Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Everyday Strange 
This quote is great and reminded me of a workshop I took once. The instructor went to great lengths and some kind of database to ensure that the story she was crafting was made up of wholly original pieces and parts. I had never before given any thought to whether my stories were completely original. Of course they are, even if characters or plot lines feel derivative. I thought the exercise was very strange. Glad to know Lewes and I are on the same page–ha!
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That database sounds pretty tedious! I actually like recognizing familiar archetypes and themes in books and movies, and thinking about what previous works may have inspired the creators.
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