No new ideas under the sun

Posted on April 13, 2006 by Michelle Diener

I’ve never had a stronger sense that I’m part of a collective mindset in some ways than at the moment. Eighteen months ago I had an idea for a book, which I’m nearly finished writing (I didn’t start writing it straight away, just in case you think I’m a really slow writer :lol: , I was working on something else at the time and just wrote the outline) and I’ve just seen a recently published book which my book would be a good complement too. Not identical by any means, but a reader who enjoyed the book I’m thinking about would enjoy mine too.

Now that I’m finishing the book referred to above, I’m eager to start the next one. Also in outline form, with the first chapter written, it’s rearing to go. And what do I do today but click on a blog by someone talking about a fresh new book that has come to the blogger’s attention, and blow me down, but this book, while totally different to mine, is set in the same historical period and has a paranormal element, just like mine.

It is true, there are no new ideas under the sun, but it also seems as if some collective unconscious is at work within us, causing an interest in certain things to surge at the same time. What about you? Have you ever written something and then been struck by its similarity to other work that, because of the time lines involved in writing, must have been started or thought of at the same time as yours?

About Michelle Diener

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction for Gallery Books. Her debut novel, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, released in August, 2011, is set in the court of Henry VIII. It features the real historical figures of illuminator and painter, Susanna Horenbout, and Henry's Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King's Robes, John Parker. A second book, also featuring Susanna and Parker, THE KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, is set for an April 3rd, 2012 release.
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3 Responses to No new ideas under the sun

  1. Edie Ramer says:
    April 13, 2006 at 12:59 am

    Michelle, I once had a great idea about a book, with a fun, novel twist I’d never seen done. Just as I was about to start writing it, a movie came out with practically the same plot. I swear I’d never seen anything written about this movie either.

  2. Elizabeth Kreger says:
    April 13, 2006 at 6:11 pm

    So what do you do in a situation like that? Do you shelve the idea until enough time has passed before releasing it out to the world? Or do you go ahead with it immediately? Given the amount of time it takes for a writer to create a workable idea, you certainly cannot be accused to stealing an idea.

    But I do agree. There are just so many ideas out there and the odds of who authors coming up with the same must be pretty damn good.

  3. Michelle Diener says:
    April 21, 2006 at 7:09 pm

    I’ll go ahead and write it, Liz. It is by no means identical, and as I see it, its a good thing. If one book which has a similar setting and approach is doing well, so much the better for my chances :grin: .