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?