There is nothing original save switching the words or scrambling the order of points. Some writers are extremely talented at rewriting, let me tell you.

Inspiration, to me, is when you write a post, someone goes, “Hmmm good point, I think I’ll blog about that from my experience or this angle or this perspective.” We all do that.

But you’re absolutely right. Mentioning where you received inspiration is nice.

Very cool you read my blog, I’m flattered

There is nothing original save switching the words or scrambling the order of points. Some writers are extremely talented at rewriting, let me tell you.

Inspiration, to me, is when you write a post, someone goes, “Hmmm good point, I think I’ll blog about that from my experience or this angle or this perspective.” We all do that.

Very cool you read my blog, I’m flattered

I’d just like to clear something up though. I don’t think anyone is “ripping me off” as you put it. Unlike when I first began FWJ, writing blogs are a now dime a dozen. We’re always going to come across blogs with similar topics. I call it getting inspiration from others, not stealing or ripping off.

I only ask that when you do get an idea form someone else’s blog or discussion you just give that person a nod. It’s a nice thing to do.

It’s so terribly sad if someone thinks this is true. Almost like there’s no reason at all to work or think — if there was never a better or different or even worse take (that still makes you think) then what’s the point?

There is a lot of repetition both in freelance writing and blogging type niches but I often see breakthrough ideas that inspire me — even if the topic may have been done before making it fresh is as good as new to many people. Plus as new media changes we have seen many new ideas about what it’s like to be a freelancer or blogger today.

(In fact, Harry has mentioned three times this week, “Hey, didn’t we just do a post like that?… That looks very familiar…”)

Do bloggers subconsciously keep ideas they’ve seen elsewhere in mind, forget where they saw them, come to believe they’ve had a brainwave and post, thinking they’re original? Yes, yes they do.

Can anything be done? Personally, I’m a little flattered when someone rips off my stuff. I’m honored when they mention our blog (which Deb Ng does, thank you!).

Regarding this blog post in particular, both Harry and I took a look. Have we posted something similar in concept? Yes, waaay in the past and neither Harry or I can find it, which just goes to show that Deb’s post is very different. I’d say that she wasn’t ripping anyone off.

Other people rip off her stuff constantly. The wannabes, the small blogs… Deb posts, and about six hours later, I see similar posts on similar topics popping up all over. What irritates me is those who don’t even bother to make the post unique – copycat concept, different words.

Such is the blogging world.

@ Steve – thanks for reading our blog – very cool!

@ Deb – good post!

We can’t help but become inspired by others in the blogosphere, offering a hat tip is professional courtesy.

However, if I did get the idea from one of those other great blogs you can be assured I’d provide attribution as I always do. Why not browse around my articles so you can see what I mean? As you can see, I always thank other writers for their inspiration.

Thank you for your comment and do drop by again.

P.S. Your last name is very familiar. Do I know your wife?