The “Finding Forrester” Technique

An alternative would be to utilise 'Finding Forrester' to write the story, then send it to the original author for their permission before submitting it for publication.

This is an interesting concept, and the responses are equally intriguing. Personally, I can't imagine ever doing it, nor can I imagine anyone using a story of mine for this purpose, and .......I don't know why, because intellectually I don't mind the idea (after all haven't musicians done variations on existing works for centuries?).............but I don't think I'd be happy if someone did.

I also do cartoons and have been very upset when I've seen works of mine altered by others or clearly used as a basis for a very similar cartoon of their own (and it's happened a few times, not a lot, but enough to be annoying).

When I read a story that I like but feel would be great, truly great, with just a change or two, I usually relate this to the author since it's 'their baby'. I suppose if they had no interest in changing the piece, I could be tempted to do so myself, but I don't think I could ever consider the altered piece mine in any significant way.

I think asking for explicit permission from the original author is best. I think you should at least offer to provide the story, prepublication. Opening up communication with the original author has added benefits. You may gain more insight into the original story. The conversation itself may be enjoyable.

You need to preserve the "integrity" of the original story. Readers should consider the original "complete" and capable of standing on its own. There are exceptions. For instance when you are "World building".

The " Finding Forrester" technique is not as different as it sounds. It may even be common. (I'm always tempted to change that into "The Finding Forrest Gump Technique".


In this case kd, your imagination is much too limited. Maybe you, or other wonderful authors, like Bashfulbob, would be more comfortable considering yourselves as "influences". Stories can become " models". I don't know exactly when plagiarism becomes an issue.

I also think of a story and as the author's "baby". I would never change the original.

I really don't get that. He (assuming it is a he) would not get the same experience because he is not writing it originally. He is merely reproducing it like a photocopier.

This 'finding forrester' is all well and good, but I think there's still a lot to be said for doing it the old fashioned way - come up with an idea and then write a story about it.

The Good Will Hunting Technique

Will Hunting is a janitor at MIT. A math professor posts a problem on a blackboard outside his lecture hall. He invites students to solve it. Because he is a janitor, the invite doesn't really extend to Will. Will, surreptitiously, checks out the problem. He posts the solution, again surreptitiously, on the blackboard. The question might be, if the problem wasn't posted, would Will have even turned his attention to it. Let alone solve it.

What stimulates the creative process?

I pm'ed an author on this site whose wonderful story intrigued me. I couldn't figure out why it was written the way it was. I came up with all kinds of convoluted reasons. In reality, it was because her professor gave her writing "prompts" and she had to include them in her story. Go figure.

The "Finding Nemo Technique" sounds fishy because it is. My idea of a joke.

"Which ray Bradbury movie?". I think it's a novella or a short story. I couldn't find it.