I have this little thing I like to do. When I visit a blog post, read an article or have a conversation that provides the inspiration for a blog post I post “Credit where it’s due” at the top of the post with the story behind my inspiration. I do this because I want readers to explore all sides of the story, form an opinion and participate in the discussion. The web provides so many areas for inspiration, it’s only fair to give props to all players. I also do it to hold myself accountable. I want to inspire without copying. If I know I’m sending readers to the original discussion, I’m going to be sure to provide a different take. The last thing I want is to be pointed out as a cheap imitation.
Inspiration is a funny thing, though. As I look around I realize, sometimes writers come awfully close to a full out copycat situation. They may have been inspired by another writer, but only succeeded in echoing the other person’s thoughts and ideas. Inspiration is terrific, imitation, well, it’s not very creative or original.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, what do you think about that? It’s one thing to imitate a style of dress or even to lightly mimic a friend in jest. However, copying someone without giving credit or adding your own point of view is a whole other story.
How do you get from inspiration to final result without imitation?
Let’s work it out together.
- If you’re drawing inspiration from another story, be sure it’s because you want to put a different spin on the topic. List the points you agree with, the items you’re not feeling, and how it relates to your readers. Why did this writing or situation inspire you? What did you take away from it? Do you think there’s an area the original writer or speaker missed? There’s a reason it caught your eye. This is what you want to talk about.
- Read your article or blog post and compare it to your inspiration. Ask yourself if anything is different from the original. If you’re copying or echoing, you may want to reconsider publishing. What are you saying that hasn’t already been said?
- Create an opposing point of view. You can be inspired yet disagree. See what happens when you explore the other side of the coin. Create a link-worthy cross discussion.
How do you keep inspiration from becoming imitation? What do you do to draw upon another source, yet remain fresh and original?
Discuss…
Dawn says
February 9, 2010 at 11:15Thanks for this post, Deb! Great food for thought. I think even if we agree w/ every point another writer makes, we will add our own perspective to it without realizing it. (Unless, of course, we’re flat-out plagiarizing.)
Everyone comes from life with different experiences and views things differently — even if we set out to imitate someone else, we would bring something new to the discussion.
My advice would be to write from your heart. Look at the experiences you have that support the argument you’re making. Use anecdotes and examples to support your argument. (https://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/grammar/?p=143 In other words, show, don’t tell.)
Your experiences will be different from the other writer’s, therefore your perspective will be different. Even if you are simply choosing other words to say essentially the same thing, the WAY you say it will cause others to interpret it differently, to get different things out of it, than they did from the original post.
And, of course, you’re right: Always, always give props to the original post that inspired yours.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Writing, Editing & Coaching Services =-.
Heiddi says
February 9, 2010 at 12:16Hi Deb – I agree with Dawn above. Give credit where it is due and then write. Use quotes, articles, or posts as a jumpstart (letting the readers know what you think) name the person who provided the info and then put down your point of view. As Dawn shared, every person has a particular perspective and worldview. I wouldn’t want anyone copying my work without credit nor would I do it to someone else. 🙂 Great post!
winnie says
February 9, 2010 at 13:06My inspirations come from day to day things, it could be one word or a whole sentence I hear, from people or just watching or listening….depends. I love it because i never know what I am going to come up with. Good read I call it.
Anne Wayman says
February 9, 2010 at 13:51Excellent points Deb… but ultimately almost everything is derivative. Although I do work to give credit where it’s due I also know darn well that even my best “original” idea is build on someone’s or maybe several someone’s.
I do, however, look at writing blogs for ideas and often find I find one that sparks a whole different track…
Like all of us I stand on great shoulders.
Thanks,
A
.-= Anne Wayman´s last blog ..How To Improve Your Writing 2 – Resource Roundup Tuesday =-.
Laura Spencer says
February 10, 2010 at 10:47First of all, let me say that I love the way that you link to other bloggers. I think that’s a great way to “play it forward,” something that you’ve always done (and that I appreciate greatly).
I think that if a post is intended to answer another post, or if the other post is quoted, then there should be a link.
However, I also see Anne and Winnie’s points.
Speaking for myself, I often blog about problems that I am experiencing or have experienced. I don’t necessarily base my posts on something that I read, but many of my experiences are common to a lot of people. It makes sense that there would be a lot of posts out there on the same topic.
For example, I know that I’ve blogged about stress before. It’s something that I have to deal with from time to time and I know that I’m not the only one blogging about it. 🙂
I also use an editorial calendar and whenever possible schedule posts in advance.
All in all, good thought here (and a good topic for discussion).
.-= Laura Spencer´s last blog ..Debunking the Freelance Writers as Corporate Trash Myth =-.