Wednesday links: 2 types of stories, retellings, and a quiz

I love regularly reading tips and advice articles in certain subjects — particularly writing and publishing. I don’t always need the information right then, but I know that it’ll eventually come in handy. Or at least, I hope it will.

I know there are a lot of other people out there who feel the same way I do, but sometimes it can be difficult to find every useful advice article that’s out there. So I thought I’d bring you a few. Here are the tips and advice articles that jumped out at me the most over the past week.

1. There Are Only 2 Types of Stories–and Why That Matters, from Jane Friedman: It isn’t exactly unknown that there are only a limited number of stories out there, and all you have to do is find a new way to tell them. This blog post, however, argues that there are really only two types of stories. Excerpt: “No matter how much we might wish otherwise, creativity is as limited as we are. We can never invent something truly unique. The most we can hope for is to sprinkle a dash of novelty into the same worn-out trope and, with an illusionist’s flourish, let out a cry of ta da! and hope no one in the crowd sees through the trick.”
2. Retelling a classic, from Janet Reid: Retellings aren’t exactly new. But if you’re going to attempt one, make sure you’re bringing something new to the table. Excerpt: “All too often however, the query doesn’t tell me what I really want to know: what have YOU added to the story? How have you built on the work that’s come before?”
3. Self-Test: Would It Be Worthwhile For You To Attend A Writing Retreat?, from Writer’s Relief: If you’re on the fence about attending a writing retreat, give this quiz a try. Excerpt: “A writing residency is the trip of a lifetime for many creative writers. From far-flung fantasy getaways to rugged, rustic cabins, writing retreats offer you an opportunity to focus on your work-in-progress in an inspiring setting.”