So, this happened:
A few days ago, I saw a tweet about a new book, with a plot summary that sounded remarkably like the base idea behind my current plot-in-progress. I checked it out, and sure enough, this book uses one of the same ideas I'm using. It kind of threw me, because I'm the type to think ahead and plan ahead to ridiculous levels. (It's one of the few ways I'm like Batman.) I found myself wondering what would happen in the future if the thing I'm working on becomes an actual book and gets published and people wonder if I ripped off this other person. Mentally, I was caught between "Hey, they stole my idea!" which is ludicrous, and "Oh great, now I have to come up with a new idea!" which is much the same.
Before anyone asks: no, I'm not saying what the book was. I know if I name the book or the author, and my book-to-be eventually gets published, someone will find this entry and spin it to make it sound like I'm accusing someone of stealing an idea that I had for a book I was still plotting when the other author's book was soon to be published. I know how some people on the internet work, and I'm not giving them any help.
Anyway.
I know it's just plain stupid to think someone stole my idea. I don't think you can steal an idea, only mimic the execution of that idea. And from what I can tell, the ways we're handling the idea differ quite a lot, and will result in very different stories. So assuming my plot eventually becomes a book, I'm not worried about being accused of ripping anyone off.
But it still threw me for a loop. Here's something I've been developing since last year, something I only came up with an actual plot for last month, something that's been slowly pulling itself out of my head ever since I came up with an antagonist and characters and a real plot. And then boom, I read about someone else doing something very similar.
I've never actually been hit with a watermelon, but that's what I imagine this feels like. A heavy shock from something completely unexpected.
I know it's all in the execution. And I plan to keep going with my plot, because the story I'm working on is nothing like the one that inspired this entry. But some small part of me, the part I don't usually let write anything on the internet, is standing with its hands on its hips and saying "Heeeeyyyyy......."
So, has this ever happened to any of y'all? Did you end up changing what you were working on because of it? Or did you go straight for the petty and ultimately doomed lawsuit? ^_^
" But some small part of me, the part I don't usually let write anything on the internet, is standing with its hands on its hips and saying "Heeeeyyyyy.......""
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I read that, because it's such a perfect image. I can totally see that!
How WEIRD that someone else is working on the same idea. It IS strange. And you're right, I bet your two books will be vastly different, but it's still just a little strange...and a tiny bit disheartening? Don't give up on this idea, though. I bet yours will be better than that silly person's, anyway :)
(Unless that silly person is Margaret Atwood or something, in which case, MAN, how cool is it that you had the same idea as Margaret Atwood??? ;) )
It wasn't Margaret Atwood, I'm willing to say that much. It was this person's first novel, so who knows? Maybe they'll become huge, and I'll meet them someday, and I'll share this story and we'll laugh. Then we'll discuss how we handled the idea differently. That would be cool. I don't think it's disheartening, mostly because I can tell from the book's plot summary and excerpt that we're handling it in really different ways.
DeleteAnd yes, I think lots of us have a part that we don't usually let write anything on the internet. ^_^ Some people don't... those people are easy to spot. Oi.
In a word: Yes. Yes I have had a book that sounded exactly like mine. I've been in the same pitch contest. But, when you think about plots, there are really only seven, so you get sort of lost in flavors of one of the plots. On the other hand, we do retellings all the time, so clearly, it's not about the idea.
ReplyDeleteWhich is sad, because it seems like the idea should count for more. Alas, it's all execution, all the time.
The thing is, though, ideas without execution aren't really stories. They're not even plots. If we got credit just for having ideas, you and I both would be ridiculously successful, but unfortunately we have to actually develop those ideas and make stories out of them before that whole success thing happens. And I know we've talked before about how the idea is the easiest part.
DeleteThings like this, I think, are why there's a brand of whiskey called "Writer's Tears."
We are all different, which means that we all take a different spin on ideas. Write yours anyway.
ReplyDeleteMost of my ideas come from bits and pieces of movies. So far, I've not stumbled upon a book with a similar idea or plot.
Oh, trust me, not writing it was never an option. It never even occurred to me. ^_^ It was just a surprise.
DeleteOh, I know exactly what you mean. Back when I was considering agents, I pitched one of my books to one at a conference. The first thing she said after she heard my pitch was it sounded exactly like this other book. The initial premise was very similar, but the way we took the story couldn't have been more different. It still was quite the punch in the gut all the same. Execution is key, so as long as that's different, then you're good to go. :)
ReplyDelete...ouch. >_< Of all the times to hear that, especially from an agent.
DeleteYep, happens all the time. But in the end no two stories will ever be the same so I just go ahead and write what I want to anyway. I wouldn't worry about anyone thinking that you ripped off an idea (besides, can't we say that about pretty much everything that's been published?). Just write it. Your experiences will make your book unique.
ReplyDeleteYep. ^_^ I've talked before about how plot and story are two different things, and idea and story are likewise not the same thing.
DeleteI've written from similar ideas as others and both of us eventually split off in very different directions. I think it happens more than we realize. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Probably; I've heard a lot about people writing/reading stories with similar elements. Odds are good this won't be the first time I have that "heyyy..." moment. ^_^
DeleteYou're right: it's all in the execution. It could even be argued there are no new ideas anymore, only new authors with new ways to tell old stories. I got a little paranoid when I started subbing my future noir novel to various agents -- a bunch of my ideas showed up on that show FRINGE shortly thereafter. So now, of course, when my novel eventually gets published, critics may say it's derivative. But FRINGE is over, and my novel has not yet begun to fight. I have plenty of time to modify a few gadgets and plot points -- until they appear in another series...
ReplyDeleteHrm. No new plots, maybe, but I think there are always new ideas. And I know what you mean about worrying you'll appear derivative. I've already considered making changes to my idea, but I probably won't, since it doesn't work without the element that the other author is also using. Eh, it happens, and it'll still be different enough if I write it.
DeleteHello Twilight! YES. We were in NYC pitching a musical with a sympathetic vampire when Twilight hit the scene and stole our thunder. *sigh* That's okay. I wasn't ready for the theater life anyway. Regardless, I've come to a conclusion. There's a creative consciousness out there and we have the power to tune into that ultimate source of awesomeness. I think there are seasons when it broadcasts specific ideas--like technological advances--and several people get the same spark. For me that's happened with music. I've heard a truly inspired composition in my head a dozen times, and then WHAM. I hear it on the radio. Someone was tuned into the same mental-inspirational channel.
ReplyDeleteInteresting theory - I've heard that applied to the sciences before, not as much to various creative stuff. But I do like the idea of being able to tap into the "ultimate source of awesomeness". ^_^
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