I've been writing one story for a few years about three different universes (Earth-One/Canon Clark, Earth-Two/Alt-Clark and Earth-3/Evil Clark) until I realized that it was similar to Long Strange Trip and more importantly seems to be moving in similar yet different direction from her sequel currently being written/posted. I'm not sure what I should do with it now. Should I sit on it? Just ignore her story and post my own? etc?

Absolutely not! This question has been coming up since the dawn of fanfic and I've always been of the same opinion - it won't be the same story because it's not the same author tackling the subject matter. All kinds of variations will sneak in because you are two different people.

I recall when I was in the middle of writing one of mine - can't even remember which it was now - I gave it over halfway to Erin Klingler to beta. And we were both amused and astonished at how many points of similarity there were in my story and an as yet unpublished story on her HD. And I mean right down to the fine detail. Yet I'd never seen her story until then. Nor she mine.

Sometimes GMTA is just a cosmic force you can't avoid.

So...have at it!

LabRat

Yeah, someone once bounced an idea for a story off me. I don't remember what it was about, but I know I asked for many details and clarifications, and when the other person was done, I had to tell her that I had just read exactly this story minus *one* tiny detail a couple of weeks before. She wasn't too happy with that.

That's kind of been my greatest fear, that someone would think I was "stealing" their idea. And to be fair, originally I had read "Long Strange Trip" and it had been a partial inspiration for the story. I'm also trying to figure out how much credit I should give her story considering this.

I'm with Lab Rat , there are only so many ideas. What makes each story unique is the author's personal spin. Three people can take the same plot line and come up with three very different stories. In fact, to me, it's kinda fun to compare the similarities and differences in those stories. If I was writing a story and became aware of a similar one, I'd either continue writing my own without reading the other, or read the other and be prepared to make minor changes, if necessary.

Joan

I agree--write away. There are a lot of episode rewrites here. By their nature they all start from the same place and contain a lot of the same material but something in each author sees a missing piece to be added that only they can add.

It might be an interesting exercise to offer the same idea (or ideas, perhaps similar to the three prompts used for ficathon stories) to everyone and compare the stories that are written.

Corrina.

That's a great idea. I like that.

Joan

Even without prompts - look at how many rewrites to TOGOM there are.

I had a thought when I was responding to this--has anyone ever tried an episode rewrite containing none of the dialog from the episode? Kind of an extreme in-between and extra scenes story without actually stating which episode.

We had such a challenge way back IIRC. Called Guess the Author. Everyone was given the same prompt and asked to write a story around it and then everyone had to guess who wrote what. I'm on the Nexus now so can't link but I'll try finding it later if no one else does.

Course that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a fun idea to revisit. <g>

LabRat :-)

You know, I'd love to do another "Guess the author" ficathon... The last one has been how many years ago?

When I was finishing up on Volume 3 of Matchmaker and it was in beta I had been communicating with Virginia and I beacme aware of some, what appeared to me to be, significant similarities and I sent her a note.

We communicated and found that there were significant differences.

If you read her Wrong Clark and my Matchmaker series starting with VOlume 3 you will see that my fears were unfounded.

Communication was the key.

Amazingly, the original GTA was all the way back in 2004. GTA 2004

It was revived at least once in 2008. Well nigh time for a revival, I'd say.

LabRat :-)

Well 2004, 2008, 2012 sounds like it is time for a revival.

Yeah, it does. So, who's going to volunteer to write? Oh, wait, it's supposed to be a surprise? Oh.