They stole my idea!

inexperiencedinker · Sep 28, 2005

Okay, not really. I received a new book last week, Mind Bend by Robin Cook. I ordered it through a book swapping place so I didn't get to read the back cover, but I ordered it anyways. I sat down for a good read and started with the back cover and the blurbs, like I always do, and then I read through the prologue.
Then it happened. The book was slowly shaping into my current ms. I felt sick to my stomach, but I kept reading. By the middle of Chapter 1 the parallels were so disgustingly apparent that I thought I might puke. This book was published in 1986, when I was 4, so really I guess my worry is that I stole HIS idea. I have never read this author before, and I just started reading the genre. I think I am going crazy, lol.
I haven't had the courage to reopen the book. I am sending it to my sister to read for me. My worry is that I am writing a story (our prologue and first chapter had the same scenes, themes, and even outline. It was nuts) that has already been written. This story is very personal to me and sprang from some personal experiences that I was trying to work through in fiction. I also worry that if I read the book, and only the basics are similar, I will taint my ms or my story concept will change for the worse trying to veer away or toward this book.
My sister is familiar with my plot, so she said she would read it and tell me how much I need to worry, but I am so sick over this I don't even want to continue on this MS right now.
Suggestions, similar experiences, anything? I feel just awful right now.

Perks · Sep 28, 2005

As far as I can tell, the only thing for you to do is read it. You'll probably find that there is nothing to worry about. If somehow you did parallel too closely, you can either change it up or write something else.

While I was finishing mine, there was a book released that became the hottest bestseller of that year with a couple of similarities that startled (a basic plot device, a couple of small plot points and two of the characters had the same name as two of mine.) It was surprising, but after all was said and done the books were very, very different. So, it turned out to be nothing more than an interesting coincidence.

Read it and let us know!

Jamesaritchie · Sep 28, 2005

Book

I'd give the opposite advice. Don't read it. You can live iwthout reading that partivular book, can't you? If you don't read it, any further similarities will be pure coincidence. You won't have to worry about inadvertently transfering anything from that book to your own. Just forget all about that book and write your own.

FolkloreFanatic · Sep 28, 2005

Don't read it.

The more you do, the more likely it is that you'll turn little nothings over and over in your mind, wondering if you have the right to include them in your story.

No one has copyright over an idea. Write your own novel and it will turn out differently on its own.

(BTW, this happened to me when I read about screenplays being written on a serial killer from 19th century Chicago, both to star Tom Cruise and Leo DiCaprio. I'm still going to write my sp, and I'll be damned if some bigshot Hollywood writers are going to scare me away from my plans.)

Jaws · Sep 28, 2005

This is not legal advice for your particular situation.

As a general rule, what gets one in trouble is similarities in character, not in plot or in setting (aside from imaginary worlds, such as Star Trek or Scott Turow's Kindle County). Further, what many people call "plot" is not the plot; it is at most a mythic archetype. General rule: If it takes less than 100 words to describe what happens in a novel, you're probably describing mythic archetypes, not plot. Why does this matter? The literary term "mythic archetypes" has been distilled into the copyright-law doctrine of "scenes a faire," which doctrine says are noninfringing because they are mere ideas instead of original expression.

That said, even if the plot is identical, a distinct difference in viewpoint is enough to make a work noninfringing, as long as it doesn't also have other problems (character and, as noted above, invented settings). For example, one might tell the story of the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of BG John Buford (a Union cavalry officer) and not infringe on any of the hundreds of book-length accounts—both fictional and otherwise (whether intended that way or not, as the standards of scholarship vary quite a bit!)—without infringing upon any existing account.

StoryG27 · Sep 28, 2005

I guess don't read would be the wise advice to give, but the same thing happened to me, and I read the book with a vengance, couldn't put it down because I was just so sick that this well-known author beat me to this idea. All the work I had done felt wasted, but it didn't take more than four chapters for me to realize our books, while sharring similarities, were VERY different. I don't have to worry much about accidently putting what I read into what I write, so I guess that wasn't a concern of mine. What I read infulences me, but not to the point I'd be afraid I'd inadventantly copy it. For me, reading it was the best thing I could have done because it put my mind at ease, so I wasn't fretting over my story, trying to put some wild, unbelievabe twist in it just so it couldn't be similar to anything else. Either way, work on your story because it most likely will be very different from Robin Cook's book. Let us know how it goes and good luck!

maestrowork · Sep 28, 2005

I would say don't read it. There are millions of books out there, and chances are your story would be similar to any number of them (especially if you write genres). Chances are there is a story out there that is similar to mine, too. But I don't know about it. I certainly don't want to know about it.

You can't copyright ideas anyway. I mean, how many Cinderella stories are out there? But you make it your own.

If you find that your story is very close to others, it might be that you're getting too close to cliches. Is it another elves vs. evil lord story? Is it another farm boy meets society girl story? Is it another "sickness of the month" story? It doesn't mean your story shouldn't be told, but you should really try to make it your own by creating new, unique characters and settings that are special. Or plots that move unexpectedly. Dialogue that is thought-provoking. Not to mention style -- your style could very well be very different from the other writers.

Tell a good story. And worry about the other stuff later -- or never.

goatpiper · Sep 28, 2005

A man by the name of JRR Tolkein wrote an epic fantasy mid 20th century, and since then thousands of stories have been published about an underdog up against an evil being, supported by a cast of varying fantastic creatures such as elves and dwarves. I'm one who subscribes to the notion that there's not much truly original stuff out there, so it's really HOW you tell your story that matters most.
My 2 cents.

Vanessa · Sep 28, 2005

I would agree with most people here. I wouldn't read it. Finish your story with what's in you. And tell your tell sis to just read it, but don't give you any clues or hints of what it is about. Keep the process creative, plus you'll feel better in the end. And please don't feel down about it; This happens all the time. Keep writing!

Good Luck!

inexperiencedinker · Sep 28, 2005

Thanks guys! I think I am going to stick with NOT reading it. This is my first MS, so my style and voice are still a little watery (to be strengthened during edit!) and I think I would be influenced.
I appreciate several of the comments about "How you write" vs. "What you write". I would have to agree, although I never really thought much about it until now. There are several books that are completely out of my preferred genres that I really enjoy, so that is an example of "How" vs "What".
And thanks for the words about plagiarism, and copyrighting ideas. Now that I have calmed down enough to really dissect what I read, I think that there are enough differences in just that short bit to be two different stories. The antagonist and the protagonist are very different. Real motivations seem to be different as well, from the back cover description. It's nice to know that I won't be accused of plagiarism because we plucked from the same muse, lol.
Thanks for the support guys, and I am sorry for those who had a similar experience. It is definitely a gut-wrenching one.

Perks · Sep 28, 2005

I can't believe I'm the only one that thinks you should read it! It seems to me that you'd really be able to put the issue to rest reading the inevitable differences in storyline and style. That the beginnings felt so similar was probably quite a shock, but I can't imagine that they'd parallel much beyond that unless you were subconsciously regurgitating a story that you'd forgotten you'd read before... and that's not very likely.

Either way, hope your ms comes together the way you'd like!

Niesta · Sep 28, 2005

I think he should read it, too, Perks... but read it AFTER your WIP is finished, preferably after someone's agreed to publish it. I have no doubt it will be different from how yours ended up, and by then, you'll be in a position to laugh about it.

inexperiencedinker · Sep 28, 2005

(pssst...i'm a sssshe)
I do plan on keeping the book around, for after the MS is finished. I will admit, I am in a fit wanting to know exactly how deep the parallels run, but that is why I am sending it to my sister for the time being. I trust her opinion, and her knowledge of my story, to tell me either, "Please! After the first chapter they are totally unrelated." Or, "Oh My God, you are trying to plagiarize this author! Stop it!." LoL.

Perks- The thought about having read it and just not remembering are what first made me sick to my stomache. I have decided though that I really have never read this author, let alone this book. I was very young when it was originally published, and only recently started reading the 'medical thriller' sub-genre when my WiP started evolving into that kind of story. I never had any interest in the genre, until this dang idea started bouncing around in my head just itching to be put to paper.

And I certainly hope I can laugh about it one day!

Perks · Sep 28, 2005

inexperiencedinker said:
Perks- The thought about having read it and just not remembering are what first made me sick to my stomache. I have decided though that I really have never read this author, let alone this book. I was very young when it was originally published, and only recently started reading the 'medical thriller' sub-genre when my WiP started evolving into that kind of story. I never had any interest in the genre, until this dang idea started bouncing around in my head just itching to be put to paper.

And I certainly hope I can laugh about it one day!

Yes, I very much doubt that is the case. Hopefully your sister will power through it and you'll be laughing about it this time next week!

StoryG27 · Sep 28, 2005

Perks said:
I can't believe I'm the only one that thinks you should read it!

You're not. I said when this happened to me, I read the similar book and it was the only way to put my mind at ease, to relax and get back to the story I was telling. Otherwise I would have gone insane and my creativity would have gone a bit haywire. We must have similar personality types, because it would have drove me mad to finish my book and not now if it was close to the other. Having said that, I guess some people would benefit by not reading it, I'm just definitely not one of them.

Perks · Sep 28, 2005

storygirl said:
You're not. I said when this happened to me, I read the similar book and it was the only way to put my mind at ease, to relax and get back to the story I was telling. Otherwise I would have gone insane and my creativity would have gone a bit haywire. We must have similar personality types, because it would have drove me mad to finish my book and not now if it was close to the other. Having said that, I guess some people would benefit by not reading it, I'm just definitely not one of them.

Yes, luckily the similarities for me showed up just after I was done with the first draft, but I know that I would have read it right away if I heard of them before. As it was, I ran out the same day to get the book in question. Sorry for having missed the agreement!

stace001 · Sep 28, 2005

I say don't read it. Finish your WIP then give them both to your sister to read. If there really are similarities, she'll pick them up. Then you can go from there. That's what i'd do.

StoryG27 · Sep 28, 2005

Perks said:
Yes, luckily the similarities for me showed up just after I was done with the first draft, but I know that I would have read it right away if I heard of them before. As it was, I ran out the same day to get the book in question. Sorry for having missed the agreement!

S'ok.

I really am curious though, those who wouldn't read it...why? Wouldn't it just drive you nuts not to know? You're going to tell you're story you're way anyway, it's not like you'll plagerize or be so heavily influenced that you lose your voice. Besides, I would think it's a safe bet that 98% of the time, all reading the book is going to do is set your mind at ease because within just a few chapters you'll realize how very different the stories actually are. Then your mind is clear again, you feel better, and it's back to telling the story only you can tell, the one you'd already started.

scarletpeaches · Sep 28, 2005

This happened to me before; all the cliches came true. My blood ran cold, I felt sick...I forced myself to read the book and was pleased to discover our ideas weren't as similar as I at first thought. I then decided to concentrate on another plot thread that was more of a subplot in my book. This eventually took over and became the main plot after a couple of re-writes and I slowly wrote the original, 'plot doppelganger' out of my book altogether. (Plotganger?)

Anyhoo...My sympathies are with you. Good luck.

Niesta · Sep 28, 2005

inexperiencedinker said:
(pssst...i'm a sssshe)

OOPS! :Smack: Sorry! I hate it when people do that to ME. You'd think I'd know better!

LightShadow · Sep 28, 2005

Good writers think like good writers. Out think them.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 28, 2005

storygirl said:
S'ok.

I really am curious though, those who wouldn't read it...why? Wouldn't it just drive you nuts not to know? You're going to tell you're story you're way anyway, it's not like you'll plagerize or be so heavily influenced that you lose your voice. Besides, I would think it's a safe bet that 98% of the time, all reading the book is going to do is set your mind at ease because within just a few chapters you'll realize how very different the stories actually are. Then your mind is clear again, you feel better, and it's back to telling the story only you can tell, the one you'd already started.

Why would it drive me nuts? The storie smay be very different, but there may still be enough similarities to make you all depressed, maybe to the point where it's difficult to work on your own novel.

I can always read the book AFTER I finish.

LightShadow · Sep 28, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
Why would it drive me nuts? The storie smay be very different, but there may still be enough similarities to make you all depressed, maybe to the point where it's difficult to work on your own novel.

I can always read the book AFTER I finish.

Change a few more things for the better and allow the book to evolve into something that reminds you nothing of the other.

inexperiencedinker · Sep 28, 2005

I'd like to think 20 years from now I will sit beside my fireplace in a cozy wingback with a glass of wine and laugh at how silly I was when I wrote my first book. (first...as in many

) Right now though I really want to stay as close to my original idea as possible. If something just takes over (plotganger, huh?) than I hope I will recognize it as something better and more worthy of attention, but right now I can't stand to think of straying from my outline. Especially just because I read something that influenced me that heavily. Although I KNOW I am special, I really don't think that I am psychic. :tongue

Hopefully that means that in the end, when I have finished at least the first draft, I can read the book and shrug off any small similarities.

For now though, I am sticking my head in the sand, lol. I'll let my sister blaze through it and give me the initial thumbs up or thumbs down.

Evolution sucks! What could possibly be better than my first, original, ground breaking idea? LoL
At least, isn't that what most first time writer think?

LightShadow · Sep 28, 2005

inexperiencedinker said:
I'd like to think 20 years from now I will sit beside my fireplace in a cozy wingback with a glass of wine and laugh at how silly I was when I wrote my first book. (first...as in many ) Right now though I really want to stay as close to my original idea as possible. If something just takes over (plotganger, huh?) than I hope I will recognize it as something better and more worthy of attention, but right now I can't stand to think of straying from my outline. Especially just because I read something that influenced me that heavily. Although I KNOW I am special, I really don't think that I am psychic. Hopefully that means that in the end, when I have finished at least the first draft, I can read the book and shrug off any small similarities.

For now though, I am sticking my head in the sand, lol. I'll let my sister blaze through it and give me the initial thumbs up or thumbs down.

Evolution sucks! What could possibly be better than my first, original, ground breaking idea? LoL
At least, isn't that what most first time writer think?

Yes, but characters can be tricky, and gain a mind of their own. It makes them more real, but sometimes they alter my stories, but it always turns out for the better.

They stole my idea!

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