Did Jim nab the market on quoting Lucas?

[Darkshore]

So long story short. I have a P.I. and at this point in the novel him and a friend are getting past the metal-detector/pocket checker, so they can get into a casino while packing some heat. I have a ghost that helps them get past the metal detector by manipulating it and then pulling a jedi mind-trick on the checker. Now I really wanted to have my MC pull an obi-wan kenobi as a signal, but then I started thinking. My MC's character voice (while different) comes off with a very Dresden feel. Would this be too much? Just thought I'd wander in and pose this question.

[Shecky]

That does seem to be a Harry schtick.

[Darkshore]

Yeah...I thought so. I just loved the idea of it, but I suppose that's something I'll have to steer clear from.

[Starbeam]

It's been done in a lot of books and movies, in a lot of different ways.  Can always put it in and see if anyone has issues with it, then you can always take it out.

[Quantus]

Harry cant be the only Star Wars fanboy out there, so odds are it would only stand out in a direct comparison of the two (Ask anyone named Luke and they will tell you just how much people like quoting those movies  ).  That being said, my favorite writers and characters tend to creep into my writing when Im not looking, so its worth keeping an eye on.  Those sorts of similarities are something that can accumulate from little things, so be careful.  A snarky Jedi quip is probably fine.  A snarky Jedi quip in a black leather duster, maybe less so.  A snarky Jedi quip in a black leather duster with a spirit named Bob and spanish Fire spells... you might have taken a wrong turn somewhere.

0.02

[Darkshore]

Agreed. There are a few similarities some others have pointed out to me, but I've also been reassured that a lot of those are common in most UF and not just Jim's. I'm just trying to make sure the distinction stays clear. I certainly look up to Jim and love his work, but I want my novels to be my own and not accidental imitations.

[Shecky]

Well, sure. Lots of geeks (and lots of non-geeks, for that matter) do Star Wars quotes. The only caveat is to make sure it's not done as OFTEN as Harry does.

[MClark]

Its hard to believe, but there are people who have never seen Star Wars. Perhaps you could have a character like that be a straight man to the Star Wars quoter.

Even harder to believe are some people don't like Star Wars. Some think the movies are over-rated in terms of acting, plot, or other ("The last scene of star wars is like a Leni Reifenstahl film. Is Lucas a nazi or something?"). Others (like David Brin) dislike the medievalist trappings of Jedi Knights, and hereditary powers and see a whole agenda of anti-democracy at work. You could have one of these as a straight man. But you might enrage the fanbois and lose readers.

PS of course Brin had people with extraordinary abilities because of genetic engineering in his Uplift novels, so not sure why he disliked Star Wars and hereditary force powers.

[Shecky]

Its hard to believe, but there are people who have never seen Star Wars. Perhaps you could have a character like that be a straight man to the Star Wars quoter.

Even harder to believe are some people don't like Star Wars. Some think the movies are over-rated in terms of acting, plot, or other ("The last scene of star wars is like a Leni Reifenstahl film. Is Lucas a nazi or something?"). Others (like David Brin) dislike the medievalist trappings of Jedi Knights, and hereditary powers and see a whole agenda of anti-democracy at work. You could have one of these as a straight man. But you might enrage the fanbois and lose readers.

PS of course Brin had people with extraordinary abilities because of genetic engineering in his Uplift novels, so not sure why he disliked Star Wars and hereditary force powers.

All good points, but it ultimately comes down to this: you can't please all the people all the time. No one character is going to be universally likeable. Jim selected a character with certain traits... and that's it. Harry doesn't have to become accessible to all, just to the general audience Jim's aiming for. And, when it comes down to it, those outside that sphere could just as easily profit by giving it a shot, if for no other reason than getting a glimpse into the head of someone who doesn't do things the way THEY do.

Also, Jim's already done the "straight man" thing, primarily with Molly acting as a foil or balloon-popper to Harry's opinions (see the bit in Changes where Harry's going on a rant about expensive houses). That didn't enrage the anti-property people (and I do know some). But, in the end, Jim can't afford to spend all his time setting up foils to every Harryesque moment; that would get in the way of the story.

[Quantus]

that would get in the way of the story.

And at the end of the day that is what matters, Telling the Story.  So if the character is the type that would drop a Star Wars reference at that point, then go for it.  If it seems awkward, leave it out.  But Id say worry about marketing trends and demographics later. 

[Darkshore]

All good points. I'm just still a bit freaked about my novel being compared to the DF, but at least it was only from the first few chapters. Just being very, very, aware of how my character can be like Harry at times. I'm sure there are a lot of UF novels with Harryesque characters, I just need to make sure mine shows his own personality more than a comparison to Dresden. Mid to End novel. He's certainly not very Harry-like IMO. The reference will stay, unless people call me on it being to dresdenish.

[Lord Rae]

I'm more concerned with the metal detectors. Are these at the airport as they're flying to vegas? Because when I was there in Vegas I didn't see any metal detectors. Or maybe I just didn't notice them....which given Vegas is very possible. Just wondering if you'd done any research on it because I can't think of any that had visible metal detectors.

Basically Casino's are designed to be as open as possible with multiple entry points and no barriers from the people outside to the machines and tables inside. They want people to come inside easily. Leaving they try to make a bit harder but no metal detectors there either. So there's nothing stopping you from bringing a gun into a casino. It certainly didn't stop the guy who robbed the Belagio last year.

In the wee hours of Dec. 14, a man entered the Bellagio wearing a white helmet that obscured his face. He waved a handgun at craps table No. 5 — shouting, "Get out!" to frightened gamblers — crammed chips into his fanny pack and dashed out of the casino and fled on a black motorcycle.

He was caught later by the way although he did get away with like 1.5 million in chips. Of course they pretty quickly changed chips so that the stolen ones became worthless. Its easy to get a gun into a casino, not so easy to do anything with it an then get away. I'd follow that and see where it goes. Think thousands of security cameras and hundreds of people standing around watching at even the oddest hours.

[Shecky]

And at the end of the day that is what matters, Telling the Story.  So if the character is the type that would drop a Star Wars reference at that point, then go for it.  If it seems awkward, leave it out.  But Id say worry about marketing trends and demographics later.

^ This.

[Darkshore]

I'm more concerned with the metal detectors. Are these at the airport as they're flying to vegas? Because when I was there in Vegas I didn't see any metal detectors. Or maybe I just didn't notice them....which given Vegas is very possible. Just wondering if you'd done any research on it because I can't think of any that had visible metal detectors.

Basically Casino's are designed to be as open as possible with multiple entry points and no barriers from the people outside to the machines and tables inside. They want people to come inside easily. Leaving they try to make a bit harder but no metal detectors there either. So there's nothing stopping you from bringing a gun into a casino. It certainly didn't stop the guy who robbed the Belagio last year.

He was caught later by the way although he did get away with like 1.5 million in chips. Of course they pretty quickly changed chips so that the stolen ones became worthless. Its easy to get a gun into a casino, not so easy to do anything with it an then get away. I'd follow that and see where it goes. Think thousands of security cameras and hundreds of people standing around watching at even the oddest hours.

This is what I planned to do some research on. I didn't know if it differed from casino to casino or what have you. I just felt like there would be something in most casinos to stop you from coming in heavily armed, like when you go to a concert or something. This one is supposed to be a bit more over the top, but maybe you're right and the idea of going through security to get into the casino doesn't make sense.

[Quantus]

This is what I planned to do some research on. I didn't know if it differed from casino to casino or what have you. I just felt like there would be something in most casinos to stop you from coming in heavily armed, like when you go to a concert or something. This one is supposed to be a bit more over the top, but maybe you're right and the idea of going through security to get into the casino doesn't make sense.

Does it have to be a casino?  Parts of the Vegas Airport look an awful lot like a casino, and there are slots at every waiting area.