Topic: I need some advice

When I wrote the short story The E'clatant Is Missing for the science fiction locked door mystery contest I got an idea for expanding the idea of a hotel for the very wealthy orbiting the earth into a novel. I want to base it on the 1932 movie The Grand Hotel and this is the question I have: do I need to keep the original characters' names?

Also, my protagonist isn't in the movie, he replaces a resident of the hotel, a retired doctor in position to see everything that went on. There are other characters I really don't need, can I delete them?

Finally, should I even mention the novel is based on Grand Hotel since I will be deviating from the plot quiet a bit?

If there's anything I should know (like copyright infringement) that you all know I'd be happy to hear it.

I'm scared and excited about this novel. I'm scared because The E'clantant Is Missing is the first bit of science fiction I've ever written and I don't know if I am equal to the task, and excited because while it's still in the mystery/crime genre it's unlike anything I've ever thought about writing. Anything you can tell me will be appreciated. 

Thanks!

dags smile

Quote Post 1

2 Reply by Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons (edited by Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons 2017-08-25 22:04:50)

Re: I need some advice

You can delete all the characters.  You are in the same position as Phillip K. Dick.  He wrote a short story, the name of which escapes me, in which, after a nuclear war, the Martians drop care packages to help us rebuild.  Instead, we built dolls that allowed us to live pre-apocalyptic lives vicariously through the dolls. In The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldrich, the same theme is used, only by human colonists on Mars, and they use a drug that makes them actually experience the lives of the dolls as if it were real.  Different characters, different plot, same idea.

You should mention, in the foreward that you were inspired by The Grand Hotel, but that it is not to be taken as the same and that you signficantly deviate from it.  There have been other stories about a hotel in space, so you are not alone.  In a sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka travels, and takes the kids, to a Hilton Hotel orbiting the Earth.  In a magaine called "Creepy," outright space war is declared between the Hilton Hotel chain, run by a man who looks like FDR, and the Sheraton Hotel chain.  As far as I know, neither author credited The Grand Hotel.  Any doubt, though, and consult a copyright lawyer.  You don't want to be in George Harrison's position, when he was found guilty of unconsciously plagiarizing the Chiffon's "He's so Fine," in "My Sweet Lord."

You are equal to the task if you think you are. Edgar Rice Burroughs was inspired to write by thinking--"I can write as bad as all those popular authors." 

Good luck, and congratulations.  That's exciting.

Quote Post 2

Re: I need some advice

Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons wrote:

You can delete all the characters.  You are in the same position as Phillip K. Dick.  He wrote a short story, the name of which escapes me, in which, after a nuclear war, the Martians drop care packages to help us rebuild.  Instead, we built dolls that allowed us to live pre-apocalyptic lives vicariously through the dolls. In The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldrich, the same theme is used, only by human colonists on Mars, and they use a drug that makes them actually experience the lives of the dolls as if it were real.  Different characters, different plot, same idea.

You should mention, in the foreward that you were inspired by The Grand Hotel, but that it is not to be taken as the same and that you signficantly deviate from it.  There have been other stories about a hotel in space, so you are not alone.  In a sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka travels, and takes the kids, to a Hilton Hotel orbiting the Earth.  In a magaine called "Creepy," outright space war is declared between the Hilton Hotel chain, run by a man who looks like FDR, and the Sheraton Hotel chain.  As far as I know, neither author credited The Grand Hotel.  Any doubt, though, and consult a copyright lawyer.  You don't want to be in George Harrison's position, when he was found guilty of unconsciously plagiarizing the Chiffon's "He's so Fine," in "My Sweet Lord."

You are equal to the task if you think you are. Edgar Rice Burroughs was inspired to write by thinking--"I can write as bad as all those popular authors." 

Good luck, and congratulations.  That's exciting.

Thank you Rachel for those suggestions, and examples. I had no idea an orbiting hotel had been done before! And thanks for the encouragement...I love that quote! If I can get this idea off the ground I'll make sure I consult a lawyer, you're right I don't want to end up like poor George Harrison.

Thanks again, dags smile

Quote Post 3

Re: I need some advice

Dags:

I read everything that David Drake writes. In his RCN series books with Captain Leary. The foreword usually makes reference to wars that took place way in the past, such as the Peloponnesian Wars or the constant strife between Troy and all comers. His spacefaring books reflect these conflicts, only take place in the far future. He's changed all the names, but if you read into his novels you can see the give and take of the original war, only now it is between planets.

So, as Rachael says, you could eliminate everything but the basic plot - and only mention Grand Hotel as being the inspiration.

Bill

Quote Post 4

Re: I need some advice

What do they say--there are nine basic story plots? And some say only seven. There are no new story ideas. We all just say what we want to say in our own words.

Imagine, if you will, the 1964 movie "The Last Man on Earth," based on Richard Matheson's 1954 novel, "I Am Legend" (do you see where I'm going with this?). Jump to 1971 and "The Omega Man," based on the same book. Fast forward to 2007 for "I Am Legend" the movie (based on you-know-what).
Same story, different times, different adaptations, and different writers. They did keep to the story, pretty much, and at least one movie used the same title, but it shows how one story idea can be used again and again.

And here you are with your own original story idea! Who cares if you were inspired by someone else's work? I wonder what inspired those guys! And don't we all take inspiration from those around us? Deny it all we like--there are no new story ideas. So just make peace with it.

Change the names or not, as you wish--it will still be a new creation. If you decide to credit The Grand Hotel as your inspiration, that just makes you a nicer person than all the rest of us. Grrr!

Quote Post 5

Re: I need some advice

B Douglas Slack wrote:

Dags:

I read everything that David Drake writes. In his RCN series books with Captain Leary. The foreword usually makes reference to wars that took place way in the past, such as the Peloponnesian Wars or the constant strife between Troy and all comers. His spacefaring books reflect these conflicts, only take place in the far future. He's changed all the names, but if you read into his novels you can see the give and take of the original war, only now it is between planets.

So, as Rachael says, you could eliminate everything but the basic plot - and only mention Grand Hotel as being the inspiration.

Bill

Thanks Bill for those examples and encouragement. smile

Quote Post 6

Re: I need some advice

j p lundstrom wrote:

What do they say--there are nine basic story plots? And some say only seven. There are no new story ideas. We all just say what we want to say in our own words.

Imagine, if you will, the 1964 movie "The Last Man on Earth," based on Richard Matheson's 1954 novel, "I Am Legend" (do you see where I'm going with this?). Jump to 1971 and "The Omega Man," based on the same book. Fast forward to 2007 for "I Am Legend" the movie (based on you-know-what).
Same story, different times, different adaptations, and different writers. They did keep to the story, pretty much, and at least one movie used the same title, but it shows how one story idea can be used again and again.

And here you are with your own original story idea! Who cares if you were inspired by someone else's work? I wonder what inspired those guys! And don't we all take inspiration from those around us? Deny it all we like--there are no new story ideas. So just make peace with it.

Change the names or not, as you wish--it will still be a new creation. If you decide to credit The Grand Hotel as your inspiration, that just makes you a nicer person than all the rest of us. Grrr!

JP...I've always found you a nice person. You really gave me a lot to think about here and a lot of encouragement. I am slowly getting back to this site and hope to be a fully participating member soon. Thanks sooo much!
smile

Quote Post 7