The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Plagiarism
As a writer, it is important to learn and gain inspiration from others, whether that is through books or other articles. There is however a fine line between inspiration and plagiarism.
One of the key things that makes you great as a writer is your unique perspective and view of the world. We are all unique and have had our own experiences and journeys through life.
Avoiding plagiarism and sharing your unique perspective
There is nothing wrong with getting inspiration from other writers it is incredibly important to help you grow in your journey as a writer.
As an example, you may notice a lot of traction around other writers’ views and tips on being more productive.
The fine line here is not to simply copy and repeat what others are saying, but to take that broader topic and provide your views and experiences around it.
“Even when it’s challenging. Even when it feels like to most difficult thing to do. Even when we feel shame about something. By telling our story, we release ourselves from those binds and give rise to an opportunity of connection.”
Vanessa Chase Lockshin, The Power of Sharing a Personal Story
What will give your audience the most value is when your writing is genuine and honest, and when you share your perspectives around specific subjects. You may have taken a different approach than others, which could resonate with your audience.
The fear around imposters syndrome
We all get it as writers at one point or another, the fear of being an imposter and feeling deep down as if you are copying another’s work.
“That sense that the director doesn’t quite belong at that table with the other directors? That’s what keeps pushing him to make great movies. It’s what gets a fourth grader through the difficulties of the fifth grade. It’s what keeps the road trip interesting.”
This fear felt around imposters syndrome, in a sense, is a good gauge, and gut feeling to know when you are skating the fine line between being inspired by others and plagiarism.
If you have this horrible gut feeling that you are an imposter, more likely than not you are not plagiarising others’ work, not copy and pasting others’ work, and sharing as your own. It is almost like an internal moral compass, that in fact, you are doing the right thing.
Focus on sharing your experiences
To repeat around what was said before, we are all unique, and that is what makes your writing great, it’s yours. Others can try, but only you can be you. Only you can share your own experiences.
“Ultimately, no matter his techniques, Brown always wrote about what he loved and what he was most passionate about. Codes and puzzles feature often in his books because he was always naturally drawn to them. As such, perhaps the best piece of advice for anyone pursuing a literary career is to write about topics that interest them, however vague this advice may be.”
Sabana Grande, on Dan Brown’s Top 8 Rules for Success in Writing.
I know that for many writers out there plagiarism and copying the work of others is not even something they would ever consider doing.
The real value behind your stories is your unique perspective and your experiences. Get inspiration from others around you, and lean in around your own experiences.
