You don't write, you don't call.
You don’t write, you don’t call…oh the pressures of the blog. Sorry for taking so long with another entry. No excuses, BUT an assortment of family, business, and yes, a few pleasurable obligations have kept me from being diligent. Moving on. What a week of disturbing new events; a graduate student brutally assaulted and murdered, a killer sentenced to death for the rape and murder of an eleven year old, it almost seems indulgent to discuss anything else. Suffice to say any mother would be haunted and deeply disturbed by these tragedies, also a little bit guilty to have sidestepped them (it’s always about luck in the end) and I am one of them.
But something’s been gnawing at me that’s much less significant so perhaps that’s why I prefer to address it; also it’s writer-related; the ongoing trial of Dan Brown, (The Da Vinci code), who’s being accused of plaguerism. One point in particular interests me. How to distinguish between research and stealing? All of us read as much as possible, especially, I would venture, in our particular fields. We are influenced by our research or even just by our participation, support or enjoyment of other authors. If we purloin facts, the case is clear, but what about sentiment, style, subtleties? I wonder how much of Elizabeth Berg or Jeanne Ray or Jodi Picoult or Susan Isaacs seeps into my stories? Certainly a flavor, possibly a tone, perhaps even the idea for a plot twist? How much is too much?
I would offer that the answer lies in a customization of the old art adage ‘I don’t know art but I know what I like when I see it’. In terms of distinguishing between being influenced by another work and copying from it, ‘I don’t know where to draw the line but I’ll know if it’s crossed when I see it.’ Of course, I don’t have to decide nor am I either privy to or bound by legal doctrine. Not even sure such doctrine exists. Certainly if it does there will be phrases such as ‘clear and precise duplication’ or possibly ‘intent to copy or assume’. It will be interesting to see the verdict and even more so the explanation or interpretation of such. I, for one, hope Anton Chekov doesn’t read too much; as a college student I was deeply inspired by The Cherry Orchard and I hear those Russian courtrooms are brutal.