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Dear reader,

I need your help settling a bet.

Here's the context: the other day I got into a fight with one of my students. No, not that kind of a fight. Calm down. It was one of those "kid, I respect you, and you're totally entitled to your opinion... but it's freaking wrong" kind of fights.

You see, this wee lad and I were talking about books and movies and video games we like, and he had the audacity to disagree with me. His assertion was that everything needs to be new: innovation, originality, novelty.

I, on the other hand, argued that I prefer quality over novelty. I would much rather read/watch/play something well done but unoriginal than consume something totally off the wall and poorly executed.

It's not like I don't get where he's coming from, though. I too am tired of watching yet another iteration of the exact same superhero origin story, just with a different angsty 20-something getting a different set of powers from a different magic space rock.

But is originality always the top priority?

For example, haven't you ever been excited to listen to your favorite band's new album only to be disappointed that they decided to try out a completely new style? Or have you ever been pumped for a movie adaption of a great book only to discover that the director ruined the story in his attempt to "freshen things up?"

Quality or novelty? That is the question. Shoot me an email with your vote.

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Be sure to check out the free short story "Rift Fall" when you sign up for Daniel Camomile's newsletter:

Rift Fall

We've also got couple of great indie fantasy books for you to check out this month, available in a variety of storefronts:

Peril of the Crown

Poseidon's Trident

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Happy August, folks,

Ben Schwarting

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My Books:

The Sum of Ages Series is available from a variety of retailers

Kindred Straits is available from a variety of retailers

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Follow me on social media:

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www.benjaminschwarting.com

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