In regards to writing Children's Stories redone in a different way/ Is this legal?

[Cynthia Cartwright E.]

I have been throwing this question in my mind for a while now and would like some feedback on this subject.

Little Red Riding Hood was written as a Children's book.  The Theaters revamped the story into a movie.

Also, the new T.V. series "Once upon a time" (I think)

is a new show in which all the characters from Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, and the wicked queen to whom she only knows the real secret of this small town.  Many of the characters do not know they

are characters from the other land.

I want to know if I can use the basis for a story I am writing?  This is something I would like to have addressed.

Thanks, Cynthia

[Gene Cartwright]

Cynthia, great question. Story concepts and ideas cannot be copyrighted, only the way they are presented. Here's an article that may give you some direction:

http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/if-my-novel-has-a-similar-storyli...

I invite you let us know how this works out, and what you decide.

[Lorilyn Roberts]

Thanks, Gene, for the link. Good information.

[Blake Schaefer]

Cynthia,

I liked your question.  I have been busy myself with the 2nd instalment of my current trilogy which has a red riding hood theme behind it.  It only has elements of the story in reference.  The whole plot itself is much deeper and contains elements from other fables and fairytales and plots conjured from my own twisted mind.

 I once read that every story ever told or written has been reinvented, retold and presented in a different light.  Compare Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass; next to the Wizard of Oz.  These two novels have many of the same aspects. A girl who leaves the pains of her world for a different world. They each arive in their new world by different means. Each girl, Alice or Dorthy beleives it is all a dream.  But each story stands alone for originality.  Take space out of Star Wars and you have a WWII epic.   For example; My first novel SIX TOES is a scif-thriller with shape shifting creatures.  Take away the fantasy, thrill and horror, and SIX TOES is a coming of age story about a group of teens discovering who they are and what their life ambition is.

I think we as writers are artist and art is always growing.  It is the part of ourselves that we put into written word that makes our work uniqe if not different, even if we have borrowed elements from fables or fairytales.  Stephen King wrote a novel PET CEMETERY.   I read a very similar story years earlier..it was tiltled the MONKEY'S PAW.  King was inspired by that very story.  King took it to a more dark, twisted sinister outcome, but the stories themself relayed the same message. 

Write about what you like, what you know and if you draw on a theme that has been presented before, present it in a different enough way that it is uniquely yours.  And when others read it, they sit back and say wow!  Why didn't I think of that!

[Edward H' Wolf]

Blake

 I too am the same way, and created from my own twisted mind as well. That's the only way to fly. My books Bianca and Jezebel; and, Rutendo are based on the fairytales... Snow White and Roise Red; as well as Repunzel with lots or bent and warped mind's eye and surprising endings... I publish on Amazon.com in Kindle eBooks, the royalties are way better than I got from a publishing company. In Amazon, you do not have to pay to publish unless you use ad-words advertising which can add up, but it does help in promoting ones works but it is based on pay per click, so I use facebook, twitter, and other sites for advertising and word of mouth. I even put my info to promote my books on a dating website... lol. Gotta be creative in all aspects of life now days.

I like what your doing with your fairytales, their conceptual changes and ideas. Now that's creativity like I have... a twisted mind's eye is good for what ail's one, and keeps one in check of their own reality at the same time...

Take care my friend and God Bless

Edward H' Wolf... Author extraordinaire'   

[Edward H' Wolf]

 

Hi Cynthia

It is legal as long as you create your book in such a way that you are not plagiarizing (stealing) the works of others in its entirety. I based two of my books from fairytales and changed the characters names, and all of the scenes to make them my own.

Always look up legal aspects and copyrights. Always make a story your own so not to get in trouble, be creative ok. If you have an idea and a concept, do research and lots of it; you'll find out all you need to know if you're persistant and have the drive and initiative to be an author. It's lots of hard work, believe you-me. I do all of my own editing and have published 6 books so far since 2010, but began writing some of them many years ago.

My last book Chinaekem Chiniqua Obioma took me 7 years to finish and I just published it within the last month or so. I'm writing several more books at the same time, one of which I started in the way back machinein about 1980 or 81, and like all of my work I do lots of re-write's; this one I have a long way to go before it will be finished.

The point I'm making is as I know for a fact... Never give up... period, it will pay off in the long run.

I publish on Amazon.com in Kindle eBooks only now for the very good reason that unless you are financially able to use a publishing company I'd still, even recommend doing the publishing your self in Amazon like I'm doing, it will spare you the financial woes; and, the royalties are much better.

Of course an author must have an imagination; it has also helped me from years ago when I was in H.S... LOL way too many years ago that I took a creative writing course and fell in love so to speak with the art of creative writing along with art which I already had a talent for, and use now to create the covers for all of my books. 

When composing stories of both fiction and non-fiction, I do lots of research before I begin, and even while I'm writing I do still more research on the subject matter and stories I am crating. Also look to see if a title you have in mind is already a book or not; and if it is, then just get the idea and create a new title and make it your own work of literary art that you are composing.

It's easier to create than for me to explain things, but I hope what I have said will help in some way at least...

Best of luck; and never give up with being an Author, or what ever it is you want to do in life, for it is too short, so make the best of your natural talent...

Have fun writing and take care my friend. God Bless... your friend, Edward H' Wolf... Author extraordinaire'