This might not be the right place to post this, but I need help. Yesterday I came up with a *brilliant* idea to weave into my story. I've had my MC going to therapy but now plan to interject therapy sessions between chapters in a sort of script-like style. It would be mostly dialogue, different than the rest of the book tone and style. Through this, I can better explain her past which is critical to the story. However, now I have this nagging feeling that this has been done before and I have no idea where or by who--a book, a movie, a dream?? Anyone have a clue what I'm talking about? Does it matter in the end anyway?
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40,830 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 04 27
A great part of The Manticore by Robertson Davies is told in a series of sessions of psychoanalysis, some in a script-like format. I'm sure it's happened elsewhere too, but I wouldn't worry too much - there's nothing new under the sun. If you like it and think it will work well in your novel, go for it!
5,289 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 05 20
It's probably been done somewhere before, but it's not too specific of an idea that it should be an issue. I say go for it.
10,103 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 06 35
I'm doing therapy session between narations as well ... I guess is the influence of having watch almost both season of In treatment thus far but really I can't see why I couldn't use the idea as long as the story and characters are original ... so same goes for you.
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Nov 4, 2009 - 06 40
Theres a few bits kind of like that in House of Leaves by Mark Z Danieleweski. Probably used a bit other places as well. Go for it, if it's what you want. The only thing to be wary of is that you may be taking the easy route to character development - IE telling instead of showing. Just be on the lookout for that, and remember that good character development is about choices.
11,639 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 08 50
Thanks everyone for the info! Regarding the easy way out Sacredchao--that's not my intention at all but I appreciate the comment. Each injection will be short (not wads of info dump conversation), and only meant to fill in a few gaps and add a little depth to the overall novel. It's hard to describe what I'm going for without someone reading what I have so far, but have decided to go ahead with it, thanks in part to all of you lovely nano-ers who give me confidence :)
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Nov 5, 2009 - 21 40
I am the Cheese By Robert Cormier is like that; it is one of my favourite books. :)
I wouldn't worry too much about there being a similar story line, writting style or plot device... It's going to happen, that's just the nature of sharing a world with other people, someone somewhere might have a similar inspiration as you, but your story will be uniquely yours becuase you will be the one to write it and thus it will be yours... As long as you aren't copying someone on purpose, I don't think it matters.
75,203 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 01 02
Most of my novel revolves around my protagnoist discussing what happened with his psychiatrist. I find the dialogue between him and the psychiatrist has a really good dynamic so far and some of the best parts are written there.
Yes it is a concept which has been done before, but I don't think that matters if it is relevant to the story.
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Nov 6, 2009 - 02 28
I started writing something similar to this. I have a 1/2 written something somewhere on my computer so you couldn't have taken the idea from me....unless....lol
The way I think about it...there are no new ideas. There are just ones that are more popular. There are 6 billion people on the planet. Some are motivated and some aren't. Maybe you are the one who is motivated to make the story shine brighter than the others!!!
Good luck!
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45,064 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 10 11
Your fear was my very real problem. I told the basic premise of my story to my sister, and she told me that it sounded just like the play "Oleanna" by David Mamet. It turned out, she had grossly exaggerated, and only the very bare elements of both stories were the same. I "lampshaded" the situation by referencing "Oleanna" in my story and showing that the play was what gave the main female character the idea for her actions.
I'll tell you what my boyfriend (AKA the Engish major who knows more about this than me) said about the situation: Everyone is bound to have the same idea as someone else at some point. What matters is your interpretation of the idea--that's the part that is going to be original. So, I'm sure you won't have any trouble. Happy writing!
----------"There are many things I'm not. One is a potato."--Alison Channon (eponine254)
76,298 / 50,000
Nov 12, 2009 - 09 45
I agree with the above posters and I think it's generic enough to be best-sellable twice, even three times. In Russia they told me, "You have therapists, we have friends." It's true. If it would be unrealistic for your MC to tell it to a friend, chances are, it's realistic enough for her to tell it to a therapist.