Through The Looking Glass| ArHi | Ch11Pg1 (14/08) - Page 67

Originally posted by: arisai

But to twist things like this and make it sound like she was attacking you for the whole story is horribly unfair and tacky. I don't really see what business of IFs any of this is, if you're sure you didn't plagiarise and nobody else has pointed out similarities to you, then why bother airing it in front of people who have nothing to do with it?

This really should have just stayed between you and Munchy. Now it makes you look like you just did this for attention. From you, Rae, I really did expect better than this biased, exaggerated account on a platform where the person you're attacking can't defend herself or her position. To bias people against her like this is just undignified and unnecessary.

I hope you get whatever it is you wanted to achieve by doing this.

So I haven't read BTLSS OR this story.

Originally posted by: Semanti

So I haven't read BTLSS OR this story.

This was pointed out to me by a friend.

Having read Rae's note carefully, and keeping in mind incidents like this that have happened before, I feel compelled to point out certain things.

1. A concept is not intellectual property. If it were, then everybody from Shakespeare down to Rowling may be accused of plagiarism. So character archetypes, objects, even bits of plot do not belong to any one person.

2. Laws regarding plagiarism are very unclear and it is more an ethical issue than a legal one. A person might be reasonably accused of plagiarism if there are striking similarities in language, manner of expression, and plot construction. EVEN THEN, there are gray areas. There are adaptations. There are re-writes. There is FAN FICTION (which by its very definition is inspired by someone else's work). The bottom line being, something as flimsy as Arnav being a gangster in both stories is not tantamount to plagiarism in any universe.

3. A quick example. Can you think of a story in which one young man must undertake a dangerous mission in order to prevent a fascist dictator from taking over and destroying the world he knows and loves? In this endeavour, he is aided by close friends and unlikely allies. It involves magic, dragons, elves and all manner of plot twists. The young man while initially seized by grave self doubts, is finally able to rise to the occasion and through a combination of outstanding courage, diligence, wit, perseverance, and with a lot of help from other people, is finally able to complete his mission, overthrow said antagonist, and restore peace and order to his world.

Sounds familiar?

Sounds like Harry Potter? Or maybe Lord of the Rings? Or maybe even Eragon? (Heck it could be Inglourious Basterds minus the dragons and elves.)

That is because the above mentioned storyline is not intellectual property and has been used by countless authors-- well known and not all that well known. No one OWNS plot ideas, character archetypes, gangsters, magic wands, specific brands, etc in literature.

If they did, laws would exist and 95% of all writing since 1600 would be under litigation.

And finally coming to the idea of accusing Rae, I would just like to point out that she started the campaign on I-F against plagiarism, with Krani. I think it's safe to say that Rae would give credit if she had indeed been inspired by anything else. (as she herself points out)

Cyber bullying is any form is NOT cool. And I personally think that it should be taken more seriously than baseless and rather attention-seeking accusations of plagiarism.

I'd like to say, in response to something said above, that as far as I can see Rae hasn't biased people against anyone - in fact all she is doing is defending herself and her story, for which I do not blame her. If I'm not wrong, Rae has actually recommended BTLSS as one of her favourite reads on a thread a couple of months ago - why would she be copying a writer she's telling others to look up? Also, it's not impossible for people to get similar ideas, concepts, scenes, etc. If that were so I'd say the entire plot of IPKKND was plagiarised from Pride and Prejudice, and half the love stories since.

But the point I'm trying to make is, Rae is perfectly within her rights to make this post, where she is NOT blaming anyone but explaining her side of the story. In her place, I'd have done the same thing, because it's not as if this matter was sorted out between the involved parties, it was brought up on a social networking site, and I can only imagine how it must have felt to be accused of something like this after she spent s much of her own time and initiative to root out plagiarism on behalf of all of us, when so many others had given up, and especially when she herself has been a victim of plagiarism and has had to suffer its aftershocks. Accusing her is bad enough, but bringing this up on Twitter, without approaching her directly? That's just too much, and not just insulting but hurtful as well. Like I said, if I'd been in her place, I would have done what she did here - defend herself, and nothing else.

I'd like to add that I don't intend to offend anyone - I'm only saying what I feel about this.

a. the idea of you taking credit for someone else's work is ludicrous

I have read before the last sun sets, and yes, I read it more than year ago, the details about that story are vague now, but your story is no where close to it, like others have agreed the only similar concept is that it's based in the underworld!

I came here after someone linked the page with Rae's note, and I read a few comments, along with Arisai's reply, and a few replies following that.

I haven't read this story to comment on it, but I have read Munchy's BTLSS. In fact it was recently re-opened and I was so excited to read it again because BTLSS and PB were two of my absolute faves.

Anyway, coming to this ... I know Munchy probably cannot see this but I have to write this out.

Firstly, there are very few writers on this forum from whom I am inspired by - Munchy, Anne and Rae are one of them.

For me, personally speaking, accusing Rae of plagiarism is akin to accusing Anne or Munchy of plagiarism.

After interacting with Rae for about a year, and opening the plagiarism thread with her ... if there is one thing I am certain of, is her hatred towards plagiarism.

She has been plagiarized numerous amounts of times and so she is aware, as a writer, how it feels.

It was her idea to do something with the numerous bouts if plagiarism on IF, and after I had been plagiarized, it was because of her determination to do something about plagiarism, that encouraged us to open that thread.

To be accused of plagiarism, especially for a writer who is so particular, can be devastating. She makes sure her disclaimers are in place, her work has added twists to it, etc.

I am not saying that Munchy is lying - I can't even say that because obviously there was a reason why she felt there was a similarity and that's the reason why she accused Rae of plagiarism.

My question is ... was it plagiarism or inspiration? Or was it a mere coincidence? This story started almost a year after Munchy's story ended. The only scene I vividly remember from BTLSS is the last scene - because it brought out such a strong reaction from me, and because it left such an impact on me.

I was inspired by Munchy's PB to begin writing, and by Anne to delve into my characters.

I was inspired by Rae on how to write out emotions of characters.

We are all inspired by each other, guys. We are all learning, and neither of us is doing this professionally.

I am not taking sides here. If Munchy had posted a note along the same lines, I would have still said I am not taking sides, as I am not aware of both sides of a situation.

I felt the need to defend Rae on this, because she is a writer and a friend I admire.

If tomorrow Munchy was accused of plagiarism, I would do the same.

I really, really hope this is sorted soon.

~K

I've read Before The Last Sun Sets. I loved that story. And Rae, I don't feel that you've copied anything from Munchy's story. As so far the only similarity between the stories, is that the lead arnav is a gangster.

I think Munchy has become narcissist thinking all her stories are being copied why is she naming her characters Arnav and Khushi .. Are they not 4 lions property .. Next she will say u made Arnav fall in love with Khushi ..I have read both stories .. In both stories Arnav is a male and a gangster .. There's another story mirage by molten lava over there also Arnav is a gangster .. All are separate stories where Arnav falls in love with Khushi so is the entire ipk ff a copy of each other ..
My humble request as a free reader to Munchy and Anne.. Please take away ur work rename ur characters with different names .. . Please do no harass the budding writers in this forum ..they have already harassed serial junkie please do not harass Rae .