Why are some writers reluctant to share ideas? Others are very willing. Is it a

1. 73

   brakel2posted 11 years ago

   Why are some writers reluctant to share ideas?  Others are very willing. Is it a competitive thing?
   
   Internet writing is so different. Does fear of copying enter into the picture?  What other factors?

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   abbykorinneleeposted 11 years ago

   I think it is that, but I share, my life and ideas are an open book.  I figure if someone is that desperate they are going to steal it than let em.  I have enough information and creativity to write the same topic and not write one same thing they did.  I think brainstorming with people makes it fun.

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3. 70

   Karen Banesposted 11 years ago

   I love sharing ideas. I'm a member of writers' networks and write a blog about writing so I can do just that. I look on it as paying it forward as I learned so much from other experienced writers early in my career. I guess some writers are competitive, but really, if you're good at what you do you really shouldn't be. In spite of the recession (or maybe because of it) there is plenty of freelance work to go round. I'm working on a short book of writing prompts right now. In my experience a whole class of writers can write to the same prompt and come up with hugely diverse ideas.

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      abbykorinneleeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In my opinion its how you also get better

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   J. Biazaposted 11 years ago

   Some writers and more confident and understand what "giving" means.  Give once and you will have a return many more times over. 
   Isn't the idea of writing sharing...

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   Georgie Loweryposted 11 years ago

   I figure that, if no one had ever helped me, I'd have no idea what to do. Sometimes I still don't and I ask and get answers. So I have no problem sharing what I've learned.

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      abbykorinneleeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Pay it forward:)

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      Georgie Loweryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's right, it's good karma!

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      abbykorinneleeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh I am all about good karma...I had a S*&) load hit me ten fold from when I was younger...I will good mojo out there wherever I can

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   beckyscornerposted 11 years ago

   Ideas are not subject to copyrights, so if you talk about a great idea and someone else cranks it out first, you may have given someone else a nice payday and cudos for publishing. As a graduate student, I know of a student who took someone else's idea and published it. Nothing could be done because the person had told the idea to the other student. But I think it is more about the type of personality the writer has. Some writers like to work out problems in isolation, while others need to stay connected and receive encouragement and support from others. Personally, I need to be free of distractions when I am first working on a piece of writing; however, I prefer to work with others when editing.

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   multiculturalsoulposted 11 years ago

   If someone asks to help with the nuts and bolts of writing, I answer with no hesitation. It may not be the answer he or she wants to hear, but I'm willing to help. I was an English teacher long before I wrote professionally, so I'm used to helping others with their writing.
   
   I don't share specific ideas--the plot turns and twists I'm using or working on--but I can and do give directions. If an aspiring writer asks, "Will this work?" I give a candid answer. If an aspiring writer asks, "Can you give me any ideas for what to write about?" I hesitate. I can't tell you WHAT to write; I can show you HOW to write what you write better.

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8. 59

   ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

   Great question.  I would say some writers are reluctant to share ideas because they doubt their writing abilities, they feel their writing will not be accepted, and/or do not want to get negative feedback, constructive criticism or opposition to their point of view.  I say write for you.  You can't please everyone.

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9. 0

   CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years ago

   Competition is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned, and I do like to be helpful when asked. But, for me, there are some things that I write that I really put my heart and soul into and if someone steals that piece of my heart and soul...it really hurts.

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10. 46

    DDEposted 11 years ago

    Not every writer would want to share their ideas,  a fear of other stealing their idea which happens so often online. I definitely wouldn't want to share any of my ideas with another writer.

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11. 0

    Carolee Saysposted 11 years ago

    My alter ego (Cardisa)  once asked a question about how to get in the number 1 -3 spot on the first page of Google. One hubber distinctly asked why should she give away that secret? I was embarrassed. I had no idea that she giving tips would affect her position......wow...it's a dog eat dog world in cyberpsace!

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       brakel2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I remember that incident, and that is one of the reasons I asked this question.

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       Karen Banesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       But you're only in direct competition with her if you're both targeting the exact same keyword/phrase. I continue to share ideas and help new writers. And I continue to get new ideas and receive help from others. Karma in action!

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       safiq ali patelposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Somewhere in the world of publishing and copyright there is an old rule that says your ideas are your intellectual property and they should not just be given away.

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    safiq ali patelposted 11 years ago

    Maybe some writers won't share ideas because they believe their ideas to be unique and so they don't just want to give their ideas away for nothing.

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    phoenixarizonaposted 11 years ago

    The problem with sharing ideas is, when you do so the competitiveness  of having an original article/story is at higher risk. The fact of the matter is the less original your work is the less it will pay off in the long run. I do try to share ideas but not often.
    Sometimes as a writer if your muse is not speaking to you that one idea that you shared has already been published leaving you broke and out of inspiration.
    Double edged sword really......

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    muhammmadnaeemposted 11 years ago

    The content writers share is generally dependent on multiple factors. Firstly, the environment they grow in. Secondly, for some writers passions decreases with time because e.g. when they applied they randomly decided to write but due to some reasons they could not give it proper time afterwards. Then thirdly, there is an innate fear which might be called 'Author's Block'. Fourthly, some people feel insecure sharing their ideas because they believe their ideas to be their personality which is quite true generally.

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    Tusitala Tomposted 11 years ago

    So what ideas do we have that haven't been thought of by someone else before us?   Didn't one of the Ancient Greek playwrights say that there are basically only seven different stories and that everything else is simply a play on these.  That is the backgrounds, the date in history, these sorts of things are constantly changing but the same seven stories pop up over and over again.
    
    Personally, as far as I can determine, I am happy to share any of my ideas - though not always the presentation of them.  The presentation is personal and stems from my particular character.  Our characters, of course,depending upon our values, which in tern generate our motives.
    
    It's been said by many,  "We get back what we give out."  If we hoard our creativity, keep our 'light under a bushel,' how can we expect others - including The Universe - to unstintingly provide?

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    Beata Stasakposted 11 years ago

    Sharing ideas and thoughts is the biggest advantage of internet writing , I don't think that genuine writers' intention is to copy each other, as each writer has its own individual style and voice that is not really possible to duplicate....how do you want to copy the writer's heart and soul?

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       abbykorinneleeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If you are an honest writerm, one doing it for the right reasons, you wouldn't need to copy another's work

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