[LeMort]

Every writer is influenced to some extent by authors that he/she admires, but have any of you ever experienced this as a negative thing? I mean, do you ever find that your writing is just too influenced by other writers?

It's a fine line between "being inspired by" and "ripping off", and lately, I strayed over it.

You see, I recently finished writing the first draft of a book that goes by the name of Scatterjack.

Don't bother remembering that name because you'll never see the book.

Why?

Well... Because, on taking a long hard look at it, I realised that it was just Perdido Street Station Lite. Now, I'll admit that I really admire Chine Mieville's work (and in particular Perdido Street Station) but I never intended to be so derivative.

I think that it just shows my inexperience as a writer and I consider it part of the learning experience. I imagine that the more I write, the more my own unique voice will take shape.

But I was wondering, has this happened to anyone else?

Also (in a frankly disgusting attempt to make this post fit into the fantasy forum rather than the writing one) have you read any books by published authors that seem to rip off books by other authors?

[Rob B]

It's tough NOT to be influenced as a writer by what you've read; whether its a recent read or one that had impact. I've caught myself and re-wrote things.

I'm sure I won't be the only, at least I'll be the first to answer your closing question with the obvious.

Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara and JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

To a lesser extent, there are many similarities between Goodkind's Sword of Truth and Jordan's Wheel of Time.

[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited October 24, 2001).]

[Shehzad]

Half of the TSR novels with the other half of the TSR novels.

[Bardos]

I was very much... ahem... copying Tolkien, when I was writing my first novel. But, now, before I write, I ask myself: "Has it been done before?" And, if the answer is yes, then I write something else.

Having said that, actually everything has been done before, but there is great difference between similarity and "copy". So, if someone is trying to take the throne from the inside, yes this has been done before, BUT not the way I'm writing it! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Bardos (edited October 24, 2001).]

[Lord Raziel]

I agree , with you all. Don't be too hard on yourself about it because it happens to everyone. Its happend to me before as well, I get ideas that I think are original and I write them all down. Only to find out later ,after my brother has read it that it was used somewhere else. And I have usually read whatever material I got the idea from.
Like Bardos said
But, now, before I write, I ask myself: "Has it been done before?" And, if the answer is yes, then I write something else.

thats the best thing to do. try, try, try again

[Shehzad]

Just a thought...

Do you think that Perdido Street Station will be a much-imitated book, another LoTR, so to speak? Will it be considered seminal? Or will it merely stand as an idiosyncracy, a piece of sheer originality that was ultimately overwhelmed by all the piles of commercial stuff?

I know these predictions are risky business, and I know what we'd all like, but still, what do you think?

[mundanemies]

I don't think it will be too much of an trend-setter. I'm sure it will get a few imitators, but more than that, I hope it's power and blending of genres will attract other writers to take more chances and mix things up a little.
Perdido Street Station is a bit too outre and not for the average Joe, that it will ever be a major influence on genre. I wouldn't mind that happening, but I seriously doubt any immense impact.

Seminal, for sure, but not the same way as LoTR.

[curledup]

I was absolutely revolted by the blatant similarities b/w WoT & Goodkind's books. That so many people buy into Goodkind's series makes me grunt in annoyance like Mephisto's 4-a**ed monkey on South Park.

[Rob B]

curledup, couldn't have said it better. Though masochist that I am, I actully got through the first three SOT books

[neologik]

Fitz, Curled-up;

I also got through the first three books by Goodkind.

As they say, KNOW YOUR ENEMIES.

--gabe chouinard

Fantastic Metropolis: Making The World Safe For Fantastic Fiction http://www.sfsite.com/fm