I think that it would be impossible to write a story that is 100% original (even if you don't insist that having a plot, setting, and characters have already been done), but it's still possible to have original ideas, or put an original twist on an old one. The problem is, just because something is original doesn't mean it's good (sparkling vampires anyone?), and just because something is cliché doesn't make it bad. Do you know why there are so many stories about high school romances, quests to save the world, and people going into parallel worlds? It's not because every author except for you and your livejournal or deviantart pals are lazy, talentless hacks.

Teenage girls like reading about the clumsy, awkward girl getting the hottest guy in school because they like imagine themselves in the character's shoes. People like the parallel world stories because it gets them thinking about how they would react if it happened to them. People like reading about average types stepping up and saving the world because it gets them thinking that anyone could do it. Fiction is escapism.

People look for "good" in a story before they look for "original". If you write something that's good and original, bravo. However, don't think that "original" is an adequate replacement for "good". A story that is mediocre, though original, is still mediocre.

I suppose you could make a totally original story by having a totally average character do totally average things in a totally average place. You could write it. But you're sure as heck not going to get anyone to read it.

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