.JPG)
Did you know that characters are protected by copyright? If a character has a certain physique, (or any marks such as very original tattoos, scars, etc.), a unique name and/or distinct personality, especially when the character is well-known such as Frodo in Lord of the Rings or Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, they belong to the copyright holder, and you can’t use them without permission. Character names can even become renowned to guarantee trademark protection.
This doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired by someone else’s work. Just make sure you add your own style and idiosyncrasies that will make these characters your own.
Which TV or book characters have served as your muse?
I think I tend to get inspired by the concept of something - so a tv series may trigger something in my senses and I'd think - oh what if this character did this instead of what they did in the tv show?!?!? Similarly with films or books! I guess it;s the alternative take of someone else's plot! Yikes! Is that good?!?! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteYes, it's good! You're not copying or stealing. You just got inspired on what you saw/read and gave it your own twist and changed a few things. Think of it as a spin-off! ;)
Another thoughtful and thought-provoking post, Claudia! I have been inspired by Dr. Seuss now that you mention it! I used to look forward to those readers arriving by mail order at home when I was a tadpole. This writer's tone, along with the characterizations of Edward Gorey, inspired me to write a play/poem. The mixed voices are surprisingly funny! Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI drew inspiration from characters such as BREAKING BAD's Walter White and WINTER BONE's Teardrop Dolly, but you know. On a conceptual level, they were not used to recreate middle aged, troubled men.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your comment. Hope we get to see your play one day. Isn't it amazing we find inspiration even in children's books?
Hi Ben,
Yep! I get it. Your inspiration doesn't mean you have to recreate the same characteristics but you find something fascinating about them that you find useful to flesh out for your characters.
I puzzled over this one. Surely there has to be one character in book, film or TV that's influenced me...and unless I have selective dementia I don't think there is, at least in termss of a straight character for character trade-off. I think like most writers, my mind is an undifferentiated ocean of characters absorbed from fiction and real life, and from that ocean a subconscious composite is drawn as the occasion demands. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteOMG Mike! I had to read this twice, LOL!
ReplyDeleteBut I really doubt you have dementia. I am sure though some characters have influenced you and/or your writing. :)
None so far, I think, my characters come from personal live experiences and from family.
ReplyDeleteThat's ok too, Carole Anne. Some of my characters' traits come from acquaintances or friends. The important thing is to flesh them out and make them believable ;)
ReplyDeleteGood to know, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Toyin, thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteI recently wrote a very short article and when I was done recognized eight personal aquaintances. but none out of books just a conglomerate of different authors styles. I never thought about that till you mentioned it.
ReplyDelete