Are There Any Stories Left To Tell?

One question I've seen come up, and a question that I often have myself is... "Is my story really original?"

That's a valid question. After all, how many stories have been written over the course of history? Probably millions. It is quite possible that stories similar to yours have been written, not just once, but many times. If so, then how can your story be original. The answer is easy. Your story can be original if you make it yours.

Let me give an example from photography. How many pictures are there of Haystack Rock, in Cannon Beach, OR? Take a look online, and see how many pictures you find. You'll find pictures of Haystack Rock taken from the north, from the south, and directly in front of the rock. You'll find pictures taken in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, in sunny weather, in cloudy weather. You'll likely find hundreds of photos of Haystack Rock, or of any landmark. But take a close look at the photos. Even though the subject is the same, each photo is different. Each photographer takes a slightly different photo.

Stories are the same way. You may find a similar plot in many different stories, but each author tells the story a bit different. One may write in first person, another in third person. One author may have a fantasy setting, another a science fiction setting. One may write using a historical setting, another may use a fictional setting. Each person will take a story idea and write it in their own style.

Are there any stories left to tell, when millions have already been told? Yes, there are. There are still millions of stories left to be told. As writers, it's our job to go out there and tell them.