A Writer's Thanks and No Thanks Moment

First off... I'm thankful for a lot. And working hard toward improving and protecting myself from the things that provide me challenge.

Anyhoo...

On the thanks side. Tess Gerritson writes about how book writers haven't been hit by technology as much as writers of other products, specifically songs and movies.

On the no-thanks side. Tayari Jones writes about a NYT article in which the creator of a highly successful HBO series had one of her ideas lifted and updated by a (former) friend and associate.

Lessons here... I always buy books, and I always buy them new from bookstores or reputable online sites... NEVER used.

The other lesson... Keep your ideas to yourself as much as you can. But you don't have to be so paranoid as to copywrite yourself... once you get published, the publisher takes care of that for your finished product.

Honestly, there's no such thing as a new idea or storyline. Everything is recycled, repackaged, given its own spin in a new product. But then again, there is too close for comfort.
fs