Why It’s Okay to Steal from Other Writers
Overthinking about originality won’t get you anywhere.
Why should I write?
I asked myself this question many a time (I still do). Because so many writers have already covered every topic I intend to write about. So what’s the point of adding one more write-up on the same subject?
“It doesn’t matter whether I write about it or not.” — I said to myself many times and dismissed many ideas. This thinking also made me procrastinate a lot. Instead of writing, I found myself lost in the myriad of self-doubt.
It’s not just me. I think many writers face this dilemma when they get ideas. Like me, they want to produce something original that nobody has written before.
But sadly, nothing is original in heaven and earth. And the sooner we admit it, the better. Because only then we can steal from other writers like a pro and make it our own.
It’s okay to steal from your favorite writers
Don’t worry!
I am not saying that you will copy another writer’s article or paraphrase it in your own words. That’s illegal. No writer should do that. And there is no art involved.
So how can you steal from others to make great art?
American film director and screenwriter Jim Jarmusch answered this very well.
He said, — “Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery — celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from — it’s where you take them to.”
The same applies when it comes to stealing from other writers.
You will read all types of writings from different writers. But when it comes to stealing, you will take the things that you absolutely love. Then you will make them your own.
Austin Kleon, in his book Steal Like an Artist, echoed the same. He mentioned the artist as a collector who collects selectively; things that he/she really loves.
It can be a sentence, a quote, some ideas, or even a word. If they catch your nerve, make you stop, force you to think deep, inspire you, or leave you curious — steal immediately.
Have no shame.
Treasure those things in your notebook for the future.
To steal from many is research
According to Pablo Picasso, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal.”
What he meant is that a great artist is never alone. He explores everyone and everything and then places all the important things in his work sensibly and with artistic sense only to make it great.
What Steven Wright said about it is more interesting. He said, “To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.”
Isn’t it so true?
So, do your research. Read great writings and steal the gold and jewels.
Here is how you can steal from others and make them your own:
- Take notes It can be a topic, a title, a paragraph, a quote, anything. If you love it, pen down it in your notebook immediately.
- Dive deeper to find the gold Explore that topic extensively. Be curious and read different pieces of literature. Gather new information.
- Find your angle Now, figure out what you can say about the topic that’s not been said in the article you’ve read. Select your writing angle, what you want to say (to your readers) and how.
- Write your first (shitty) draft Write a terrible first draft. Well, first drafts are always terrible. But finish your first draft as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about your word choice, sentence structure, or anything. Just finish it anyway.
- Edit, edit, and edit Once you’re done writing the first draft, leave it for a couple of days. Then edit, edit, and edit it to perfection.
If you steal this way, it’s completely okay. And I highly recommend it.
Stealing from other writers can give you ample ideas for writing. It can also improve your thought process and make you think deeper about any topic or subject.
So, why not give it a try?
“People seldom improve when they have no model but themselves to copy after.” ― Oliver Goldsmith
Thank you for reading.
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If you want to read more of my writings, do check out the following articles.