As the title suggests, I’ve found myself deeply inspired by The Odessa Dating Games a WIP that, sadly, is no longer available to read. For those unfamiliar with it, you can find the original thread here: The Odessa Dating Games (WIP).
The reason I’m making this post is because I’ve been struggling with how to recreate a similar concept without directly copying the original author’s work. What really has me in a chokehold is the ability to not only romance the heir, but also shape their personality, how they looked and their, responses. That level of customization felt deeply personal and immersive, and I would love to capture something similar in my own project.
At the same time, I suppose I’m also looking for a bit of reassurance. I want to honor what inspired me without feeling like I’m treading too closely to someone else’s ideas and, admittedly, I’d hate to end up feeling embarrassed if others see my work as too derivative. That said, I’m absolutely open to tips, tricks, advice, or resources (including links!) since this will be my first serious attempt at a project like this.
Apologies for the long post I’ve been sitting on these thoughts for quite a while, and I finally worked up the courage to voice them.
Thank you