When your story shares similarities... - Writers Forum

S1E9A8N5 · 07-10-2006, 11:15 AM

What happens when your story shares similarities to setting, technology of other stories, novels but the plot and storyline are completely different? Or will you always encounter that when writing?

I am writing a story that resembles another in terms of setting and technology. But our story lines are completely different. I don't know if anyone has heard of the video game Half-Life. Well it's about the world being taken over by aliens. People are being controlled etc. They have this tower called a "Citadel" that governs the earth and watches everyone. There story takes place in Eastern Europe.

Now my story takes place in about 2056 and it's about the world (Mainly the U.S.) being primarily influenced by a government agency known as the FDA. A world where drugs are everything and nutrition is outlawed. Viruses and diseases roam the country. Now I want to have a building in each city similar to the "Citadel". Is it okay to do that since my story and plot are completely different?

Just wanted to make sure.

Sean

Kelhanion · 07-10-2006, 12:14 PM

I think it is perfectly ok (as long as you don't call them "Citadels" or "Sithadels").

And you're right, there will always be someone who sees a striking resemblance between your writings and those of some 17th century Swiss author - that can't be a coincidence, can it?

dwellerofthedeep · 07-10-2006, 12:18 PM

I wouldn't see a problem with this.

mwd · 07-10-2006, 12:18 PM

Uh, you can even call them citadels if you want. It's not like some video game invented that word: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citadel

Now if Dr. Breen had a cameo in your novel and headcrabs were jumping around, that would be a problem, but having a big tower in the centre of the city and calling it a "citadel"? That's like having a river around your city and calling it a "moat". Last I checked English words weren't copyrighted.

S1E9A8N5 · 07-10-2006, 12:29 PM

Okay. Thanks.

Sean

Scarecrow's Arrow · 07-10-2006, 04:26 PM

I'd think you'd be fine. Lots of published stories and even movies share the same basics, yet manage to be worlds apart when you actually compere them.

Armageddon and Deep Impact for example- both about the same thing, yet both vary a lot!

FrankBlissett · 07-11-2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Or will you always encounter that when writing?

Yes - it's far more the rule to find this than something completely "original".

Quote:

...influenced by a government agency known as the FDA.

You may want to consider changing the initials of your government agency. Not for any legal reason, but simply to avoid confusion with the real FDA. Unless, of course, you mean to imply that your FDA descended from the contemporary one or meant it as a bit of social comentary.

-Frank

S1E9A8N5 · 07-11-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

You may want to consider changing the initials of your government agency. Not for any legal reason, but simply to avoid confusion with the real FDA. Unless, of course, you mean to imply that your FDA descended from the contemporary one or meant it as a bit of social comentary.

By FDA, I mean the Food and Drug Administration. The United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Sean