I know I have seen hundreds of threads on this topic already, but this is slightly a different question. So the basic question is this, since there are no original ideas and every story already exists, can I take a concept that has already been done and do it again only differently?
The Westing Game was written over 30 years ago, and I basically want to write a YA mystery about a group of teens competing to inherit a billionaire's fortune. They all receive a Willy Wonka type lucky invitation to arrive at this mansion and the games begin, hilarity ensues and yada yada...
Now, this has already been done in the aforementioned book, and done very well at that. So, would I be foolish to try to write a story using a very similar premise? I know it all comes down to execution, and people will say, write it and see what happens, but I sincerely do not want to waste months of my time if agents will read the query and say, oh boy this sounds familiar, and junk pile it instantly.
Your thoughts?
The Westing Game was written over 30 years ago, and I basically want to write a YA mystery about a group of teens competing to inherit a billionaire's fortune. They all receive a Willy Wonka type lucky invitation to arrive at this mansion and the games begin, hilarity ensues and yada yada...
Now, this has already been done in the aforementioned book, and done very well at that. So, would I be foolish to try to write a story using a very similar premise? I know it all comes down to execution, and people will say, write it and see what happens, but I sincerely do not want to waste months of my time if agents will read the query and say, oh boy this sounds familiar, and junk pile it instantly.
Your thoughts?