Personal dilemma, would like some advise

[sms_117b]

OK, just over a year ago I broke up with a girlfriend, it just wasn't working but this isn't the problem.

Together we wanted to write a series of books and comics with the ultimate goal of film and TV adaptation. I created a fantasy world; technology, history, culture, laws, guilds and rules, from the rules of the land and our combined imagination stories arose, from everything else characters came to life before us without effort. She being far more a writer than I was going to write and flesh out the stories.

We broke up, it wasn't a good break up, fair to say we will never talk again and rightly so. I....I still feel bad about things...

So now, I still want to write these stories, or maybe story, but I don't know if it's best to, I have no idea if she still wants to write them or if the idea of doing something that had my input completely repulses her, so any advise?

To be clear, I cannot ask her if she's doing anything with these ideas, I cannot even swim in the pool she works whilst she's back from Uni. She wants nothing to do with me, ever again, the least I can do is give her that.

 

[3AM]

That's a tough one. What would you do if you were able to speak to her and she said she did want to do something with the stories? Would you back away from your desire to move ahead with them; would you try and talk her out of it; would you tell her too bad, most of the ideas were yours and you're keeping them? What if you wrote her a letter saying "I'm going to start working on the story again. If you have a problem with this let me know by a-reasonable-date. If I don't hear from you by that-reasonable-date I'll assume you don't mind if I continue." But is she vindictive, would she say she minded just to annoy you?

Shoot, instead of an answer I gave you more questions. Sorry.

 

[Terminal Blue]

Having written collaborative fiction, I sympathize.

However, bear in mind that ideas alone aren't intellectual property yet. If she hasn't done anything about it then simply having had input into the ideas is not really enough.

The worst that could happen is that if something came of this work and it got published, she might have a case to take you to court and request the rights to the ideas she came up with, but she'd need to have pretty extensive and verifiable evidence of her involvement, which I think under the circumstances would be impossible to get.

Your best bet, I think, would be to go through and subtly change the elements which she came up with on her own. You can keep the ideas, but mix names and details around. Consider this a good chance to go through and be really critical of all the elements you don't like. In particular double check the whole thing for any elements which are overused, tropey or unoriginal. The people who they will get to proof fantasy literature have often read hundreds of fantasy books, if you're borrowing from someone else or using a cliche, they're going to pick it up because that's their job, so make sure your setting is as sparkling and original as you think it is.

On that note, if you ever submit your work to a publisher and they decide they like it, they will still completely shred it and you will have to change so many elements anyway that it may not be recognizable at the end.

Speaking generally, I'd strongly suggest finding another co-writer if writing isn't your strong point, because while the people who work in publishing might be very nice as people (and I know one or two who are into original fantasy) from a business perspective they really can't take risks. Your imagination has clearly fuelled this project, but a publisher will want a product they can sell, and that requires the work you submit to need as little editing as possible.

If you have friends who read fantasy, get them to at least read your ideas and make suggestions too, because if they like your book it's much more likely to be sellable.

 

[sms_117b]

Firstly, thank you both.

Snip

If she wanted to write them I would leave them to her. However she is vindictive, asking would result in "yes, I'm working on them" regardless, it was a really, really bad break up.

Le snip

That is some really good advise, I think I probably will. We did take a few things from various other works we enjoyed individually, games, animé, cartoons, film, all was fair game. My goal was create somewhere familiar, but not the same. Like a fantasy Fallout universe. If you're interested I can PM you some of the details get your opinion.

I can also PM some info to you 3AM if you're interested....

 

[Kailat777]

You wrote this world over a year ago. At this point, if you read back through there will probably be a vast many things you want to change using your past year of experience to draw upon. If this is the case, you'll barely be working in the same world anymore, so there's nothing to feel bad about in writing your own stories.

On the other hand, even if you make no changes whatsoever, you've poured a significant amount of effort into building this world, and you're under no obligation to not write the stories. Thus, I'd still say to write the stories. Worst case scenario: It's a huge hit, she takes you to court for her fair share of the profits and wins, and you still have profits remaining.


You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.


On a quick side note, if you really do 'feel bad about things' after over a year, write an honest apology letter. Snail mail is still a good way to send a message the other party should not feel obligated to respond to (as opposed to instant forms of communication), and it should be better for peace of mind at least. Guilt should not follow you forever.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

This is why as a really untrusting person, I rarely share any of my ideas with anyone...

 

[sms_117b]

Snip

Good points, I have been going back over it last few days, few things need adjusting so I've been doing that, and you're right, nothing to lose, everything to gain, so well worth the effort, thank you.

Your side note, I'm ok carrying this guilt, I never want to hurt another like I did her again, the guilt makes sure of that.

 

[RickyRich]

I know that feel, bro. Same thing happened to me. We had some great ideas for a little book, and now we don't talk at all. So now The Happiest Emo goes unwritten and unillustrated. If you want the story to happen then you could do it on your own, but if she was the writer then that would inhibit your ability to fully create the story you so desire. You could get a friend or an outside source to help you.

 

[alandavidson]

Having been in a similar situation, my advice is don't work with her. They are your stories, and she probably won't be doing anything with them anyways.