By: Isla De La Cruz
Feeling stuck? Staring at a blank page? Is creativity standing you up…again? Here’s a secret: Originality is overrated, so quit striving for it. They say “Write what you know.” The easiest way to write what you know? Re-write what you know. The foundation is the most crucial part of any process, so let’s repurpose it.
Re-writing stories is about honoring tradition while embracing innovation. Through re-writing creators can pay homage to classics while introducing new concepts, storylines, and ideas. From adapting Shakespearean plays to re-imagining folklore, the process bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. The modern re-envisioning of classics is found in beloved movies like “Clueless” (a modern adaption of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’) and “10 Things I Hate About You” (a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of The Shrew’). Both adaptations share plot points and character arcs while leveraging modernity to revamp the storytelling. Recreating liberates writers from the constraints of original plots and encourages them to follow and explore new paths and possibilities. It challenges creators, sparks the spirit of experimentation, and promotes pushing creative limits and boundaries. There’s no need to feel stuck if part of your new story has already been written. Storytellers can delve deep into characters’ psyches by redrafting ideas and offering unique and fresh perspectives. Take the Broadway musical “Hamilton” as an example; while the musical does its best to represent an accurate portrayal of Alexander Hamilton’s life, it allows the audience to experience Alexander and other historical figures in a new light by infusing fresh perspectives into our understanding of U.S. history. Re-writing also inspires adaptability. Humans must always learn to adapt to the ever-changing landscapes of life. Re-writing teaches creators invaluable lessons of resilience as a reminder that using resources available is not failure but a stepping stone to growth. Writers can be encouraged to face uncertainty, confront challenges, and transform setbacks into new opportunities for reinvention. Re-writing stories is a powerful tool.
Here are some questions to spark new intentions with preexisting work:
How can I expand on these characters? What would happen if the setting of this story was different? How can I reinvent my favorite song into a story? What if the events of this story took place in 4 days rather than two years? What would happen if these characters were younger, older, had powers, or were ordinary? What if this character lived? What if this character died? How can I share this hero’s victory differently?
In the tapestry of the human experience, rewriting serves as a thread between the past, present, and future. It transcends boundaries and ignites the imagination. As creators and writers embark on their creative journeys, we should embrace the transformative power of retelling and re-writing. Endless possibilities are waiting to be discovered, shared, and celebrated within pages already written. Take your something old and borrowed and make it something new!