I want to write a novel- is it too much like another?

Question

I have an idea to write a novel and just discovered its similar to another book out there. I didnt know this in the months I have been playing with this idea. Is the theme "travels back in time and meets a handsome stranger in old school England" an overdone theme? My sister says its like Outlander- but Ive never watched or read Outlander... It is genuinely my own plot and a different story- but the core of it is similar.... Is this acceptable in the novel world?

pianoman · Answer

Perhaps reading Outlander may help you to avoid much similarity..

? · Answer

Well you should read Outlander just to make sure you don't get too similar. but similar stories are not off limits. Just check out the number of Boy Tames Dragon stories, or Sorcerer's Apprentice stories there are out there. 
It is sort of tiresome to plow the same ground but its super rewarding to take something old and make it new again.

Mamawidsom · Answer

You may write whatever you want.  There are many "travel back in time" romance stories, so that element alone is not enough to make your story too similar.  If you are writing about Scotland in the 1700's, then you probably won't find a publisher or readers.

? · Answer

741 of them:  https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/421.The_Best_Time_Travel_Romance_Novels

But it was Chekov who said that there are only 5 plots and the rest are variations on them.  That you take a boy-meets-girl story and make it your own unique novel is what writing is all about. That doesn't include plagiarism, which is an entirely different animal.

And before I get inane comments - maybe Chekov said 12, maybe I don't precisely remember or I do.  But the point is important to understand.

Elaine M · Answer

Just do your own plot and make it as unique as you can.

MsBittner · Answer

Your novel won't be anything like the other novels using the same concept, I guarantee it. So go ahead and plan it out, then start writing. (First-timers are strongly advised to have a detailed master plan before they begin the actual writing. It greatly increases the chances of finishing.)

Years ago I took a writing class for adults in which we had a specific assignment--the plot, its outcome, the main characters, and the setting handed to us with the requirement we use them without alteration. The variety of stories from a dozen students was fascinating.

megalomaniac · Answer

They say that there is nothing new under the sun (i.e. it's all been done before).  So as long as you aren't consciously copying someone, go ahead and write your story whatever that happens to be.  The story is the story, not the outline.

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I want to write a novel- is it too much like another?

7 Answers