literature

I Am A Writer

Deviation Actions

Published: Nov 23, 2012

30.1K Views

Literature Text

I Am A Writer:

Gentlemen, today I speak to you
To convey an issue that has plagued the core of our community.
For so long have we been considered second-class;
To this day there are those who still believe that we are not artists.
But today is not about freedom, today is about honour,
Because there are many writers that still seek to shame us all...

I speak of those individuals, who take art from others.
Covers, photos, paintings, digital art, anime and manga.
It matters not where you draw your source from,
But every action impacts upon us as a community.
Why?

BECAUSE I AM A WRITER!

When I craft my works, when I write each and every line,
I paint using expression; metaphors are my colours.
The words are my brush and each and every rhyme is my medium.
I do not ask to be considered an artist, but I do ask to be considered.
Why?

BECAUSE I AM A WRITER!

For someone who practices his craft day and night,
Painstakingly learning how to use each and every word.
It shames me, that we are known for 'using the works of others.'
If you have pride, if you believe in the things that you write,
Then let the words speak for themselves.
Why?

BECAUSE YOU ARE A WRITER!

You are not a thief and you are not a bandit;
You are an individual with a soul!
However if you let that soul become tainted,
If you corrupt yourself with dishonour and shame;
What will be left of you except a worthless plagiary.

It is not flattery, it is not a situation where 'all is fair'
We live in a world of rules, rules that keep us from becoming amoral.
To take someone else's work without permission, to use it for yourself;
That is selfish, that is a crime and that is a brazen act of attention seeking!

After all, if your only desire is to add a visual to your art,
With a claim that you are writing for yourself...
Then why are you so afraid to write without an image?
Why are you so frightened of putting up words and having nobody to read them?

Start with honesty, admit that you are an attention seeking thief
And then, then you might restore your honour with an apology.
For here, we are all writers, we are all artists in an art community.
There is no justification to use the work of another without proper permission.

If you are truly a writer, body and soul,
If you truly hold the hope of someday publishing your own book.
Then learn to let your words stand on their own.
Why?

BECAUSE YOU ARE A WRITER!

You do not need to attach an image that can only show a static scene,
Because we are capable of playing an entire movie, through the words that we use.
A picture might be worth a thousand words -
But six words alone, can paint an entire picture.

"Theives without honour, hung by rope..."

-Chen Yuan Wen, 23rd November 2012

Hey there, faves comments and shares are greatly appreciated ^^ Each one helps me get a little better known and/or a little better at my art, plus I rank for popularity, so clicking those buttons are the best way to help :3

If you'd like to hear me do some live comedy, answer questions and read poems LIVE then check out the latest two episodes of my show, where I will read this poem (episode 6) and several others (episode 5)

Episode 5 (Reuploaded): [link]

Episode 6 (Reuploaded): [link]

Author's Comment:

Alright mates,

Tonight's poem is another bit of Slam/Spoken Word.

The basis of it is rather plain to see, but I made it so that I could delve into a problem that has plagued the community during the entire exam period (I actually got a couple of notes about this).

Essentially the problem is that artists are giving proper credit nowadays (at least they put up proper links) but most of the time the link doesn't go directly to the deviation page or the source. Instead it goes to a master page. Why? To disguise their tracks, artists think that giving credit = a right to use. IT IS NOT!

You must ask permission to use the artwork unless you are strictly doing fan art (tributes fall under this). If you are using it to add visuals to your work or something similar, then you are breaking copyright laws since there was no express right of use granted to you by the owner.

Remember unless an image clearly stipulates that it is free to use, it is basically bound by copyright. Silence does not equal consent and a lack of a copyright logo does not mean a lack of copyright.

You might think it won't bother you now, but one day when you are published people will trawl through history and if you've got something like this on your record, then you are definitely at risk.

Don't make yourself a target by thinking there are no consequences to your actions, they may not show themselves now, but they certainly will down the line. So please be true to the art of writing and take the time to ask for permission, wait till it's granted and then use the image.

Using a google search does not excuse you from this process, googled images are still copyrighted as the search engine is helping you find the source (it is not the source itself). Simply citing the reference isn't enough, otherwise we could easily cite the reference when writing our university parties and plagiarise entire portions of it from texts. This does not stand in academia and the consequences of the world beyond your school are far harsher than mere disciplinary action.

So please act responsibly. If you believe in your writing, don't use an image you don't own/have the rights to.

-Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates