You are one class act, Ms. Patti !
I think I just added a rock to my repetoire – “is it worth it ?” – Mrs. Smith would approve, don’t you think ?

Big Love from the Rock Fairy

Hello Patti,

Let’s look at it in ‘another cheek” … IF you are not GREAT, they (the thieves) would not be interested in pretending your work is theirs!

Nobody is interested in mine :(

So, keep smiling! Your readers know your worth! And love your work.

Cindy

My fourth-grade teacher was a Mrs. Smith, too! She went on to be the most amazing director of the school she and I both love. She only retired about two years ago, which means she was 12 when she taught my brother and 16 when she got me.
I’m sorry others felt the need to steal your words, Patti. Yes, I think of it as stealing.

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery…plagiarism, on the other, not so so much. You are so very gracious in how you handle these people who would literally steal your voice and use it as their own. That would feel like such a violation. Poor sad souls, that they have so little to say that they feel the need to masquerade as another.

LOVE Mrs. Smith’s words. Arrow sharp and direct to the point. Ouch!

Blessings,
Carolynn

Patti, you have grace and style which you have shown in how you have responded to this situation. Your teacher was very wise. And your point about your publisher was made with precision.

Arid lives. You described that so well. For what other kind of person than one whose life is arid would consider doing what these two have done?

A quote spuriously attributed to Samuel Johnson offers the following to writers who steal another’s work and fail to give credit as due, “I found your essay to be good and original. However the part that was good was not original and the part that was original was not good.”
Your response was evenly delivered and offers the offender an opportunity to correct the offense.
You clearly live the principles that infuse your writings and my admiration for you continues to grow. Having watched your tireless efforts, giving (LITERALLY giving of yourself) to your readers for years; it is heartbreaking to hear that someone would have so little respect for that history. Thanks for all you do and for living what you believe.

Roy

I love the Emerson quote! I do not follow blogs that quote massively from other writers, even if they attribute their excerpts. My main criterion for following a writer is original thought, even if that thought is not perfectly expressed or beautifully punctuated. No blogger elevates themselves by using someone else’s material, and if you think you’re not “good enough” to write from your heart why are you wasting bandwidth? Of course if you’re using someone else’s copy to promote your business, then you deserved to be sued. Patti, do let us know if your polite request worked.

Well done Patti! Having been involved in the photo sharing group flickr for the past 3 years, I have seen a variety of stealing, both outright and in the form of intellectual property, and I have seen many less than gracious responses. As we put ourselves out there in this world of easy access, it is inevitable that those feeling “less than” will make poor choices. Responding with grace rather than anger is a far better deterrent to further such actions. Thank You!