the night I scrubbed peanut butter from the floor and then wrote about plagiarism

edited to add: This post has the sole intent of talking about a real issue that is happening in the online world of writing. I intentionally am not naming any names, listing any sites, or giving other specifics because I want to only talk about this issue of plagiarism. Please also note that I have received an email apology and that the post was taken down.  ~Rachel

Yesterday, I found out that some of my writing, my Dear Sweet Mom Who Feels Like She is Failing post, was plagiarized.

I’m talking about taking my words word for word for word and then taking my pictures of my sink and my hair in a messy bun and my Samuel and then using them in a post without any reference to me. I’m talking about cutting out the end of my post that lists a link to my other dear mom letters and my subscribe box because that would give away that it was my work and not the person who pretended it was theirs. I’m talking about listing, under author, someone else’s name.

That? That is stealing.

I remember the morning I wrote that letter in August. It was sunny and beautiful and I was trying to write a sweet reply back to a lovely reader but she didn’t leave an email so I instead wrote an entire post. I remember sitting on my patio furniture with the sun rising and my cup of coffee with Italian Sweet Cream creamer in it while the words about not failing and you matter and do one thing came from my head and found their way on screen. I remember. I wrote those words.

And someone, another site, who I will not list, completely took it and never once within the post gave any little bit of credit back to me.

So last night as I scrubbed peanut butter that was ground into my family room floor by my little Samuel while I was upstairs getting in contact with an attorney about getting my work removed I thought about ignoring it. I really did. But the more I scrubbed at the peanut butter that shouldn’t have been there if I hadn’t had to deal with someone who decided to take my words and claim them as their own the more I realized that I really couldn’t be silent.

It may look like just words on a screen. I know. But, let me tell you – there is a great deal of work, thought, and well, work again that goes into each and every post. I stay up late. I rise early. And I work. And my work, my writing, was taken.

I know I’m not the only one this has happened to in the online blogging world {read this post by Kelby Carr}. I know because of the amazing outpouring of support that rallied around me with regards to this letter being found elsewhere. I also know that today instead of writing my normal stuff — which is what I should be writing about instead of plagiarism — I needed to speak up and be another voice for bloggers and writers and journalists.

Tucked way down on the bottom of my site I’ve had to embed a copyright code that protects myself. I’d love to just be able to write and share my heart and not really worry about this stuff. In fact, my hope is that my vulnerability blesses others and that by me being real it gives a chance for others to be real. And I really want mothers to know that they are not alone and that they matter. But, now, today, I am writing about something that never should have happened.

So I’m asking you to share this message. I’m asking you to support not only me in this fight, but all the other website owners and writers and photographers that are having to deal with outright stealing.

It must stop.

No one wins. My night was spent being distracted instead of intentional. The individual who stole my words will now have to deal with the repercussions of taking someone else’s property – because, you know, that is what it truly is – property. And you all are instead of getting to read tips on intentional parenting or why I love my kids more than spilled milk or those dear mom letters are getting to read these fighting for what is right words of mine.

I could go on and on and on listing rules and laws regarding plagiarism and how this is a direct form of copyright infringement and that this is against the law, but I’m not going to. They’re there.

Instead? I thank all of you for supporting me. For sharing links, clicking like, sending emails. And for all of you have emailed and asked if you could republish my works in magazines, newspapers, and on other websites. I appreciate you asking and us working together to build community. This is not about clicking like, sharing, and all of that. In fact, as website owners we greatly appreciate all of that and I want you to know that is awesome. Please keep sharing. 🙂

Tomorrow? I will get back to my normal voice and will write words about motherhood and what a gift it truly is to walk and that sometimes your backyard looks like an ad for Little Tikes. Today? Today was my day to stand up for what is right and to speak up for writers and website owners and photographers everywhere.

That is it.

~Rachel