June 5, 2008
STORY DOPPELGANGERS
I once stumbled across a book that seemed eerily familiar. It was published years ago, but it was my first time reading it. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe the similarities to a story of mine. The most disturbing “coincidence” was the opening scene and how the hero and heroine met. There were even similar character names. I was so disturbed I had to put the book down and stop reading for fear of what other “similarities” I might discover.
Our voices were vastly different, and while our heroes had similar backgrounds, there were noticeable dissimilarities in terms of character temperament, goals and tone. However, even with that, I was still left with a big knot in my stomach every time I thought about it. I guess King Solomon was right. All is vanity and there really isn’t anything new under the sun.
Have you ever encountered a story doppelganger?



I haven’t encountered a story doppelganger but I have encountered blurbs and premises that were similar to mine.
*Shrugs* What can you do? As long as that’s where the simarlarities end I’m cool with it.
I think I wrote one and now I’m scared crapless that the author is going to think I stole her story. I can put it to Great Minds think alike(I finished writing my story in NOV and her book was book Feb./March), but it’s freaks me out nonetheless.
But my romantic suspense is simliar to a book I read by Kay Hooper. So, no there is no new idea even though we like to think the ideas that come to us is new and original.
To varying degrees—yeah. Once or twice.
Most definitely. I happened to read one author’s book …writtten 5 or 6 years apart, probably several more between but I read them back to back and it was almost the exact same story just different geographic loaction and charactre occupations–but the same story premise.
Ditto what Raine said. To varying degrees. Always disturbing when it happens.
Hey Emma,
In my case, the similarities were stunning. I’m still kinda shocked by it, but like you said, what can you do?
Raine,
I’d be surprised to find a writer who hasn’t.
Dennie,
There’s nothing like that initial sick feeling of recognition. I remember feeling very queasy at first.
Jaq,
Disturbing is an understatement.
Raine has some of the strangest stories she coudl tell!!!
And it’s so funny because an agent was just blogging about all the YA queries w/Guardian Angels that she’s been getting–like a SLEW. Something’s in the air!
Hey Emma,
In my case, the similarities were stunning. I’m still kinda shocked by it, but like you said, what can you do?
That’s never happened to me. And I don’t know how I’d respond if it did. Hugs.
Cece,
I think something stays in the air, or maybe it invades the water with the same idea being written about at one time. It’s eerie.
Emma,
I’m glad it’s never happened to you. Trust me, it’s devastating.