To collaborate or not

Every so often a writer runs across someone else’s story that has at its heart an idea they think is brilliant, but which they also think that writer has mishandled for some reason. Most of the time, the writer can take the part of the idea that speaks to them, shake off all the “wrong” bits and pieces, and write their own story. Now and again, though, the idea is so unusual and recognizable that this just isn’t possible.

When the story in question is one that’s been finished and published, t...