Do Not Let Walt Whitman Detract From Your Writing
The legendary American poet Walt Whitman has been a source of inspiration for many writers. But, there is a temptation to get too caught up with taking his style and words into your own writing. It may feel like a great honor to use pieces of his words and poetry, but they do not belong to you. There are legal implications that come along with claiming someone else’s words as your own.
It is important to be aware of plagiarism and the potential consequences of plagiarizing work. It is easy for writers to become overwhelmed when looking at the renowned words of Walt Whitman. While taking inspiration from an author is natural, using their work as your own will cause an issue. It is vital to find a way to write your own words and create originality in your pieces.
As lovely as his words and style of writing may be, it is important to appreciate and admire it from afar. Good writing comes from creativity and originality, so even if you use the same emotions that the poet evokes, it is still important to use your own words in order to make the true impact.
Respecting the work of other authors has been a pillar of literature for centuries. The beauty in this is that we learn to create our own stunning stories, listening to the advice and nodding respectfully to the masters who have come before us. Taking the time to contemplate Walt Whitman’s works and his legacy is a great way to enjoy his works and be inspired to write our own.
Tips to Avoid Plagiarism
In order to stay on the right side of the law, the best way to take from another’s writing is to cite the sources. This means that when you use a certain style, turn of phrase, or thought that was written by another, you must link back to it with a citation. If a direct quote is being used, then cite the page and line it was found on as well.
Furthermore, if you are using any written words from sources outside of published books, make sure you are getting permission to use the material. It is often a grey area when it comes to fair use and copyright, but needing permission will ensure that you are doing everything correctly. Plagiarism is an avoidable mistake that can be avoided if you take the time to cite correctly.
The key to staying out of trouble is to make sure that you read the source material and understand the main points that are being made. Once you have understood the material, write it in your own words. This is the most effective way to stay away from plagiarism and maintain the originality of your own piece.
Generate Your Own Unique Style
Although writing from the same world that Walt Whitman created may be tempting, it is important to create your own style. Begin by understanding his work on an intellectual level so that when you write about your experiences and emotions, you know the references and can use them in a clever way.
Knowing that Walt Whitman is an influence on your writing can be a helpful exercise in sharpening your writing, as long as you do not start copying his style. Developing an understanding of how he used language is an invaluable exercise, but writing in his style can take away from your value.
Take some time to read, study and reflect on the stories that Walt Whitman wrote and then apply the knowledge of his style to your own experiences. Think of it as a way to pay homage to an influential writer while still creating an interesting enjoyable story that is unique to you.
Gaining Clarity and Focus
It is important to be aware of your creative control and understand that you are the only one responsible for producing originality. Every writer suffers from writer’s block at some point, but rather than using Walt Whitman for a quick fix, try setting yourself a structure that can help you gain clarity.
Set a goal to write 500 words in one hour. This will help you get into a flow and produce your own words without being overwhelmed by the masterpiece of Walt Whitman. Placing limits on your writing can help you create beautiful pieces without copying sections of Walt Whitman’s works.
Creating a simple outline for yourself can also help you keep on your own track. Writing an introduction, three points and reply can help you get on the right path. Also, it can help to create an end goal before starting. This will help you hold yourself accountable and ensure you are writing what you intended to write.
Positive Feedback and Learning From Others
The temptation to use the formatting and writing style of another master is natural, but take the time to find your own writing style. Understanding that Walt Whitman’s works are inspiring, but belonging entirely to him will help you respect him and your own work. While you should look to other things for motivation and inspiration, try to be original in the way that you write.
As a writer, you may question whether your words are worthy. The best way to tackle these doubts is to get feedback from others. Don’t be scared to ask a friend or family member to proofread your work. Their feedback can help you feel more comfortable with your own words.
You can also learn a lot from seeking out advice from published authors. Learning the reasons behind why they choose to write in a certain way and the techniques they use to make a story feel more emotional can be a great way to reassess your own writing.
Incorporating Different Writing Techniques
One of the best ways to keep improving your writing is by incorporating different techniques. Experimenting with different writing styles can help you gain a better understanding of what works for you and what does not. Try sharing your work on different online platforms and look for feedback. You can also read other stories to get an idea of the structure and writing styles you prefer.
It is also a great idea to take note of the elements that you enjoy in other pieces of writing. Does a scene evoke a certain emotion? Is there a sentence that stands out to you? Make sure to write these down, as they can all contribute to your own work.
Taking note of all the points and ideas is a great way to ensure that you stay on track with your story. It can also be beneficial to plan the structure of your story in advance and decide on points of interest. Keeping a journal of ideas with you can come in handy if you ever need some inspiration.
Practice Makes Perfect
It is a great idea to give yourself regular writing assignments. This will help you hone your skills writing and ultimately create stories of your own. Try to set yourself a goal to write for a certain amount of time each day and make sure to stick to that goal.
Writing can be a challenging activity but developing a practice of keeping a journal can be beneficial. Writing about personal experiences and opinions can help you uncover a lot about yourself, as well as develop your own writing skills. If you devote some time to writing each day, you will soon be able to tackle any sort of writing task with confidence.
Another great way to practice writing is by participating in an online writing group. Taking part in discussions, writing stories and taking part in challenges can help to strengthen your writing abilities and even teach you new techniques. Talking to and learning from other writers can help you gain more confidence in your voice and can help to sharpen your abilities.
