What is Plagiarism?
by Joe Massingham
Volunteer Coordinator for Creative Writing Institute
Let’s not beat about the bush… plagiarism is theft dressed up. Just in case you aren’t familiar with the definition, it means ‘to take and use the thoughts, writing, inventions, etc of another person as your own,’ (OED)
People who plagiarize do so because they want to appear more learned, more educated, more professional than they are. It is usually a sign of insecurity or inferiority complex. Plagiarists long for recognition they cannot obtain on their own.
In most cases, though, their attempt at misrepresenting their abilities or knowledge backfires on them and they gain a reputation as dishonest and dishonorable writers.
Sometimes plagiarism happens accidentally. Researchers tend to rewrite things they recall in their sub-conscious. The brain spins into top gear, frantically searching for lost information. Little pieces seep back in until the writer finds fiendishly clever work and weaves it into the nest. Without conscious effort, plagiarism occurs while the relieved writer is humming, “What a good boy am I.”
Within weeks or months, a sneering critic points out that the idea is not original and the crime of plagiarism is exposed to the light of day. For honest writers, it is acutely embarrassing. The small band of deliberate plagiarists, however, knows no shame so they just curl their lip and take another sip of latte.
If you discover you’ve been unconsciously guilty of plagiarism, let the world know you are aware of the error. Rewrite your piece to eliminate the problem and take whatever steps necessary to avoid further incidents.
On the other hand, you may discover someone has plagiarized you. This is more likely to happen if your writing includes some sort of specialist information. If, for example, you’re an expert on bald eagles, keep an eye out for other material on your favorite topic. Here is the place to check: http://www.copyscape.com/. It will cost you a nickel to see if someone has ‘borrowed’ your expertise (but you must purchase them in lots of $5).
How many consecutive words can you print without rephrasing? Three. THREE. Anything more than that rings bells in high places.
There are various possible remedies if you have been plagiarized, but that’s a topic for another article. In the meantime, the best way to avoid being a plagiarist may be to remember Shakespeare’s words:
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Visit http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com today to find more great tips.
Showing posts with label amatere writing competition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amatere writing competition. Show all posts
Monday, January 2, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
CHRISTMAS SALE – Every Writing Course $177 w/a PRIVATE TUTOR
CHRISTMAS WRITING SALE! $200 NOW $177 with a private tutor.
Sale ends December 31, 2011. Reserve your seat before classes fill up. Can’t afford the tuition? Buy on the payment plan – four payments of $50 every second week. You will receive a $23 REBATE in February or March.
*Practical Gifts for the Writer*
Writers the world around want relevant gifts to encourage their hearts, make creative writing easier, prevent writer’s block, and increase their stash of writing tools. Sit on Ho Ho’s knee and ask for these cool items:
1. A writing course, of course, at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com.
2. The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago, about $35 on Amazon.com, or The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., $10 and up. These are excellent reference books. They will answer all your questions about grammar and give you guidance in literary composition. A must have for any writer.
3. The Writer’s Market – Learn the latest from editors and those in the know! This is the best marketing resource I’ve ever found. It’s easy to understand, easy to use, offers a variety of support tools, names the editors, and points you to the right market to sell your work. Ask for the online edition because they update it monthly whereas the book is updated yearly. Find it at writersmarket.com for $30-$40, depending on which one you choose. A must have for every selling writer!
4. The Writer Magazine – highly recommended. Stay up to date on trends at http://www.writermag.com/en/sitecore/content/Home/The%20Magazine/Current%20Issue.aspx
5. A writing journal to record the events of your life.
6. Business cards – tell Santa what color you would like and what you want them to say – or make your own on good card stock!
7. Personalized stationary for that “special” correspondence – or – make your own!
8. Great books on writing: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (for ideas and motivation); Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (highly recommended); On Writing by Stephen King (half autobiography and half lessons for writers); On Writing Well, The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser (lots of non-fiction writing tips). Don’t forget that you can buy used books on Amazon.com.
9. A ream of paper to print your creations (specify exactly what weight you want)
10. Printer ink
11. A gift certificate from a bookstore.
Get more writing tips in Creative Writing Institute’s newsletter, The Writer’s Choice, at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com, and don’t forget our huge Christmas Sale.
Ho, ho, ho. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Posted in writing tips | Tagged Christmas Sale, editing, publishing, romance, Writer's Resources, writers, writing, Writing Christmas gifts, Writing Sale, writing tips
Sale ends December 31, 2011. Reserve your seat before classes fill up. Can’t afford the tuition? Buy on the payment plan – four payments of $50 every second week. You will receive a $23 REBATE in February or March.
*Practical Gifts for the Writer*
Writers the world around want relevant gifts to encourage their hearts, make creative writing easier, prevent writer’s block, and increase their stash of writing tools. Sit on Ho Ho’s knee and ask for these cool items:
1. A writing course, of course, at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com.
2. The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago, about $35 on Amazon.com, or The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., $10 and up. These are excellent reference books. They will answer all your questions about grammar and give you guidance in literary composition. A must have for any writer.
3. The Writer’s Market – Learn the latest from editors and those in the know! This is the best marketing resource I’ve ever found. It’s easy to understand, easy to use, offers a variety of support tools, names the editors, and points you to the right market to sell your work. Ask for the online edition because they update it monthly whereas the book is updated yearly. Find it at writersmarket.com for $30-$40, depending on which one you choose. A must have for every selling writer!
4. The Writer Magazine – highly recommended. Stay up to date on trends at http://www.writermag.com/en/sitecore/content/Home/The%20Magazine/Current%20Issue.aspx
5. A writing journal to record the events of your life.
6. Business cards – tell Santa what color you would like and what you want them to say – or make your own on good card stock!
7. Personalized stationary for that “special” correspondence – or – make your own!
8. Great books on writing: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (for ideas and motivation); Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (highly recommended); On Writing by Stephen King (half autobiography and half lessons for writers); On Writing Well, The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser (lots of non-fiction writing tips). Don’t forget that you can buy used books on Amazon.com.
9. A ream of paper to print your creations (specify exactly what weight you want)
10. Printer ink
11. A gift certificate from a bookstore.
Get more writing tips in Creative Writing Institute’s newsletter, The Writer’s Choice, at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com, and don’t forget our huge Christmas Sale.
Ho, ho, ho. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Posted in writing tips | Tagged Christmas Sale, editing, publishing, romance, Writer's Resources, writers, writing, Writing Christmas gifts, Writing Sale, writing tips
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Win a Short Story Contest with These Tips!
SHORT STORY CONTEST for BEGINNERS listed below... by Bob Bruggemann
If you want to win a short story contest, the first thing you must do is study the rules. Many submissions are disqualified because they don't meet all the requirements. If formatting guidelines have not been given, single space the text and indent the paragraph. If the rules state a maximum of 1000 words, a 1200-word story, however brilliant, will hit the trash pile. If the short story contest calls for G-rated material (which means no swearing, vulgarities, or erotica) and your entry contains just one swear word, it will be discarded.
Welcome to the judging world, where judges go strictly by the rules. Assuming you follow the guidelines, the judges will then look at these four elements:
• Originality
• Creativity
• Style
• Technique
Let’s look at each one and see what they mean.
Short story contest winners come from second, third, and tenth thoughts. Some contests give you a theme, such as, “Wedding Day.” What’s the first story idea that comes to mind? Whatever it is, forget it. You can bet everyone else will have thought of it, too. A large percentage of submissions will be so similar that the competition will be fierce.
Make your short story unique and the judges will love you. Come at it from a different point of view. Seek a new angle.
Don’t wrack your brain for an idea. Relax. Get your conscious, critical mind out of the way and allow ideas to bubble up from your subconscious. In other words, daydream.
Ask yourself who, what, when, where, why, how, and ‘what if?’ Let your train of thought go where it will. Before long, you’ll have an idea for a story that is different.
For example, what if a shy looking woman attended a wedding and sat in the back, all alone? At the reception, she avoided conversation. She partook of the food and drinks and then left. Back in her lonely, one room apartment she scanned the Forthcoming Marriages column in the local paper to see where her next free food and wine would come from. See? The ‘what if’ question can lead you down original alleys.
In short story contests, you’ll never wrong with the KISS method: Keep It Simple, Sweetie! Don’t try to impress the judges with $3 words. Like any other reader, they want a story that is readable and absorbing.
Every sentence must move the story forward. The reader doesn’t want flowery descriptions of a rose garden in the moonlight. He/she wants to know what the girl is doing there at two in the morning and what will happen next. Stick to the point.
A short story contest calls for three distinct parts: the beginning, middle, and end. It's not as easy as it sounds.
The beginning introduces the main character and what the short story is about. The middle develops the theme and keeps the reader hooked. The ending must be believable, resolve the problems, and leave the reader satisfied.
Above all, don’t overlook simple formatting rules.
• Make a new paragraph for every new speaker
• Single space your short story and indent paragraphs
• Run the spellchecker!
• Watch your punctuation
And Finally…
If you don’t write an original entry for a short story contest, at least rewrite it to fit. For example, Creative Writing Institute’s contest is G-rated, which means no swearing or vulgar language. We’ve already received entries that contain good stories but the author probably didn’t cull out swear words from a story they had already written so it won’t be eligible. What a shame. Make sure your entry fits the rules.
This is short story contest is especially for beginners and the first thing the writer must learn is that judges go strictly by the book. See the rules here and abide by them: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com. Above all, have fun! First prize wins $$ OR a FREE Writing Course!
If you want to win a short story contest, the first thing you must do is study the rules. Many submissions are disqualified because they don't meet all the requirements. If formatting guidelines have not been given, single space the text and indent the paragraph. If the rules state a maximum of 1000 words, a 1200-word story, however brilliant, will hit the trash pile. If the short story contest calls for G-rated material (which means no swearing, vulgarities, or erotica) and your entry contains just one swear word, it will be discarded.
Welcome to the judging world, where judges go strictly by the rules. Assuming you follow the guidelines, the judges will then look at these four elements:
• Originality
• Creativity
• Style
• Technique
Let’s look at each one and see what they mean.
- Originality
Short story contest winners come from second, third, and tenth thoughts. Some contests give you a theme, such as, “Wedding Day.” What’s the first story idea that comes to mind? Whatever it is, forget it. You can bet everyone else will have thought of it, too. A large percentage of submissions will be so similar that the competition will be fierce.
Make your short story unique and the judges will love you. Come at it from a different point of view. Seek a new angle.
- Creativity
Don’t wrack your brain for an idea. Relax. Get your conscious, critical mind out of the way and allow ideas to bubble up from your subconscious. In other words, daydream.
Ask yourself who, what, when, where, why, how, and ‘what if?’ Let your train of thought go where it will. Before long, you’ll have an idea for a story that is different.
For example, what if a shy looking woman attended a wedding and sat in the back, all alone? At the reception, she avoided conversation. She partook of the food and drinks and then left. Back in her lonely, one room apartment she scanned the Forthcoming Marriages column in the local paper to see where her next free food and wine would come from. See? The ‘what if’ question can lead you down original alleys.
- Style
In short story contests, you’ll never wrong with the KISS method: Keep It Simple, Sweetie! Don’t try to impress the judges with $3 words. Like any other reader, they want a story that is readable and absorbing.
Every sentence must move the story forward. The reader doesn’t want flowery descriptions of a rose garden in the moonlight. He/she wants to know what the girl is doing there at two in the morning and what will happen next. Stick to the point.
- Technique
A short story contest calls for three distinct parts: the beginning, middle, and end. It's not as easy as it sounds.
The beginning introduces the main character and what the short story is about. The middle develops the theme and keeps the reader hooked. The ending must be believable, resolve the problems, and leave the reader satisfied.
Above all, don’t overlook simple formatting rules.
• Make a new paragraph for every new speaker
• Single space your short story and indent paragraphs
• Run the spellchecker!
• Watch your punctuation
And Finally…
If you don’t write an original entry for a short story contest, at least rewrite it to fit. For example, Creative Writing Institute’s contest is G-rated, which means no swearing or vulgar language. We’ve already received entries that contain good stories but the author probably didn’t cull out swear words from a story they had already written so it won’t be eligible. What a shame. Make sure your entry fits the rules.
This is short story contest is especially for beginners and the first thing the writer must learn is that judges go strictly by the book. See the rules here and abide by them: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com. Above all, have fun! First prize wins $$ OR a FREE Writing Course!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
SHORT STORY CONTEST for BEGINNERS
Third Annual Beginner's Short Story Contest
A contest that is truly for beginner's only! If you have been fortunate enough to sell a book or a short story, congratulations - but you don't qualify for this contest. If you have self-published, you do qualify. This is an honor system.
RULES:
1. Any genre (Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama, Children, etc.)
2. 1,000 - 1,750 words
3. There is no entry fee, but since Creative Writing Institute is a non-profit charity that sponsors cancer patients in writing courses, we're asking entrants to donate $1 - $5 donations through credit card or PayPal at http://creativewritinginstitute.com/donate.php. If you can't donate, you're still welcome to enter.
4. Short Story rights remain the property of the author
5. Entries must be G-rated. That means no swearing or vulgarities.
6. Contest ends midnight, USA Eastern Standard Time, October 20, 2011
7. Mail to head judge, jopopek@gmail.com
8. Put WRITING CONTEST in the subject line
9. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, style, and technique
10. NOT following instructions may lead to disqualification
11. Up to two entries per person
12. Winners will be notified by email on or before December 15, 2011.
Prizes: 1st place winner will receive cash (up to $100, depending on donations received) OR a free, tutored writing course at Creative Writing Institute, valued at $200. In addition, the winner will receive two books, Word Magic by Cindy Rogers and an autographed copy of Word Trippers by Barbara McNichol. Our thanks go to both Cindy and Barbara for making these prizes available. Winning entry will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and our blogs, along with the winner's bio and picture, if provided.
Second place: Two free tutoring sessions with CEO and Founder, Deborah Owen, and a copy of Word Magic by Cindy Rogers. Winner's name will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
Third place: One free tutoring session with CEO and Founder, Deborah Owen, and an autographed copy of Word Trippers by Barbara McNichol. Winner's name will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
Honorable mentions: Names will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
This is a small contest and your chances of winning are good. Enter now!
If you haven't signed up for The Writer's Choice Newsletter, which is chock full of writing tips, you can do that here: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com. Fear not - we won't spam you.
A contest that is truly for beginner's only! If you have been fortunate enough to sell a book or a short story, congratulations - but you don't qualify for this contest. If you have self-published, you do qualify. This is an honor system.
RULES:
1. Any genre (Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama, Children, etc.)
2. 1,000 - 1,750 words
3. There is no entry fee, but since Creative Writing Institute is a non-profit charity that sponsors cancer patients in writing courses, we're asking entrants to donate $1 - $5 donations through credit card or PayPal at http://creativewritinginstitute.com/donate.php. If you can't donate, you're still welcome to enter.
4. Short Story rights remain the property of the author
5. Entries must be G-rated. That means no swearing or vulgarities.
6. Contest ends midnight, USA Eastern Standard Time, October 20, 2011
7. Mail to head judge, jopopek@gmail.com
8. Put WRITING CONTEST in the subject line
9. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, style, and technique
10. NOT following instructions may lead to disqualification
11. Up to two entries per person
12. Winners will be notified by email on or before December 15, 2011.
Prizes: 1st place winner will receive cash (up to $100, depending on donations received) OR a free, tutored writing course at Creative Writing Institute, valued at $200. In addition, the winner will receive two books, Word Magic by Cindy Rogers and an autographed copy of Word Trippers by Barbara McNichol. Our thanks go to both Cindy and Barbara for making these prizes available. Winning entry will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and our blogs, along with the winner's bio and picture, if provided.
Second place: Two free tutoring sessions with CEO and Founder, Deborah Owen, and a copy of Word Magic by Cindy Rogers. Winner's name will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
Third place: One free tutoring session with CEO and Founder, Deborah Owen, and an autographed copy of Word Trippers by Barbara McNichol. Winner's name will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
Honorable mentions: Names will be published on http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and its blogs and we will provide a link to your story.
This is a small contest and your chances of winning are good. Enter now!
If you haven't signed up for The Writer's Choice Newsletter, which is chock full of writing tips, you can do that here: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com. Fear not - we won't spam you.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Journaling with Your Writing Voice
Use Your Writing Voice to Journal
by guest blogger, Annie Evett
Journaling gives a writer the opportunity to exercise their voice. We all have a story to tell. What better way to express your writing voice than through journaling?
Journal your observations on everyday life. Don't shy away from committing your words to page because you feel your contribution to life is unimportant. What is pedestrian to you will most certainly be exotic to at least a small audience somewhere on the globe.
• Let your writing voice out. Journal first. Worry about getting a publisher or a book deal later. Write to just prove you can do it.
• We are surrounded by those who talk about books they want to write. There are far fewer individuals who actually complete that vision. Write more, talk less.
• Accept your past and all of your experiences as key to shaping who you are. Instead of comparing your writing voice to others, embrace where it is taking you.
• Write from your whole self and from your passions. A clear writing voice will reach your audience. Flavor it with humor. Learn to laugh at yourself. If you like to talk about new ideas, liberally sprinkle them in your writing. Anything less will be unsustainable along your journey as a writer.
• Start journaling the passions and perceptions of events that shape your existence. Do more than write a series of personal events. Put effort into your writing.
A myriad of venues that simply includes surroundings and experiences can stop creative flow. Similarly, a writing voice that holds no structure or theme leaves the audience little to identify with. Even when you write only for yourself, let your writing voice shine.
Can anyone write or is it only for the chosen few?
Perhaps it is for the few that choose to hone their writing voice.
by guest blogger, Annie Evett
Journaling gives a writer the opportunity to exercise their voice. We all have a story to tell. What better way to express your writing voice than through journaling?
Journal your observations on everyday life. Don't shy away from committing your words to page because you feel your contribution to life is unimportant. What is pedestrian to you will most certainly be exotic to at least a small audience somewhere on the globe.
• Let your writing voice out. Journal first. Worry about getting a publisher or a book deal later. Write to just prove you can do it.
• We are surrounded by those who talk about books they want to write. There are far fewer individuals who actually complete that vision. Write more, talk less.
• Accept your past and all of your experiences as key to shaping who you are. Instead of comparing your writing voice to others, embrace where it is taking you.
• Write from your whole self and from your passions. A clear writing voice will reach your audience. Flavor it with humor. Learn to laugh at yourself. If you like to talk about new ideas, liberally sprinkle them in your writing. Anything less will be unsustainable along your journey as a writer.
• Start journaling the passions and perceptions of events that shape your existence. Do more than write a series of personal events. Put effort into your writing.
A myriad of venues that simply includes surroundings and experiences can stop creative flow. Similarly, a writing voice that holds no structure or theme leaves the audience little to identify with. Even when you write only for yourself, let your writing voice shine.
Can anyone write or is it only for the chosen few?
Perhaps it is for the few that choose to hone their writing voice.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION - AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION - AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION - AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION
CALLING ALL WRITERS – Did you know that 80% of the population has thought about writing a book? There’s a little writer in all of us. Pit your amateur talents against others like yourself in this AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION. NO FEE – CASH PRIZE. Ends Nov. 20 – so hurry! See the guidelines at http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and FOLLOW THE RULES. Good luck! Deb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
