaven is. This is because there were a lot of artistic and creative effort from Led Zeppelin's musicians to create such great song whit those same arrangements. Using someone else's knowledge to create your own stuff is not a "copy and paste" and we can expand this to almost all, if not all, human activities. Even Isaac Newton admitted such a thing in his historical sentence: "If i have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (something like this)
The Raven Cycle also reminds me to the Marauders. Gansey is James, Ronan Sirius, Adam Remus and Noah Peter and pf course Blue is Lily but I feel that Maggie made them her own
Sorry I just commented on your video I accidentally deleted it you are a smart beautiful woman. You can educate the young generation for future and ones I stumbled upon you on your video from 2017 going against demi ism don't call yourself name like cunt you are not one I watched your video road to hell. You should make more videos like that as well as your video about books and movies not saying to stop those. but you are very smart you the felder brothers (right brothers) Steven Crowder, Ben Shapiro , hodgetwins, Larry elder , Sydney Watson and Candace Owens and many more are very smart keep up the good work love from Montreal Canada💜
Your 2017 video one feminism sorry typo but yes to articulate you should make more videos talking about what is going on in the world not forcing you just a recommendation
I don't like ideas stolen full stop. Ideas are never original, granted, but to fully steal an idea and change it a little is wrong. Neil didn't steal the junglebook because all he "took" was a concept. Rowling, however, obviously stole the whole platform 13 idea and barely changed it, that, to me, is not beautiful or nice in any way. Take a concept if you wish, but make it your story. "Jaws in space" was just said to quickly let the pitching team know what the story is. It's easy, it's quick, and people know what he's talking about. The final product, though, Alien, is nothing like jaws. Fifty shades of grey is a stolen idea from twilight, for example, and there are multiple videos explaining just how much is actually stolen, and I personally feel it's lazy, boring, disappointing, and the writing shouldn't get any credit at all for merely copying and changing it enough to call it their own. My thoughts :)
And What Does He Have that I Don’t??? Huh Galatea???!!! Lip Gloss? Earings? A fresh Silky Blouse? ALL OF THAT FOR HIM??? When You Make a Video just for Me - I’m Lucky if You’re Not Covered In Dirt wearing Construction Worker Boots and an attire like you’ve been Rolling in the Mud 😕 not happy.
Alternate Tittle for this Video: “2 Prude Brits Pretending like they Didn’t Watch Game of Thrones to Avoid Looking as Degenerates” THEY BOTH SAID EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED- it’s as if THEY WATCHED IT!!! & go “well I heard that...”
Mate, I watched all 8 seasons, did you miss my rant mid video? That would be such a weird thing to lie about. I was always a massive fan (until season 8)
The Authentic Observer Galateaaaaa Always So Serious!!! my comment is a Jokeeeee - it’s a hypothetical scenario presented that isn’t actually reality / making fun at politeness - SO WHAT??? Only YOUUUU get to make Jokes on the Internet???? OPRESSOR - TYRANT!! Ps. You called me “mate” - Actually Sad 😞
Regarding originality in fiction, Tolkien said:
Speaking of the history of stories and especially of fairy stories, we may say that the pot of soup, the Cauldron of Story, has always been boiling and to it have continually been added new bits, dainty and undainty. There are many things in the Cauldron, but the cooks do not dip the ladle quite blindly. Their selection is important.
We sound so articulate and professional, I remember thinking I was much more rambling and ineloquent than this 😄
thankyou for having me on 😊
There was something I read by CS Lewis that always stuck with me, and he said something to the effect of, if you try to be original, you won't be. If you just write what is true, more often than not, you'll be original.
His Narnia books, were basically Biblical stories filtered through the lens of fantasy, with tons of unrelated mythology crammed together. Very little is wholly new, but the combination contextualized it and the books are immensely popular, and a great series for children.
I mean, I wouldn't look to Lewis for writing advice, considering how badly the Narnia series is written. Both from a technical and a moral viewpoint.
But I agree that trying to be original for it's own sake is a bad idea. Focus on why you want to write this story in the first place, and if that means taking liberally from other works then that can be just fine.
@S Heutink The series is actually pretty well written for what it is. Morally bad, how? Seems to be good vs evil, and that I would say is great from a moral standpoint.
@@christianbjorck816 I meant all the racism, sexism, classism, colonialism and the whole God Is Terrifying Dictator And You Must Obey theme that saturates the series.
And it's honestly just badly written, even by the standards of childrens literature. Characters sometimes change their (often nonsensical) characterization on a dime, the worldbuilding is slapdash and often nonexistent, and the characters often seem to have a direct line to the author.
@S Heutink ”racism, sexism, classism, colonialism” jeez okay you are one of those types.
Honestly for children’s literature is some of the more well written. Characters have interesting arcs that do teach a moral lesson, the world build is decent, very iconic though. The direct line is more of stylistic choice I’d say, not really a big problem.
@@christianbjorck816 No, thats the sort of person Lewis was. And the moral lessons they teach are usually somewhere between bad, outright vile, or sound good but are actively contradicted in the story.
And characters shouldn't just know things they cannot know. Especially when the entire plot of the book is about delivering messages to people.
And thats before we get into all the blatant retconning he did every book.
I used to be quite self conscious about originality. Then I heard from someone about how it was not being origin, but being authentic that matters.
That's when I realized the problem was not lack of originality, but writing to market.
You can write the most unoriginal Arthurian style epic, and still write something good if you do so out of your own desires and ensure things such as plot coherence take priority.
I feel like even overused situations/tropes can be made interesting if we have interesting characters, mainly the protagonist. I mean, we all react differently to a given situation (for example, let's say that a person is supposed to be home alone for a while- lame example, I know, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind lol, anyway- one person may be afraid of being alone, while another may be happy and enjoy the alone time, while someone else may throw a party), as in, not everyone would react in the same way to a given situation since not everyone is the same. The same thing goes to characters. When presented with a plot point/situation which is often used, they may all react differently to it and make different decisions, which changes the plot and makes something that we have seen so much in fiction seem so different all of a sudden. This is the main reason I like reading about active protagonists who control everything that happens and are the cause of most of the things that happen in the book, not just people absorbing everything that happens and letting the plot drive them.
I feel like an overused trope can be used at the beginning of the book as an idea/starting point/inciting incident, but the way the characters handle it and drive the plot and make decisions instead of things happening "for plot reasons" is what makes a book interesting and even an overused trope seem new and fresh.
You say it's a lame example but I recently watched a video on true crime.
And basically the protagonist(criminal) got left alone in the family house at 18 when his parents seperated.
What does he do ?
He uses this precious time to murder people passing by the neighborhood.
So this combination is pretty original.
Getting left home alone is a great example actually.
I won't lie to you, the most original and unexpected thing in this entire video was Stalin having a cameo. Any other content creator would be way too afraid of being cancelled to do that. I love your work Galatea :)
On the concept of being original, I've always enjoyed the 10 stories idea. It's essentially the concept that there are only a handful of stories we can tell, but the amount of ways it can be told have no end. Like if you give 10 sculptors the same sized ball of clay they will all make something vastly different, but it's the same tools.
I used to worry about being original. Then, in college, we had to translate Pascal from French. One of his penses was: Nothing is written until I write it. I took this to mean that each of us have our own point of view of life, and therefore, our take on something will be unique.
Never really worried about originality again.
Thanks again to you both. This was a delightful video. You guys really found a good balance between too contrived and too original.
Here I am, listening to this while I draw, but every time I come back and see a different picture for that guy, I can't help but laugh.
I'm just wondering who wouldn't find it funny?
Same. I listened to the video with headphones and was cooking at the same time. I was about two thirds I think through and then I turned around to look at the battery of my laptop and I saw. fucking Stalin. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt.
I’ve been working a novel for like 2 years now but have been very concerned that it’s not “original enough.” I’m worried that if for some crazy reason, it were to get published and read by other people, that everyone would think “she ripped off the mortal instruments.” (I know, quite a coincidence that those books are the ones I’m worried about.) I’ve never read the mortal instruments but I’ve seen some videos on it in the past year or so and now I’m certain that it seems too similar. The whole angels and demons thing. I don’t know haha. Part of me has considered scrapping the whole thing and finding something different to write about. Anyway, cool video!
Having similarities to another story can be beneficial. Think of something along the lines of "have you read *insert title here*? It's kind of like Mortal Instruments." or "If you like Mortal Instruments, you should try reading *insert title here*"
I personally believe that nothing is original, and that that's a good thing, because it makes it easier to find things you like.
I hope that doesn‘t sound extremely strange, but you two have great chemistry! Thank youu for the video :)
I’d love to see her in some live-streams. I think she is adding something new to this booktube community.
I think while not a particularly wide line. The is a line between being inspired and liking an aspect well enough to duplicate it and outright copying. Sometimes it's a nod to a fellow writer and sometimes a jab. Glad you are having this talk. 😁
I would love to see you make a long review of Harry Potter, book by book. Each video an hour long. I'd enjoy that sooo much.♡♡♡
Better to make a good story structured traditionally than trying to be original and end up with a mess. The world build and characters are where you can be more original.
Such a great video idea
Also though it was truly so funny about changing famous "Joe's" faces when Joseph Gordon Levitt's face showed I cracked up! And everytime the face changed after that.
"Castle in the sky"
is my favorite movie I really recommend if you haven't seen it.
The "Joe Joke" was fantastic
Thank you sooo much for this video.You are one of the youtubers I really trust and hearing your advices and your opinions on the subject of originality made me feel way better.You see,I really enjoy mythologies and stories based on angels,demons and christian themes so I decided to write one.I have started worldbuilding and I am really excited about it,I really want it to be good.But I am aware of Cassandra Clare and I was reaally scared of keep writing cause I knew that her books are...quite popular.I had this huge fear that her fans are gonna point at me and judge me for "copying their godess" or something...(For the record,I have read City of Bones and didn't enjoy it but that's another story.I totally agree with every point you made in "The Shadowhunter Books are dreadful" series).
Anyway,I decided to just stop worrying about something I haven't even finished yet and tell my story,with my own voice,express my own opinions and explore the themes I want to.I am not gonna copy someone,let alone someone whose books I don't like.
(Seriously though,why does she romanticize incest?)
So,yeah,thank you for being The Authentic Observer I need,keep it up! :)
I know this comment is months old but I agree with you. Clare's books kinda made me afraid to go on writing my own ideas but the point is ideas can be taken but you are in charge in shaping it into something more different. Totally with you, I decided to just write what I like and go on from there. (The incest is just...eh terrible.)
imagine if Galatea did a podcast... featuring discussions like this one .... perfection.
I like your rants! I do add Easter eggs to my stories. I'm very much inspired by other stories, but try to make them my own. Also mash up very different concepts. Thank you for your videos.
Woo! Glad to see another vid from you :)
I'll watch it after I'm finished making dinner
I can't wait :)
I love your videos. So professional with a voice and oppinion we don't hear a lot. Thank you so much for making videos like this.
Even though I had no interest in the newest Shadowhunter series, I did pick up Chain of Gold in the end just because I wanted to see if it could peak my interest. It did not. It was the most boring, but also confusing book Cassandra Clare has written. Though she did manage to accomplish creating a character I absolutely loathe ever since Clary herself, who funnily enough is her relative, Charles Fairchild. He was such an powerhungry asshole that I wished to choke him at his every scene since about halfway through the book. I swear, I am only going to pick up the side novels and try the Wicked Power novels for the few side characters I like, but I don't think I'm going to continue reading this trilogy.
Yeah,I couldn't stand her characters which is one of the reasons I stopped with The Mortan Instruments after finishing City of Bones.I hate Clary and never understood what was the whole point with all of these love triangles like...a relationship doesn't need drama to work.Has she improved her writing?Because I remember a lot of similes that made zero sense in her first book.
I think there can be truly original stories to a certain point. The fundamental story of being human is always underlying every attempt to write a beginning, middle and end. We can’t ever escape certain tropes, like growing from giving, for example.
Far be it from me to defend Rowling at the moment, as a person she can get bent, but I’ll stick the example you used to make my point.
I think it’s important to remember that Harry Potter wasn’t always...well, Harry Potter. If she had taken the idea for her later books it would be a lot more questionable, but when she used that idea no one knew who she was either. She couldn’t have known that her books would blow up way past the ones she took the idea from.
I think it’s a lot more questionable for a famous author to pull ideas from a lesser known author. But for someone, at the time of writing, to borrow ideas from someone on the same level or above them as far as how well known they are, is less so. Rowling wasn’t the world famous author she is today when she borrowed that idea.
Of course if she goes on to deny the inspiration or if she doesn’t make the idea enough her own, that changes things. But her books becoming as huge as they did wasn’t something she could have predicted at the time.
i was so caught off guard when i looked up and saw jojo siwa. comedic gold
I love Spirited Away, too! It reminds me of the stories my mom told me when I was really little. I do hope you do the video on "What it means to be British?" I'm really interested to hear your thoughts...even if it is a shorter one.
I realize I've left this for you before, but I still think you might enjoy it. FREE book:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FVJ7DAY
One of my favorite children's stories, Carbonel: The King of Cats by Barbara Sleigh, has little bits reminiscent of Harry Potter, too, such as the villain being called You Know Who, also some names we see in Harry Potter. I have wondered if maybe J K Rowlings loved Carbonel when she was young.
At 35:00, can someone explain to me what she means by being “honest’? The answer may be completely obvious, i’m just sadly not quick enough to understand what she means.
James Cameron pitched Titanic as in "It's romeo and juliet.... but in this sinking ship"
Spirited Away is my absolute favorite.
I'm only 21 mins in but do we mention that 'The Jungle Book' is considered to be in the public domain and 'The Graveyard Book' wouldn't be subject to a lawsuit whilst Platform 13/Harry Potter would be? 🤔
Only difference being that the writer of platform 13 would have to go up against billionaire JK Rowling and that's a gargantuan amount of opposition
@@moviefiendz Sad, but too true. But a key point that could have been expanded with the mere mention of the public domain vs not being in the public domain and being subject to Intellectual Copyright and grounds for compensation. 🤷♀️
It also can't be proven that she did get her ideas from Ibbotson. Personally I don't actually think that she did, but who knows. It's possible to come up with an idea, and later find out that someone has already done something similar. And it's not like Ibbotsons ideas were never used before. I believe she took some ideas as well and made it her own.
For instance having a magical world coexist with the real world is something that has been used endlessly before her. Also having to go through some kind of portal to enter this world isn't original either. Also having a child growing up with horrendous step parents and step siblings has been used many times before.
Rowling said in a documentary that she got her idea for Harry Potter when she was on a train journey. It would therefore make sense that trains played an important part in the story. She said she chose King's Cross because it was were her parents met, so the place holds a deep meaning to her.
I honestly don't think Rowling intentionally copied Ibbotson. As I've said, it's possible to great something, and afterwards discover that there's people who has already done something similar.
And the similarities between Rowling and Ibbotson is simply not strong enough for a court case in my opinion.
Loved this topic and video--I'd love to see more story-centric deep dives in the future when and if you felt so inclined and had the time! I literally laughed out loud when Stalin came on just before the caption saying you were running out of Joes and was half expecting a picture of a cup of coffee towards the end lol (though I don't know if "Cup of Joe" is just an American thing or not). Excellent video! =)
This is such a lovely video! You are both fascinating to listen! This issue comes up so much in so many creative endeavours!
I also tend to find that people who claim the pretention of originality without acknowledging their inspirations tend to create very basic stories because there isn't the important strive to make it more than... There's a massive intellectual trap there. Anyways! Love your video!
Great video! I miss listening to you talking about books you liked/recommendations tho
The 'Joe-Pic' joke is hillarious dude 😄
The different pictures of Joe were hilarious
Yes. I agree!
This might be a stupid question but is originality an objective concept? I'd argue that it isn't and originality lays completely in the hands of the audience and their subjective experiences. Therefore it cannot be bad to be unoriginal because what is unoriginal to one person could be original to another but the work could still be shit. Or, to think of it another way, the author could come up with an idea which is wholly original to them but not to their audience or to the wider public. I'm sure this happens in writing but the two cases I can think of off the top of my head are from science where Newton and another bloke created calculus around the same time and I'm fairly certain the periodic table was found by two people independent. Who then made the original? Or are they both original, but who can you be original when you produce the same work? If I'm trying to make a point it'd be that originality can only exist "in the eye of the beholder" and so originality only matters in terms of who gets credit and monetary consideration not creative worth in and of itself. Both of these metrics value will differ from case to case and therefore, unoriginality being bad will differ depending on what specific case you're talking about. I think there's a point there.
True. I remember watching the mandalorian and thinking it was just a rip-off of warriors way. But to all lot of other people it was fresh. That being said, i still feel like authors especially new authors need to do some research before they choose a story or concept
I know I'm late to this channel but hear me out plz :) I just watched your video series about how the Shadowhunter chronicles are crap, and honestly I agree with ALMOST ALL that you said. But srsly I think you're looking at the entire series a little too darkly, you should at least read the infernal devices to develop a complete opinion about the books bc I SWEAR..the infernal devices are a 100 times better written than TMI or TDA and if you ever get time, I recommend giving them a chance.
P.S after you had to go through the torture of reading about Jace lmao I think you definitely deserve to meet Jem Carstairs. Hopefully you'll fall in love hehe:))
I love all your styles, and your room! ❤️❤️
I kind of get the Harry potter thing. I mean the part with taking the plattform 13 idea from another "less known" book.
But you have to remember JKR wasn't a big writer before her books came out. And Harry Potter wasn't a big franchise back then.
Hi! Just came across this video and it’s super interesting. I have some questions!
You talk about originality as having an element of unpredictability, is originality measured in terms of unpredictability in your opinion? Can something original have a measure of familiarity, without this reducing the originality? If someone can predict the outcome, does it make it inherently unoriginal (eg. you set up enough hints like a murder mystery to help uncover the ending, but someone predicts it, does that take away from the story’s originality? What is the measure of unpredictability you can have before something becomes inauthentic? If authenticity comes from truth, and that’s something we experience and familiar to us, how much truth can you have before it becomes too real and truthful to become original (think like a documentary about someone’s life, at what point does it go from being an original story based on someone to a play by play of their life)?
I guess this leads me to then the ultimate question of: what is originality, and how do you quantify it?
I know that’s a lot, I was just curious, I hope that’s okay. I love your videos, so thanks for all the content, you’re incredible! 💕
Yes! Another Galatea video :D *drops everything*
I had to restart the video because I spent the first 10 minutes just admiring how beautiful the british accent is and couldn't understant the topic of the discussion😂
Since your videos tend to be longer (>30min) will you consider putting timestamps in the description?
done!
@@theauthenticobserver Thank you SO much
23:52 i almost spat my food 😂😂
I have to agree on storytelling: Blood Herring was heavily inspired by Jessica Jones and Who Framed Roger Rabbit... how I got a buddy cop vampire novel from that, don't ask. But seriously, inspiration comes from life, and you get your first draft. Then edit and refine it to your own
It seems to me, many YA authors are trying to ride Harry Potter’s coattails.
(It should be acknowledged that Harry Potter came out in 1997, before many of these fantasy novels were even written.)
31:15 everything Joe says sound wise when your looking at this picture.
Have you read "Hamlet's Mill" by Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha von Dechend? (Myth and stars and powerfully great numbers) So many myths have repeat themes. So many based on the passage of the stars and the correlation with each other and the earth. So, no, not many original ideas. If they can pass on stories for 2160-year-cycles (the great ages along the ecliptic, 2160 years for each zodiak sign), 72 years for one degree of precession, and based on a mill that churns (galaxy? how did they know what a galaxy looked like? HOW?) out knowledge. Shakespeare has been said to take some of his plays from these myths...
Maybe it's all about moderation. You can get inspiration from something but not too much, or it becomes unoriginal.
Great video, thanks! And nice earrings btw :)
I think it depends on how the author handles it. Like, for example: everyone knows that Carry on is a Harry Potter parody basically. (It’s the point of the book) But than there is Sorcery of Thorns, that just ripped Black Butler so badly and author hoped no one will notice. That just makes me angry.
The premise of Sorcery of Thorns also sounds way too similar to the Bartimaeus sequence.
Not gonna lie I kinda miss the era where you could only hear Galatea on one ear
Even if you take an old idea or concept by accident or intentionally, do something different and new with it. Do your spin on it.
Lmao! She puts up a photo of JGL. I love it.
I wish people would point out more often, the glaring “similarities” that Harry Potter has with the Lord of the Rings. I’m not saying JKR ripped off the Lord of the Rings but she CLEARLY was “inspired” and took some very big elements from the Lord of the Rings (which is totally fine because I definitely don’t have a problem with it. It just tells me that JKR recognizes good literature haha) and I wish more people would acknowledge it, as it rarely, if ever, is acknowledged, and I think it deserves to be. Like nearly no elements of her stories were original, BUT she did adjust them and adapt them and twist them to make them into a compelling, original story. Again, I just wish the LOTR would get more credit when it comes to the inspiration for HP considering how obvious and glaring it is
Pause at 40:00 to see Stalin and Galatea looking into the future with one view.
Yes! I had finished all your videos😁
I don't think a writer has to reinvent the wheel every time.
Sometimes, a traditional story with all the tropes can work too if it is told well and thr characters are likeable and relatabel.
Galatea's thoughts: God, why am I such a mess?
My thoughts: Aww! She's so cute! (like how a baby animal is cute)
Another interesting similarity- Neil Gaiman's Timothy Hunter from The Books of Magic comics is pretty much Harry Potter before Harry Potter. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Books_of_Magic
8:46 - It's not a good idea to be completely original. The most valuable aspect of a story is how well the reader relates to it. People these days get incredibly stupid and superficial by tying that relatability to skin color and gender, but the value is there. If a story is completely original, who else is going to be able to relate to it? You might as well be reading a phone book. Maybe, you see your name or someone you know, but most of it is going to be irrelevant to you.
Is it possible? I like to think I acquitted myself well in some of my character/story ideas. I'm a little messed up, so a lot of my ideas are "Where Did That Come From!?" Territory. Others will be recognizable, but I try to take a unique spin on it.
Liked for the changing of guy faces that was a clever move haha
Long answer no. Short answer, no.
Oh my god...Eva Ibbotsson? In all your previous videos, I thought you were saying "Everett Botson." 😂
I need to get my brain checked...
J.k. Rowling toke information from the Narnia series, no wonder why they’re theories about the Pevensies being the fundators of Hogwarts
Take inspiration *
AH SHIT SHE BACK!!!
It's hard to say.
Not much is original about the Harry potter series either.
Teen story. Magic. Tolkein. The Bible..
Perhaps the way she organised it was original. But her influences are very obvious.
2020 Stinks 😕 Corona - Crisis - Chaos - and I Triggered my Idol and GOT CALLED MATE - like I’m just some bloke - another Casualty of 2020 “my ❤️ 😢”
mate don't worry I call everyone mate
The Authentic Observer well... I suppose... I can only Hope that if I’m gonna be a Mate to Galatea - I get to be the Best Kind of Mate possible - a SOUL-Mate 💘💘🥰
Today is suddenly a perfect day.
Sadly, I think I've found a problem with your videos. Doing so requires two different parts of my brain, and it's an Either/Or situation. I can do one or the other, but there's not a hope of doing both. I could listen to what you are saying and actually pay attention, but it's adorable how you ramble on like that. The more I enjoy your rambling the less my mind listens to what you are saying. I want to listen to what you're saying, but I'm enjoying your rambling too much to do so! It's not fair!
I don`t really think its possible to be original anymore.
looking at stalin while hearing this guy who has such a kind voice... 😂
be me
watching different video accidentally brush buttons
" Hold on this isn't a black woman in a cowboy hat"
This is also true in music. A good example is Led Zeppelin's master piece "Stairway To Heaven" which has several similarities with an older song from the band Taurus, called "Spirit", but can anyone say that zeppelin's song is "piracy"?... i don't think so. Although the obvious similar arrangements it is an entirely different song, a much better one in my opinion and Spirit, despite being a very good song, is far for being a master piece as Stairway To Heaven is. This is because there were a lot of artistic and creative effort from Led Zeppelin's musicians to create such great song whit those same arrangements. Using someone else's knowledge to create your own stuff is not a "copy and paste" and we can expand this to almost all, if not all, human activities. Even Isaac Newton admitted such a thing in his historical sentence: "If i have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (something like this)
I found your channel via MLTT... and am quite interested based on that... and how darn cute you are : )
The Raven Cycle also reminds me to the Marauders. Gansey is James, Ronan Sirius, Adam Remus and Noah Peter and pf course Blue is Lily but I feel that Maggie made them her own
Sorry I just commented on your video I accidentally deleted it you are a smart beautiful woman. You can educate the young generation for future and ones I stumbled upon you on your video from 2017 going against demi ism don't call yourself name like cunt you are not one I watched your video road to hell. You should make more videos like that as well as your video about books and movies not saying to stop those. but you are very smart you the felder brothers (right brothers) Steven Crowder, Ben Shapiro , hodgetwins, Larry elder , Sydney Watson and Candace Owens and many more are very smart keep up the good work love from Montreal Canada💜
Your 2017 video one feminism sorry typo but yes to articulate you should make more videos talking about what is going on in the world not forcing you just a recommendation
First! Where is my noble prize?
I don't like ideas stolen full stop. Ideas are never original, granted, but to fully steal an idea and change it a little is wrong. Neil didn't steal the junglebook because all he "took" was a concept. Rowling, however, obviously stole the whole platform 13 idea and barely changed it, that, to me, is not beautiful or nice in any way.
Take a concept if you wish, but make it your story.
"Jaws in space" was just said to quickly let the pitching team know what the story is. It's easy, it's quick, and people know what he's talking about. The final product, though, Alien, is nothing like jaws.
Fifty shades of grey is a stolen idea from twilight, for example, and there are multiple videos explaining just how much is actually stolen, and I personally feel it's lazy, boring, disappointing, and the writing shouldn't get any credit at all for merely copying and changing it enough to call it their own.
My thoughts :)
Technically you can't steal in idea since it's not a physical manifestation. You can disrespect and misrepresent an idea, but not steal.
I find it hilarious too xDDD
Harry Potter isn't original
Sos hermosa
And What Does He Have that I Don’t??? Huh Galatea???!!! Lip Gloss? Earings? A fresh Silky Blouse? ALL OF THAT FOR HIM??? When You Make a Video just for Me - I’m Lucky if You’re Not Covered In Dirt wearing Construction Worker Boots and an attire like you’ve been Rolling in the Mud 😕 not happy.
I Can Say Nicking TOOOOOO
Alternate Tittle for this Video: “2 Prude Brits Pretending like they Didn’t Watch Game of Thrones to Avoid Looking as Degenerates” THEY BOTH SAID EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED- it’s as if THEY WATCHED IT!!! & go “well I heard that...”
Mate, I watched all 8 seasons, did you miss my rant mid video? That would be such a weird thing to lie about. I was always a massive fan (until season 8)
The Authentic Observer Galateaaaaa Always So Serious!!! my comment is a Jokeeeee - it’s a hypothetical scenario presented that isn’t actually reality / making fun at politeness - SO WHAT??? Only YOUUUU get to make Jokes on the Internet???? OPRESSOR - TYRANT!!
Ps. You called me “mate” - Actually Sad 😞