How Much Stuff Do You Steal?

[NOIRTRASH]

George V. Higgins said, BAD WRITERS PLAGIARIZE, GOOD WRITERS STEAL.

I'm reading an old James Ellroy noir and about halfway thru it I see the ending, 200 pages out. Cool. But what if wife's peril didn't involve a stranger but came from the husbands friend she was fucking? The guy with the monster schlong who made her eyes roll about like the BB in a game toy. Ellroy didn't write THAT but its there ready for a five finger discount.

How much do you steal?

 

[SlightlyGone]

dot dot dot

 

[SlightlyGone]

You meant ideas.

 

[sr71plt]

I am inspired to write by a lot that I'm reading. I think that's more of spinning the idea/situation off into other dimensions rather than stealing. I research backgrounds a lot and use what others have written about them. That's probably closer to stealing, but not even that--those authors got the information from somewhere else too (or were there at the time and experienced it). I thing we call that doing your research.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I am inspired to write by a lot that I'm reading. I think that's more of spinning the idea/situation off into other dimensions rather than stealing. I research backgrounds a lot and use what others have written about them. That's probably closer to stealing, but not even that--those authors got the information from somewhere else too (or were there at the time and experienced it). I thing we call that doing your research.

Sure, stuff left on the table.

 

[JKendallDane]

When I was doing consulting work and motivational speaking in another lifetime, I was taught anytime you are more than fifty miles from your office, it's not stealing but rather "creative research."

But when it comes to writing I believe if you can't put a completely new spin on something, even after kicking the Muse in the ass, then you need to leave it totally alone.

Plot bunnies should never be kidnapped.

 

[TxRad]

When I was doing consulting work and motivational speaking in another lifetime, I was taught anytime you are more than fifty miles from your office, it's not stealing but rather "creative research."

But when it comes to writing I believe if you can't put a completely new spin on something, even after kicking the Muse in the ass, then you need to leave it totally alone.

Plot bunnies should never be kidnapped.

I have more plot bunnies than I'll ever write now so why would i borrow, much less steal.

Kidnapped plot bunnies reminds me of an old Lit story by a great writer, called "Sock Love." I don't even know if it is still here. I'll have to look when I have time.

ETA: I did a search and neither the story of the author are listed anywhere but in a top 100 post.

 

[Laurel]

The small soaps and the trial-size lotions or shower gel, but never anything major like towels or glasses.

 

[Laurel]

Ah, I guess I should've read the OP first.

 

[CeasarBoobage]

I have more plot bunnies than I'll ever write now so why would i borrow, much less steal.

Kidnapped plot bunnies reminds me of an old Lit story by a great writer, called "Sock Love." I don't even know if it is still here. I'll have to look when I have time.

I have a ton of scenarios that I've been working on forever, but I still manage to 'borrow' some from time to time. It makes me feel better to tweak them from their original state though. What I will shamelessly 'steal' are certain reactions or descriptions of feeling. Sometimes single words just jump out at me, begging to be used in a scene I'm struggling with.

 

[lovecraft68]

The only time I can recall really borrowing heavily from something was from HBO's True Detective(the first season, the good one) Harrelson's character was such a piece of shit... a cheating womanizer, a jealous prick and the stereo typed arrogant cop that misuses his position.

I wrote that character into Every Dog has its day and gave him what he deserved. Not that I hadn't seen those types in books, movies and real life before, but he did it so well I had to finally see them get their comeuppance my way.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

The small soaps and the trial-size lotions or shower gel, but never anything major like towels or glasses.

We're gonna check finger prints.

 

[SlightlyGone]

The only time I can recall really borrowing heavily from something was from HBO's True Detective(the first season, the good one) Harrelson's character was such a piece of shit... a cheating womanizer, a jealous prick and the stereo typed arrogant cop that misuses his position.

I wrote that character into Every Dog has its day and gave him what he deserved. Not that I hadn't seen those types in books, movies and real life before, but he did it so well I had to finally see them get their comeuppance my way.

I was very disappointed (took me ten minutes and a google search to spell that word, I'm very disappointed I didn't know how to spell disappointed) ... season two felt like the writer didn't know what he wanted to write ... characters or crime .... I'd like to see him get a season 3 just so he can focus on something.

 

[lovecraft68]

I was very disappointed (took me ten minutes and a google search to spell that word, I'm very disappointed I didn't know how to spell disappointed) ... season two felt like the writer didn't know what he wanted to write ... characters or crime .... I'd like to see him get a season 3 just so he can focus on something.

Yeah it was a huge let down...Vince Vaughn was horrible, every time he opened his mouth it was stupid. Not his fault, seemed like a bad part for him.

I think season one was lightning in a bottle, I don't think they will match it again.

 

[SlightlyGone]

The small soaps and the trial-size lotions or shower gel, but never anything major like towels or glasses.

Soaps ... I steal mattresses ... you need to aim for the stars, miss.

 

[rjordan]

I steal plots and pens. Everyone here steals plots whether they realize it or not. Sometimes I steal characters, but by the time the story is baked, they are unrecognizeable.

I don't actually steal pens because people give them to me. Every time someone hands me a pen to sign something, I keep it. I don't know why. If you ask for it back, I'll return it, but otherwise, you gave it to me. I have a couple that probably cost a few dollars. But if someone unintentionally undercharges me or gives me too much change, I refuse it.

This post was stolen. A few tweaks, and it's mine. A few more, it could be yours.

rj