Can an Author Have More Than One Book with Similar Plots?

Yes, an author can certainly have more than one book with similar plots. Many authors explore recurring themes, character types, or story arcs throughout their works, often as a deliberate choice to deepen the exploration of certain ideas or to appeal to a particular audience.

Exploring Recurring Themes and Themes

Such recurring elements can be found in various forms. For instance, some authors re-visit classic stories, giving them new twists or settings. Others might write multiple books within a series, where similar plots arise due to character development or overarching storylines that connect the books. Additionally, certain genres, such as romance or mystery, often follow familiar tropes, leading to similarities across different books. Each author brings their unique perspective and voice to these themes, making the stories feel fresh and engaging even when the underlying plots are similar.

Reimagining Classics

Many authors choose to re-tell classic stories with new twists or settings, often publishing these under different titles for different audiences or markets. For example, Robert E. Howard wrote several stories with the same plot but different characters and settings, adapting them for different magazines. Similarly, I have authored two novels with the same main plot: “an innocent woman is sent to prison.”

The Early Career of Authors

Interestingly, many authors begin their careers by writing the same story, often refining it with each new manuscript. This pattern is quite common, especially for the first three to five books. Some authors may spend their entire careers repeatedly telling the same story, albeit in slightly different ways. Take, for instance, Charles Hamilton, better known as Frank Richards, Martin Clifford, and Owen Conquest, who wrote numerous stories revolving around boys' public schools, with Billy Bunter of Greyfriars being his most famous character.

Genre Conventions and Familiar Tropes

Several genres, such as science fiction and fantasy, frequently rely on familiar tropes and themes. A notable example is Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, which explores similar thematic elements throughout its books. The plots of these stories might share certain elements, but the unique settings, characters, and detailed worlds keep them distinct and interesting.

Consistency in a Career

Some authors, like Dan Brown, focus on a specific story type and tweak the plot and characters slightly with each new book. His writing career can be divided into distinct phases: an early period where he continuously refined elements to create the bestseller The Da Vinci Code, followed by attempts to recreate the success of that novel. While this approach has been successful for him, it highlights the challenge of maintaining the same level of interest over multiple books with similar themes and plot structures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while many authors have the freedom to explore similar plots across multiple books, the subtle differences brought about by their unique perspectives, settings, and character development ensure that each story remains distinct and engaging. Whether it's reimagining classics, following genre conventions, or maintaining a thematic focus, the balance between consistency and variation is crucial for authors to captivate readers and keep their work fresh and relevant.