I've just found out that my story is very similar to another story?

Question

I mean the basic outline (and a few slight subplot things) is almost exactly alike someone else's story, but I didn't purposely do this. Could I be sued for plagiarism?I mean I have some unique things but then again, some are freakishly similar. The story is The Daxter Locke Chronicles by the way.

Answer 1

If authors were in the habit of suing wannabes and copycats for writing stories too similar to their own, Christopher Paolini would be living in a cardboard box now.



If you try to get it published, it might get rejected for being too similar to the other story - not because the publisher is worried about being sued, but because they're worried no one would buy it. If it gets published anyway, then readers who notice the similarities will chastise and mock you for being a talentless hack. But nobody will sue you.

Answer 2

By Daxter Lock do you mean Lemonstix? - I think it was Limikkinstixx or something, but I forgot :p or iLemon. She's not published yet though as far as I know so it shouldn't really matter.



Your story's always going to be similar to someone else's - I discontinued (at least ripped the plot apart of) a story that was exactly the same as the Lion King minus the lions (but I swore I hadn't watched the Lion King in years), but it was more because I realized it was even more painfully cliched and unoriginal than what you'd call your typical cliche-filled fantasy.



I can't give you much more advice than to just try thinking up original ideas for your story. They don't necessarily have to be twists or unique characters that ride mango colored jetpacks to work, just something that's your own. Maybe it's some kind of meaning or message you'd like to incorporate into your book that you feel isn't said a lot or said enough. Sticking in something like that could change your characters and events a bit.

Answer 3

You could not be charged with plagiarism. Most books have a twin somewhere along the line and it's only human to think the same. As long as the names aren't the same and the sentences don't look exactly the same from another book, you should be okay. IF you are sued, you can call it unfair. Which it would be.

Good luck! :D

Answer 4

Have you tried to publish your book/ is it already published? If so, you could possibly be sued for plagiarism by the author of the Chronicles. From the sounds o things, your story hadn't been fully written/ developed yet. Therefore, you now have the opportunity to change things around. Make your story unique. No one wants to read copies (aka clones) of things that already exist on the market. Think how sick publishers are getting of the Twilight vampire books floating around. Try something original.

Answer 5

Well, if` YOU yourself think it's too similiar, then read a review on the book you think you are plagiarizing. If you find it too similiar, then change your plot to something that isn't entirely different (if you want the theme of the book) and add quirky, unexpected changes to make it original.



Hope I helped and good luck :)

Answer 6

A lot of stories are like that--similar plots. As long as your story doesn't have the same characters or names or anything like that you are fine. And as long as the plot isn't I don't exactly on..then I'd say your fine..

Answer 7

There are a lot of stories with similar plots. As long as you don't copy names or the exact sequence of events and try to make it your own story, it should turn out fine.

Answer 8

It's unlikely you'll be sued. You'd be surprised how many stories have blatantly similar plots. So long as you execute it in your own unique, original way, you'll be fine.

Answer 9

properly, i do no longer comprehend any memories on the subject of the ethics and such with killing criminals, yet there are a super variety of shinigami animes (besides bleach >.>) in case you desire a shinigami anime, attempt "yami no matsuei"

Answer 10

Which book was put out first?