Stories we have seen too often

This list is part of the submission guidelines for Strange Horizons, an online speculative fiction magazine.

The linked list is an attempt at classifying the kinds of non-horror plots and themes that they have received too frequently.

I thought it was interesting that they actually successfully captured a lot of story types. As creators we always think our idea is new or original, but it turns out many stories follow similar patterns.

This is by no means to say these are bad patterns, or that if you are developing a story like this it’s doomed. I think so many stories are like this because they genuinely are interesting to large audiences.