What's old is new, and what's new is old.

The funny thing about cliches are that sometimes they're true. It's definitely true for "tried and true." For some reason, stories go out of favor and then right back in. One day it's mysteries, then fantasies, and then back to mysteries. Who can guess what the next swing will be? And then there are the fads that blast out of nowhere, explode all over the universe, then go back into hiding. Those are the drops of miracle that every writer wants to capture. I love to see it happen, and dance when it does.

I've studied the classics, and great theater, oratories, and speeches. What's been great in the past most definitely will continue being great. But, how do you know what's truly great? Like the cliche says, "Time will tell." Time really is the greatest judge, even though the thought is trite it doesn't make it any less true. Scooping a bit of that greatness into your own work isn't a bad idea, instead it hopefully shows that the old is understood enough to make it new again.

That brings up the concept of re-makes. What's the best way of dealing with them? My guess is it's inevitable that re-makes will happen, so may as well go along for the ride. Perhaps like the new Star Trek movies, where the stories have the same characters but near totally different development. Sure they have controversy, but what about the attempt at taking a classic and making it new again? Was it worth the try?

I think it's always worthwhile.

- M