Originality is the principle of being unique, to be distinct from others. It is considered one of the best forms of creativity. Like a magnet, there is a force that attracts the attention, whether it is positive or negative. Yet when ask, no one seems to know why people are drawn towards this notion. At first, the reason appears to simply stem from personal taste. However, there is also a deeper meaning that can be trace back to one of the fundamentals of reading.

Reading is about discovering, the exploration of new universes, interpretations, and opinions. From this, one of the many expectations of the reader, is to be surprised: the enjoyment of the unforeseen. A simple yet ambiguous demand that the writing community is eager to satisfy. However, having something that stands out can be difficult.

It is said that around 11 000 books are published daily, and that is excluding non-professional work. The sheer volume makes similaritiesThemes, tropes and genres... bound to happen. Overtime a story created from already existing ideas can be perceived as predictable and at worst, redundant. Ultimately, there is a risk that the reader may express boredom, a feeling in opposition to what literature represents.

So, to avoid this predicament, the writer tries to catch the public off guard by adding unknown factors to their story. Those elements can be twists, subversions, or even brand-new concepts. Instead of the traditional plots and cliches, the writer tries to innovate by disrupting the status-quo. And due to the unpredictable nature of this storytelling, the plot becomes truly unique, original.

The purpose of originality is to grab the reader’s attention. And this is achieved by creating oddities that diverge from the norm. The reader then realizes that they have never encountered these ideas before. Curiosity arises, followed by a desire to know how all this will unravel. And the best way to find out is to read.

That is why, originality is so efficient at enticing people to read. It is a way to offer something new and unpredictable. A way for writing to evolve, innovate and surprise.