Diane ’s comment > Likes and Comments

Diane, I have read your other thread. I only wanted to say one thing: in writing and publishing, there is a common idea/phrase that there are only 6-7 original plots out there. With that said, there are many stories that are similar in their basic plot arc and characterization. The key is to make each story different with its own feel. There has to be some originality to it.

To say that 50 Shades of Grey is a copycat because it has an Alpha male character, a slightly timid female who can't resist his the brooding, controlling nature of the good-looking Alpha male, and have them in dangerous situations where he has to save the day copycats through and through, in my opinion, is silly. That plot has been written over and over and over again. Stephenie Meier did not create that. She did, however, have an original story about vampires that people fell for. They didn't fall for her writing. It was the characterization and plot that hooked readers.

Granted, this began as fanfiction, but many authors begin with fanfiction. Many published authors begin with a storyline similar to other novels. As a writer, it is sad when truly great writers don't get published or read and others with less in regards to writing (think Ian McEwan here vs. E.L. James) never make it. Again though, any editor or literary agent would say that they have two things to consider immediately: 1) can I sell it and 2) is it any good.

Publishers will publish what sells. Writers, fanfiction or not, will sell their writing if given the chance. I can't think of any person I know who would turn down the publishing deal and the movie rights acquisition that E.L. James.

So...it's just something to consider. Also, did you read the books?

I skimmed a copy and suffice to say that it was not very different from the fanfic version (MOTU)..

The similarities go beyond the tropes. Even the characterizations, setting, relationship dynamics, and probably several other things were taken from twilight.
See list of comparisons: LIST

Fanfiction and non-fanfiction are not categorically separate universes. I think it is fair to say that most if not all so-called original fiction is derivative to some extent or another. But there is a difference between writing a story inspired by another vs writing and presenting a story first as fanfiction and then changing the names to sell it as original fiction. There is no bow to the source material there, there is simply cynical, self-entitled and lazy appropriation of another author's characters, tropes, and devoted fans.

I'm not opposed to fanfiction writers making it big. I'm opposed to authors piggybacking on another authors success. I'm opposed to authors appropriating copyrighted material. I'm opposed to using a fandom for one's own profit.
It's unethical, it's dishonest.

I understand much of what you say, Diane. I agree with much of it as well. I don't believe you can comment fully on this trilogy though until you have read it completely. I'm not sure how you can make judgements with a skim.

That said though, I do appreciate your comments and get what you are saying.

Viola wrote: "I understand much of what you say, Diane. I agree with much of it as well. I don't believe you can comment fully on this trilogy though until you have read it completely. I'm not sure how you c..."

Well my judgements are mostly on the publication, ethics of it and how it relates to twilight and affects fanfiction.
Skimming it already shows much of the fanfiction and of twilight she has retained, how much more reading it?
The fanfic version is 89% percent the same as the published book. So it's very safe to assume that other than the names there isn't any major changes.