Writers are constantly told to “find their voice,” to be unique, to write something that stands out. And that’s true—eventually.
But there’s a trap that comes with chasing originality too soon. Some writers become so obsessed with being different that they forget to be good. They focus on unusual sentence structures, experimental storytelling, or hyper-stylized prose before they’ve nailed the fundamentals—before they know how to tell a story that simply works.
On the flip side, there’s another trap: writing something so generic, so formulaic, that it feels like AI could have written it. Books that hit every expected beat, every trope, every familiar phrasing—but leave no lasting impression.
So where’s the balance? How do you write something that isn’t just another formulaic book, but also isn’t trying so hard to be different that it loses the reader? The answer lies in understanding that story trumps style—and that originality is meaningless if the foundation isn’t strong.
Why “Originality” Isn’t the First Thing to Chase
1. Most Bestselling Books Sound the Same—for a Reason
If you compare the prose of most commercially successful novels, you’ll notice something: they’re not trying to be flashy. The writing is clear, direct, functional. Even when the style is distinct, the priority is always the story itself.
- Most thrillers use short, punchy sentences to keep momentum going.
- Romance novels often rely on internal monologues and emotional beats that feel familiar across books.
- Fantasy epics tend to use clean, immersive prose that disappears into the worldbuilding rather than calling attention to itself.
👉 This isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature. Readers are drawn to story first, not the writer’s ability to craft a dazzling sentence. A beautifully written book with a weak plot is just that—a weak book with nice prose.
If you want to write books that connect with readers, start by learning the common structures of your genre.
2. Flashy Writing Won’t Save a Weak Story
New writers sometimes believe that if the prose is unique enough, the book will stand out. But style alone won’t make a book compelling if:
- The characters don’t have strong motivations.
- The pacing is uneven or frustrating.
- The plot lacks tension, stakes, or payoff.
Readers can forgive simple prose if the story is engaging. But no amount of “original” sentence structure will fix a book that doesn’t know how to pull the reader through.
👉 If you have to choose between writing something “fresh” and writing something “effective,” choose effective.
Why It’s Okay If Your First Books Sound Like Other Books
Many new writers worry their work sounds too much like their influences. But that’s how learning works. Musicians learn by playing other people’s songs. Painters study classical techniques before finding their own style. Writers are no different.
- Your first book will borrow from books you love.
- Your first book will follow structures and tropes that have been done before.
- Your first book will sound “basic” at times.
👉 That’s not a failure. That’s part of the process. Before you can break the rules, you have to understand why they exist in the first place.
This is why AI detectors flag so many books as “AI-like”—because writing that follows expected patterns is what most readable, structurally sound books do. That’s not a bad thing. It means you’re hitting the fundamentals.
When and How to Make Your Writing Stand Out
Once you’ve mastered structure, pacing, character, and plot, then it’s time to develop a more distinct voice. But even then, originality shouldn’t be forced. It should emerge naturally, as a byproduct of writing a lot.
1. Find Your Unique Take Within the Familiar
You don’t have to reinvent storytelling. You just have to bring something you to it.
- A new perspective on an old trope.
- A character voice that feels unique to your experience.
- A setting that hasn’t been explored in this genre before.
Most originality comes from the details, not from abandoning structure entirely.
2. Let Voice Develop Over Time
Trying to “sound different” can make prose feel unnatural or forced. Instead of trying to write like no one else, focus on writing in a way that feels true to you. Over time, your patterns, humor, and preferences will create a voice that readers recognize as yours.
3. Make Story the First Priority—Always
If you’re ever stuck between choosing something that makes the story stronger vs. something that makes the writing “different”, always choose the first option. Readers remember how a book made them feel, not how experimental the sentence structure was.
Final Thoughts: Learn the Rules Before You Break Them
Being original isn’t about trying to be original. It’s about telling a great story and letting originality emerge from the details.
So if you’re worried your book sounds like other books, that’s okay. That means you’re learning how to write something effective, readable, engaging.
You can always develop a more distinct style later. But a strong foundation? That’s what makes a book last.
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