That quote originally appeared in an interview with The Paris Review and was later printed in David Plante's book, Difficult Women: A Memoir of Three (in which Jean Rhys is one of the subjects/interviews). I only know this because I used that quote in Create Anyway and had to do the research! ❤️ I first heard that quote in Walking on Water, though, so you're not crazy 😜 She does attribute it to Jean.
Thanks for speaking to this in such a clear and graceful way - I really feel strongly about it too. I feel like one area where plagiarism is generally considered acceptable in way too many spaces is sermons... and perhaps the race & gender entitlement of (many) white male pastors plays into this, too. I've even had a (male) pastor or two drop me a note to say how "useful" one of my sermons that I've published online was to him, or how he "used" some thought of mine in his own sermon. I try to respond something like "I'm glad to hear it and always appreciate attribution"...
Good practical tips here. Thanks for sharing! I've been plagiarized multiple times on Substack. I try to be super careful when writing to attribute quotes and sources. I use my Bible footnotes a lot for source material and make sure I am giving proper attribution. This is also why I try to be very careful about the content I'm consuming so I don't even accidentally copy someone without realizing, which is why I like your note taking tips as safeguards. I don't tend to read writers who are in my same lane.
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. All respect to you for taking the precautions that are right for you! Being mindful to begin with goes a long way.
Thank you for writing this. I often hear echoes of my own words and thoughts in a friend’s writing and it has left me feeling unsettled on how to approach it. With the constant input that this space offers, plagiarism has been a fear of mine because it’s happened to me before. Writing vulnerably and with conviction does require so much trust on the part of the writer.
I’m sorry, that is such a tricky space to be in. Sometimes an open yet direct question can bring the unspoken into conversation, and then the hope is everyone is mindful. A vulnerable work indeed! Stay brave out there ♥️
I also use the "M" next to notes I'm taking when it's my voice! Sometimes I even write "Me" so as not to accidentally think their brilliant words were mine (or mine theirs, ha!) I've enjoyed reading writer's thoughts on this lately (Laura and Lore's included.)
I really try to do these things, down to even where I first heard of an idea. I once wrote a Substack post and got the perfect title idea from an Instagram reel. I used it, but I gave her credit and linked to her IG in my piece. In contrast, I was once on a Zoom call with a pretty big writer/thinker, though somewhat academic. On the call, which was only for paid subs of a particular Substacker, the big writer person told us about an article she’s been working on, and what the first line of it was. It was catchy. The next day, a post came across my feed that used that line as its title😱 I didn’t call it out but I did post a note that begged people not to do this. It cheapens everything!!
I really appreciate this. I've had this happen a few times -- I do think it's been unintentional or perhaps thoughtless is a better word, but it stings to read an idea of yours without attribution. There's really no excuse for it, especially when it's so easy to link back to, or tag someone, or put in a footnote (I love the Substack footnotes!) The cross-pollination of ideas is one of the best things about the Internet, but it can also get so dicey. I love your practice of delineating your original thoughts. I might have to see if that works for me -- but I'd attribute it, don't worry!
I’m so sorry it’s happened to you. “Stings” is such a good word for it. And it can also be tough when you have your own original ideas and then observe another writer treading similar ground—a quandary to be sure! Thanks for your integrity—it matters.
Thank you for the reminder. I try to be generous with my citations and mentions, but it's hard always to know which is a (mostly) original thought. Something for me to continue to tighten up!
Thanks for bringing more attention to this, Stephanie. It's too easy to do in this glutted world of content "creation."
"Content creation" TM! Thanks for caring about this as you do.
Well, this is ironic. I thought L'Engle first wrote about feeding the lake as a writer. Was she referencing Rhys? WHAT IS HAPPENING. WHO'S ON FIRST?!
Who's on first indeed!! Hold my pen, going down the rabbit hole and must report back!
You are doing the Lord’s work, Stephanie! 😅
(Also, thank you for this important post.)
That quote originally appeared in an interview with The Paris Review and was later printed in David Plante's book, Difficult Women: A Memoir of Three (in which Jean Rhys is one of the subjects/interviews). I only know this because I used that quote in Create Anyway and had to do the research! ❤️ I first heard that quote in Walking on Water, though, so you're not crazy 😜 She does attribute it to Jean.
Okay, good to know! 🙌🏻
Thanks for your pro sleuthing, Ashlee!!
“Creativity is forgetting who you stole it from.”
I forget who said that. 😏
Thanks for speaking to this in such a clear and graceful way - I really feel strongly about it too. I feel like one area where plagiarism is generally considered acceptable in way too many spaces is sermons... and perhaps the race & gender entitlement of (many) white male pastors plays into this, too. I've even had a (male) pastor or two drop me a note to say how "useful" one of my sermons that I've published online was to him, or how he "used" some thought of mine in his own sermon. I try to respond something like "I'm glad to hear it and always appreciate attribution"...
I hate this stories—why?!? But your comeback is 🔥
Good practical tips here. Thanks for sharing! I've been plagiarized multiple times on Substack. I try to be super careful when writing to attribute quotes and sources. I use my Bible footnotes a lot for source material and make sure I am giving proper attribution. This is also why I try to be very careful about the content I'm consuming so I don't even accidentally copy someone without realizing, which is why I like your note taking tips as safeguards. I don't tend to read writers who are in my same lane.
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. All respect to you for taking the precautions that are right for you! Being mindful to begin with goes a long way.
Thank you. And I really appreciate your reminder to us to stay vigilant.
So good!!
Thank you for writing this. I often hear echoes of my own words and thoughts in a friend’s writing and it has left me feeling unsettled on how to approach it. With the constant input that this space offers, plagiarism has been a fear of mine because it’s happened to me before. Writing vulnerably and with conviction does require so much trust on the part of the writer.
I’m sorry, that is such a tricky space to be in. Sometimes an open yet direct question can bring the unspoken into conversation, and then the hope is everyone is mindful. A vulnerable work indeed! Stay brave out there ♥️
I also use the "M" next to notes I'm taking when it's my voice! Sometimes I even write "Me" so as not to accidentally think their brilliant words were mine (or mine theirs, ha!) I've enjoyed reading writer's thoughts on this lately (Laura and Lore's included.)
Haha great minds, and all that! 😆
I really try to do these things, down to even where I first heard of an idea. I once wrote a Substack post and got the perfect title idea from an Instagram reel. I used it, but I gave her credit and linked to her IG in my piece. In contrast, I was once on a Zoom call with a pretty big writer/thinker, though somewhat academic. On the call, which was only for paid subs of a particular Substacker, the big writer person told us about an article she’s been working on, and what the first line of it was. It was catchy. The next day, a post came across my feed that used that line as its title😱 I didn’t call it out but I did post a note that begged people not to do this. It cheapens everything!!
Cheapens indeed! Thank you for keeping it clean—it matters.
I really appreciate this. I've had this happen a few times -- I do think it's been unintentional or perhaps thoughtless is a better word, but it stings to read an idea of yours without attribution. There's really no excuse for it, especially when it's so easy to link back to, or tag someone, or put in a footnote (I love the Substack footnotes!) The cross-pollination of ideas is one of the best things about the Internet, but it can also get so dicey. I love your practice of delineating your original thoughts. I might have to see if that works for me -- but I'd attribute it, don't worry!
And you’re absolutely right about @substack footnotes!
I’m so sorry it’s happened to you. “Stings” is such a good word for it. And it can also be tough when you have your own original ideas and then observe another writer treading similar ground—a quandary to be sure! Thanks for your integrity—it matters.
Thank you for the reminder. I try to be generous with my citations and mentions, but it's hard always to know which is a (mostly) original thought. Something for me to continue to tighten up!
Oh I love and appreciate this. And I appreciate Lore's thoughts on plagiarism, too.