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If I tried to be “original,” I would never start this blog and fall in love with writing. In my opinion, trying to reinvent the wheel is the best way to stifle creativity and hate your own work. Use the wheel; it’s already perfect. Eventually, you’ll arrive at something that is uniquely your own.
Still, some of us may yearn to be different, to stand apart. That’s why I want to share what the noted neurologist and author Oliver Sacks (July 9, 1933–August 30, 2015) had this to say about originality in his essay “Prodigies” from the book “An Anthropologist on Mars.”
Oliver Sacks writes:
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Creativity, as usually understood, entails not only a “what,” a talent, but a “who” — strong personal characteristics, a strong identity, personal sensibility, a personal style, which flow into the talent, interfuse it, give it personal body and form. Creativity in this sense involves the power to originate, to break away from the existing ways of looking at things, to move freely in the realm of the imagination, to create and recreate worlds fully in one’s mind — while supervising all this with a critical inner eye.
“An Anthropologist on Mars” is a wonderful read in its entirety. Complement with George Orwell on the four reasons why writers write, the beloved Jack Kerouac’s 30 rules of writing, and then revisit the worst writing advice you can give to a beginner.
I’m a freelance writer with 6 years of experience in SEO blogging and article publishing. While you’re here, get the latest updates by subscribing to my newsletter.
