May 28, 2009
The Key to Writing (in any genre): Steal well.
Like this post?
Rip off ideas subtly enough that no one knows where they came from specifically, but obviously enough that they’re still worth hearing.
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Related:
• Let your readers be discoverers
• An alternative to Strunk & White
• Make every sentence count
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Oh no, you’ve completely revealed the inspiration behind every blog post I’ve ever written! I wonder now if people will read them while asking themselves, “Where did he get this from?”
I think that good writers should rip off ideas subtly enough that no one knows where they came from specifically, but obviously enough that they’re still worth hearing. Don’t you?
and say it better than the original – esp. in less words
My friend and I used to compose music together. We used to say that originality in music composition was how well you could cover your tracks from who you got your inspiration from.
“Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear, but forgetting where you heard it.” – Lawrence Peter
I’m reminded of a political analyst I saw on a news channel who repeatedly quoted the host of the previous show.
What do they say? “Stealing from one source is called plagiarism; stealing from many sources is called research.”
So true!! ha! so I’m not the only one…. :)
Clever Ed!
I think it was Picasso who said “Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.”
I think you all are very wrong. Stealing an idea is stealing, and it is plagiarism, not to mention shows an utter lack of creativity and originality. Now, to be inspired is another issue. We should take joy in the idea that others inspire us, and be hopeful that we can inspire others. Be excited when someone sparks something within you. And don’t be afraid to acknowledge that your ideas, your musings, etc. are all standing on the shoulders of many (teachers, parents, pastors, authors, poets, actors, or any other influences) that have come before you.
“I think you all are very wrong. Stealing an idea is stealing, and it is plagiarism, not to mention shows an utter lack of creativity and originality.”
Jeez…someones happy meter is in the red.
This is a teacher’s lifeblood. :-)
Modify the form.
Retain the content.
Be hailed a genius.
If it’s good enough for Bob Dylan, it’s good enough for you. That’s the entire M.O. behind his legendary 2001 release (released, btw, on 9/11, with a reissue of ‘The Times They Are a Changin’” on a bonus disc, appropriately enough). The title itself says it all; he loves what he steals and steals what he loves, “Love & Theft.”
Sometimes this blog is as inspiring as primetime TV…
completely with you on this!
And the key to modifying the form is this: make the same overall point using your own stories.
For me, good writing really comes down to story telling. Even if those stories are only 22 words.