Doppelganger

[sirhugs]

"Doppelganger" seems to be my word for the day- I've just used it three times in two posts (not including this one).

Is it possible to build a story idea around a single word so that I can get it out of my mind?

 

[Rob_Royale]

A quick search to give us all a definition to work with is -
A doppelgänger is a German word for "double-goer" and can refer to a supernatural double of a living person, a lookalike, or a psychological/sociological phenomenon. In folklore, it is often an apparition that is seen as a harbinger of bad luck.
I've seen this sort of creature on Supernatural so it's tailor made for a Halloween story. But one could create a psychological thriller involving a twin that was previously unknown. He or she grew up in utter poverty and has a horrible life, while the brother/sister grew up affluent and is now successful. The plan is to kill their sibling and step into their lives. Doomed to fail of course, but what if the spouse suspects the switch or somehow finds out about it? What do they do, especially when they secretly prefer the doppleganger?

 

[ericrodman101]

I can't get the idea of doppel-gang-banger out of my head now.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

But not of yourself.

Someone you've long desired. Co-worker, family member, celebrity.

 

[KindredFlame]

I have a

"Doppelganger" seems to be my word for the day- I've just used it three times in two posts (not including this one).

Is it possible to build a story idea around a single word so that I can get it out of my mind?

They say there is a mirror of everyone on earth, I have no idea who they are but I did meet mine once or was it just a reflection.

 

[Carnevil9]

I think the ultimate doppelganger story was written my HP Lovecraft, called "William Wilson." Nothing sexy about it, though; just creepy.

I like @Five_Inch_Heels 's idea, the doppelganger being of someone you were in love with, maybe a long-lost love who left you, or perhaps were tragically killed. And you see them as a chance to get back what was taken from you. But they find you nothing but creepy!

OOPS! I MEANT EDGAR ALAN POE, NOT HPL

 

[Statius]

Poe wrote one. Can't remember the title.

LitE wise, probably, for a good writer simple to do. Takes over life, including his wife/ family, job etc. Could go LW even. He knows he's being cucked, wife doesn't. If she finds out she prefers? He's abandoned for his doppelganger. Could get very dark.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

^^^ Mine would be ... guy finds the DG of someone's wife (Molly) he admires, but could never approach. They hit it off and begin to be seen in public. Other guy and his friends get wind of it and see the two together, not knowing it really isn't his wife, but rather Dolly who he has never met.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

What if it's a Jeckle & Hyde type situation, but with two bodies? The Dr Jeckle might be some upright member of society, in a loving relationship, etc etc, and the doppleganger Hyde is a manipulative primal fucker with deep dark kinks? Maybe Hyde starts butting into Jeckle's life, seducing people who expect the upright type but get the dirty end of the stick, perhaps literally?

 

[KindredFlame]

What if it's a Jeckle & Hyde type situation, but with two bodies? The Dr Jeckle might be some upright member of society, in a loving relationship, etc etc, and the doppleganger Hyde is a manipulative primal fucker with deep dark kinks? Maybe Hyde starts butting into Jeckle's life, seducing people who expect the upright type but get the dirty end of the stick, perhaps literally?

Part of that is part of the story dr. Jekyll. Was an upstanding member of the community. Now this is a good twist on a classic. What about doing something with Moby Dick.

 

[Brandnewbuddy]

I have a Doppleganger and I hate their ass. Everytime I think I’m enjoying life and have found a place to rest my boots and lay down roots, that SOB Mike shows up. Spent yesterday at laundromat where he showed up and the guy there would not believe I wasn’t there earlier and how it was sooo funny when Mike flipped someone off and jumped around on the washing machines like a gorilla.

…I ever see that bitch, it’s on sight (this is not a joke, since 2010 there has been some asshole named Mike who looks like me, people mistake me for him, and he apparently lives a wild life and I don’t have any fugue episodes that would explain a possible double life, so there is just some asshole who looks eerily like me)

Anyway:

To make some lemonade from that: woman has a doppleganger who lives a wild life. At first it’s very upsetting, but then she starts playing into it. Now she’s seducing the doppleganger’s friends, sending their siblings lewd texts, and trying to ruin their doppleganger’s life by out doing her at her own game.

 

[KindredFlame]

I have a Doppleganger and I hate their ass. Everytime I think I’m enjoying life and have found a place to rest my boots and lay down roots, that SOB Mike shows up. Spent yesterday at laundromat where he showed up and the guy there would not believe I wasn’t there earlier and how it was sooo funny when Mike flipped someone off and jumped around on the washing machines like a gorilla.

…I ever see that bitch, it’s on sight (this is not a joke, since 2010 there has been some asshole named Mike who looks like me, people mistake me for him, and he apparently lives a wild life and I don’t have any fugue episodes that would explain a possible double life, so there is just some asshole who looks eerily like me)

Anyway:

To make some lemonade from that: woman has a doppleganger who lives a wild life. At first it’s very upsetting, but then she starts playing into it. Now she’s seducing the doppleganger’s friends, sending their siblings lewd texts, and trying to ruin their doppleganger’s life by out doing her at her own game.

I feel for you there babe. Great story idea though, I know it’s been done on the big screen but this has a twist unlike the movie story

 

[UsuallyPresent]

Opening a different thread for a different topic.

 

[Carnevil9]

Poe wrote one. Can't remember the title.

LitE wise, probably, for a good writer simple to do. Takes over life, including his wife/ family, job etc. Could go LW even. He knows he's being cucked, wife doesn't. If she finds out she prefers? He's abandoned for his doppelganger. Could get very dark.

Yes, that's the one I meant. By Poe, not HPL. Sometimes I get them confused!

 

[KindredFlame]

Yes, that's the one I meant. By Poe, not HPL. Sometimes I get them confused!

I,will have to look through my collection. If not I am going to find it

 

[Carnevil9]

I,will have to look through my collection. If not I am going to find it

I'm pretty sure it is in the public domain so should be easily googled.

 

[KindredFlame]

Most Poe is but I have a collection of early editions I some first I will tell the wife I want it she will find it.