Reid Seid:

   Of course, it doesn't. But saying "it's been done" serves several
purposes.  It could lead the person suggesting the idea to stories he
was apparently unaware of; thus he gets to see the kind of story he
wants instantly, without waiting for someone to pick up the idea and
write it. If the existing works are not what he was thinking of, 
perhaps he will be motivated to refine the idea. For instance, if all

you want

is a story where Ranma is gay, there are a number of stories you might
like. If not, perhaps you will realize that what you really want is a
story where Ranma is gay, but still in love with Akane, so he wants 
her to find the Nannichuan with him and jump in, but she's really a 
lesbian and wants him to use the Chiisuiton and lock himself in female

form, 

so Akane ends up running off with Ukyo while onna-Ranma seduces Kuno and

then reveals her curse, causing Kuno to .... Maybe you'll even be

inspired 

to write the bloody thing yourself.

	Heh.... sounds like you just got a rather odd story idea.  GO
WRITE! WRITE! GO WRITE! Which then makes it a left... ^_~ <Rather droll
pun, I know>

   Additionally, the person who is inspired by the idea is reminded 
of what his predecessors have done and can get some guidance for himself

on which ways to go.

	This is also true......

   Originality of execution is generally more important than 
originality of plot. If I told you I'm writing a story where Akane gets

kidnapped 

and the whole gang goes after her, you'd groan and refer me to the

dozens 

of dreary fics that have bludgeoned that premise into a sodden, bleeding

mass of twitching equine flesh. Yet that can also describe "Hearts of

Ice".

Still, there have been fics, problematic in other areas, that have 
been saved for me by the novel conceit at their core.

	Ahem.  Hearts of Ice is one of the better Fanfics in my opinion. 
Very intimately thought out, and very good at delving into the Psyche of
the character's minds <Which is what I am a proffessional at..... so THIS
is a compliment, if someone might tell Krista!>

   But can you have a story, a story of real quality, that is
completely unoriginal? If what you write is written with "skill and
devotion", it should at least offer me one thing I can't get anywhere
else: your point of view on life, the world, the characters of Ranma
(or whatever series), etc. Probably there will be more. I jokingly
described "Hearts of Ice" as an "Akane gets kidnapped" story, but the
things I like about that story are things I don't get from most
fanfiction.

	*Nods nods* Very good point.  Of course.... if you want a TRULY
original Fic, I challenge someone to write a fic that takes several much
used Ideas and throws them all together in an amalgam that assembles into
a story.
	Hey, it's what *I'VE* done, some people tell me.  But then
again.... they all keep telling me I'm really damn good at it too. 
YOU'RE ALL DELUDED!! I'M AVERAGE! Really.... hehehe....
	Oh well.

Reid Carson

	Hmmm.... would you happen to have read my stories? <Lookit me!
I'm badgering people to go read them.  Don't mind me, I'm a little
eccentric.>
	But Seriously, have you?? Whadda ya think if you have?

Sincerely....
~~Kaoru-Shimitsu~~
~Lost "Dragon-Boy" Of Shimitsu-Ryuu.~
~Leader of the Order Of Chaos~~ Member of the Church of Ranma&Ryouga
 ~~Pope of the Cathedral Of Hiroshi/Daisuke <COHD>~~
~~President of the Kaoru Weapons Manufacturing Plant<KWMP>~~

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