“Would I Had Phrases That Are Not Known”

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Disillusioned by the task of writing truly original? John Barths writes on the difficult task to write something new and distinctly untold, which is apparently one that is perpetually and historically daunting.

“Originality, after all, includes not only saying something for the first time, but re-saying (in a worthy new way) the already said: rearranging an old tune in a different key, to a different rhythm, perhaps on a different instrument. Has that been said before? No matter: on with the story!”

(via Book Bench)

Sam Riley is the Editorial Assistant at the Rumpus. Also, a humor enthusiast and science supporter. She currently resides in San Francisco, CA. More from this author →