Temptation to Copy or Plagarize

Even deciding to write on this topic in a way I'm plagiarizing because I chose to write this a few days after reading another person's blog post on this topic.

COMMON THINKING

Avoiding copying, plagiarizing breaking copyright laws, and so on, is hard, mostly because there are a lot of topics that we all tend to study and are knowledgeable about.  Writing thoughts on the same topic isn't plagiarism, but writing almost word-for-work is.
 
Many of us sign up for the same blogs, read similar books, newspapers, magazine articles, etc.  The information we learn sticks in our mind.  We are a sharing generation and want to share what we have learned.

It can be hard not to copy when tackling a topic or offering tips you've read elsewhere that are so valuable you want to pass them on to your readers. 

Let's say another article teaches me having a pet can ease lonely feelings.  That isn't just someone's idea, it is a pretty proven fact.  Also, forcing yourself to get out of the house to meet new people is also a good solution.  If I include these fact in an article on relieving loneliness, does that make me a plagiarist?  It's complicated.

TODAY'S COMMON TOPICS

When we "live" in similar circles, we tend to learn the same things, talk the same language, so to speak.

In my writing for a certain website, there are many requests for certain topics.  Yes, I often rehash the same topics other writers have.  Most of us share commonly known information.  The question is, when does it become plagiarism?

Let's say, for instance, I've learned a few tips on building a platform, developing a social media network or pitching a small business.  Some of the tools I might include in my article are the same tools many others are teaching clients in courses or writing about.

DID THEY STEAL THIS?

I've read many articles that I think I could have written.  When another writes in a similar style to me, or shares similar information to what I have written on in the past, I begin to wonder if I've been copied.  The truth is, there are many of us that think alike and that's what it is about in many cases.

Yes, I've been copyright violated.  It makes me mad when I discover that.  I've also sold articles on use licenses and that means the buyer can use my piece where he wants.  I have to be careful not to incorrectly judge a piece--it may have been fairly paid for.



RESISTING CUT AND PASTE

It's so easy to cut and paste and spin an article around or to use another person's information in your own ebook.  It is, however, unethical and, in some cases, illegal.

In order to make your writing genuine:

1.  If you cut and paste, make a note that it is verbatim from someone else.  If you journal ideas, make a note in the column which write author, book and page # it came from. If you don't you may incorrectly think it's a piece you started writing, use it and get caught.
2. Type from your heart.  Don't just list facts.  Think about why you're writing what you are and what you want your reader to learn from it.  Then include only the most important points and make it sound like they came from you (even though you may not be writing in first person).
3. Put your own spin on it.  Try to pull something out that's different about the topic.  Use different examples, look at it from another viewpoint, etc.

Stay true to form, ethical, fair and do your best.  Forgive others as you hope they will forgive you if you slip up.

Why? Because I Can. It's My Property! - Writers Take Lots of Punches

Why?  Because I can.  It's my property!

When starting to sell articles, your nose will get out of joint many times due to a variety of causes.

• You will get rejections from proofreading editors, publishers, and clients.  It will hurt.  When hit with the rejection punch you may want to cry.  You might want to walk away and give up.  Of course, most writers are right brained artist types who are known to have a starving artist archetype, so it only makes sense to beat oneself up.
• When you gain a private request, you will spend time researching the topic, perhaps visiting the website or blog of the person you're writing for.  You will eventually realize you are spending more time researching for the article than you will be paid for.  Your nose skin starts to crinkle as you feel time ticking away.
• Once you write the mammoth 500 word piece, you'll try a variety of phrasing, include some researched topics only to delete them later.  You'll move things around, read out loud, ask yourself if it makes sense, go have a shower, and a cold drink and come back to edit it again.  You probably will even leave it a day and edit it again the next, after all, you want to perfect your craft.  Then it dawns on you that hours upon hours have past and the client's quoted price will only clear $19.50.  Something begins to stink and your nose is met with another powerful punch:  You discover your client charges $39.50 per hour to her clients.  Your client isn't even willing to pay what she herself would charge!  By this time,you've written for 3 hours and still have to upload the piece, write a summary, add keywords, and so on.  You do the math and realize you'll make $5.50 an hour if it sells.
• You hear back from the client that she wants something in it changed. She expresses disapproval of something you've poured your heart and personal time into.  At this point, your nose really aches it is so badly out of joint.  At this moment, you choose whether to agree and edit it further, to ask for more money to do so, or decide to withdraw it.  It is your privilege.   What would you do?
• You decline and the article remains unsold, but to add an over-the-top response, the person who owns the third party site which you have given a percentage of your earnings to for several years doesn't stick up for you.  They don't just declare a non-sale and live with it, they threaten to not give you more work if you don't comply--as though they own you.  That could be the final knock out.  Or not.  You can choose to dust yourself off and keep setting boundaries instead.  Who needs to work for someone that doesn't appreciate them?

In a freelance relationship where no contract is signed or payment promised, you risk using your time for a maybe proposition.  But just as a client has a right to decline your article, you have a right to pull it.  You don't have to agree to anything that seeks to take advantage of you, your time and your skills.

This article cannot be copied.  If you'd like to purchase this article, contact the blog owner. $45 use.

Accepting My Gift

I am getting more writing done than ever.

I am getting better at writing.

I'm loving writing.

I'm not shy to say I write.

I'm not shy to say I write and sell articles.

I'm comfortable with my gift at last.


One day back in around 2004, I was looking for my next significant calling in life beyond being an Executive Assistant and then an at-home mom.  I recall seeing a neighbour home during the day.  I had never met her, but I began to imagine what I thought she did for a living.  I can't explain why, but I imagined she was a writer.  I didn't narrow down who she wrote for or where she got projects.  I just imagined her life as a writer, if she indeed was one, must have been very fulfilling and high paying.  I was actually jealous.

That was before I realized just how hard it is to get writing gigs and make sales.  That was before I realized the publishing business was going into the dumper and writers were paid actually paid peanuts unless they were a major author.  That was before I actually considered myself a writer.  That was before I'd earned any money as a writer.

Well, as it turned out, this neighbour was not a writer.  She'd been laid off from a job and was in between work as--guess what?  An executive assistant!

What I find very funny is now I am that woman I imagined.  I am a writer who gets to drink coffee at a comfy desk in a home office.  I get to manage my workload and use my talent.  I get to find clients and try to sell my work.  I am a writer!
 

What Makes You a Writer?

What makes you a writer?  Every writer can write her own definition.  To say that I have the only definition of a writer would be completely contrary to the open and free less-ruled life today's generation of artists enjoy.  You see today, innovation is king.

Innovation changes the world.  It happens when someone takes a creative idea and puts it into trial.  As a writer you are free to try whatever your creative mind desires.

Is the outcome the measurement of whether or not you're a writer?  If you're putting out writing, then you are a writer.  If you have a piece to show, then you are a writer.  If you show a piece publicly, you are even more a writer.  If you sell a piece, you are truly a writer.  If you write a piece someone else reads or sings, you are a very creative writer.  If you write something that becomes a great and well-known hook, you're an acclaimed writer.

If the piece you put out is poorly written you are a writer who writes poorly.  If the piece you put out is too odd and unique for some, you may be a writer before your time or a niche writer.

A writer is not someone that takes writing courses, journalism classes, or is a member of a writers' guild, that is, not unless they are completing pieces and sharing them.  Just being part of a writing club does not make you a writer.  That is why I laugh when I see advertisements that require an applicant have a degree in journalism.  The question is, have they written anything since school?

Write and complete pieces.  Put your writing out there.  Proudly say you are a writer.

Wanting to Write a Book?

Be leary of self-publishing sites.  There are many.  Some merely want to make money off you and print a book that will never sell.  Why would they turn down someone who's willing to give them several hundreds of dollars to produce something that costs them little?

Read the small print.  Sometimes a publisher retains the rights to your material.  Some will only pay you a small royalty.  Some will restrict where and how you can sell. 

Do you want to make $0.10 or $1,000?

If you merely want a coffeetable book, or one to hand out for free at a special event, and you don't care about earning money and retaining full rights then it matters less. 

If you want to earn from your book, though, you will want a few things included:

• Good editing.  Don't believe publishing houses that tell you your book doesn't need editing.  Another set of eyes is always helpful. 
• A realistic deal that helps you profit from sales.
• A good marketing plan.

Get Your Agreement and Order Right

Agreement and order. 

As I wrote an article for a client wanting real estate articles for his publication, it dawned on me how easily we can skim over agreement and order.  I know there's probably a more official name for it, but I'm not an official type of writer, so forget it.

Here's an example of what I mean.  Look at this:

Rent or Buy Housing:  What is Better for You?  (title)

(body)
Rent or own, there are reasons for both...  (improper)
Rent or buy, there are reasons for both...(proper, notice it reflects the wording in the title.  Of course buy means the same thing as own, it just is better to use the same wording.)

...in their lifetime most will have both bought and rented... (improper)

...in their lifetime most will have both rented and bought... (proper, words are in same order as title)

 

...is a time to rent and a time to own...(improper)

...is a time to rent and a time to buy...(proper)

Now in this blog post, I could have said, "it's easy how we can skim over our order and agreement.."  but notice that would have the words "agreement" and "order" in reverse order.  Get it?

 

 

Do You Have the Urge to Write?

Often a writer will know she loves to write, but jumps from there to asking what will I do with my writing?  Writers often want the reassurance that their writing isn't time wasted. 

When it comes to being a writer, the first person that needs to be convinced is often the writer herself.  If she is to fulfill her life call as a writer, though, she must resist the urge to view it as merely a  dream.  There are bigger reasons she loves to write.  There is a world to bless.

WHAT MAKES A WRITER A SUCCESS?

Successful writers include both those whose unpaid writing stirs, guides or blesses others as well as those who earn pay for their writing.  A writer needs to be convinced that she had been given the gift of writing for reasons beyond herself. 

If you're to fulfill your life calling and love to write, then write.  Then publish it online.  Try to sell it.  Publish in print.  Get it out there for eyes to see.


 

Don't Let What You Don't Know Stop You

Do you ever feel stupid when someone points out a grammar mistake you've made, say on your blog?  Ever feel stupid when you mispell a word or the name of a President or Prime Minister?  Do you feel you rely on Google Search too much as a writer?

Don't let grammar and mispellings stop you from writing.  I have sent in many articles only to have my editors use the harsh words "rejected" due to errors. I'm regularly surprised at errors I make and rules I never knew.

Here's the thing about writers that makes errors okay.  Writers are like meat grinding machines.  That's right, I said meat grinding machines.  I'm picturing the kind of little hand-powered tool my mother used to use to mince either ham or Spam with pickles to make the most delightful little crustless sandwiches for a church function. 

Writers do more than put out writing.  They take something--anything common in life--like ham or Spam--and somehow are able to make it into something more, something new, something spicy.  Writers can make a story or life lesson out of just about anything.  It's how their grinding tool--or rather noggin works.

If you're like me, your noggin is churning all the time, and that is what makes you a writer!  And for that you are forgiven of errors! 

What's Your Tone?

Tone varies from person to person, post to post, article to article.  There is a time and purpose for every tone.

Today, most online articles are written in a conversational tone, which is a giant leap from the "reporting" or "speech giving" tone of yesterday.

Even a conversational tone can vary.  You may chose to "converse" tongue-in-cheek, you may choose to use slang, you may choose to use sarcasm, you may use assertive or powerful words.

Practice a variety of styles and see what works for you. 

If you're trying to brand yourself, you will want to stay with one style.

Writing Online Content

It is imperative content writers learn to write quick and snappy paragraphs.  Most readers today are scanners.  The quicker they can absorb information, the quicker they can move on.

For this reason, many conventional writing rules are broken.  Today's writing requires more paragraph breaks so that paragraphs are short and easily readable.  No long explanations are needed.  Getting to the point quickly is key.

ONLINE CONTENT WRITING TIPS

The most popular ways to write successful content include:

1. Short snappy sentences.
2. Numbered lists.
3. Bolded headings.
4. Modern terminology.
5. Editing out unnecessary wording and explanations.

Adding a closing statement is still suggested.  End your article with a sentence or two that ties it all in together.  This way your reader isn't left hanging.  When you write your next piece of web content, see if you've included most these tips.