Writing Tip of the Week: Exploring Public Domain Media
It’s the start of a new year, so it’s time for a fresh crop of books, plays, short stories, images, audio, and films to enter the public domain. Why is this important? It means there are hundreds of ideas available to adapt and bring new life to if you’re looking for an interesting story or concept that already exists.
Maybe you’re looking for a story to adapt for your next screenplay or short film. Perhaps you’re a novelist who wants to experiment with a new genre or story structure. You might find an image that generates ideas for a new story. Or, maybe you’re interested in finding plot elements that have been used before but want to find a unique way to use them for a new story.
This public domain catalog is a fun place to start.
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you find something that piques your creative interest:
Check the Date
Copyrights lapse on different versions and editions of books, short stories, and films, but a later version might be under copyright protection. To protect yourself, ensure your version is still in the public domain.
What Version is Under Public Domain?
Winnie the Pooh, Popeye, and Mickey Mouse have fallen into the public domain over the last few years, but if you plan to use them, you must know what version of each character is now in the public domain.
There are specific designs of these characters that are free for you to use, so you must do your homework so you aren’t met with a cease-and-desist letter when your work is out to the world.
Inspiration for the Imagination
You may find a book in the public domain with a compelling premise or several compelling plot elements that inspire you to write a different story using these elements. That’s great, too, and shows how you can use these public domain properties as a springboard for your creative endeavors.
The same could happen with a drawing, painting, or photo in the public domain that inspires a new story idea based on the events in the image.
Final Thoughts
The public domain is a vast wonderland of media that can be overwhelming but can also spark creative ideas that empower you as you develop your next story idea. Have fun exploring this vast archive and see what inspires you!
Happy Exploring, and I’ll see you next time!
Maybe you’re looking for a story to adapt for your next screenplay or short film. Perhaps you’re a novelist who wants to experiment with a new genre or story structure. You might find an image that generates ideas for a new story. Or, maybe you’re interested in finding plot elements that have been used before but want to find a unique way to use them for a new story.
This public domain catalog is a fun place to start.
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you find something that piques your creative interest:
Check the Date
Copyrights lapse on different versions and editions of books, short stories, and films, but a later version might be under copyright protection. To protect yourself, ensure your version is still in the public domain.
What Version is Under Public Domain?
Winnie the Pooh, Popeye, and Mickey Mouse have fallen into the public domain over the last few years, but if you plan to use them, you must know what version of each character is now in the public domain.
There are specific designs of these characters that are free for you to use, so you must do your homework so you aren’t met with a cease-and-desist letter when your work is out to the world.
Inspiration for the Imagination
You may find a book in the public domain with a compelling premise or several compelling plot elements that inspire you to write a different story using these elements. That’s great, too, and shows how you can use these public domain properties as a springboard for your creative endeavors.
The same could happen with a drawing, painting, or photo in the public domain that inspires a new story idea based on the events in the image.
Final Thoughts
The public domain is a vast wonderland of media that can be overwhelming but can also spark creative ideas that empower you as you develop your next story idea. Have fun exploring this vast archive and see what inspires you!
Happy Exploring, and I’ll see you next time!
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