I’m encouraging someone I love who has dabbled with writing to begin blogging. He asked whether I was afraid someone would steal my work.
I wanted to share with you my reply:
“Not particularly. I view it as a pain-to-gain thing. I gain a lot by writing so often and getting feedback and encouragement from the world. If someone steals my work I have MANY people around the world who would know I generated it first. It’s all date-stamped and for the “followers” who get emails of all my posts the emails are definately also time-stamped.
“You can also add copyright info to your posts.
“Can it happen? Sure. The more people who know my stuff, the greater the likelihood that a thief would be caught as my “followers” would inform me.
Also, there is safety in numbers. There are literally millions of bloggers. I figure that exposing my work to the world has a greater chance of an industry connection occurring and that is worth the risk to me of a thief trying to steal my work. First the thief would have to steal it, and then the thief would have to find a way to make money off of it. Sounds like a lot of work and a long-shot payout for thieves unless they are just doing it to build their readership. But it’s a trap. The larger their readership, the more likely they are to get caught.
Most of the people on the blogosphere are good folks.
Besides, I’m not doing it to make money–the odds of making money through writing are probably about the same as becoming a MLB player. I’m already successful because I love doing it. If some day offers of money come, I’ll seriously consider them. But following my passion and focusing on the quality of life for whatever time I have left on this planet are more important to me.
I believe that strategy and attitude not only lead to a happier life, they are also more likely to lead to having many more people want to help me to be successful as I help them every way I can to follow their dreams.
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
What a great answer you gave your friend. My eldest son and I had a really long discussion about copyright infringement a couple of months ago and we both came to the realization that we have to have faith and trust. Our works belong to us. And to share them publicly IS a form of copyright in a manner of the public ‘date-stamp’ as you mentioned. And yes, the majority are good folks.
A wonderful post Russ! Thank you for sharing. Your friend, Gina
Thank you for your kind post and feedback, Gina.
Your friend,
Russ
” I am already successful because I love doing it” might be the most powerful sentence I have read and ” heard” all day. It’s how I feel about writing…I want to make money off it if possible…I have bilss like everyone else…student loans and all. But I am just grateful I get to do this and people read what I write.
Great post and yea I think people are pretty supportive and honest in the blogging world and will site sources and not steal.
Thank you for your comment, compliment, and feedback Boomie. I appreciate them all.
Russ
I adore your take on the whole thing. Probably more for the belief and faith in the others who are writing here and elsewhere.
What I like most about writing with someone, or encouraging another is the ability to approach the same genesis of an idea, and come to totally different conclusions.. that’s what makes writing and reading a collective as well as an individual activity.
Thank you for your kind comment, Gaele1. I too enjoy working collaboratively, both as a writer and lyricist.
Russ
I agree, Russ. The joys of sharing in this wonderful format far outweigh the risks of copyright infringement. You did good…Cathy
Thank you, Cathy. It is joyous indeed!
Russ