You don't specify how long ago "awhile ago is," nor how far you are into the writing, nor how "married" you are to this particular story line. Although I do not write in the fantasy genre one thing I would share from my writing experience is that it is important to feel motivated by what you are writing. If seeing a similar plot in these comics has stolen your fire I'd encourage you to regroup. Perhaps you can still use some of what you've written, characters, scenes, etc. in your redeveloped plot. You want to have fire in your belly for your story. Maybe set it aside for a bit and take on something else? Good luck.
I second this notion. While fantasy is the genre where almost all the books sound almost exactly the same (ie, world war, overthrow some evil monarchy/empire, save the world, etcetera ); if you're afraid of ripping off the exact plotline, a re-orientation is in order. Trust me, I know the feeling. I've had to gut out a huge chunk of my original idea from my own fantasy because it was too much of a blend between The Elder Scrolls and Avatar: The Last Airbender (and yes, I'm aware that they're not books.) It was actually pretty painful! Sometimes you just have to make the hard choice. That said, a basic concept is just that, a basic concept. Your story may be completely different from the Japanese comic series, namely your story doesn't include the sexism and right-wing ideology the comics have.
There's your trouble. Recognise that there is nothing unique in writing. As long ago as Shakespeare, authors were borrowing, being inspired by, outright plagiarising... "Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is based on an Italian tale, translated into verse as The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure by William Painter in 1567. Shakespeare borrowed heavily from both" It's not so much the story that you tell, but the way that you tell it.
Exactly. John Green's The Fault in our Stars is basically Romeo and Juliet if the duo lived in modern-day America and had cancer. The basic concept: two lovestruck young adults want to get together, but forces outside their control get in the way and they have to figure out a way around it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Point is, story ideas/concepts mean nothing. To quote Cogito, it's all be done before. What matters is how you interpret those concepts to make it your own. That said, are you worried that your story sounds 100% exactly like the Japanese comics?
there's always gonna be something out there similar to your idea. The key is in how you write it and what you do with it. And frankly as long as readers enjoy it, who on earth really cares? Think Hunger Games being called the rip-off of Battle Royale. Do you think either the author or its fans care? Now, if you still love your concept, then keep writing, and stop comparing yourself/your work. Tell the best story you can, that you love, and have fun.
Not 100% of course. There are lots of differences between the 2 in fact (eg in the Japanese comics the JSDF is the only fighting force in the fantasy world from Earth but in my novel a UN task force is formed and their goals ranges from simply colonizing the fantasy world to controlling oil supply on Earth. The full plot is here: https://www.writingforums.org/threads/nebie-needs-help.140764/) but I feel that the cores of both of them are a bit too similar with each other (ie they are both about a modern military fighting in a fantasy setting) so I am kind of upset about this.
Let me give you the core ideas from my stories: My fantasy is basically a split between a world war and a coming of age story for my teen MC. My sci-fi is basically your typical space-adventure romp. My historical mystery is basically a kid detective doing the work of a fully grown, mature adult detective. What is the one thing they all have in common? The core ideas have all been done before. There's nothing new under the sun as the old saying goes. Don't worry about it that much. Core ideas are just that, ideas. They've all be done before, and will continue to be done long after we're gone. What matters is your execution of that concept, how you interpret that concept, how you put your own spin on that concept. Write your story. Sounds intriguing enough for me to read it.
Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar saga is about a fantasy army - with magic - colonizing an Earth-like planet of non-magical humans. Did your Japanese comic rip that off?
If the plot of your novel is essentially the same as a comic series, then I'd say that your novel lacks depth. Basic ideas can be similar, but, as everyone else has pointed out, it's the execution that matters. Just curious. Why did you start writing it? What were you hoping to accomplish?
Drink caffeine, lose your tv remote and block all chat and video sites. After about 2 pots of coffee or a case of Mt. Dew you will be so hyped up you'll be ready to write a freaking epic book.
I was trying to quench my own thirst on this. It started a while ago when I came up with one simple question: How would a fighter jet shoot down something small and agile target with a small RCS (radar cross section. Or the detectability an object on radar)? The perfect target for my fighter will be a dragon since it is much more maneuverable (in a very low altitude at least) than a fight jet. This became a need to see an actual scene of that happening. Then I wanted to add some backstory to this fight... You get the picture. Either way the writing became very enjoyable as I am a military nerd and I would like to put my military knowledge into practical use (kind of practical anyway). After coming up with an extensive plot (seen here: https://www.writingforums.org/threads/nebie-needs-help.140764/), I started writing until I found that Japanese Comic series. Now I am stuck.
I think you're overthinking this. Remember, at the basic core, everything sounds the same. A world always needs saving, there's always this quest for redemption, an evil overlord/king/emperor/councilor to overthrow. Group A is always invading Group B. Someone's the last of xyz race/group (I think Aang, Goku, and the Doctor should form a 'Last Of Our Kind' support group. ), some kid protagonist learns how to be a mature adult through some crazy adventure either in the real world or in an imaginary world. EDIT: I neglected to mention one thing: sometimes all that I just mentioned above there happens in one story! Avatar: The Last Airbender did, and it was one of the greatest cartoon shows in recent decades. The creators took all those tried and true concepts and injected their own interpretations to create the world of Avatar. Just write the story. Remember, The Hunger Games has been accused by critics of blatantly plagiarizing an old Japanese movie Battle Royale (due to similar themes of children fighting in a life-death contest in a dystopian future), but it seemed to have done well-enough on its own, and I doubt the author cares. She even went out on record saying she had never even heard of this film. Just write the story. You can always say you were inspired by this Japanese comic, you just took the basic elements of it and put in your own tweaks and interpretations.
I agree with @Link the Writer - you are definitely overthinking this. Give your story a chance to evolve. As you write, you will find nuances that are only yours - in your characters and in your story possibilities. That's what I meant by lack of depth. Good luck with it. BTW, Tom Clancy was a military nerd, so you're in good company.
I've been at this point a few times. My head often is stuck in a maze of 'I really, really want to write' and 'But I am too sad/exhausted/ect.' Thus plus the feeling that nothing I write turns out good have dragged me down a lot. Now, whenever I am feeling like I want to write but keep myself from it, I just give myself a little push and literally force myself to at least write a sentence, sometimes 200 words so I won't start pushing the story away for any longer. Mostly I end up writing even more than I intend to because I'm getting into a flow. And now, I told myself to write at least 100 words a day so I won't even get into this maze anymore, and it works just fine
Hi all, Everytime I start to write I am overcome by this crippling feeling of self doubt. I'm just not good enough, I keep on comparing myself to other writers and I feel so inadequate. It's stopping me from actually writing anything. I usually only get a few paragraphs in and I have to stop, frustrated and insecure. Does anyone else experience the same thing, and does anyone have any advice on how to overcome these feelings?
Me? Yes and no actually. I do have a sense of doubt. I do have moments where I feel like I have been climbing FOREVER and I think I see the peak of the mountain and all my hard work and effort are finally paying off and the punch line after I piece the clouds? I haven't even started the clouds have hidden the true peak and all the effort has only gotten me 5% of the way and that sense of dread comes over me. Sort of a "If 5% has me this exhausted? What chance do I have? I should just give up." Is that what you mean? If so yes I feel that. Does that stop me from writing? No. But I think the main reason it doesn't is this. The realization of something. Imagine if that peak had been true and I did indeed make it to the top. I am only 24 years old. If I could make it to the top so soon. So easily. Then so what? I imagine before long I would be bored and no longer care. The fact that I have to keep working. That in 30 years when I am fifty five I still might not be at the top is actually appealing. Because the view from where I stand is amazing but how much better is the view going to be after 30 more years of climbing? I eagerly await to find out. Doubt is normal and I think at many points helpful. But it is a personal demon we all most learn to overcome one way or another. As I am sure you know people on here would probably love to give you advice and help you over that troubling spot that seems hard to overcome. Also I bet most will agree. Your attitude is very refreshing especially over people that are over confident. They tend to be so confident that they think they are already at the top and expecting praise for work that hasn't earned it. I find it hard to talk to people like that. Hope that helps. And I wish you luck.
Virtually every writer has these feelings... I imagine. However, you asked for advice so I'll give it. As you're reading this you may think it's a little odd and wonder where I'm going, but hear me out. I don't know what you like to read / write, so what I'm about to suggest may not immediately appeal, but go to amazon and search for a book called The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin. And then order it. The book is a bona fide publication (not self-published) and heaped in praise from the likes of The Times, Independent, etc. It was even made into an excellent and highly praised film. When it arrives, read it. No other book I've ever read has made me think, 'I can do this' to the extent this one does. The writing and story-telling technique he uses is beautifully simple. It's hard to put into words what I mean, without sounding somehow derogatory towards the author, but reading TML has exactly the opposite effect reading a complex, high-brow novel does. You read the latter and think, 'Wow, if this is what it takes to get published and taken seriously, I'm stuffed'. But then you read The Motel Life and come away truly believing it's something you could do. Now I'm not suggesting you carbon copy his style, but just look at how simply he describes a scene, presents dialogue, starts a new chapter... When I start getting dejected by my own standard, I just pick up this book and read a couple of paragraphs, and it inspires me no end.
Hey Thanks for replying. That's not what I was referring to but I also get that feeling. I mean that as I'm writing I'm being so harsh on my writing ability. There is this nagging voice in my head that is constantly criticising every word that I type so that I struggle to write anything so I just end up giving up. Gah! Its quite bad at the moment, I'm writing one paragraph and then stopping. Then I'm forcing myself to write again...it's a vicious cycle. I need to learn to just write, not think.
Thank you. I'm going to search for an exert right now, I need it! Its like my mind is split into two, one overly confident and the other debilitatingly self critical...whenever I read something I find myself telling myself, I could write this. Then I come to write and this self doubt starts again.
In a nutshell, yes. I was crippled by self doubt and to a certain degree I still am. How do I try and overcome it? Still WIP - If I'm entering a writing or poetry challenge I refuse to read the other entries prior to writing my story and entering. - Accepting the fact there will always be writers who are more talented than me, and everyone has their own style. - Write from the heart without using the head. Daft idea but it works for me. - Practice writing prose or poetry every day. Write something - learn something new. It's a tough one, Erica, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for you. If you want a writing buddy when you are feeling down you are always welcome to message me
It's perfectly normal. If the belief is there, the ability probably is. My real sympathy lies with those people who clearly can't write, and yet are blind to the fact and have absolutely no self-doubt. They're the ones with the real problem.
