I Am Not Writing Anymore

[cabenson]

Damn! Have any of you ever written a story and then had the author of another story contact you and say, "You're story was really good even though it contained a great deal of similarities to mine>" and list the similarities. I never even read her fic until today. Are there similarities? About the same amount as the ones who present Olivia as being raped (or is it rapped?)and then screwing Elliot and having octuplets but not before catching 18 serial rapists/killers, incuding the one that raped her to begin with.

Yes, we both wrote about Alex sitting in the ambulance. I wrote it because they showed her there, looking over the scene and you just wondered what was going through her mind.

Yes, we both wrote about glass in the hair. I wrote what I actually experienced when I shattered a windshield with my head (WEAR SEATBELTS PEOPLE!!)

Yes, we both wrote them as having been broken up and gettng back together after the explosion...actually, I just wrote them as having sex...they may not get back together before Alex gets shot because now I'm not happy...

This was the fifth version of this story and now I feel like some nine-grade plagerist.

Aw fuck it! I'm gonna go write Olivia getting rapped into "Progression" and delete myself from that other group.

Comments

Branca's got yo' back

[heathers.livejournal.com]

Dude. That's just so... ugh. Don't let it get you down. Seriously. Whoever wrote that to you needs to get a life--clearly the are taking things entirely too seriously. This is supposed to be fun. Just because she's being a jackass don't let it ruin your fun. Besides, hers must have been so memorable if we can't figure out who you are talking about. ;)

-H

Re: Branca's got yo' back

[say-revolution.livejournal.com]

I completely agree. Don't let some troll-y little territorial thing bother you. There are only, what, like seven truly different stories in the world anyway; all of literature is merely variations on ancient themes. NO SHIT things are going to sometimes be similar: we're all human, and we all feel the same emotions, of course we're going to have overlapping ideas in what we write. Especially when we're writing about the same characters in the same situations. It would be truly miraculous if one of us wrote a fic that had nothing in common with any other fic ever written. If this person were mature enough to realize that, she could enjoy both the similarities and the differences between your fics without immediately jumping to the conclusion that you plagiarized her ass or something.

Anyway, I know that this isn't the point of this post, but since you sound like you could use some cheering up, Progression is one of the greatest A/O fics I've read. And I've probably read this mystery biatch's fic too, since I've read practically everything I can find. So there.

[mikee-pm.livejournal.com]

tell her you never read her stuff and that the similarities between your stories can be found in any of the "loss" centered stories out there.
don't stop writing because of that.

[angharad_gov.livejournal.com]

i'm in complete agreement with everyone else has said. many "loss" centeric stories do have similarities. you're not a plagerist. one can't plagerize ideas. and what that person is telling you is complete bullshit.
dont' stop writing because of it. and don't doubt your abilites as a writer. here's a pro writer's take on plagerism. it might help get things into a wider perspective.

Re: Branca's got yo' back

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Thanks dude.

Re: Branca's got yo' back

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Thanks girl, I just hate for anyone to even insinuate that I would be unethical...unless it involves getting laid;)

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

I did tell her that I just read her story after reading her comment. What really got me was that instead of e-mailing me, she made the comment public.

[eclecticfan.livejournal.com]

please don't let a Walt wanna-be get you down

see, that's how I read her post - since I'm on that list too - no idea how she meant it though

and quite honestly, I don't remember her piece being mainly about that 'missing scene' - I thought it encompassed a lot more

anyway - please keep writing and listen to your loving posse 'cause we're so there for you

and I hate to ask a stupid question but what sex? :D

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the site...I did e-mail her and tell her that I had written multiple versions of the story. She wasn't all nasty, but she did point out what she thought were similarities.

[mikee-pm.livejournal.com]

i understand how you feel.
but keep on writing.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

I know...I left everyone hanging. I will write the sex scene, I promise. And thanks for your kind words and yes, her story was about bringing Alex back. Mine was about a missing damn scene. I feel better. Mr. Pinot always helps;)

ps. I'll e-mail the fic stuff after dinner.

[detective-tatas.livejournal.com]

Cheer up >>>>

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Ah, Thanks, Det.TT's. That rocks. And I feel better now that I've ranted and no on thinks I steal stories.

[eclecticfan.livejournal.com]

steal stories ::snicker::

'cause you're in it for the money and hers would bring you millions

I can't wait for the flack I get once I post the epic I'm working on... I started it in March and since then a couple of things I've penned have shown up in other works

[lonejaguar.livejournal.com]

meeeeeeeeeh... I just did a little research and found out who we're talking about since I tend to be way too liberal with the delete key when I'm reading list mail ;)

Anyway... I wouldn't get too bent out of shape over it since it didn't seem like she was too upset over it. However... If those tiny little aspects of your story are the ones she chose to latch on to and point out were similiar her own (which was at least twice the length), then pffff... Really, that's all I can say about that.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Thanks dude!

[aqua-blurr.livejournal.com]

I'm with everyone else here. In terms of potential plot points and settings for scenes, there's only so much originality fanfic grants you. Details dictated by logic, ditto. The only things you really get to play with are word choice and metaphor. And even those get incestuous over time.

Keep writing and do it better than she does. Or comment on the similarites between her story and the show: "There's an explosion, and an ambulance, and.... Your Alex has blonde hair, too!" ;-)

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Or comment on the similarites between her story and the show: "There's an explosion, and an ambulance, and.... Your Alex has blonde hair, too!" ;-)

:giggles: Thanks!. That made my day. I got light a fire...I haven't written any drabbles yet...