The “Finding Forrester” Technique

In the movie, “Finding Forester”, there is a pivotal moment when under the tutelage of Mr. Forrester Jamal is having difficulty starting to write. So as a “seed for inspiration” Mr. Forrester provides Jamal one of this own works, tells Jamal to start copying (via a typewriter) until his own inspiration takes over, and continue writing (typing) from there. After copying approximately a paragraph, Jamal finds is own words then continues to write until the early evening.

I have been on a story reading binge as of late, still waiting for my own story writing to take over my time from binge reading.

The idea/permission/approach I would like folks here to consider and provide feedback on is “Using one of the stories I’ve read, copy that story until the words of my own story take over from there.” I am calling this the “Finding Forrester” technique.

Here is one possible process of how I see this working:
1) Write the story (of course),
2) Request permission of the author to publish the story here as a combined authorship, and linking to the original author’s work.

Thoughts? Pitfalls?

PS - “Finding Forrester” is one of my favorite movies of all time. I can’t recommend this movie strongly enough, particularly for those who have ever thought about writing.

I would be very happy for you to do that with one of my stories. I don't think joint authorship is necessary--just reference the original work as I did to PhilK's work in my Correction of Young Ladies--Caning. I don't think linking is possible but referencing the other work allows readers to find it.

Mine was a sequel to his so I obtained his consent before starting and his approval before submitting to the site.

One should, of course, obtain consent.

Geoffrey Stirling.

I've done that with two stories, both started with stories written by mj2001, in both cases I wanted to see the stories finished, at least brought to a conclusion. I asked for and received permission from mj2001 to "complete" the story and sent both to him for his approval before sending them in to be uploaded onto the site. They are both done in three part series, "Dad's Whipping Girl", and "Dad's Visit to the Judicial Center."

Honestly, I was a bit surprised and honored mj2001 allowed me to continue his work. I would not have done them without his permission.

I've done something like that inadvertently; I read a story about a Girl Scout spanked for charity, couldn't find it again anywhere, and decided to write my own version - 'The Girl Scout Special'.

Partway through writing it, it occurred to me to check other Girl Scout stories here - and found the story I'd been looking for originally, by Grace Brackenridge!

I decided that my story was different enough not to count as plagiarism, and sent it in.

Sir Cambornek

I like to read and sometimes I'll read something that lodges in my brain. I've got to explore it further. Usually, it's just a mental exercise. Sometimes I feel the need to write, what I consider to be a branch of the story. I like to think of the original story still existing but separate from what I've written.

Once (only) I wrote such a story and decided to submit it to LSF. I asked for and received the original author's permission. I referenced, praised and recommended the original author and his story. I tried to include my reasons for writing my story in a preface. The preface was important to me but wasn't included. I didn't understand the "rules" aka protocols?

While I was waiting for the original authors permission, a few thoughts ran through my mind. What if the author doesn't respond? I don't think stories on LSF are in the public domain. Is there a protocol for what I'm doing? What are the ethics? Does it depend on how closely my story resembles the original? Should I change character names, or make other changes, and "pretend" the story is new?

It would be nice if there was a protocol.

There are a few stories of mine where I've left the ending to the reader's imagination - I've set up a final spanking, but haven't described it. I'd fear that someone might just decide to use my 'set-up' and tack on a description of a spanking without adding anything new to the story, so I'd like to be consulted first.

Have any of you read the 'Zark' stories? They're a 'shared-world' collaboration, set on an isolated island where spanking is the norm. Anyone can contribute, as long as their story doesn't violate the established setting or characters. I've contributed three stories so far - 'Island Honeymoon', 'The Botty in the Library', and 'Something for the Honeymoon'.

Sir Cambornek

Thank you everyone for your responses. I had not thought about the ‘shared-world’ consideration. Excellent point.

Another aspect I have unearthed (probably from the ‘vault of obvious knowledge’) is the idea that “basic plot lines” are repeated here all the time. Obviously copying a basic plot line does not really count as copying any particular author’s work. Which begs the question, “What makes a story original to the author”? Is it the character development? Is it the universe/world-building context of the story? Is it the art-of-language that makes it special, and therefore, creditable to that author? Each of these aspects requires considerable original effort on the author’s part. This effort of original thought seems to describe the “value” of the author’s work.

I think it boils down to whether you started your story with author’s work. Does your story leverage the original author’s original art to tell your story?

The story could end up unrecognizable by the original author. That doesn’t matter. What matters is giving credit where credit is due, unless of course the original author wishes to disavow wanting any connection between your work and theirs. But even then I would want to change the credit to an anonymous author. Think of it as your opportunity to give an award acceptance speech “… and I would like to thank the janitor …” sans the award of course.

The aspect I am now stuck on is “how can you know if your work is harming the original author’s original art”? It is a lot to ask the original author to 1) review your story, then 2) put their original story back in their head with all of the unwritten connections and background imperfectly at best, then 3) give permission with the distinct possibility that they might truly regret that decision later.

No, I think the only option for utilizing the “Finding Forrester” technique is for stories that the original author can tell you “I don’t mind, you have my permission, have fun with it”, even before your story is even written.

I also believe any work that has been published for profit is off limits.

I think if you use another author's story as a basis for your own, you have some responsibilities. The author and his story deserve respect and acknowledgement. Readers should know that the original story is "complete" and can stand on its own. You are making your contribution for your own reasons. The original story doesn't need your contribution.

Gourmet, I agree the "Finding Forrester" technique can work if you have the author's permission. But if you're including a janitor and you don't have the author's permission, you could try the "Good Will Hunting" technique.

I have actually tried the Finding Forrester technique. My own words did eventually take over, but I found it difficult to break away from the style of the original author.

I've also stopped writing stories and started "binge reading". I'm more focused on the forums, "Well Red", and articles about writing. So your thread is timely. I'm going to guess that you don't want to know my thoughts about the " Finding Nemo" technique.

I'm sure there's a Ray Bradbury story about someone who spends a summer typing out a novel from memory - one of Ernest Hemingway's, I think - just to get the experience of what it would have been like to write it originally!

Myrkassi,

I'm looking for this Ray Bradbury story. Still haven't found it. Probably because of all the other wonderful Bradbury stories that my search comes up with.