Novel writing questions

[OldeWolf]

I'll put all my questions here over time but here's to start with:

If/when I write my novel, how do I make sure my work wont be "taken" if some publisher reads it and takes my idea without my permission? Do I need to make sure it's copyrighted before I even share it publicly?

Why is it that movies or books or such always seems to display giants as slow moving living creatures always taking so long to walk, grab things, fight, etc. I can catch a fly faster than the fly can fly away and it's so small so why can't a giant do the same thing, grabbing us humans quickly instead of being slow lumbering creatures? In another word, is there a physic reason behind it?

Whelp, off to Renaissance Fair!
Thanks in advance
Wolfe

[Dark Acre Jack]

You could mail a synopsis to yourself and keep the envelope unopened, this is still a viable way of protecting concepts.

Personally, if you believe your idea is so original that a studio would want to steal it, I applaud your genius and creativity. I openly discuss my game concepts because I really don't think that anything's unique any more and if someone wants to try making a better version of what I'm developing, they're welcome to try.

As for the giants? Probably relating to how biological creatures work in reality: how do whales and elephants move and react?

Good luck!

[Cactaur]

Theres something to be said for the Cory Doctorow method of publishing.

The biggest problem for new writers is exposure. Putting his novels out there under a creative commons license does not preclude a book deal on the same titles later on.

[OldeWolf]

Kind of wasn't what I was asking about.
How does an author shop around while still have their creative properties protested? How did the Harry Potter author shop around 11-14 different publisher and not have one of them take her idea and convert it to another story without her permission?

As for the giants, if I am able to catch a fly with my own hand, snatching it out of air, why can't a giant far far larger than us do the same thing? What is stopping them? Just saying "whale" is not explanation enough since their body is designed to be in water.

[evilgoodwin]

....relativity.

"But--"

"SCIENCE! THAT'S WHY!"

[Geddlo]

Kind of wasn't what I was asking about.
How does an author shop around while still have their creative properties protested? How did the Harry Potter author shop around 11-14 different publisher and not have one of them take her idea and convert it to another story without her permission?

If you're that concerned, you could hire a literary agent. That's their job, to sell and protect your work.


As for the giants, if I am able to catch a fly with my own hand, snatching it out of air, why can't a giant far far larger than us do the same thing? What is stopping them? Just saying "whale" is not explanation enough since their body is designed to be in water.

With giants, I just think because of their size, that they have a longer arc to get through when taking a step or throwing a punch. It could also be for dramatic effect as a huge boot coming down on a person or village would give off the effect of being powerful. Kind of like how they show the Flash running and everything around him is in slow motion for effect.

[Xerxes]

If you're that concerned, you could hire a literary agent. That's their job, to sell and protect your work.

I've seen Californication. All those dudes do is masturbate in their office and score you coke. No dice. :p

[Dark Acre Jack]

Just saying "whale" is not explanation enough since their body is designed to be in water.

Quite possibly why I also gave the elephant example.

A minnow is designed to be in water, but it's fast as shit. A whale? Not so much. Why? Relativity and science are also good answers, as is drama.

And to reiterate, sealing and mailing your manuscript to yourself will hold up in court as evidence that you came up with it first if someone ripped you off, as would the paper trail of publishers you shop your concept out to, assuming you're diligent enough to keep records.

And yeah, an agent if you're serious, not only for protecting your rights but also for gaining you connections that are next to impossible to gain on your own.

But in this day and age, if you really believe you're sitting on a hot idea, write it, edit it or get someone to edit it, and release it as an e-book on Amazon or your own website. You could barter that into other traditional deals and that would be all the protection you needed.

Good luck!

[Narradisall]

I need to get round to writing my series of novels one day.

Giant? Gravity! Heavy things move slower, and, erm, SCIENCE!

As for the actualy question, think people have already covered the answers. Depends on how you produce it though, but you should be easily able to provide in court, if need be, proof that your version pre-dates the stolen one.

[frederec]

If/when I write my novel, how do I make sure my work wont be "taken" if some publisher reads it and takes my idea without my permission? Do I need to make sure it's copyrighted before I even share it publicly?


There are two basic answers to this question. First of all, if a publisher reads it (which is not how things generally work these days, you have to go through an agent for the most part) and thinks it's great, they won't steal it because they'll hope to get more work (and profit) out of you, so they would want to bring you under their wing rather than take your idea and run.

The other side is that most publishers and agents see hundreds of ideas a week, and it's really hard for something to stand out, much less stand out to the extent that they would steal it. Besides, it takes a lot to get to the point before anyone in the industry would even see your full manuscript. First you have to query an agent with your concept and maybe a few pages. Then if you find one interested, they ask for the first fifty pages or so. Then if they're still interested, they'll ask to look at the whole manuscript. And if they're still interested, it starts getting shopped around to publishers.

Not to say that works can't get stolen. There are some famous examples of it happening. But that generally isn't done by publishers or agents, it's done by other "authors" appropriating someone's work.

Cactuar does make a good point. For the most part, once you've written something, the challenge will be getting people interested in reading it at all, not keeping people from stealing it.

[Karak]

Kind of wasn't what I was asking about.
How does an author shop around while still have their creative properties protested? How did the Harry Potter author shop around 11-14 different publisher and not have one of them take her idea and convert it to another story without her permission?


Most likely she just said, "Hey I watched this movie called Troll and copied 70% of it"

Jesus. If any of you have seen Troll speak up. That shit is eerily it is so similier. Same names, wizards towers, Harry Potter, muggles. Its all freaking there.

Tirade mode off.

It is hard to shop without someone to protect and give advice. Find some kind of part time agent, or lawyer to give you advice.

[Xerxes]

Most likely she just said, "Hey I watched this movie called Troll and copied 70% of it"

Jesus. If any of you have seen Troll speak up. That shit is eerily it is so similier. Same names, wizards towers, Harry Potter, muggles. Its all freaking there.

Tirade mode off.

It is hard to shop without someone to protect and give advice. Find some kind of part time agent, or lawyer to give you advice.

Having just looked up Troll, Harry Potter Jr.? What the fuck!?

[Generation ABXY]

Having just looked up Troll, Harry Potter Jr.? What the fuck!?

I don't know that I've ever actually seen that movie (it's possible, though - I was practically raised on cheesy horror movies), but I was more amazed at similarities between some of the books out there. Of just the ones I've read, I think you could probably piece together almost every signature element in Harry Potter from just Midnight Folk, Wizard's Hall, and The Secret of Platform 13... but then, each of their authors were probably inspired by countless others.

[Xerxes]

I don't know that I've ever actually seen that movie (it's possible, though - I was practically raised on cheesy horror movies), but I was more amazed at similarities between some of the books out there. Of just the ones I've read, I think you could probably piece together almost every signature element in Harry Potter from just Midnight Folk, Wizard's Hall, and The Secret of Platform 13... but then, each of their authors were probably inspired by countless others.

Most likely the Simpsons, but she lifted the Harry Potter name for a wizard.

That's me coming up with movie about a cryptozoology detective named Ace Ventura. "Oh it just came to me."

[Karak]

I don't know that I've ever actually seen that movie (it's possible, though - I was practically raised on cheesy horror movies), but I was more amazed at similarities between some of the books out there. Of just the ones I've read, I think you could probably piece together almost every signature element in Harry Potter from just Midnight Folk, Wizard's Hall, and The Secret of Platform 13... but then, each of their authors were probably inspired by countless others.

Watch the movie. The pictures of the griffen is the Gryphandor symbol, Harry Potter, wizards towers, names matching. Its even worse than Xerxes let on.
It is not a question of IF she lifted a huge amount from the movie, its why didn't someone notice when it was being made as Troll is somewhat of a cult classic bad B movie.
Hell even the forest and the names of things. Its just flat out fucking ripped off.

[Generation ABXY]

Watch the movie. The pictures of the griffen is the Gryphandor symbol, Harry Potter, wizards towers, names matching. Its even worse than Xerxes let on.
It is not a question of IF she lifted a huge amount from the movie, its why didn't someone notice when it was being made as Troll is somewhat of a cult classic bad B movie.
Hell even the forest and the names of things. Its just flat out fucking ripped off.

Well, I'll try and track it down and see, but that may prove difficult (as I mentioned elsewhere, rental outlets have all but dried up here).

I will add that the Gryffindor symbol is a lion, though. :p

[Karak]

Well, I'll try and track it down and see, but that may prove difficult (as I mentioned elsewhere, rental outlets have all but dried up here).

I will add that the Gryffindor symbol is a lion, though. :p

Sorry ya it was the Griffan that Dumbledore has. Not sure what I was writing. There are so fucking many comparisons.
Just download the darn thing:)

[Generation ABXY]

Sorry ya it was the Griffan that Dumbledore has. Not sure what I was writing. There are so fucking many comparisons.

If you mean his pet, that's a phoenix. I think you're talking about the hippogriffs, though, which were based on... well, hippogriffs, not griffins (there is a difference, however slight).

This hints at what I was talking about before - nothing new under the sun, with influences inside of influences. There's still the whole name thing, though...

Just download the darn thing:)

One way or another, I will watch this movie in the near future. I look forward to the inevitable compare-and-contrast roundtable with you and Xerxes. :D

[Karak]

If you mean his pet, that's a phoenix. I think you're talking about the hippogriffs, though, which were based on... well, hippogriffs, not griffins (there is a difference, however slight).

This hints at what I was talking about before - nothing new under the sun, with influences inside of influences. There's still the whole name thing, though...



One way or another, I will watch this movie in the near future. I look forward to the inevitable compare-and-contrast roundtable with you and Xerxes. :D

Oh ignore the issue with my naming it as I am posting in 3 forums at the same time right now:)

You will know EXACTLY what I mean when you see the movie. From start to finish. 100% copies of perhaps over 75 things if not more leaving no possible chance of a mistake or influence. COLD HARD copy. Check it out. Its laughable.
It actually caused my brother to begin booing some of the parts in the first movie. We had seen Troll maybe...3 weeks before it on bad Friday Movie night.

[Geddlo]

Its on Netflix' instant download section.

[shunoshi]

Its on Netflix' instant download section.

Troll isn't; Troll 2 is. Trust me, Troll 2 is one of the worst movies you will ever see.

[Geddlo]

Oops... Nevermind then.

[Karak]

Troll isn't; Troll 2 is. Trust me, Troll 2 is one of the worst movies you will ever see.

Ya Troll 2 was convicted and charged with rape.
And it stuck.
It's that bad.

[Purple Santa]

Thanks Karak for ruining Troll and the HP books now. I hadn't noticed the similarities (I like being ignorant that way :)) but having most of the Troll series (blame ADDGirl, she buys them for me) they are beyond cheesy. But they are great movies to watch when depressed because they do induce plenty of laughter :)

[shunoshi]

Watch the Rifftrax version of Troll 2. That's worth some laughs there. ;)

[muddi900]

I have never see Troll or troll 2, but have only heard great things about Best Worst Movie, the troll 2 documentary.