Replies to post #933 on Poet's Corner

[Poet]

That's really nicely said.

If I were still posting on SI, I'd run over there and post it. -g

[Joemoney]

All the great writers borrow, and all the great writers use other writers' ideas as springboards.

I think that is true to a point, but who could we ever create more good writers if we allow people to copy off of others?

Originality of the key to good writing.

[Koikaze]

"X", when I was quite young, I avoided the "Great Thinkers" like the plague. I was worried that my own clear, beautiful thoughts might not be considered unique and original with me. It took me many years to learn that we grow on the thoughts of those who went before us. The use of other's ideas and phrases; the polishing of them; the insertion of them into new concepts is hardly plagiarism ... although for me to say so is merely to parrot what you've already said.

Fred