Guilty inspiration

[TheTitLover]

So I've been corresponding with another author, just chatting, discussing stories we like, writing in general, life in general, etc.

However, he wrote me with a half developed idea for a story. I didn't realise how much it would inspire me. At first I replied with my thoughts, suggestions and questions. However, within a few hours I found I'd written the first chapter of a story. I wouldn't say it's plagiarised, but probably more than inspiration I think. Importantly, it wasn't offered to me to take away, we were just chatting.

Now, I've not heard back from the other author at all yet, so I haven't really even pointed out that I've done it, and I'll wait until then before even telling them about what I've done.

I just wanted to ask some questions here:

1. Is what I've done wrong? I haven't posted it, and won't without permission, but should I have sought permission first? Normally I would I think, not that it's happened like this before, but it all just wanted out of my head.
2. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What did you do?
3. What I'd really love is to pass it on to them and collaborate on it or maybe even set stories in the same universe. Has anyone had success collaborating, especially when one person has taken it upon themselves to dominate so early by writing so much? Well it's not big chapter, but still...

I do feel guilty already.

Thanks

 

[sr71plt]

1. Certainly not legally. You can't copyright ideas (you can trademark them if you can show that they are profitable, but that's a long shot to do and time consuming). It can't be plagiarism if you are writing it in your own words. Might be courteous to get an OK, but you are under no obligation to do so if you write it up in your own words.

2. Sure. I roleplayed my "Big Boy Curious" by e-mail and then wrote it up and published it. And my coauthor, Sabb, and I write stories and e-books (under Shabbu and Stephen Kessel) by throwing paragraphs back and forth in a story build.

3. Yes, most often in my collaborations I take the role of reworking it into a story/e-book after we've driven it to a conclusion. We Sometimes discuss where we're going with it; more often than not, though, we each surprise the other with a development. Most often, we each take one or more characters and move the plot by alternating back and forth between how the characters experience the same scene--progressing the action at the end of each section.

 

[Stella_Omega]

you were inspired to write a first chapter.

that's not much. You have an awful of of writing to get through still. There won't be much left of his input by the time you're done.

Don't feel guilty, don't worry about it, be glad of the inspiration that got you going.