So, I've noticed something with some of my fics - people keep saying it reminds them of X movie, or, the most outrageous, that I STOLE my idea from X movie
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To paraphrase an old adage, there's nothing, if very little new under the sun and what people are commenting on isn't theft, but convergence.
There are many basic premises out there that have been used again and again, sometimes intentional, sometimes not, and for good reason - they identify with the basic human condition and how we rub up against each other (not in the smutty, fun way... but I'm not complaining when that's the way the story goes!) .
You only have to read a few books and plays and/or watch a few TV shows or movies to see that this is the case. I think those people who make such comments haven't really thought it out.
How many stories and movies, for example, are parallels of some of Shakespeare's works? He knocked off many of his ideas or revamped them from other works - most probably some intentional, some not.
A couple of examples of analogues of his work that spring to mind are West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet) and Forbidden Planet (The Tempest).
There are a lot more obvious knock offs of other stories by other writers that have been accepted, even acclaimed, and have made a lot of money with no one criticising them.
The premise to You've Got Mail has been around for a long time before that movie was made, too - as you said, it was actually based on a 1940's movie called The Shop Around the Corner, then remade in a musical format with Judy Garland in In the Good Old Summertime - but that premise of two people who are either strangers or can't stand each other finding romance via either letter or telephone or some other faceless form of communication is as old as the hills. It works because it's about overcoming preconceptions of people - a common human trait. I suppose Cyrano De Bergerac could be classed in this premise category as well.
As to Bridget Jones' Diary - well, that's just a simplified, similar premise to Pride and Prejudice and they even kept Mr Darcy's name - and you can bet that there are tales told and written long before Jane Austin wrote that that paralleled the premise.
Makes them no less enjoyable and no less worthy of a read.
So next time someone makes a comment along those lines regarding your work being similar to some other work, just shake you head indulgently at them and continue merrily on your way - if it was good enough for Shakespeare, m'dear - it's good enough for you!
I love your stories and I wouldn't take any notice of those "observations" if I were you. Nothing I've seen seems to be a copy....and everyone takes a bit of something from everything we see/hear/read/experience....don't we?
Nah, not bothered with it. I love writing romcom (especially the hate-to-love variety), and since it's a pretty huge genre in movies, I've no doubt a few folks are going to see some similarities. I love Sophie Kinsella's books and her writing has influenced my own. It's a shame I'm not hearing, 'This reminds me of Becky from The Shopaholic!' Now THAT would make my day haha.
So next time someone makes a comment along those lines regarding your work being similar to some other work, just shake you head indulgently at them and continue merrily on your way - if it was good enough for Shakespeare, m'dear - it's good enough for you!
^^^ This brought a big smile to my face. Thanks for the encouragement, darklotus! I agree with everything you've said. To be honest, while I like putting original spins on an old cliche, I really don't mind my work resembling others. It'll be next to impossible to avoid it! :D
There are many basic premises out there that have been used again and again, sometimes intentional, sometimes not, and for good reason - they identify with the basic human condition and how we rub up against each other (not in the smutty, fun way... but I'm not complaining when that's the way the story goes!) .
You only have to read a few books and plays and/or watch a few TV shows or movies to see that this is the case. I think those people who make such comments haven't really thought it out.
How many stories and movies, for example, are parallels of some of Shakespeare's works? He knocked off many of his ideas or revamped them from other works - most probably some intentional, some not.
A couple of examples of analogues of his work that spring to mind are West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet) and Forbidden Planet (The Tempest).
There are a lot more obvious knock offs of other stories by other writers that have been accepted, even acclaimed, and have made a lot of money with no one criticising them.
The premise to You've Got Mail has been around for a long time before that movie was made, too - as you said, it was actually based on a 1940's movie called The Shop Around the Corner, then remade in a musical format with Judy Garland in In the Good Old Summertime - but that premise of two people who are either strangers or can't stand each other finding romance via either letter or telephone or some other faceless form of communication is as old as the hills. It works because it's about overcoming preconceptions of people - a common human trait. I suppose Cyrano De Bergerac could be classed in this premise category as well.
As to Bridget Jones' Diary - well, that's just a simplified, similar premise to Pride and Prejudice and they even kept Mr Darcy's name - and you can bet that there are tales told and written long before Jane Austin wrote that that paralleled the premise.
Makes them no less enjoyable and no less worthy of a read.
So next time someone makes a comment along those lines regarding your work being similar to some other work, just shake you head indulgently at them and continue merrily on your way - if it was good enough for Shakespeare, m'dear - it's good enough for you!
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I love your stories and I wouldn't take any notice of those "observations" if I were you. Nothing I've seen seems to be a copy....and everyone takes a bit of something from everything we see/hear/read/experience....don't we?
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Nah, not bothered with it. I love writing romcom (especially the hate-to-love variety), and since it's a pretty huge genre in movies, I've no doubt a few folks are going to see some similarities. I love Sophie Kinsella's books and her writing has influenced my own. It's a shame I'm not hearing, 'This reminds me of Becky from The Shopaholic!' Now THAT would make my day haha.
Reply
^^^ This brought a big smile to my face. Thanks for the encouragement, darklotus! I agree with everything you've said. To be honest, while I like putting original spins on an old cliche, I really don't mind my work resembling others. It'll be next to impossible to avoid it! :D
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