Plagiarism of any form just isn’t cool. When I found out a fellow blogger copied several other blogger’s posts and used them as her own, I became upset. I don’t even know these other bloggers, but I can understand how they might feel. It’s not at all flattering to find that someone is copying your work word for word and making others assume that it is original. Miss Musing had so many readers–me included–and it’s a wonder we didn’t realize this sooner. I don’t know about you, but I feel gypped.

The blogging community has become a source of comfort for most of us. We read our favorite blogs, and we trust these people to be real. We share stories, and we remain sincere. Well, most of us. When something like this happens, it’s so hard to trust people–and not just on the internet; in real life, too! (Ashley at Turquiose Ribbons has had lunch with Miss Musing TWICE and said she seemed so nice, and even talked about her writing!) … I even gave her a Kreativ Blogger award; I’m ashamed that I didn’t realize it was all fake. Although, I had a slight suspicion that her life seemed too perfect, I never once thought that her posts were copied.

I once had an experience with plagiarism. When I was in middle school, a friend of mine asked me to write a poem for her cousin’s funeral. Well, I did, and she ended up reading it at the funeral and claiming it as her own. Of course, I confronted her, but I don’t think she understood why I was so upset. It’s one thing when someone loves your work and gives credit where credit is due–that’s flattering. However, it’s sickening when someone claims your work (whether it be art, photography, writing, etc…) as their own.

Honestly, as a reader, I’m hurt. As a writer, I’m completely disgusted. If Miss Musing does make a new blog, I hope she comes clean.