WHAT EVERY WRITER MUST KNOW BY TRAILBLAZER AREGBESOLA BUNMI

WHAT EVERY WRITER MUST KNOW  BY TRAILBLAZER AREGBESOLA BUNMI

The other day I wrote on consistency, a friend who is also a writer told me some days later that he wanted to write on the same topic that same day but was too busy. If he had done that, we would have written on the same topic, passing the same message, but the content might be different.

I was working on a write-up for some days and the day I planned publishing it, I saw something that looked just like it written by a friend. I was awed by how God inspires His own people. This has happened to me countless times. There are times I write on a particular subject, and days after, I see another writer writing on the same subject. What do I have to do? I have to relax, read, and be blessed. The person was inspired to write at that time on the same subject.

I wrote an article about five months ago. Those who are close to me know how I get inspired to write. My friend was sitting down right on my bed as I was writing that day because she came visiting. I published the article on Saturday, came back from church on Sunday only for me to find some heart-piercing comments on the article. A fellow writer said I plagiarized her work. To my own amazement, I have not even heard her name before in my lifetime nor come across her article before. I think she got to know of the article through one of my friends who shared it.

She tagged me on her wall, called me a thief, and all of that. It wasn't funny that day. She was like, I should give credit or leave it. I was wowed. I wept sorely, messaged her to explain that I haven't seen her write-up before but she didn't even believe me. As I prayed on the matter, I prayed for her, too, and forgave her in my heart.

Thank God for my friends who know the way I write and how I write. They really had my back. Thank God for the photographs I took on the write-up that served as part of evidence. If you have read this particular article, you know what I am talking about?

When God wanted to expose the issue and vindicate me, one of her friends who joined her in insulting me went to search for the post. It dated back October 2017. She took the screenshot and sent it to us. To my own amazement and others, her write-up was entirely different from mine though we were passing across the same message. The only thing that was the same was the message we were passing and nothing else. And thank God I had a barrister on my space who explained to us on the platform what plagiarism meant. That was how God helped me in solving the issue.

To all other writers, that God gave you inspiration to write on a subject does not mean He can't inspire other 7 thousand to do the same. After all, He is the source of the inspiration. He does things as He likes it. You are not the only Elijah. There are other seven thousand Elijah God could use.

Appreciate this God on behalf of other writers when you see what God is doing in them and through them. They are chosen vessels just like you.

When God inspires you to write, never take credit for it. Give the credit back to the source of all inspirations. You are only a vessel. God could use any of His own for the same assignment.

As writers, we all have space. My circle of friends might be different from yours. How will God reach them with His message when He inspires you to write? He may choose some other writers to write on the same topic so as to reach their circles.

Violent attacks is not allowed if you are Spirit-filled. You should be disciplined as a writer. Attacking other writers on the social media is a proof of immaturity. Display some maturity by private chatting the person.

And to the plagiarist at home, why don't you trust God for inspiration? Why must you plagiarize someone's work and call it your own. That does not speak well of our profession as sons of God. That act could be termed robbery. If you want to copy someone's post or quote, please give credit. The habit of removing the author's name and putting yours is not good. Don't steal someone else's work. Develop yourself.

Every writer must be known for his originality. A man who is inspired by God will never wish to be someone else.

Appreciate your uniqueness. Be the person God wants you to be.

Don't call it plagiarism because you saw someone wrote on the same topic you once published. The person may be inspired along that line, too. Plagiarism is copying of another person's ideas, texts, or other creative works, and presenting it as one's own, especially without permission.

Finally brethren, as we have been chosen as the YAHWEH'S PEN for this end time, let us be joined together in the same mind, let us not be divided. Till Christ come, let's continue to bring healing to the nations through our Holy ghost-inspired pen.

Your friend,

TRAILBLAZER AREGBESOLA BUNMI