right then. what's next?

[kageygirl]

This is actually an historic occasion for another reason--remember, remember the fifth of November is another important anniversary:

53 years ago today, Dr. Emmett Brown invented the flux capacitor, the device which makes time travel possible! \o/

[kageygirl: lowering the level of discourse since 1975.]

Anyway. I come seeking advice, dear Livejournal, on some completely and totally hypothetical stop looking at me issues, and since I respect and crave appreciate your input, here's a handy poll:

[Poll #1292132]

See, I kind of feel like changing my spelling to look like I'm a European author is wrong and poser-y, but I don't want it to be a distraction, y'know? *frets*

And the second question completely and totally did not come up this very morning for me or anything and is not giving me mental distress or anything so just stop looking at me like that.

Oh, small fandoms with as yet a handful of episodes, you are difficult on the early adopters.

Comments

[nel-ani.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, even if the premise is the same, odds are that you'll still end up writing a different story. You could always get a beta to read the other story and tell you if you're screwed; that way you won't get colored by the other fic. :D

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

FWIW: My first fandom (or at least the first one in which I read and wrote fic) was BtVS, specifically Giles fic. We had a pretty balanced mix of UK and non-UK readers and writers, so this question came up periodically. The consensus was that spelling isn't an issue; use whatever spelling you were taught, because everyone is accustomed to reading it either way and it's not a distraction. But by all means, do get a Britpicker for vocab and phrasing. Inappropriate usage there is glaring and very distracting.

Re the second question: All I really have for you is an empathetic *wince*. Been there, fretted over that. I chose to continue writing and try not to worry about it, because there are a lot of stories out there with similar premises and even similar plots, but each interpretation brings something entirely unique. Didn't really stop me from worrying... but at least it allowed me to keep writing.

[trobadora]

I don't feel it's poser-y to change your spelling, but it's not necessary either. So long as it's internally consistent - whichever you feel like, really.

My real answer for #2 is: Read the other story, either conclude that it does exactly the same thing you're trying to do and abandon yours, or conclude it's not doing what you're trying to do (i.e., what's making you write yours) and keep going with yours.

[titti]

I've been writing HP for so long that favours and trousers come so natural I don't even have to think about it. All my dictionaries are set to UK English as well so Firefox will that me that neighbor is wrong but neighbour is just fine. After a while, you don't even think about it.

[reginagiraffe]

I would say it depends on your audience. If it's going to be mostly Brits, you might want to consider changing the spelling. If it's mostly Americans, don't bother. In fact, *really*, DON'T BOTHER. Because then you'd annoy people in the other direction. But definitely worry about phrasing.

I say charge ahead. You be amazed at the differences you can get, even starting with the same premise.

[drlense.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's necessary to change the spelling, because that's your language, not the characters- you know? but I think you need to make sure that the terminology is right. Nothing is more annoying than reading about how Blair and Jim want Simon to come back to their flat with them.

[crysothemis.livejournal.com]

This happened to me in SGA fandom. I cursed the similarity and plowed ahead, and in the end found I'd actually written a very different story.

I suspect the same will be true for you; if it's not, that's when you gnash your teeth. And if you prefer not to even have a chance of being influenced, you can have someone else read the other story for you and tell you if it's too similar.

[moonlettuce.livejournal.com]

I don't think the spelling is an issue. Most UK fans are in at least one non-UK fandom, so I think missing U's, and E's and R's the other way around just slides by us. I'm guessing non-UK bods in UK fandoms soon stop noticing extra U's and so on, as well. Changing it, if you decide to, isn't poser-y but I don't think it's necessary :D

Britpicking for vocab, though, I'd say definitely :)

[maryavatar.livejournal.com]

Don't change your spelling, but do get a Brit-picker. If you do decide to change your spelling as well, make sure that your Brit-picker is thorough to the point of OCD, because while American spelling and British terminology is fine, British spelling and American terminology is not.

Also, remember that the UK is actually made up of four very different countries. England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland all have their own identities and idiosyncrasies. If your story is set in Wales, get a Welsh-picker. If you're writing from a Scottish character's POV, get a Scot-picker. English people tend to be woefully ignorant about the other cultures around them.

[solar-cat.livejournal.com]

As I just had this happen... XD I was spelling "armour" as "armor" and somebody commented about it, so I started using British spellings. BUT, I don't think it's entirely necessary. I do tend to preface with a warning for American spellings, though, just so people won't think I'm an idiot who can't type. *she says as she accidentally types "idoit"*

As far as the story goes, I'd say keep going. If somehow it turns out that your story is like, exactly the same (highly unlikely), you may consider scrapping it, but a similar premise (even a very similar one) isn't automatic grounds for people screaming "plagiarism OMG!!". (Plus, y'know, so far, Merlin fandom is freakishly awesome and full of cool people who do not seem crazy. *is loving this* *is also assuming fandom-in-question*)

[kyrdwyn.livejournal.com]

Remember remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder Treason and Plot!

(also, a friend got married today. I secretly suspect she wanted a way to remember her anniversary easily.......) ;)

[roaringmice.livejournal.com]

For me re: the spelling - if my story is from the POV of a British character, it's British spelling and phrasing. If it's from the POV of an American character, it's American spelling and phrasing.

[ignazwisdom.livejournal.com]

When I'm writing Fraser's POV, I write Canadian, including the spelling.

I wrote in a Brit fandom for years. I wish I'd made a bigger effort to get the spelling right.

[shihadchick.livejournal.com]

53 years ago today, Dr. Emmett Brown invented the flux capacitor, the device which makes time travel possible! \o/
I adore you SO MUCH, Kagey.

[ningengirai.livejournal.com]

To answer:

Keep going, finish my story, don't let myself become nervous/agitated/obsessed with/about that other story, get someone to beta my stuff and then ask them if they've read the other story. If they have, ask them if the similarities are too severe. If they are, post my story anyway. If they are not, post my story anyway. And, when I'm posting, add something in my author notes that shows that I am aware of the fact that there might be similarities in the premise - which does not a story make.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

Heeee, go you and your lowering. And more go yous for writing the nicer way! *ignores reason for you to do so*

[kylielee1000.livejournal.com]

Keep going, continuing to dither over the problem, and hope that by the time you actually finish, no one will remember the first one. Or accuse you of plagiarism. But how often are you that lucky?

Not that this has ever happened to me...like with the ENT story where I was forced to write an apology to MJ because my story had some similar elements to hers. But I hadn't even read her story! And I can think of better people to plagiarize from! Although obviously I would never do that!

Oh, small fandoms with as yet a handful of episodes, you are difficult on the early adopters.

I'm noticing this with FRINGE. I went on a FRINGE spree and read everything, but alas! with so few eps, the only thing people can do is zoom past canon in their 400-part multipartner, leaving me going, "Whaaaa?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

My 2 cents from a non-native speaker point of view: I don't really notice if people use UK or US spelling. I learned UK spelling in school, but all the years in fandom makes US spelling very familiar. So, either way is okay for me. Not very helpful, huh?

Can't wait for your story! :-D