writing-aid

[eretria]

Posting this here as well, in hopes of answers even if you're not in the same fandom, or even if you're in no fandom at all - an answer would be highly appreciated.

auburnnothenna and I find outselves in a small quandary.

Remember the flu fic I've muttered about here now and then? About a week ago, hth_the_first posted a story [Breathe You Deep] that covers the same subject. The plot isn't identical, nor are the relationships, but the gimmick is and by its nature means many things would be the same. auburnnothenna and I haven't started the story we outlined yet, so the question is: should we?

Would it seem like covering old ground or seem like we're stealing the idea? Would it be worth doing? Would anyone want to read it, considering the similarities?

Please answer in comments, I'm not up to doing a poll. A simple 'Yes, go ahead,' or 'No, don't', is sufficient, but if you want to expand on why we should or shouldn't, that would be interesting too.

We both like the outline we've come up with a lot, but we don't want to step on any toes. It isn't like we don't have gazillions of other plot ideas to develop (well, Auburn, at least), either. We're not going to pack up our toybox and go home in a huff.

So, help two girls out here? What do any of you think we should do?

eta: I already contacted hth_the_first about an hour ago. So, still waiting.

Comments

[ninasis.livejournal.com]

Absolutely you should still write it!

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was kind of a nasty shock finding out about it, and our first reaction was to drop the story, but really, really don't want to.

[(Anonymous)]

What about asking hth_the_first? Write her (or him?), explain your problem, and see what answer you get?
Personally, I wouldn't mind if someone else wrote a fic using the same or a similar gimmick I have used in one of my stories. Especially not, if the other autor(s) are such excellent writers as you and auburnnothenna.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Already done about an hour ago, we're still waiting for an answer.

Thanks for your input!

[lillyjk.livejournal.com]

yes, definitely do it. even if you were talking the same pairings, no doubt your version would be differnt from hth_the_first

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Thank you - and no, our pairings won't be the same. In fact, the whole thing is looking a whole lot like it's about to become gen.

[few.livejournal.com]

Well, your post appeared above Auburn's on my flist, so I'll answer here. :)

I'd say that since you guys came up with your idea before the other fic was posted, there can be no question of your having stolen it. Granted, some fandoms can be overly prone to jumping all over the slightest hint of similarity between fics (until that similarity becomes a common theme in the fandom, of course)--particularly if the first author to post is a BNF and the second is unknown in the fandom, although if, as I'm presuming, the fic's SGA, I can't imagine either of you being considered unknowns. (Admittedly, that's just an outsider's perspective. :)) That's something you will have to judge for yourselves; sometimes the fannish insanity can be too much trouble to be worth it even if you know you're innocent.

Personally, if you want to write the fic, I wouldn't let this stop you. Unless, of course, you think things will go kablooey once you post and don't feel like dealing with it.

[turtlespeaks.livejournal.com]

I think you should go ahead. Many fics have similar plots and, and often times though it's the same sort of story, the characters involved and the writing make the stories very different.

So yeah, go forth. :)

Good luck.

[amezri.livejournal.com]

You should totally do it. There are only so many plotlines in the universe, but they way you write it and the characters you choose to involve are what make them different :)

[enname.livejournal.com]

I won't repeat this comment on all of your journals, but I'd agree with contacting hth_the_first and taking it from there. If she is fine and doesn't feel you are impinging on her wrok, then I'd have no problem reading it. Just because an idea is the same doesn't mean it isn't worth doing. By nature they will turn out differently, and sometimes it is interesting to read two (or three as you are both writing) different perspectives. Isn't that what creativity is all about anyway? Recycling the same thing into different permutations? Most often it is seen in changes of media (book to film) but it is still common.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Okay, if you have it all planned out and the pairings and the plot aren't the same, I say go ahead. Maybe mention in the notes that you are aware that this other fic exists, if you like. I've read so many things along the same idea and had a few people do the same with one of my fics (different circumstances and I wasn't too chuffed about it!), but so long as you're aware of the other fic, I don't think you or your readers are going to be at a disadvantage because of a similar 'gimmick'.