From this coal, I shall make a diamond

[wayfaringwordhack]

Yesterday, after the initial crisis concerning Witherwilds, I did more research on the offending, already-published novel and found that aside from some trappings, I'm telling a very different story from the other. However, the fact remains that I have to eradicate or at least twist and disguise the similarities. I've decided that discovering the existence of the other book was a blessing. How horrid I would feel if I'd never heard of it, finished my work, and then discovered it after the details were more firmly realized in my mind, or after trying to get it published. The cloud definitely has a silver lining.

At this stage, changing the superficial elements is relatively easy. Relatively. Also, it just pushes me to accept what I already knew: a certain aspect of my book was not quite fresh enough. 

I still believe that the key concept and the (hopefully) frankness with which I hope to approach it is fresh enough in a fantasy setting. I have to plumb that concept to find a MacGuffin that will lend resonance to the story as a whole.

Comments

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I very glad the mood has shifted a bit. Even if you kept the same-ness, i doubt it would be a problem. But still, the newness could be kind of cool, too. I'm getting very intrigued about all of this. :-)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the sameness will still be there, I've decided, only transformed. There are just too many factors that separate the books for anyone in their right mind to think one a rip off of the other...I hope.

However, you know there are those people who see kid-magic-school and scream HARRY POTTER! Or Dragonriders and accuse you of stepping on Mccaffrey's toes. If I can do something to alleviate those kinds of comments, I will.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Sure there will be... The trick is to just be confident enough in the writing that you come off as saying, "Yeah, it's a magic school. What's your point?" as opposed to "I know it's a magic school and others have done it before but please just give my story a chance i swear it's really original..."

Wizard schools and dragon riders were around before those two stories... just like spies were around before and after James Bond, you know?

Pearls of wisdom

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Wizard schools and dragon riders were around before those two stories... just like spies were around before and after James Bond, you know?

Exactly, and it usually only the newer or less-informed kind of reader that does such denouncing.

What you said about confidence is a good point. No apologizing for one's story!

Re: Pearls of wisdom

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

What you said about confidence is a good point. No apologizing for one's story!

Definitely not! I think that, more than anything, kills a story before it gets started.

Re: Pearls of wisdom

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I had never really thought about it before, but I believe you are right.