To Much Like Langdon?

[thecollector]

Okay, I was thinking about a new novel idea so far, but I'm not sure of it. I'm still writing The Collectors (By the way, that title isn't definite and I'm always looking for suggestions.), but I'd also like to write down my new idea. I call it "The Smith Encryption" right now or TSE and I was wondering if I could bounce this off all of you to see if it's too much like the Langdon series.

The novel, itself, would be about a murdered computer specialist sending information to her long time friend, who leads a normal life as a computer teacher (I'm not sure if I'm going to change that occupation yet.). This information starts a web of danger and a cat and mouse chase as two governments attempt to extract it. The protagonist, Justin Smith, joins forces with an ex CIA analyst and the two embark on a journey to expose the truth.

Now, this plot idea is subject to change so if I should start posting it with different things in it like only one government after the two, don't be confused. Do you think this sounds too much like some Robert Langdon novel? It would have nothing to do with religion, though.

[Rouge]

No, it doesn't sound too much like a Langdon novel to me. :) I think it'll be fine.

[jcsk88]

I don't even see the resemblance. I mean, last I checked, Langdon was a symbologist, so I don't think C programming would make much sense to him. But to be as good as a Langdon novel, I'd suppose you'll need a rather in depth understanding of the subject to be convincing. Not to mention a convoluted plot to go along with it.

[thecollector]

Thank you, both. The resemblance I was thinking of was that he was a teacher (like Langdon, except a different subject) and was basically an everyday person. This would use science and twists like any Langdon novel. This would be an idea that would be difficult in the way of how to break down the information so the reader can get it, but I was more worried about things like the clues, murder(s) and other small things that were similar to Robert Langdon. I'm not saying this character is a Harvard professor who has a swimmer's body, mickey mouse watch, and great fear of enclosure. Some things may be similar, though. Basically, he's an average high school teacher who got enrolled in something deadly. Again, thank you, both.

[Shaun]

The only similar thing is that there's a conspiracy...but otherwise, no, it's not like the Langdon crap. It's like a lot of stuff I've already seen before, but that doesn't mean it won't be good. A could writer can take a sorely overused plot and make it good...

[thecollector]

Thank you very much for that response. I just like to play it on the safe side so I don't write anything that has already been written. That would just be repetitive. I'm starting work on it immediately. :) Again, thank you.

[Shaun]

To be fair, anyone who pays too much attention to plot will find similarities between your work and someone else's (or someone else's work and another work, etc). It's just the way the game goes. Good writers simply make cliche plots work for them.

[thecollector]

That's true. I just don't want it to be too much like it to the point that I can be accused of plagiarism.

[Shaun]

You can't plagiarize plots.

[thecollector]

I meant character wise. Sorry about the confusion.

[Shaun]

Well, then your character isn't the same. Similar, I guess, but not the same.

[thecollector]

Okay, thank you for clearing that one up.