This topic arises frequently in writing communities, especially among those just starting out.
“I have this amazing idea. Do you think it’s good?”
“Would you read a story where…?”
“Is this too cliché?”
And, my personal favourite:
“Has this been done before?”
(Answer: Probably. But not like you’d do it)
Here’s the truth:
Your idea doesn’t matter—until you tell its story.
An amazing idea that never gets written remains a daydream.
A brilliant premise handled poorly becomes a forgettable story.
Conversely, a “bad” idea, written with heart and skill, can be transformative.
Writing isn’t about having the best ideas; it’s about doing the work to bring them to life. It’s about writing your idea into a story, playing other ideas off against it, seeing how their intersect or counterweight each other.
You are the difference—your voice, your structure, your pacing, your ability to tell the story.
Execution triumphs over inspiration every single time.
Consider Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series. It originated from a bet challenging him to craft a compelling story from two seemingly incompatible concepts: the lost Roman legion and Pokémon. The result? A six-book epic that stands as a testament to the power of storytelling craft.
So, stop waiting for validation.
Stop worrying if your idea is good enough.
Write it. Shape it. Test it. Refine it. Make it real.
Because until you do, it’s not a story.
It’s just potential.