Forums » RP Discussion » Is it ok to 'steal' someone else's scenario?

I saw in one of the Looking for RP threads a particular scenario, that really struck my fancy. I PM'd the author, but they have not yet responded. I'll certainly wait a few days longer - but if they don't respond, is it considered ok to take that scenario and advertise for it myself?

It's not like the idea is trademarked? I'd say give it a week for a reply. If you post an ad then, maybe credit the original author with the idea?

I am inclined to say that reusing someone else's scenario isn't exactly against the rules, but I would consider it bad practice regardless. Taking inspiration from their prompt and creating your own is something different from taking their prompt as-is and making your story with it without their permission.

Keep in mind some scenarios can be really specific to a certain character and a person may have spent a long time trying to find a good prompt, and it can feel pretty hurtful and invasive to have someone else run off with your idea like that.

At the end of the day you're still only using a prompt and are writing out your own story with your own characters, but it would be the most respectful to ask if it's okay to do this, or to only use the prompt as an inspiration and not copy it word for word.

I'm inclined to agree with what a lot of Sanne just said, and her post in particular leads me to wonder what kind of scenario it is. If, like she said, its tailored very much to one of their characters, I'd probably avoid using it (particularly if it was an OC they clearly spent a lot of time on)

But

If it's more of a generic-ish scenario (like teen high school romance version 38,000) I think it's more acceptable.

I am wondering if there is maybe a middle ground for this, is there a way you could alter the topic enough to not seem so exactly like their idea? Then given the permission you can still accredit the inspiration to the OP of said post? I think that's the route I would try to do myself if I was in your shoes.

Thanks for these thoughtful responses. The scenario is fairly unique, but did not seem particularly character specific.. I will certainly wait for a week or two in case I get a response, and if I do use that prompt I'll make sure to change it.

You could also ask.

"Hey, if you don't feel like you want to play this with me, is it okay if I repost the prompt/scenario to play with someone else? I just find it really appealing."

I agree with the overall vibe of the replies to this post; use pieces but don't regurgitate their post verbatim.

If you get no response (or hell even if you do and it turns out you and this specific partner are not a good match OR maybe you have someone you already enjoy writing with and think they would enjoy/excel with the prompt) then reread it. Then customize the general scene to your own character/universe etc. Through an 'Inspired By' credit across the bottom and maybe even a link to the original post?

Often times I will see a potentially good story hidden behind things like shoddy grammar or very young writers, even writers I have had experiences with but am not a fan of writing along side; the beauty of writing is the fact that we all CAN lean on one another for inspiration and as long as we don't cross the line into plagiarism.

I don't "steal" anybody else's scenarios, but I do sometimes cannabalize them and harves some of the good ideas from them. Usually they are ones I was a part of but for whatever usual reason they stall an die, so I have some effort invested in them and deem it 'fair' to use anything I deem good out of it in another tale with someone else.

I personally don't. Since my characters already have built in bios descriptions and history.

This! If you're in a group or setting, taking someone else's idea for an event or scene is beyond poor form, it's sweeping development out from under them and stealing something they were already going to give to the continuity. But if you're just a solo writer, using concepts for private parties or 1x1 encounters...? Unless you're reposting someone's ad verbatim, or copying their character or concept specifically, there isn't much harm you can do. Anyone can do a "Damsel is trapped in a dragon-guarded castle" scene. It's when you start using the original settings other writers have designed that we start dipping back towards poor form. If they've created a unique character or world, don't take it and twist it.

tldr; if you're not sure, just ask!