October 30th, 2016

It’s happened to me, again.

There was an anthology guideline that caught my eye. After retreating to my thinking room, (The washroom, c’mon, we all think in there.) I came up with a story that sounded awesome to me.  With phone in hand, I hurriedly scrawled out my synopsis, theme and characters.

Then I retired for the night.

When I awoke, I scanned my notes. There was something wrong. The plot was too close to the story that had inspired the anthology.

Apologies Mr. Clive Barker.

I immediately began to plan anew. One day, I will finish the first idea I had, but not right now. It will remain on my burner until a new opportunity arises where it will shine on its own.

My second work for the anthology is inspired by several cultures views of the afterlife. I view it as an homage to Dante’s Inferno.

This brings to mind the question: Where does homage end and plagiarism begin?