Believe it or not I get a lot of requests to write someone’s idea (less than I used to honestly). Many times I can do it. I definitely try and most times the results are decent.
But sometimes, I am glad I didn’t take on someone’s idea. I am going to keep this vague so not to offend anyone as much as possible.
Someone contacted me through comments quite a while back referring me to a link with their idea. It was very long and involved. It was for Spirk but there were many more involved elements including with characters I felt no affinity to, but I agreed to consider. This person was very complimentary about my abilities though I don’t remember a lot of prior interactions with them.
The more I read what they wanted though, the more I knew I could not do it. They wanted their idea written exactly as they saw it. And I am not that kind of writer. I have to be able to put my own spin on it. I gently tried to suggest they write it since that had such specifics. Basically they snapped that they couldn’t write and that’s why they wanted me to get it.
Eventually they did get another writer to agree to write some of their idea and this person did a pretty decent job considering what they wanted and that they didn’t like the same thing. The person requesting the idea didn’t kudo the work and though they claimed at first to like it had to come back a month later to say how disappointed they were that the writer didn’t write it exactly the way they wanted it to be done and the reasons they thought it should have been done differently. Their comment was quite offensive really. Frankly had I been the writer I would have deleted the whole thing. But wow, the whole thing left a really bad taste in my mouth so to speak for this demanding person and feeling super bad for the author who tried to do what this person wanted and for what?
What is this all for? Just to share I guess. If I do someone’s suggestion, I am happy to do so but it must be under my terms and I don’t mean to be rude about that. I love receiving suggestions. Keep them coming. Some of my best stories have been suggestions but man this other writer’s experience sucked and I am so glad I rejected doing this.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 
April 23, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I remember this person! I remember how insistent they were even though we’re trying to gently say no thanks. I remember you saying maybe next year and then them coming to you the second the year turned over to ask you to do it AGAIN. I remember how kind you were when you were like look no.
I am so glad you didn’t get involved with that.
Bc you’re right. Even if you followed this persons suggestion closely, they still would have objected to something. We all have our own style and experiences that play into *how* we write. And that can only change so much.
Besides. I love the way you take a prompt and put your own spin on it. Half the fun is seeing how YOU interpret a prompt and where your mind goes!
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April 23, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Thank you and yep, you got it, that one. The reaction to this other person’s hard work was super disappointing to me. So uncalled for.
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April 23, 2022 at 6:45 pm
I can’t believe I have no idea whatsoever about this interchange.
Unless it was me, and at least THIS time I’m really sure it wasn’t.
Because for the most part, my only super involved idea, I never could talk ANYBODY into doing, so I did end up doing it myself and enjoyed it a lot. It was nowhere near as good as it would have been had any of you I begged to take it done so, but – hey, the idea’s out there and …whatever.
You’ve been more than gracious with my many prompts. And I’ve been surprised how you take my ideas and just go with your gut and create a masterpiece with it, so far beyond anything I could have thought up for it.
I wouldn’t mind if you emailed me with the fic that was finally written. Because I have no idea whatsoever what you’re talking about.
And I’m nosy.
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April 23, 2022 at 6:57 pm
Definitely NOT you. And I THOUGHT I told you about it but maybe not. I will email you
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April 23, 2022 at 7:12 pm
Well, you might have.
I’m not having the best brain week.
I’ve misplaced 2 things this week, and I would have sworn on my life I knew EXACTLY where they were. But they’re not. And I’ve torn the place apart looking for both.
Neither is important or expensive. Both are easily replaced. That doesn’t bother me.
It’s that…………..is this it? Is this finally proof that I’ve got it?
I’ve done sooooooooo well the past 4 years – a place for everything and everything in its place and now…this.
Which has NOTHING to do with your topic here. Except that you mighta told me and I’ve forgotten.
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April 23, 2022 at 7:44 pm
I hear you on forgetting where you put things but I think you’re too hard on yourself, you’re fine
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April 23, 2022 at 7:55 pm
You make me weep a little. I so pray you’re right. I’ve seen 3 people now deep in the throes of Alzheimers and how it tore everyone around them apart. Even shortening their own lives. And scaring the crap out off them as their own fear intensifies that they are looking into their own future if a cure or treatment isn’t found. What a monster this disease is.
And again, I SO hope you’re right that I’m being too hard on myself. Please please make it so!
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April 23, 2022 at 8:32 pm
it’s awful I’ve seen in action too, but you are good, I promise
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April 23, 2022 at 7:24 pm
Oof. If you want something that specific, try and write it yourself. Even if you don’t think you are all that good with writing, just try it. You never know. And if you want to request a fic, keep it simple.
I started writing because of a lot of reasons but one was because I had all these story ideas and when I try and search for similar stories, I was always like ‘this isn’t how I want it to go’. So just write it yourself.
Seems like you dodged a bullet with the person.
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April 23, 2022 at 7:44 pm
I sure did!
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April 25, 2022 at 7:47 am
Second attempt at a comment. The first one flew away into the www, as I entered my email. 🤷🏻♀️
That sounds like a horrible experience that that writer went through. I’m certainly glad you didn’t make the attempt to please that unpleasable person! It’s OK to make a suggestion and include some element that you want in the story. But to request a story going by a detailed outline of what you want is ridiculous. If the person wants that story written they should write it themselves even if they don’t feel like sharing it in public with others. To put someone through that, that took time to create something to their specifications is awful! SMH! Now I’m curious to know what story that was and was it well-received by others?
Glad you stayed free of that critical person!
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April 25, 2022 at 8:12 am
They only got 8 kudos one of which was mine, it’s got elements that would most definitely not appeal to most readers so I am sure that’s the issue
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April 26, 2022 at 7:43 pm
That’s terrible! I feel so sorry for that author. I’m so glad that you turned it down, you sure saved yourself a headache. I wish people would remember that the authors aren’t getting paid for this and that they’re doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. Unfortunately, I guess common courtesy isn’t so common.
I agree with the others, I think it’s a lot more fun to give an idea and let them run with it. It may not be exactly what you were thinking but it could end up being even better. 🙂
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April 27, 2022 at 7:29 am
Yeah especially since I don’t know many who would have felt comfortable writing it the way the person wanted it done and the author did remarkably well considering what they were working with. But I am definitely glad I bowed out
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