The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned as a Writer

In the seventh grade, I participated in an essay writing competition in my school. The winner would get a chance to read out their write-up to the entire school on its cultural day. I didn’t win. I was disappointed but not disheartened because my English teacher provided me with pointers on how to improve for next time. She told me my language was too simple and that a good writer used advanced vocabulary.

Eager to learn, I read the winner’s essay, which had impressive words. I needed a dictionary to follow their writing. Further, I didn’t understand what they were trying to say but kept quiet. I didn’t want to be called a “sore loser.” However, I vowed to change my writing style to match the winner in the future.

When the contest winner read out their essay on the cultural day, I was shocked. They were reciting my write-up verbatim. I had mixed feelings when my entire school burst out in applause. I was ecstatic that my writing had received such wonderful feedback but upset that someone else got the credit.

I confronted the contest winner and my teacher about the plagiarism, but they denied it. I appealed to my friends who had read my original essay. They sympathized with me but refused to speak up. When I requested other teachers to help, they asked me for evidence. However, I did not have any proof that my essay was stolen. The competition winner and my English teacher had discarded my original handwritten paper, and I had no backup.

I will never forget how horrible I felt when someone stole my hard work and claimed it was theirs. To make things worse, many of my friends told me it was not a big deal that my writing was plagiarized. This incident had a massive impact on me. I did not participate in any school essay competitions after this.

I have learned two lessons from this incident. First, to protect my writing from plagiarism. I copyright all my novels before releasing them. I’m careful when I share my manuscripts and advanced review copies (ARCs.) Second, not to change my writing style to match anyone else’s. I’ll listen to feedback and improve my skills but maintain my individuality.

What lessons have you learned as a writer? Let me know in the comments below.