Originally posted by: ShieldsMistress
Ari,
Vids has a point. I've gone through both the stories in question and the character similarities are blatantly obvious. Yeah many stories have similar characters but none of them share the same characteristics such as yours do to Vids'.
Considering that plagiarism is a big issue on this forum, I just want to repeat: Anything that is not original content (character, plot, setting) is plagiarised. Comparing these two stories, hell, the characterisation and the issues is all plagiarised.
Creative Writing 101: No two characters are the same in any written piece in this world.
Why? Because every writer adds a personal touch in them. If they are the same (such as yours and Vids) then clearly one of them copied. I know you and Vids really well Ari and honestly I'm seeing more Vids than Aria in the characters. Every writer has a signature. Don't forget. Using that to justify your use of her characters just makes it even more obvious.
Nobody bashing anyone here but readers WILL lose their faith in you if you copy other people's characters/content. I encourage writers but I also mean for them to create their own personality.
My suggestion is for you to review this story and edit your characters. If that means changing your plot, then so be it. You should've thought of that before. And honestly, if you wanted help to come up with characters, you could've approached Vids through a message and I'm sure she would've helped. But copying her characters and then trying to defend yourself is the wrong way to go. It's not something any writer or their readers will appreciate. Don't believe me? Take a look at Jigs (Chokri_ASR) and her readers. You'll see what happens when you plagiarise any part of the work.
Ari, us writers create characters that we can mold whenever we want. We're very attached to both our characters and our stories so having it copied is the worst feeling imaginable.
The resemblance is uncanny and I strongly urge you to review this story. Otherwise, considering that the characterisation belongs to Vids, she has every right to report because it's her intellectual property.
I hope you'll take my advice.