Tantalize
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I can't believe that she ripped off Twilight so badly!
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Jan
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Jan 22, 2008 06:03PM

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I don't know if the original poster in this thread was serious or not, but I felt compelled to post because plagiarism is a serious accusation. In addition, I found it really upsetting that another reader would take this accusation seriously enough to decide against reading the book. Joke or not, that's too much.


I'd have to say Tantalize wasn't a rip off at all!




I've read the first three Meyers novels (can't stomach them, and refuse to finish the series), all of the Sookies, and Tantalize, the original subject of the thread. Mere similarities in character type are not enough. In order to truly prove a claim a plagiarism, there would have to be conclusive proof that the writer was familiar with the earlier work and textual evidence to support the claim.
Unless someone can actually point to specific similarities of language or nearly identical events, a claim of plagiarism is worthless--and libelous. For a better example of potential plagiarism, read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Opal...
The only reason I use the term "potential" is because no legal charges were filed, and the author is therefore still innocent until prove guilty.



Now to reply to Nan. Plagiarism is a serious offense as according to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 10th ed. to plagiarize is "to steal or pass off the IDEAS or words of another as one's own;" or to "commit literary theft: present as new and original an IDEA or product derived from an existing source" (1993, p.888). **Please note, when citing a source an accredidated institution will not accept wikipedia as a reliable source for citation as it is open-source material and can be edited by anyone. Mistakes are only caught if reviewed. So, for example, I could go in and change a definition of a word and you, who hit the webpage immediately after the change, would think that my definition is accurate when in fact it may have been a complete fabrication. This is why open-source material is not a sufficient place to research any material or find reliable information, it is only as accurate as whomever enters data into it - just to help you out in the future.
As I watched the show True Blood (the HBO show based on the Sookie Stackhouse series by Harris, who is actively involved in the TV series) with fanatics of the Twilight book series by Meyers, they could not stop saying how even character names in the TV series (which are names in the Harris books as well) were identical or similar to names in their Twilight books. The character development and plot line were SO similar that they were predicting events in a show they had never even seen before (ie tribunal, punishment, and pregnancies). I was so disheartened that my favorite show may have been a fraud, I got online to see if anyone else was talking about the similarities. Sure enough everyone was, but to my delight, I found that Harris' work with the Sookie series was a celebrated piece of literature long before Meyers even had her idea for Twilight novels.
Nan says "just because one book was written first doesn't mean the second was plagiarized" yet that is the definition of plagiarism (please refer to above). Vampire stories have been around for centuries and there are some givens: they drink blood, they sleep in the day, they are not alive but living among us, etc; however, massive parallelism in plot lines and character development definitely cross a literary line. As a teacher, I promote reading of any kind and I will read the Twilight series and Tantalize at some time once Sookie is long gone; however, I will never truly consider Meyer's work as completely original. Yet, this is my opinion and I am just happy to be a fan of the FIRST author of such a series where there is no doubt Harris is original.

I am well aware of the reliability of Wikipedia; however, I used that particular entry because it does an excellent job of comparing passages side-by-side between Ms Viswanathan's book and her many sources.
As an academic, I do understand the concept of stealing ideas; however, as a reader of all of the Sookies, the first three Twilights, and Tantalize, I can readily say that no legal charges of plagiarism would stand up in court between the three. Plagiarism is very difficult prove on a legal level. To make a case, one would not only have to prove that the second author had read or been very familiar with the previous work but also prove similarities between them are beyond the level of coincidence.

I want you to know I was in no way doubting your education and reasoning behind your post. I do hope you checked my profile as well and understand that I am also completing my doctoral degree and although it is not in this type of literature I too have an education.
I only posted to begin with because I was so upset to hear that the show that sparked me to read the Harris series to begin with may be a fraud. I was excited to hear otherwise and wanted to make sure anyone else with my worries knew that it wasn't.
I am reading the Sookie series and still plan to read both Tantalize and the Twighlight series, because I am very interested in the subject and would love to read others. I enjoy reading and like to keep most of my non-educational books to an easy, entertaining, and enjoyable read. I am assuming that since you (a fellow doctoral student) understand the time constraints on reading for pleasure. I don't want to prove anyone is plagerizing, or even attempt to, I just wanted to express my opinion. If they are all good reads than I'm sure they all just had great ideas and it was just a coincidence.
With your expertise in this area I would love to know some other books that you may suggest. I am typically a romance or mystery/suspense reader but I've recently been introduced to these types and would love to find more.





The only thing Stephanie did was to make it a more PG version, take away the heroine's backbone (shame on you, SM!) and make it set for teenagers. I think the twilight series is a load of poo and one that was blatently ripped off from a more talented and creative writer.


I didn't think that this book was anything like Twilight. Sure, the author put in werewolves, vampires, and humans, but TONS of people write about those combinations. Plagiarism is a HUGE accusation to just throw on someone. It could possibly ruin her career, but no, she didn't plagiarize(that I know of), because this book was nowhere near Twilight.



Too right :)
And mind reading is actually a common feature in vampiric literature. All the vampires in Amelia Atwater-Rhodes books have some extent of mind reading and mind control.



OMG She definetely ripped off Friends! and the Monica&Chandler pairing!
*ironY*


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