Yes, you'd be drawing from the same source material:
* The Greaser Subculture: The Outsiders popularized the "greaser" image, so any book about greasers will inevitably touch on elements already established by Hinton.
* Themes: The Outsiders deals with themes of social class, belonging, and coming of age. These themes are common in YA fiction, but they were particularly strong in The Outsiders.
* The "feel" of the story: Hinton's writing has a specific voice and tone that's widely recognized. You might unconsciously carry over some of that "feel" into your own book.
No, you'd be creating something new:
* Original Plot: As long as you have a unique story and characters, your book is not a direct copy.
* Different Perspective: You can explore the greaser subculture from a different angle, focusing on different events, conflicts, or characters.
* Your own writing style: You'll bring your own unique voice and perspective to the story, which will set it apart from The Outsiders.
How to Avoid Copying:
* Focus on originality: Make sure your plot, characters, and themes are distinct from Hinton's work.
* Don't rely on stereotypes: While you can draw inspiration from the greaser subculture, avoid falling into tired tropes.
* Explore your own perspective: Bring your own voice and experiences to the story.
The Bottom Line: It's not about copying or stealing, it's about creating your own unique work. As long as you have a fresh perspective and a distinct story, you'll be fine.
It's also worth noting that:
* Inspiration is not plagiarism: It's perfectly fine to be inspired by other works, but you must create something new and original.
* The "greaser" subculture is not owned by The Outsiders: It's a real-life cultural phenomenon that many authors have explored.
* You can get feedback: Share your ideas with other writers and get their opinions on how original your story is.
Remember, the key is to create your own unique and original work, even if you're drawing inspiration from a familiar source.