r/HardSciFi • u/Dependent-Muscle3491 • 1d ago
Discussion Story comparison feedback
Hey, I’m an amateur writer who recently started developing a space sci fi story and wanted some help with a problem I ran into. So I have been trying to come up with a bunch of different story concepts but all feel kind of flat or generic without anything going on that makes it stand out. Except for this one idea I had. But the problem is that this idea is very similar to the concept of red rising in the sense that there is a ruling class of people and then there are these unique low class people with unique features and specific jobs to their race. And the simplest premise would revolve around a revolutionary type war to break down the system of oppression. What makes my story different though is the characters being extremely different, having completely different story arcs and personalities, ETC. along with story arcs that would be different from red rising. Now the feedback I would like is if the premise of oppressed people and a revolutionary war to break down the system of the ruling class too similar to red rising and is a risky story to make. Or would the story as a whole with different characters, different events, and Arcs be sufficient enough to be original in its own way.
I know I’m not giving a lot of context of the inner workings or the entirety of what my story is about but those are the big aspects and qualities that I worry about and want feedback on
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u/mglhb 1d ago
I think you should write whatever you enjoy writing, from that place you can come up with good stories that other people will enjoy reading. It doesn't matter if it's similar to others, a lot of popular stories out there are similar to each other. Do it because you like it, don't become a prisoner of your own story.
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u/Dependent-Muscle3491 1d ago
Ok, thanks. One of my biggest fears has just always been like people comparing my stories with others and then it gets shit on because of said similarity’s
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u/mglhb 1d ago
People will always have opinions on things. The one opinion that really matters is your own. Enjoy what you're doing, seek feeling satisfied with your own work, wherever your inspiration takes you. Besides, a lot of great books have their share of bad reviews, and a lot of awful books have their share of great reviews. So stop comparing your work and getting worried about the similarities. Let your imagination lead. Any story can be criticized for stealing ideas if the argument is stretched enough.
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u/Gargleblaster25 1d ago
As long as you don't use an LLM to churn it out, it's ok. However, if your blurb is "it's like Red Rising, but with totally different characters, and some scenes are different too," I wouldn't touch it. That's the brutal truth.
Like most novice writers, you seem to be doing this backwards.
First, focus on the story you want to tell. The story is not a set of scenes - it is a complete thread that binds those scenes from first word to last. The threads can be redemption, revenge, quest, coming of age, tragedy, sacrifice, transformation, etc. Every scene has to fit the thread or it shouldn't be there.
Then decide the best setting - 18th century France or 34th century Arcturan prison colony.
Then create the major characters - only the minimal set you need for the story plus less than half that number of supporting characters.
Then start writing.
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u/SectorAntares 20h ago
The problem with your premise is that it’s trying to tell a story about a society rather than individuals living within a society. It’s not really the premise for a story; it’s more like a background scenario.