Originally posted under on Mar 26, 2007

Friends can misunderstand one another, and often this leads to confrontations. I just had one such confrontation on a subject I'm not particularly pleased to discuss: Plagiarism.

While the online realm is vast and stealing is often far too easy, those who take the time and effort to pour their heart into something are irked when such dealings occur. It's even more unfortunate to be at the receiving end of an accusation that is untrue.

I was discussing a story I had been writing, which is derived from the many tales of mythology updated to more modern times and methodologies. I was curious to what my old acquaintance had been writing of late knowing she, too, is a writer. However after divulging parts of my story she became unnerved, thinking that there striking similarities in the story's root core. I had read parts of her works in the past, however her story and attitude about her works were merely the driving force that told me, I can do it too. Her latest story I haven't read, if it's posted somewhere, I'm unaware of it.

After telling her that wasn't my intent, she said that much of her story is in her head, I mentioned that my story was much the same as hers, in that it's in my head. Which she took as 'much the same as hers, in context'; which just made things worse. Perhaps in that case, I should have chosen my words better.

She replied to me saying that my story as it stands (without reading all of it, mind you) is a plagiarism of hers, and she'll do what's necessary if it's published before hers to debunk it if necessary, using the many sources she has at her disposal when she wrote hers. She also said she could provide sources for mine to further derive from hers but chose not to so she could protect what she has of her story. While I understand that her intentions were pure, I took offense in her thinking I stole from her; I haven't even read her current story.

So I did what I thought was necessary, and said:

I think you took me out of context again.

I said that much of it is as yours is in the fact that it's in my head, not that the story is similar in context.

You're intent, no, convinced that someone has stolen your story which I have not, since I don't even know your story. I haven't read your story. The very fact that they're both deviations of mythology is a thing in and of itself; however, I am not a plagiarist, and thus not a thief. At this point I do take offense, you won't be hearing any more of mine, either. I've been writing my story for quite some time myself, it started with a simple idea and grew from there, but I think the time for formalities has passed.

Take care, best of luck, and adieu.

-...Linguar...

PS: I'll say the same thing as you, since I did give you more about my story then you did of yours: I'll take the same course of action should anything mentioned appear thusly in your story.

PPS: If ever in the future you should meet someone with similar ideals, give them the benefit of the doubt before you start pointing fingers. The last thing I really read of yours was a scant few of your Ribbon pages, because I did the text-layer for them, and the story you have posted on the internet is largely the same: in that it's just unfinished, and a mere glimmer of what it could be. I have been more influenced by mythology then any of your writings, and I'm sure once everything was revealed you'd find the root source of inspiration was the only thing in common. However, that's of no consequence now, isn't it?

Perhaps the last bit was a bit harsh, but at this point I really didn't know what else to say. I said what I thought was necessary so the situation wouldn't spiral further down out of control.