# Inspiration vs Plagiarism Consolidated Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** Writing and Content\ **Created:** [February 24, 2020, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396 "2020-02-24T08:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/1 "2020-02-24T08:58:08Z")
Sharing my research for those that might need clarity or who otherwise care: 1st: An article that has helped me: > **[Prose, Plots, and Plagiarism - How To Avoid Literary Theft - Sidebar Saturdays](https://www.sidebarsaturdays.com/2017/11/04/httpswp-mep7vddb-wo/)** > > What writers should know about literary theft and how to avoid it 2nd: A bit of concise advice by @Gower followed by a great well-known literary theft example provided by @Havenstone: > [@Creating plot that is inspired by a book, but not copying](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/creating-plot-that-is-inspired-by-a-book-but-not-copying/26623/14): > > > [@Creating plot that is inspired by a book, but not copying](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/creating-plot-that-is-inspired-by-a-book-but-not-copying/26623/12): > > > > try to evoke flavor rather than the specific plot beats of the text you are working from. > > Terry Brooks’ _The Sword of Shannara_ is a good cautionary example here. Because he’s not just copying the flavor of _Lord of the Rings_ but any number of identifiable characters and plot beats, SoS is widely mocked as a straight-up Tolkien ripoff. > > SoS is of course also a great pre-Shades of Gray example of how you can ride thinly-disguised plagiarism all the way to the bank. But if you want to keep your self-respect, I’d take Gower’s advice. 🙂 3rd: Here is advice from @rinari > [@Fan Games and Fanfiction](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/fan-games-and-fanfiction/54439/8): > > (Also always be sure that the work/franchise that you’re creating fanfiction/fan games from has not explicitly disallowed fanfiction or derivative works. Writers such as Anne Rice, G.R.R Martin, and others have explicitly requested that derivative works not be made of their material in order to protect their copyrights, etc. Especially in the US, doing your research is good to avoid injunctions or legal action!) Finally; there was also the advice given by a teacher of a forum member (can’t find post to attribute to): - Paraphrasing: > [@](#): > > If you want to use a book as inspiration, only write after you are done reading that book. If you are writing while reading that book, the temptation to copy is too great, intentionally or not. I hope this information helps others as it helped me. ---
**Author:** ![poison\_mara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/poison_mara/32/271676_2.png) [@poison\_mara](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/poison_mara)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 9:11am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/2 "2020-02-24T09:11:45Z")
Another detail if you want to parody a dialogue of a book or a video game etc… As an easter egg funny scene, or simply as a satire. If you want to use some part of that dialogue. Description characters etc has to be different from the ones of that work. And to be safe say that X content is a dialogue from X work. I did that In my Story Planet Mopper when I included a small scene homage Monkey Island I let clear the game where it came from and the IP owner of it. So is a legal cited material ---
**Author:** ![rinari](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/rinari/32/86277_2.png) [@rinari](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rinari)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/3 "2020-02-24T17:34:14Z")
To add to my earlier point about fanworks and derivative works (I’ve been doing some research on this because I’m angling for book law/copyright law now, yay!), here’s a list of professional authors who explicitly **allow** fanfiction and fanworks, and professional authors who explicitly **ban** it: [Professional Author Fanfic Policies](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Professional_Author_Fanfic_Policies) And thanks for putting this together, @Eiwynn, it’s a great resource for all writers and creators on this forum! ---
**Author:** ![LiliArch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/liliarch/32/120749_2.png) [@LiliArch](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/LiliArch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/4 "2020-02-24T17:50:24Z")
Huh, now I’m wondering how copyright works in US, if allowing fan fiction would endanger it (unless I misunderstood something from the statements of the authors). ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/5 "2020-02-24T17:52:11Z")
> [@LiliArch](#): > > Huh, now I’m wondering how copyright works in US, if allowing fan fiction would endanger it (unless I misunderstood something from the statements of the authors). The article I linked actually answers your question, at least in a non-spefic generalist way… I’d suggest reading it, the copyright section is only a few hundred words long. Edit: Here is a more indepth dive: > **[The Unoriginal Sin: Differences Between Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement](http://www.rightsofwriters.com/2011/07/unoriginal-sin-differences-between.html)** > > Plagiarism, which many people commonly think has to do with copyright, is not in fact a legal doctrine. True plagiarism is an ethical, not a... ---
**Author:** ![LiliArch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/liliarch/32/120749_2.png) [@LiliArch](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/LiliArch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/6 "2020-02-24T18:02:42Z")
It talked about copyright infringement, right? Maybe I did understand something wrong, but I don’t think that happening does _take away_ the copyright owner’s rights, which… is the feeling I got from the author comments. ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/7 "2020-02-24T18:08:01Z")
> [@LiliArch](#): > > but I don’t think that happening does _take away_ the copyright owner’s rights, non-enforcement of your right can void it … that is why (in the US) you often have huge corporations like EA or Activision going after rededdit users that leak info …and authors trying to stop any fan-fiction… in Europe it is a bit different ---
**Author:** ![Myrtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/myrtle/32/99678_2.png) [@Myrtle](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Myrtle)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/8 "2020-02-24T20:44:42Z")
Well, that list sure was interesting. I know it’s not exactly on topic, but is anyone else struck by how… stuck-up some of the authors banning fanfiction come across in those quotes? > people shouldn’t write fanfiction with my characters because it upsets me > It is absolutely essential that you respect my wishes. I don’t mean to say for a moment that they’re not within their rights to try and discourage people from creating derivative works, but geez, couldn’t they add a little “please” in there? As in, “I would please ask you to respect my wishes on this matter”, or “Please, don’t do that. I would find it upsetting.” ---
**Author:** ![rinari](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/rinari/32/86277_2.png) [@rinari](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rinari)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/9 "2020-02-24T20:52:33Z")
I think many authors–especially those who grew up without the internet and are more traditionalist–are not totally familiar with all the varieties of fanfiction and can see it as a warping of their beloved world and characters because there are (admittedly dated) stereotypes of it getting out of hand, becoming toxic or upsetting… There are also stereotypes/stories of fans who write fanfiction being toxic towards creators themselves, which can inform their worldviews and beget the sterner language. I don’t doubt they have also had to deal with pushy fans who crossed boundaries with impunity, as anyone with work in the public spotlight is going to. Also: when dealing with legal matters (as these authors believe the issue of copyright/fanfiction to be), the water-tight “stern” language is actually 100% necessary. It can come off as rude or aggressive, but when you start getting into the legal arena and defensibility, “please” and especially “please respect my wishes on this matter” can actually be future detriments (phrased as a request you can choose to ignore) in court, and really harsh-sounding “DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DO THIS” protects the author more than not. It’s definitely abrupt but I think is necessary in their eyes! ---
**Author:** ![poison\_mara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/poison_mara/32/271676_2.png) [@poison\_mara](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/poison_mara)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 8:57pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/10 "2020-02-24T20:57:22Z")
Absolutely, you have to use a clear imperative tone to let clear the situation from a legal state point. A political correctness could be twisted, and be alleged by the other lawyer that it was not a imperative mandate and instead was a mere suggestion. You don’t say : Please please don’t enter in my property sir. ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/11 "2020-02-24T20:58:58Z")
For examples of the extreme compare the attitudes of Eric Flint – an author that has embraced his fandom 100% to J.K. Rawling , an author that I think has rebelled against her fandom. If there is a need for further Fanfic discussion, perhaps we should open a new thread for that… @rinari – I leave that decision to you, since you are our community expert 💕 ---
**Author:** ![Myrtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/myrtle/32/99678_2.png) [@Myrtle](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Myrtle)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/12 "2020-02-24T21:08:46Z")
Oh, I do understand the point about it being legal stuff, but in that case I feel a phrasing of “I am not giving permission for X to be done with my work” (which from the list, some authors _have_ chosen, to their credit) is both clear and avoids coming across as unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![rinari](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/rinari/32/86277_2.png) [@rinari](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rinari)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/13 "2020-02-24T21:10:30Z")
Yes, I’ll refer anyone who wants to continue the fanfiction discussion to this earlier thread and add my earlier link there as well: [Fan Games and Fan Fiction](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/fan-games-and-fanfiction/54439/8) On the topic of inspiration vs. plagiarism, I’d just like to add: I think it’s good for all writers to keep in mind that **there are virtually no stories that haven’t been done or written before**. Especially when we start taking into account ideas of Jungian archetypes or [the hero’s journey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey) (Star Wars, Eragon), which posit that all human narratives boil down to the same subconscious themes and tropes… there are whole books out there written about how there are [only 7 types of stories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots) (or whatever number the author picks). Don’t stress too much about writing a 100% original, never-been-done game or book, and don’t freak out if the first name of your main character shares the name of another (Harry is okay, just not Harry Potter). All writers start off drawing _inspiration_ from other writers they love and admire, and cobble together worlds from bits and pieces of other worlds they liked first. Just don’t plagiarize! And with that, here’s a useful article I found about plagiarizing fiction and related myths! > **[Four Myths about Plagiarism in Fiction Writing](https://www.kimberley-jackson.com/nowadays-everything-is-plagiarized-plagiarism-in-fiction-writing/)** > > Many people think that plagiarism only means copying another person’s sentence word by word. But legally it’s also plagiarism to take another person’s idea. ---
**Author:** ![Pyrouge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/pyrouge/32/245294_2.png) [@Pyrouge](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Pyrouge)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/14 "2020-02-24T22:46:22Z")
Not sure if my input is really needed here, but I’ll throw in my two cents anyways. The longer bit is in the summary below. > **Summary** > > I long time ago I read _Steal Like an Artist_ by Austin Kleon, which actually does briefly touch on the value of fanfiction in the book (although it doesn’t use that name). The gist of the book is essentially: the best way to avoid plagiarism is to take inspiration from several sources. Instead of relying on one story/idea to inspire you, take many. The devil’s in the details and your voice should bring your work further away from any inspired works. And obviously, don’t steal lines/characters. > > The final thing I have to say is- don’t worry _too_ much if your first draft feels uncomfortably similar to a work you enjoy. It’s something to be aware of and address, for sure, but as you change things and re-write your work, you might find your work becoming less like your inspiration. These, of course, are just my own thoughts and I apologize if they’ve been repeated before. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/15 "2020-02-25T01:11:48Z")
Pinned on February 25, 2020, 1:11am UTC ---
**Author:** ![rinari](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/rinari/32/86277_2.png) [@rinari](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rinari)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/16 "2020-02-25T03:22:22Z")
Split this topic on February 25, 2020, 3:22am UTC A post was merged into an existing topic: [Fan Games and Fanfiction](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/fan-games-and-fanfiction/54439/12) ---
**Author:** ![iota](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/iota/32/144568_2.png) [@iota](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/iota)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:23am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/17 "2020-02-25T08:23:58Z")
The point @Eiwynn brings up about waiting to draw inspiration until after you’ve finished reading is a huuuuge thing, so thank you for bringing that up! I found myself writing dialogue in my story to the same tune as The Witcher, since I had just finished an episode before writing. It can be extremely unintentional to sound exactly like what media you are receiving when writing, but it something to pay close attention to, even if it’s subconscious. This is a really good thread for authors, appreciate it being made! ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyLottery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/monkeylottery/32/138005_2.png) [@MonkeyLottery](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/MonkeyLottery)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/18 "2020-03-13T05:57:53Z")
So I’ve been working on a superhero game for a couple months now and I have also taken a liking to checking out the other supehero CoGs and HGs. However, I am a bit worried that my story is beginning to look like a rip-off of other stories. In my story, it details a world where a hierarchy of superhero powers is present, leading to those with mediocre and harmful power being discriminated against by those with more powerful abilities. I am worried that this concept is ripping off Heroes Rise and The Hero Project. My second worry deals with my characters. One of my characters has the ability to cast a force field, but it only covers their body whenever they hold their breathe, making them invulnerable. Another character has the ability to telekinetically control their hair, but it is limited by their actual hair length. At first, I thought these were sound ideas since they changed the roles the powers used to serve. The force field character is now a lot more aggressive than most force field characters and the hair control character now uses their powers for hand-to-hand combat than it’s standard long-ranged melee attack role. However, I feel as though these characters feel way too similar to Stoic and Tress from Community College Hero (not to mention the story concept’s emphasis on power levels similar to the ones found in CCH) Have there every been similar situations between others like this? Was it okay? Should I rework certain aspects of my story? ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 6:40am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/19 "2020-03-13T06:40:57Z")
@MonkeyLottery – I believe if you read this thread, it will be a good start. Once you do this, and if you still have concerns, perhaps the next step is to write a prototype of your story and then judge if it is inspiration or plagiarism. If at that point you still have questions or concerns, I’d consider talking directly to some of the authors that write superhero stuff… @Eric_Moser, perhaps @adrao … Sergei, doesn’t communicate directly here but I believe he has both a Facebook and Twitter accounts. The demo you write will be the true test; once you release that in the wild, here, listen to the feedback. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyLottery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/monkeylottery/32/138005_2.png) [@MonkeyLottery](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/MonkeyLottery)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396/20 "2020-03-13T06:53:10Z")
I appreciate the response and I will read up on this thread. Thanks! [Next page](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/inspiration-vs-plagiarism-consolidated-discussion/74396.md?page=2)