“… And the hero rides off into the sunset with the girl. The End.”

You are disgusted. You saw it coming in the first ten pages. How unoriginal and predictable can one be?

You know you can do better, so you sit down with your computer, and you type. And type. And type.

Many drafts later, you achieve something grand. You show your spouse, your friends, your dog. All agree: It’s novel, unique, intelligent!

You shop it around to all the publishers, and find one willing to take a risk on your work.

But first they require a few changes.

_"This isn’t formulaic enough." _

“Can you change the ending?”

“You need more foreshadowing.”

“Don’t forget the girl. And sunsets are good.”

You cave, and agree to the changes. After all they are offering a wad of cash, but only if you play ball.

By and by you end up somewhere you’ve seen before….

“…And so the hero lifts up the girl, and rides off into the sunset. Fin.”