Inkshares Community discussion

Something I've been thinking about today. When is something outright theft, and when is it merely "Borrowing"? Not too long ago, I read through Tad Williams "Dragonbone Chair" series, and being a huge fan of Game of Thrones, it was pretty shocking to see just how much of William's novel GRRM took for his own novels.

What are other people's thoughts? Is there a fine line that should never be crossed, or is this a case by case basis?

I read Dragon Bone Chair series back in high school... That was so many years ago. I remember really loving it, but now I can hardly remember the actual story. I should re read them. It's interesting you ask this question. How much are we borrowing from past works and how much is just engrained into our subconscious because we love the genre. When does it cross the line from something that resonates what others have done to stealing it? If there is a line, then so many books, video games, and table top D&D could be called out for copying Tolkien. Halflings, elves and Dwarves wouldn't be the way we see them now in almost everything without him. Art in all forms borrow from each other, some successfully, some not. It's how we humans improve upon an idea, by taking something and trying to make it better. Since I can't remember Dragon Bone Chair, I can't have a well informed opinion on whether Martin took those themes and made them better or not. But it's too bad the timing of DBC was off, because Tad Williams could have sold way more copies than he did, or have a series on HBO.

It's interesting, here's some major similarities I noticed. The ruling king in the Dragonbone series is corrupted by a red priest, who ensnares his mind and drives him to attempt to murder his sibling for the throne. There is am emphasis on the political turmoil following the death of the king. There is a villain with a dog's mask, who hunts the primary cast, and perhaps most importantly, during the political skirmishing of the two brothers for control of the throne, there is an undead race of creatures preparing to descend on the human-led world.

Now to be fair, GRRM has made it clear multiple times that he was heavily inspired by this story, but still, that is quite a bit of similar points.

We are inspired by everyone around us. Unless you are doing what China does to most IP's.... then... you are probably safe :)

They need a like button on here.

Because, of course, our modern day existence has been reduced to acknowledging other people's opinions/comments/jokes/complaints-about-the-grocery-store-cashier/cat videos with a button. But at least you'll know I care. ;)

It's just something that struck me today. A lot of my story is influenced by Frank Herbert's Dune, and at times I wonder how much of an issue that creative borrowing is, and like I mentioned before, I then see GRRM's liberal use of William's series, and I then feel much better.

I've been writing my series for 10 years, then just this year I started watching and reading Outlander. I had never heard of it before, but I was surprised by the similarities. Luckily the whole premise is different, but other parts, certain scenes were similar. It's also possible that I look through the lens of a writer tho, and am always comparing or taking notes for style and what others have done. Whatever similarities there are were quite by accident. I suppose that can happen sometimes too.

I used to love the Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth series, but in the first there is a character that is way too much like Gollum. Drove me crazy when ever I read that scene.

There's certainly a fine line to dance around. I think most people can see the difference between blatant rip-offs and loving homage, but sometimes I can't shake the feeling i'm borrowing too liberally.