The document discusses Christopher Booker's theory that there are only 7 basic plots used in stories. These include tragedy, comedy, monster, voyage, quest, riches, and rebirth. While some may think this limits originality, the document argues that originality comes from how an author brings these universal plots into the present, not the plots themselves. It concludes by saying writers are "off the hook" and don't need to worry about using original plots, as all stories borrow from these 7 in some way.

1. @rubbishcorp

2. 7 plots in 7 minutes

3. are there any new stories, or have they all been told?
british literary critic Christopher Booker has a theory

4. every story has been told

5. tragedy
the protagonist character is the Villain, but we get to watch
him/her slowly spiral down into darkness before finally being
defeated, freeing the land from his evil influence

6. comedy
hero ‘n’ heroine are destined to be together, but a dark force is
preventing them from doing so; the story conspires to make the
dark force repent. this shows everyone for who they really are,
and allows two or more other relationships to form

7. monster *
hero learns of a great evil threatening the land (sea), and sets
out to destroy it. obvious (eternal) psychological appeal

8. voyage *
hero heads off into a magic land with crazy rules, ultimately
triumphs over the madness and returns home far more
mature than when he set out

9. quest
hero learns of a great MacGuffin that he desperately wants to
find, and sets out to find it, often with companions - this story
links most popular fiction

10. riches *
surrounded by dark forces who suppress and ridicule the
hero, he/she slowly blossoms into a mature figure who
ultimately gets riches, a kingdom, and the perfect mate
- literally or metaphorically

11. rebirth
as with the tragedy plot, but our protagonist manages to realize
his error before it's too late, and does a heel face turn to avoid
inevitable defeat /finds a new reason for living

12. it’s not about whether or not a plot is considered
'original' or 'unoriginal'. all stories are, to some
degree, cover versions
it's how you carry these universal plots into the
here and now that's the challenge for every writer

13. that doesn’t mean a novel, play or film can't
be truly original. it means originality doesn't
come via the plot

14. so...

15. you’re all off the hook
@rubbishcorp