Wednesday 4 December 2013

Insecure Writer's Support Group #IWSG


A huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting IWSGThe  co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG will be Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler and Elsie is Writing!

In the novels I’ve been reading lately I have noticed some similarities with my work. Not enough for either party to cry plagiarism, though. It threw me off for a minute until I realized that my work was different although still similar. 

In most genres there are a few ideas which flow through most books. The most popular book in the world (the bible) tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. It's all a repeat of sorts. 

The only thing that makes a work unique is the fact that it's coming from the author's own perspective mixed with their experiences and imagination. I no longer get concerned when I see that a portion of my story is similar to someone else's. It just means we are on a similar track, hopefully the right one.

Do you find pieces of your work in other people's novels? Does it bother you?

To check out what the other members of the IWSG are up to click here.


28 comments:

  1. I think most stories have common themes. Christopher Booker wrote a book - a big one - titled The Seven Basic Plots. He states that all stories stem from these 7 story lines. Might be true, but with each author's vision, they come out different. Great post, Nana

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    1. Thanks, Debbie. I'm going to have to check out this Booker guy. Only seven story lines?

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  2. I would chalk it up to great minds thinking alike :)

    It's true, though. There are no new stories, just different ways of telling them and of sharing perspectives. I haven't found anything too similar to my one work out, yet. But I assume if I did, it would make me pause for a bit, in which case I'll come back here and read your post and your comments again lol

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    1. Lol, S.K. I'm going to have to check out your book and let you know if I've read anything similar. Hopefully yours is one of a super kind.

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  3. I agree with you, Nana. It's amazing when I read a new book and see the similarities with mine. There are billions of tales to be told and different points of view, just like music. Similar, yet, a different riff...

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    1. Great analogy with the music Cathy. And it's interesting that it applies to music and books from all over the world.

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  4. You'll always find books similar to yours. I'm critiquing two fantasy stories right now, both of which are about a girl who's just returned to her village to find everyone dead in the first chapter. The styles, however, are completely different, so I'd never confuse the two. That's why you need to do everything in your power to make your book stand out.

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    1. You are absolutely right Chemist Ken. Imagination is important.

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  5. How true! Romance stories have basic similarities for sure but each author tells the story differently in a way that still keeps me reading and reading.

    I have found a few similar to mine but there are different twists, conflicts, location and other differences that make mine stand apart.

    Good post, Nana.

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    1. Thanks, Stella. I'm looking forward to reading one of your fiesty romances.

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  6. Even if events seem to match, your characters will always be unique because they are your own. Concentrate on making them awesome so people will fall in love with them.
    Keep writing.
    Heather

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    1. Thanks, Heather. Sometimes it's harder done than said.

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  7. I think it's true that there are only so many basic story lines, but there are so many details that you put into a book that make it unique--details that only you could come up with.

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  8. Wow, this post is so helpful to me. I really never considered it before, but you really made me think. I'm sure almost all books have similarities to some others. You just can't let it bother you. ;)

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    1. I take it you have never found a book with elements similar to yours, Lexa. If that is so, then you have done a fantastic unique writing job.

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  9. Not just my own work, but other published authors as well. I see similar stories everywhere. Like you said, there's nothing new under the sun. It's the way we present it though, that makes it different.

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    1. It's true, Lynda. But I don't get bored with the similar story lines either.

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  10. Ok...I came here through a retweet by Stella E-Ajanakuof a post on my blog. Interesting reading but my genre is different and I hope I fit in here. Lol. I do Christian writings mostly expositions of Bible texts and truly its about perspective. Two persons can write on the same text but with varying interpretation. I have also come to realise that my writings has largely been influenced by authors I read. Truly there's no “original“ person out there. We all influenced by somebody.

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    1. You are right, Enoch. Yet with our own experiences we are also a little bit different from everyone else. You fit right it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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    2. "Yet with our own experiences we are also a little bit different from everyone else" You perfectly right with that.

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  11. As I am only just finishing up my first draft of my first book, this hasn't happened to me, yet. When it does, I hope I remember your thoughts.

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    1. Enjoy finishing your draft. Hopefully your work is so unique that it will never happen to you.

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  12. As I am yet to publish I can't say much. But having read lots of romance I may agree with the above that there are similarities in story lines and plots but different approaches!

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    1. The approaches do tend to vary. You've been published Celestine, I have the flash fiction you wrote in the anthology sitting on my Kindle ready to read.

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  13. Yup. I think we're all telling the same stories, over and over, but because we're unique individuals, the way we tell each story will be a little different :)

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    1. You're right, Liz. It's all about our unique perspectives.

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I love reading your comments.