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ElSquibbonator Since: Oct, 2014
#1: Feb 14th 2020 at 2:54:12 PM

So, there's a novel I'm writing. While I'm not going to reveal too much about the plot, it should suffice to say that it concerns an impending multiversal-scale apocalypse and the protagonists' efforts to defeat the villain who wants to bring said apocalypse about. My concern is that I may have inadvertently copied some of the themes and tropes from other novels that use this premise. I would never deliberately plagiarize any of those works, but I'm afraid that my story might be conceived as such if it were read by someone.

Is the idea of a story where characters have to stop a threat to multiple universes automatically off-limits just because, say, Stephen King did that in the The Dark Tower books?

TheWhistleTropes janet likes her new icon. Since: Aug, 2015 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
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#2: Feb 15th 2020 at 2:50:59 PM

Multiversal threats seem to be common in cosmic horror, if that's what you're going for here.

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DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3: Feb 18th 2020 at 5:26:47 AM

See any Marvel story arc. It's so common as to be cliche, so I wouldn't worry about it.

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ArsThaumaturgis Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
#4: Feb 18th 2020 at 8:01:18 AM

And even if it had been used by only one author, that wouldn't make it unusable by all others, I think. After all, another author could well take the concept in a different direction, or employ it different effect—or even just make it their own without significant changes, I feel.

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