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Posted By: woody000 Dec 26, 2004 - 01:43 pm

Hi,

This is my first post on this forum so first of all, I'd just like to say how impressed I am with it. Just having a quick glance through for a couple of minutes, ive already made one or two notes of things to check or bare in mind.

Anyway... Ive been writing a novel for over six months now. Though I am at uni (studying physics), and so don't have much time, my first draft is getting there; about a third of the way through now.

Basically, my question relates to a similarity between my story and Tolkien. As ive just recently been reading the lord of the rings, its no surprise that the inspiration for my story came from a similar theme.

The main similarity for the story as a whole is good vs evil... though on a planetary scale. I dont think that good vs evil can be patented somehow. The main problem though is one or two details which I think is too much like the lord of the rings.

Firstly, one of the main races, of which two of the main characters originate, has a similarity. They are of a world which seems cut off from the conflict, similar to the shire, and they are a simple people, similar to hobbits. Really, when analysed in more depth, they are rather different, they are naturistic, and certainly wouldnt be smoking anything. (Oh yeah, thats another theme which is similar, nature being destroyed.)

Another detail which is similar, is that there are two main friends, in a similar way to Sam and Frodo.

Now, when you get past the second chapter, it becomes totally different. For a start, one of these two friends ends up in a coma, and isnt involved again for a long while. Its the relationships between characters we meet around the time he enters the coma, and conflict related to the fact that his best friend is in a coma, which forms the emotional basis of the story.

The plot is also totally different to Tolkien.

Put simply, if you read the whole story, I dont think you'd think it was that similar. Same themes yes, (I dont think that's a concern, is it?)... but different story.

The problem I see with this though, is that before one of the characters enters a comatose state, it would SEEM very much like lord of the rings. In reality, Im not sure this is true, but my mother thought so. Of course my mother also knows I love lord of the rings. Nevertheless its quite possible others would notice the similarities.

My question, is rather a general one, and it might not be possible to give a good answer. But basically, has anyone got any tips for how I could differentiate myself from Tolkien for the first couple of chapters?

It may be impossible to make a helpful comment here, without knowing the story in detail. But at the very least, have other people had similar problems? and how did you get past them?

Posted By: Magus Dec 26, 2004 - 07:22 pm

WELCOME TO SPECULATIVE VISION WOODY000!!!!!

I would just like to start off by saying you have very good taste. The Lord of the Rings is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written. That being said, I'll address your questions.

I've read both and cannot find any reason why you should worry. There is no legal copywrite issue with your story. And, anyway, in a few years LOTR will fall under public copywrite domain, so it wouldn't even matter then.

From what I can tell your story is, as you yourself have said, completely different. It sounds really good, the kind I would like to read.

Friendships are everywhere, strong ones are there too. So just because you have two characters who resemble Frodo and Sam in some way doesn't meen that you're ripping off Tolkien. As long as they aren't furrative little guys who go on a quest to throw a magical ring into a volcano, I think you're safe.

And on the setting, still nothing to worry about. It sounds like a good way to start off a story and I don't see any reason for you to worry. Many other stories have had a similer setting (Willow and The Wheel of Time to name just two). And I'm sure that there were more in the Pre-Tolkien/LOTR days.

I say don't worry about it. You sound like you have a good story. Just let the story come to you and write whatever your inner muse tells you to.

GOOD LUCK!

Posted By: woody000 Dec 27, 2004 - 12:03 am

thanks, that helps

Posted By: Magus Dec 27, 2004 - 06:34 am

It's always my pleasure. I'll always try o answer any question o the best of my ability. Welcome aboard!

Posted By: Gnollslayer Dec 27, 2004 - 06:56 pm

Yeah, welcome to the site. I wouldn't worry too much about copyright either.

I just recently found out that my book has similarities to a popular videogame (Halo), which I had not previously played. There is a superweapon the size of a planet that, if activated, will destroy all sentient life in the galaxy. I think I'll leave my story the way it is though, because the similarities end with that.

Posted By: Caegaraneva Dec 28, 2004 - 12:33 pm

No one really gives anything about Tolkien's copyright. If he wanted to persecute his rights every sucker in this forum would be TOAST. Just read the Mithgar series, or "The Sword of Shannara".
Substitute the sword for a ring, and you've got Lord of the rings. There are even two male little people going to a mountain of shadow. I mean, it's ridiculous. But people love it. No sweats about copyright. The only reason you should change your book would be if you yourself are worried that it is too LOTRish for YOUR tastes.

Posted By: woody000 Dec 28, 2004 - 12:38 pm

Well my worries mainly come from the idea that a publisher might read the first chapter and say "LotR" and put it down =p

The more people I talk to about it though, the more it sounds like I'm being overly sensitive, and that very few people would notice.

Posted By: Magus Dec 28, 2004 - 03:50 pm

Caegaraneva is right, Woody000. Don't sweat it.

Besides, the last thought on my mind when you told about your story was The Lord of the Rings. That is, until you mentioned it. And even then I had to squint and concentrate to see barely visable threads.

I say you're good to go and needn't worry.

Posted By: ForeverZero Dec 28, 2004 - 05:44 pm

Your solution is right in front of you. If you know what Tolkein does in his works, and don't want to be similar to it, then do just that: don't be similar to it.

With a bit of personality tweaking its possible. I know my saga has similarities to a certain videogame in many spots, but I've thrown enough of my creativity in there to where it doesn't even matter anymore, and most won't even notice it since they'll be so involved in the story.

Thats the trick, right there: If you have a truly good and involving story, similarities won't matter because people will be reading it for what it is instead of trying to look for them.