How do you respond to Similarities

[JDC_OnPaper]

For example, you take a certain novel for inspiration and take up some of its Ideas, therefore incorporating the IDEAS into your story. However, as you incorporate some of their ideas into your own, there begins to appear a similarity. For example, this (Other) Novel has that magic system and fighting system, I take that do a few tweaks and boom I can use it to (your) novel.

But then, a Reader of the (Other) Novels sees what you did in (your) Novel. He then proceeds to do a rant about how you copied some of the (other) Novels ideas and (possibly) plot.

You just took some ideas such as (Magic System, Combat System, and a few stuffs) and did a few tweaks. While there are indeed similarities, it is mostly a different story.

How do you reply to this?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Ignore that reader.

 

[Agentt]

I mean, feck him.

Accidentally having the same ideas as other content creators is a very extremely common thing, and even being inspired by others is not something to be ashamed of

 

[Fox-Trot-9]

Eh, that just goes with the territory. To alleviate that somewhat, steal ideas/motifs from multiple sources across different genres. That way, instead of being called an asshole plagiarist, you'll be called a mo-fo genius.

 

[LilRora]

Well, I can give a story to that. It was not exactly the sitation you are describing, but similar enough.

So I have written a story and published it on Scribble, and in the first chapter in author's note I put information that I was inspired to write this story by other stories I have read on Scribble, mentioning three authors in particular whose stories really helped me.

A long while ago (~2 months, I think), I got a review from a guy who read one chapter of my story and proceeded to rant about how it is a typical transgender story that has only trans character and bla bla bla. You all know how it goes. What's important is the guy's point, which was that my story was another story like Trouble with Horns (putting aside his opinion about either of those stories).

Needless to say the guy pissed me off with such a review. I wanted to send him a private message to explain it, but in the end decided against it. I just ignored the guy.

And guess what? The review got reported and deleted the next day.

I admit that it was more of a homophobic rant instead of your typical accusation, but the point stands. If I receive something similar in the future, I'll probably either explain what I did and why there is no problem with it or straight up ignore the comment.

Though thinking about it now, people often asked me if xxx story was my inspiration (two stories in particular) and mostly I just confirm that.

 

[EternalSunset0]

By admitting to it in Afterwords or when pitching my story lol. I think I haven't had any experiences like that so far since I so openly admit to it to help set expectations.

On the other hand, my readership number pales compared to a lot of people, so it's likely just that I haven't had enough people read my stuff to have one of those people.

 

[Nym]

I feel like you can put the joke about how every book is just a remix of the dictionary there

 

[SakeVision]

I've never been accused because I don't do it. If someone accused me of ripping off some novel I don't know, I'd just say it as it is, I've never read that thing.

But if someone accused me of ripping off some novel I do know, I'd be surprised, and possibly flattered. I'd have to admit that the novel probably had a terrific influence on me if I unconsciously incorporated elements of it into my writing, and we'd bond over liking the same story.

 

[Temple]

It's the question of is it taking inspiration or plagiarizing. I don't know about your novel or the other story you got ideas from, so I can't judge that. Nor am I a good judge of it. They may have legitimate complaints or not, I dunno. I think figure that out first and then defend (or admit) accordingly.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Reply carefully.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."
- Oscar Wilde

Someone on Wattpad took inspiration from my story and told me about it. Mine is fanfiction, so I take inspiration from Yu-Gi-Oh! as well as other sources. Hers is original fiction. It's a lot different from mine, but I feel my spirit in it. It sings to my soul. Therefore, I offered her a contract, and I'm currently on Round 2, struggling to edit a page a day while my toddler pulls my fingers away from my mouse and my husband asks me endless questions about how to cook things and can't resist sharing funny things and ranting about politics and . . .

“You have to give an editor something to change, or he gets frustrated. After he pees in it himself, he likes the flavor much better, so he buys it.”​

― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

 

[HappyVainGlory]

For example, you take a certain novel for inspiration and take up some of its Ideas, therefore incorporating the IDEAS into your story. However, as you incorporate some of their ideas into your own, there begins to appear a similarity. For example, this (Other) Novel has that magic system and fighting system, I take that do a few tweaks and boom I can use it to (your) novel.

But then, a Reader of the (Other) Novels sees what you did in (your) Novel. He then proceeds to do a rant about how you copied some of the (other) Novels ideas and (possibly) plot.

You just took some ideas such as (Magic System, Combat System, and a few stuffs) and did a few tweaks. While there are indeed similarities, it is mostly a different story.

How do you reply to this?

 

[RebelLion]

Carefully.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

For example, you take a certain novel for inspiration and take up some of its Ideas, therefore incorporating the IDEAS into your story. However, as you incorporate some of their ideas into your own, there begins to appear a similarity. For example, this (Other) Novel has that magic system and fighting system, I take that do a few tweaks and boom I can use it to (your) novel.

But then, a Reader of the (Other) Novels sees what you did in (your) Novel. He then proceeds to do a rant about how you copied some of the (other) Novels ideas and (possibly) plot.

You just took some ideas such as (Magic System, Combat System, and a few stuffs) and did a few tweaks. While there are indeed similarities, it is mostly a different story.

How do you reply to this?

Well, I won't ignore that little prick, of course.

But, I'll give a response as polite as possible, addressing his concerns. No, it's not about being a 'beta' author, but rather, deflecting the bad image from you and back to the little prick.

He goes to rant, you answer in a nice way. Chances are, audiences will lean more on you. It's even more effective when he replies like a mad lad, and you (seemingly) are not affected. Most will think that he's being an ass.

Nevertheless, this kind of reader can be your boon as well. "Bad publicity is still publicity", and readers will get curious about your work.

And you know yourself how different it is from the other, more 'senior' story. Reasonable readers will immediately see who's making the drama and being an ass.

 

[WeissBlatt]

"It's an homage."

 

[LostLibrarian]

In general, the majority of the entire webnovel community survives on re-writing the same story and setting over and over again. So "getting inspired" really isn't something that makes any story special.

Thanks to that, some stories who have their own spin on things will get a lot on eyes on them for being "original" even though it's often just a small change or a new spin on an existing formula. Problem with that: some readers get really defensive about those new things and attack everything that is similar. I also got attacked for copying a story... one that was started a few months after the chapter in question.

There is a lot of theory going into it, but the general explanation is that people want to put the stuff they enjoy on a pedestal to reassure themselves that they invested their time right. You can see that behavior in all kind of fandoms but it's really pronounced in webnovels. We see the "X is just a shittier version of Y" all the time and its part of that. Put something else down so your favorite thing looks better...

The only real thing to do is to not take it to heart.
You won't be able to argue with these people anyway.



A way to minimize the occurrences is to not copy stuff 1-to-1 but use them as building blocks for your own unique world. If your worldbuilding is logical in itself and has no obvious flaws, most people won't even see (let alone care about) all those story points or systems you used...

 

[ForestDweller]

Well, I already admitted I took heavy inspiration from Mushoku Tensei. Nothing more to say. ?