Ask Rachel: Are You Afraid of Accidental Plagiarism?

Welcome to another week of Ask Rachel: Where you ask your writing questions and I answer them. 

(remember to submit your questions to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our next blog post)

This week's question is something I actually get a lot from writers - especially from my one-on-one students, and it has to do with accidental plagiarism. 

The question: 

Hi Rachel, you always say that writers should be reading all the time, but I'm afraid if I read a lot, I'll accidentally copy the works of other writers. How do you deal with this? 

This is a great question, and hopefully I've got some pointers that will help. Let's get started! 

Tip #1: Embrace Your Influences

I used to be petrified to tell anyone what I've read or watched, because I was dead sure that as soon as I showed them my work, they would immediately discover me as a fraud. The funny thing is, though, that I work extremely hard to ensure that when I "steal" something from another artist, (we're talking the approved method of stealing, not plagiarism) I change it enough to let it become its own thing. There are plenty of ways to this, of course, which I'll go over in a future blog post, but the important thing to realize is that nothing is truly original. 

Except you, of course. 

Your take on the material is what makes the thing original, because you are the only person who can see the story through your eyes. I'm being serious. So if you're creating something that is heavily influenced by someone else, don't be afraid of it. Don't plagiarize, but don't be afraid to let it become its own thing. 

Everyone knows that the world I've put my whole life into (we're talking 15+ years) started as a dream about the Legend of Zelda, and then became a fanfiction, and then grew wings and became its own epic fantasy quest. I used to be ashamed of that, but now I use it as a marketing tool: hey, if you loved Zelda as a kid, come hang out with me! When you acknowledge your influences, you pay huge homage to the awesome creators you admire, and you also draw in people just like you. And when you do that, you find people who will be just as crazy about your work and passions as you are. 

Every writer is inspired by what they've read, watched, or experienced. It’s natural for elements of your favorite stories to seep into your work. Rather than viewing this as a hindrance, embrace your influences and use them as a foundation to build upon. Think about what specifically draws you to these worlds—is it their magic systems, cultural dynamics, or intricate geographies? Identify these elements and put your own spin on them.

Tip #2: Combine Elements in New Ways

Now that you've acknowledged your own influences, it's time to take your own personal spin on things. Not only is this a natural guard against plagiarism, but it can also be really fun - and it will allow you to let your own tastes and personality shine through. 

One of the questions I love to consider when I'm working on something (especially something brand new) is, "what if [story 1] and [story 2] had a baby?" and the result is what I put into my story. 

For example, "what if the planet Arrakis from Dune and the water tribe from Avatar: the Last Airbender (this is random, I promise) had a baby?" The baby is the world that gets created - and is something really unique, fun and interesting. 

The best part, you can do this with any stinking thing on the planet. Combine cell phones with elemental gods; or tree spirits with a caffeine addiction. Literally anything has potential with this power combo. Play around with it until you find something that you really love.

One way to ensure your world stands out is to combine familiar elements in unexpected ways. If your story has elves, consider placing them in a desert setting rather than the traditional forest. Or perhaps merge a steampunk aesthetic with medieval fantasy. By mixing and matching different genres and tropes, you can create a setting that feels both familiar and novel.

Tip #3: Focus on Unique Details

So we have our influences, we have our fantasy-world-baby (you can definitely call it something else if you want); now, we're going to make things really pop. 

Pick one thing. Like one, tiny thing. Something so small that it probably looks unimportant - and take it for a wild spin. 

Here's what I mean. Let's go back to our Avatar Water Tribe on Arrakis, shall we? Obviously, we're going to need water - this is something that Dune focuses on extensively throughout Frank Herbert's novels. So let's not focus on water. Let's focus on something else, like...coffee.

I chose coffee because I was staring at the self-heating coffee mug on my desk while writing this (a cool gift from my hubby), so it really is completely random. And for the sake of storytelling, think of all the ways coffee could change the world our new water tribe is living in. Are there religious rituals around coffee? Why do they hunt for it? Can they bend it like water? Would they go to war for it? And come up with every silly-stupid-awesome answer you can. 

Even if you never use any of this, this exercise opens your mind up to more extensive worldbuilding, and makes it a whole lot easier. Why? Because it breaks down something called premature closure. 

Premature closer is when you've edited the book before you're already written it. It's when you've decided something is stupid or useless before you've even started exploring it. And as writers and creatives, and especially as worldbuilders, it needs to be your first priority to resist premature closure at all costs. 

When you have a new idea, even if you want to resist it, just follow it. See where it goes. You can throw it away later, but don't discount anything that comes out of that creative brain of yours - and follow the path of tiny details until you come up with something big. 

Small, specific details can make your world feel distinct. Think about the everyday lives of your characters, their customs, and how they interact with their environment. For instance, what kind of food do they eat? What are their superstitions? How do they celebrate their festivals? These unique aspects will add depth to your world and differentiate it from others.

Tip #4: Work On Your History

I've said in past blog posts, but something that really helped me when I was just starting out was creating a history book for my characters. This isn't the detailed, overarching saga that we, the readers, would know - these are the history textbooks my characters would learn from if they were 1.) educated (although many of them aren't) and 2.) living in the world for any length of time. This is the history that directly impacts how the world is shaped and formed and is therefore crucial to know. 

If you struggle with creating detailed histories, I know how it feels - and I have 15 years of experience with this to help you out. I created an entire manual on how to create a fully fleshed-out world (including histories) called The Ultimate Worldbuilding Manual. Click here to check it out. 

A rich, detailed history can set your world apart. Consider how historical events have shaped the present state of your world. Wars, alliances, cultural shifts, and natural disasters can all influence the geography, politics, and societies of your setting. Crafting a unique historical background will provide a solid foundation for your story and give it a distinct flavor.

Tip #5: Draw Inspiration from Real Life

I think this is why I started out life as a complete history nerd. I used to be utterly terrified that someone would accuse me of stealing their work, so I thought, It's not stealing if it's something that happened in the real world, right? 

Now, I focus a lot less on my fear or plagiarism and strive instead for authenticity - because I know that my intentions are never to plagiarize someone's work, and given my own creative tendencies, I can take something and run with it and turn it into something new. I wasn't always this way, however, which is why I spent so much time inside of history books, consuming every little bit I could until I felt like my head was going to explode. 

When you're doing historical research, don't worry so much if the thing you're researching doesn't look like it can directly relate to your work. Even if the time period is wrong or the technology doesn't quite fit, you, a creative soul, can take something and turn it into something else completely - and isn't that the fun part about writing? Exposing yourself to history from all over the world, even if it's information you never actually use, will not only help you create unique stories, but will also refuel the creative tank when you're starting to feel burnt out. 

Real-world cultures, histories, and geographies offer a wealth of inspiration. Study different civilizations and their unique characteristics. How did they adapt to their environments? What were their beliefs and values? By drawing from real life, you can create a world that feels authentic and varied.

Tip #6: Trust Your Voice

Lastly, trust your unique voice as a writer. Your perspective and experiences are what will ultimately make your world distinct. Don’t be afraid to infuse your personal touch into your setting. Your voice is what will resonate with readers and make your world memorable.

Creating a fantasy world that stands out can be daunting, but it's also an exciting opportunity to let your creativity shine. By embracing your influences, combining elements in new ways, focusing on unique details, developing a rich history, drawing inspiration from real life, experimenting, and trusting your voice, you can build a world that is uniquely yours. Remember, originality doesn’t mean creating something entirely new—it means taking what exists and making it your own.

What's Next?

If you're struggling with any part of the writing process, or if you're looking to dig even deeper into your novel, then there's something you need to grab. It's called The Ultimate Worldbuilding Manual, and it walks you through each part of worldbuilding, to an extensive degree. 

Here's exactly what's inside: 

• Geography, Weather, and Landscapes: Shape your world’s physical environment, from towering mountains and vast oceans to unpredictable weather patterns and unique biomes.
• Political Systems, Hierarchies, and Power Structures: Define the ruling systems of your world, whether monarchies, democracies, or shadowy organizations controlling everything behind the scenes.
• Societies and Cultures (Belief Systems, Traditions, Languages): Develop deep and immersive cultures, complete with traditions, languages, and belief systems that shape everyday life.
• Technology or Magic Systems: Determine whether your world thrives on cutting-edge technology, intricate magic, or a fusion of both, ensuring internal logic and balance.
• Economics and Trade Worksheet: Create a functional economy, from currency and trade routes to resource distribution and black markets.
• Magic System Builder: Craft a compelling and balanced magic system with clear rules, costs, and limitations to keep it engaging and believable.
• History & Mythology Builder (Bonus): Build a rich historical and mythological backdrop, from ancient wars to divine interventions, that shapes the present world.
• Flora & Fauna Guide (Bonus): Develop unique ecosystems, complete with plants, animals, and mythical creatures that feel authentic to your world’s climate and geography.
• Cultural Aesthetics & Architecture Guide (Bonus): Define the artistic and architectural styles of different civilizations, making cities and settlements feel visually distinct and immersive.
• Laws, Justice & Crime Systems (Bonus): Establish the legal systems of your world, detailing crime, punishment, law enforcement, and underground organizations.
• Religion & Spirituality Workbook (Bonus): Create belief systems, gods, rituals, and religious conflicts that shape morality, traditions, and societal norms.

If you've worked with any of my guides before, then you probably know about my question-and-answer method. This is the method I use for all of my writing projects, and the key piece that works so well is that it asks open ended questions to spark your creativity - 

Meaning that it works well for every project, regardless of genre, style, or even if you've used the guide before. 

(So you can use this over and over and over). 

Click here to take the next step on your book writing journey. I'm cheering for you! 

Happy Writing! 

Rachel