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LizW65:
--- Quote from: Yeratel on April 22, 2008, 02:13:46 PM ---Ideas aren't copyrightable, just the words.
--- End quote ---
I'm aware of this, but am concerned since in my case the "idea" is rather a specific one: In Irwin Blye's Secrets of a Private Eye, a kind of manual on the methodology of private detectives, he mentions in passing a female client who insisted upon his wearing a trench coat whenever they met, even though this was not standard practice for him.
In my story, a female client insists upon the detective doing the same thing and there is a lengthy dialogue on the subject. Should I ever get this project to a point where I would consider submitting it, would I be advised to credit Blye's book, or alternately, provide a selected bibliography? (Or would it just be safer to cut the passage altogether? I hope not, since I think it's a pretty funny idea, myself.)
meg_evonne:
It sounds like you would have a concern. i'd cut it. Or you could query the author to see if /she minds a nod or reference to his/her work. In the meantime, it doesn't sound like you are going to forget it's in there. If someone does opt on it, you could safely query your agent or your editor or your publisher.
LizW65:
--- Quote from: meg_evonne on April 22, 2008, 09:31:26 PM ---It sounds like you would have a concern. i'd cut it. Or you could query the author to see if /she minds a nod or reference to his/her work. In the meantime, it doesn't sound like you are going to forget it's in there. If someone does opt on it, you could safely query your agent or your editor or your publisher.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the input! So in your opinion, it would be plagiarism? As I mentioned, I'm aware that one cannot copyright ideas, but does this apply to specific incidents as well?
Yeratel:
The plot summaries I mentioned is called Masterplots, which contains summaries of plots in literature in books, plays, and poems from all eras, organized and indexed by author, time period, type of plot, locale, characters, etc. It's a useful reference tool, and a mine for ideas to stimulate your own imagination in developing plots of your own. Most major libraries and universities have a set of Masterplots in the reference section.
All publishers have writer's guidelines of some sort, just so writers will know what kinds of things they're looking for. Publishers of genre fiction like Romance are more specific a lot of times, because they know what their target audience buys, and they don't want new authors of cookbooks of home repair manuals sending in submissions. Here's an example:
Writing Guidelines
Mills & Boon Historical Romance
Length: 75,000 – 90,000 words
Senior Editor: Linda Fildew
Editorial Office: London
This series covers a wide range of British and European historical periods from ancient civilizations (e.g. Greece, Rome) up to and including the Second World War.
The books should be historically accurate, sweeping the reader into the dramas, passions and intrigues of that particular chosen time. Against this authentic backdrop, the developing romance should be the main driving force of the story. Actual historical figures can appear, but the hero and heroine are nearly always fictitious. The level of sensuality can vary, dependent on the mood of each individual story. A query letter with a synopsis and first three chapters are advised.
meg_evonne:
--- Quote from: LizW65 on April 22, 2008, 10:29:00 PM ---So in your opinion, it would be plagiarism?
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I know just enough about law that I'm saying---"I think that you think it might be." That is enough to make it so. If I were a lawyer, I would NOT want to put you on the stand. Is that lawyerly and oily enough for you? I'm saying, until you try to publish it, I don't think it's an issue and can be addressed at that point, but it would be much easier to cut out the reference and sleep well at night, wouldn't it? Does that make sense?
If you simply can't let it go because it's such a fun reference, then cut it and put it somewhere that you can think about it later when you can have the advice of an agent or an editor or a publishing house.
Yeratel, guidelines, I'm familiar with. I think that Masterplots would be an interesting reference just for it's historic value and as a plot stimulator. I'll check it out at the library but I was definitely picturing something else in my mind!
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