Using other authors characters.

[YmaOHyd]

The fifth dentist, who says that daily brushing isn't necessary: "Fuck them kids."

Minerals are important for health. That's why one out of five dentists recommend eating a big handful of bluestone gravel every day!

 

[MelissaBaby]

The fifth dentist, who says that daily brushing isn't necessary: "Fuck them kids."

Actually, when you think about it, the 5th dentist probably gets more business.

 

[onehitwanda]

If someone wrote a story using my characters without permission, I don't think I'd get mad about it. I'd just write a 750 word followup, in which one of the characters wakes up and tells their partner, "I just had the stupidest dream..."

"Dear Characters. Some asshole is signing your names to stupid stories. Sorry xoxo MelissaBaby"

 

[ElectricBlue]

There should really be more stickies in this forum, which we could simply link to all the people who are new to all this. There are like five recurring topics that should be covered.

One of which is, "Why don't newbies look at the stickies that already exist?" Many of the perennials are already at the top of the page.

The issue is less Frequently Asked Questions, more Frequently Unread Answers.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

One of which is, "Why don't newbies look at the stickies that already exist?" Many of the perennials are already at the top of the page.

The issue is less Frequently Asked Questions, more Frequently Unread Answers.

That's true, but instead of replying, we can just link the sticky.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Ladies, gentlemen, and you rare and precious enbies, time is a flat circle and we have returned to this conversation again after so many months of pending lamentations and AI rejections. It's almost a welcome change of pace!

Lift up your glasses. We have been here before, and we shall be again.

наздаро́фье!

It has been such a long time! I finally completed my Bingo card!

B I N G O !

 

[cw5523729]

One of which is, "Why don't newbies look at the stickies that already exist?" Many of the perennials are already at the top of the page.

The issue is less Frequently Asked Questions, more Frequently Unread Answers.

I never read stickies on a forum. That's like reading the owner's manual for something you just bought - I believe in just fumbling around and breaking shit like a real man does.

<chugs a Budweiser and crushes the can against a table before belching and scratching my crotch>

 

[Djmac1031]

time is a flat circle

"And my time is a piece of wax falling on a termite
That's choking on the splinters..."

Oh and yeah no, dont steal other authors characters, @p_white98

I honestly never understood that desire. Its easy enough to write whatever story you have in mind and just make them new characters. Its as easy as a name change.

We all borrow and recycle plots around here anyway. As long as your story isn't a blatant rip off (IE obvious copy and paste of someone else's writing) just write your "original" story with "original" characters and reap the rewards.

If you wanna credit the other guy with being an inspiration, that's always a nice thing to do.

 

[crookedletter]

<chugs a Budweiser and crushes the can against a table before belching and scratching my crotch>

reinforcing ... stereotype ... Americans

 

[cw5523729]

 

[WittyUserName]

Minerals are important for health. That's why one out of five dentists recommend eating a big handful of bluestone gravel every day!

I knew there was a reason I did that!

 

[WittyUserName]

I never read stickies on a forum. That's like reading the owner's manual for something you just bought - I believe in just fumbling around and breaking shit like a real man does.

<chugs a Budweiser and crushes the can against a table before belching and scratching my crotch>

Then it turns out the Budweiser was in a bottle and you now have glass in your balls.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

I say, go for it!

Not that I think you should. But it's important to have a balanced discussion of your options option.

You will no doubt be quoted in their Author's Note!

 

[lc69hunter]

Yeah, this topic comes up at least twice a year. Definitely do NOT do it without permission. I have asked three different authors over the years. Two said go for it. The third basically told me not only no but hell no, as I was going to take the story in a different direction. I have not published any of my attempts, because if I can not do the original author's work justice, I will not do so

 

[cw5523729]

Then it turns out the Budweiser was in a bottle and you now have glass in your balls.

Hey, that's just the kind of thing that a Real Man™ has to suck up and accept

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

I never read stickies on a forum. That's like reading the owner's manual for something you just bought - I believe in just fumbling around and breaking shit like a real man does.

<chugs a Budweiser and crushes the can against a table before belching and scratching my crotch>

Real men crush them against their foreheads!

 

[cw5523729]

Real men crush them against their foreheads!

that would hurt....

 

[Djmac1031]

Yeah, this topic comes up at least twice a year. Definitely do NOT do it without permission. I have asked three different authors over the years. Two said go for it. The third basically told me not only no but hell no, as I was going to take the story in a different direction. I have not published any of my attempts, because if I can not do the original author's work justice, I will not do so

See again, my suggestion is simply: make it your own story and publish.

As long as you're not directly copying another writer's work or using their characters, you'd be fine. No one will care if the plot or setting is similar, as long as you make your version unique to you.

Ive had people tell me one of my stories inspired them to write something similar and I've never had a problem with that. In fact I find it flattering.

What we authors dont find flattering is people simply comandering our stories and characters without permission.

 

[TheLobster]

If we had that sticky FAQ thread everyone is wishing for, and newcomers actually read it and followed what’s contained therein, then we wouldn’t have as many opportunities to derail their threads into whichever ditch we feel like heading that day.

In other words, AH would’ve been deprived of its favorite pastime. Surely we don’t want that?

 

[WittyUserName]

Hey, that's just the kind of thing that a Real Man™ has to suck up and accept

Or enjoy. I imagine there are places out there where guys pay good money for that sort of treatment.

 

[Djmac1031]

If we had that sticky FAQ thread everyone is wishing for, and newcomers actually read it and followed what’s contained therein, then we wouldn’t have as many opportunities to derail their threads into whichever ditch we feel like heading that day.

In other words, AH would’ve been deprived of its favorite pastime. Surely we don’t want that?

Hey at least we can agree this is pretty much the only topic all us authors unite on.

Or do we...?

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

If we had that sticky FAQ thread everyone is wishing for, and newcomers actually read it and followed what’s contained therein, then we wouldn’t have as many opportunities to derail their threads into whichever ditch we feel like heading that day.

In other words, AH would’ve been deprived of its favorite pastime. Surely we don’t want that?

Is there someone ambitious enough in the AH to create an online quiz for new authors--the recommended do's and don'ts? I'd rather take a fun quiz than read a sticky, to be fair.

 

[cw5523729]

Or enjoy. I imagine there are places out there where guys pay good money for that sort of treatment.

Come to think of it, most of my stories are in BDSM. You just wrote a new scene for me!! I'll be sure to credit you since I am not the kind of person to just steal someone else's work.



Like some.

 

[cw5523729]

Hey at least we can agree this is pretty much the only topic all us authors unite on.

Or do we...?

No, we don't. @StillStunned is the kind of person that hopes you get cavities.

 

[TheLobster]

Is there someone ambitious enough in the AH to create an online quiz for new authors--the recommended do's and don'ts? I'd rather take a fun quiz than read a sticky, to be fair.

@iwatchus wrote an entire article. I don’t recall if it mentions this particular issue.

Problem is, just like a hypothetical FAQ his guide is unlikely to be read by those who should read it.