Daisho Con

A friend just informed me of a rumour that seems to be circulating that 'Twilight' author Stephanie Meyer has been/is being sued for stealing the idea for the series. From what little research curiosity allowed me to do before my ADD won out, the plaintiff is an old college roommate that wrote a short story to the same effect is claiming that Meyer stole the idea.

Alright, I have no idea whether this is true or just a stupid rumour. So take nothing as perfectly legitimate. But here are my thoughts anyway. Note, my thoughts may be slightly coloured by the fact that I loath and detest everything about these books.

1. This college-roommate sure waited a hell of a long time, I'm thinking this is, if true, probably driven by the fact that she wants a chunk of the crazy cash that Meyer's been making off of hormonal teenage females.

2. Even if this roommate did actually write a short story that inspired Meyer to write the eventual novels, there are still certain 'artistic liscensing' laws that protect the copier if they site 'inspiration'. Again, I didn't really find any details about the extent of the story this roommate wrote or whatever. It could definitely be, just like the books, a complete crock.

3. Can't we just sue both of them? Honestly I'm sure any number of teenage females has written a story about a boring, mary-sue character with the depth of plastic wrap who some how captures the attention of super-hot-man-boy-sexy-angst-drama-vampire man. This roommate is trying to make a claim that Meyer copied her? How about wanted to be Anne Rice but failed miserably?

So there's my (albeit coloured) take on the events/rumours. Any one else know anything/feel the need to comment?

Didn't someone try to pull this same crap on J.K. Rowling a while back?

Spittin Wheelie wrote:Didn't someone try to pull this same crap on J.K. Rowling a while back?

Probably, although I can't remember a specific time.

Whether this roommate wrote said short story or not doesn't matter if she didn't have a copyright on it, so as much as I'd like to watch the fangirls squirm as the Twilight movies fail to come out, this probably will not amount to much.

Ideas can't really be copyrighted or patented, particularly bland and trite ideas that every teenage girl has envisioned at some point in her life. I mean, I've had ideas for lots of things that came to pass by production companies I have no association with. If the idea's really a winner (and in the case of Twilight I use that word in the broadest sense possible), write it yourself, dammit.

Even if there's a case for taking the idea, there's no way Meyer's out anything unless there's specific plagiarism involved.

Honestly, why would anyone want to take credit for that concept anyway?

And even if it doesn't apply to Miss Meyer, there's something to be said for inspiration and artistic license. My novel's derivative as all hell, but use a different spin and add enough flair and nobody cares.

Sue Christopher Paolini. He's the king of this. That and copying fail like Anne Rice leads to more fail.

1stAgent wrote:Honestly, why would anyone want to take credit for that concept anyway?

Because stupid teenage girls would gladly buy it and the author is filthy rich because of it? It may suck as a book, but if it makes money, that's all that matters.

I beg to differ Toast. Life is not about Money and shouldn't be. It should be about the impact you make. When people make life about money they seem to become very unhappy. That's my opinion as to why America is unhappy. I have never been happier than when I was working at the Sheboygan BGCA. I felt like I was making an impact, like I mattered, etc. I got paid jack for what I went through there, but loved all of it. Here is less satisfying because fewer kids need help, and the ones that do are harder to reach, which is part of the economics and personality of the area.

On topic, there may be some positive impact to Twilight. I'm a big proponent of getting kids to read. It's not easy and if Twilight gets a few girls to read more books later it has done something worthwhile. It's still a crappy series, and they could start on better books.

... Aminar, it's a little weird when you get all deep and insightful like that. Especially considering the current topic.

Also, I wouldn't give my kid Twilight to get them to read, mostly because it's poorly written. I'd have them read something better, depending on the age. If we're talking middle school age, I would recommend the Abhorsen trilogy. Decent series.

Dunno about high school, though. I got a kick out of Brave New World, but not everyone is into that sort of thing.

Back to the topic, I'm sure the whole thing will blow over in a few weeks or months.

Kara kuro wrote:Can't we just sue both of them? Honestly I'm sure any number of teenage females has written a story about a boring, mary-sue character with the depth of plastic wrap who some how captures the attention of super-hot-man-boy-sexy-angst-drama-vampire man.

Ok, Seriously, Fell off my chair when i read that. Effing amazing Kara, Effing Amazing.

Personally, I'd gladly take credit for writing anything that makes me a millionaire. Obviously people out there like the work enough to buy it in droves.

I've decided I'm going to read these books to see what all the fuss is about, I was told to keep away from them by a friend whose reading taste I greatly respect...but I just can't resist the urge to know what's going on in these books anymore.

Spittin Wheelie wrote:Personally, I'd gladly take credit for writing anything that makes me a millionaire. Obviously people out there like the work enough to buy it in droves.

I've decided I'm going to read these books to see what all the fuss is about, I was told to keep away from them by a friend whose reading taste I greatly respect...but I just can't resist the urge to know what's going on in these books anymore.

You should read the fanfic "My Immortal" instead. It's a lot more extreme than Twilight, but it's a great laugh. And the plots seem to be the same (only My Immortal is a Harry Potter fic. Oh, and everything is "gothic" in it. And the grammar is awful). Basic Mary Sue with no personality somehow catches the eye of every person that has dangly parts. Let the shenanigans ensue.

Maybe I'll check it out after reading the first book. Thanks

Aminar wrote:I beg to differ Toast. Life is not about Money and shouldn't be. It should be about the impact you make. When people make life about money they seem to become very unhappy. That's my opinion as to why America is unhappy. I have never been happier than when I was working at the Sheboygan BGCA. I felt like I was making an impact, like I mattered, etc. I got paid jack for what I went through there, but loved all of it. Here is less satisfying because fewer kids need help, and the ones that do are harder to reach, which is part of the economics and personality of the area.

On topic, there may be some positive impact to Twilight. I'm a big proponent of getting kids to read. It's not easy and if Twilight gets a few girls to read more books later it has done something worthwhile. It's still a crappy series, and they could start on better books.

Andrew you make a good point... but it is not reality.. Reality just doesn't work this way. In the last few decades it is money that makes impacts. We have become an even larger consumer society.. I realize that things should be a certain way but they are not. I'm glad that you were happy making an impact, but our general society just doen't care. People like the escape a simple book like Twilight can give them.. That is what matters to people.. the experience.. I agree that life shouldn't be about money.. But i challenge any of you to go a whole day without thinking about your budget or how you need more money.

Personally if I could get the moeny for it, I would. I'm a sell out, I'll admit it. We're all whores, its all just negotiating the price