As writers we need to trust others not to pilfer
what we have created. A few writers may go the curse or voodoo way and put a
little something on their work before sending it out, I’m just kidding. But who
knows? The majority of us have to close our eyes and step out in faith that the
individual we are sending our work to will deal with us honestly.
What is the guarantee that honesty will prevail? None. When
people send me their work I feel proud and honored. I think to myself that
either this person trusts me or they will be able to track me down and kick my
ass if the need arises. I think for the
majority of writers this trust goes two ways. We wouldn’t want to break someone’s
trust nor would we want someone to disappoint us by betraying our trust.
By the way did you recognize the adapted Grease song in the title or did you think I was making stuff up?
How do you handle the situation of sharing your work with
others?
Great topic, Nana. I send everything out without a worry. I feel most people are good and honest and the few that aren't - well, Karma will take care of them ;) Maybe I'm too trusting but rather that than the other extreme. I've been in a few writing classes where at the end the instructor asks if anyone would like to submit a scene or two for a group critique? There are always one or two who will not because they are afraid someone will steal their story. I'm not sure how you'll ever get anyway if you never take a chance.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to trust means you are living in a state of love rather than fear. That's a good thing Debbie.
DeleteI honestly don't worry much about it, either, figuring even if someone did borrow from me, the idea would be filtered by their experience and worldview. Last year there were two versions of the Snow White movie. One had Charlize Theron as the Wicked Queen, and the other had Angelina Jolie. Couldn't get much different than that. I guess I just figured even if someone did use my story, they'd cast Charlize and leave me Angelina and we'd all be good. Now if they're plagiarizing me, that's a different story...
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the story. The ideas are floating in the ether ready to be grabbed and utilized. I was thinking they'd do the plagiarizing (that is not an easy word to spell) thing and take the whole story
DeleteGreat post, Nana. I use to worry about this when I first began sending out my manuscripts for critiques. Then I use to think 'What if someone steals my idea' But with time, I discovered that you can steal my idea, but you can't steal my characters, my setting, my treatment, and most especially my voice.
ReplyDeleteNow I worry less about someone stealing my work. I have just one Beta reading with whom I exchange chapters. With time I'll continue with my online critique group again.
It's nice discovering your blog on MaryOkekeReviews. I hope to stop by here often.
Kaykay @ The Creative Forum
Thanks Kaykay. I'm glad you found my blog too. It was great hearing from you. Of couse I'm on my way over to check out your blog now.
DeleteI also sent my ms through cyberspace without worry to just about everywhere. It was my hubby that liked to mess with my head about people stealing it and whatever. And no, I didn't recognize the song from Grease, I thought you were being clever. And it is clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. It's interesting how people can make you think something contrary to what you know.
DeleteI missed the Grease reference. Far too long since I've seen the movie!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't worry too much about someone stealing my work. I figure I have older documents saved on my computer, with different dates and different stages of edit, and they'd be enough to prove that the work was mine if it ever came down to it. But I do also just believe that most people are honest, and wouldn't steal it! That said, I haven't ever send it to someone I didn't already know and have some sort of relationship with (even if just online.)
I have the feeling that you are a very optimistic person by nature Rinelle (except when you are destroying the world in your books). It's good that all of your experiences have been positive.
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