Does K.D. still come to the forum?

Just wondering.

Yes, I'm here every day like the Guardian of Forever, waiting for a question (that I haven't already answered). {g}

Just wondering.

Yes, I'm here every day like the Guardian of Forever, waiting for a question (that I haven't already answered). {g}

Well, (heehee since you offered) a question was raised in the thread "Quoting vs Plagiarism" ...

So since it has been asked before, technically speaking ... maybe it doesn't apply here?

Several folks offered our insights, but it was also suggested that maybe it wouldn't be laid to rest by our mere opinions ... since it touches not only upon WOTF contest rules but also a nuance of interpretation.

It boiled down to this:

Based on my admitted twin raging demons of Paranoia and Legalism, however, I guess I ask wishing to be reassured that (given the WOTF rules that define 'plagiarism')

Using "public domain" material that is indeed credited ...
but for which 'written permission' is impossible ...
isn't
a technicality that would force WOTF to reject an otherwise winning story.

Contest rules, like Supreme Court technicalities of procedure, sometimes force the hands of Judges who could otherwise be free to obey their higher natures and own common sense.

These obscure issues just pop out at me unbidden, I swear.

I have a character who quotes Scripture, a lot, as part of his character's motivation and thus drives the story.

[ETA] In full disclosure, there are a few actual uses of Scripture (not spoken by a character) used as independent paragraphs between fiction/story scenes. Fully credited by chapter and verse, etc ... but 'third party' poetry, where no 'permission' is available, obviously.

It seemed to me (and I could be being, as admitted, overly-legalistic and paranoid here) that a Judge could feel themselves bound by the mere technicality of a rule to reject a story based on such a use of 'third party' public domain quotes.

Is that a danger, in your opinion?

Just wondering. As I suggested, it's mostly a paradox of nuance and interpretation, respectful of the fine contest's fine rules, and easily settled, if one cares to.

I mean, when a Theban Sphinx asks to be asked a question, one wishes to have a question to ask!

I just read WOTF Vol 13

The Winds by Heidi Stallman

quotes a few lines from a poem by Robert Burns.

I presume Public Domain comes into play....

For what it's worth

Steve

OK, thanks K.D!

Just wondering.

Yes, I'm here every day like the Guardian of Forever, waiting for a question (that I haven't already answered). {g}

Well, (heehee since you offered) a question was raised in the thread "Quoting vs Plagiarism" ...

So since it has been asked before, technically speaking ... maybe it doesn't apply here?

Several folks offered our insights, but it was also suggested that maybe it wouldn't be laid to rest by our mere opinions ... since it touches not only upon WOTF contest rules but also a nuance of interpretation.

It boiled down to this:

Based on my admitted twin raging demons of Paranoia and Legalism, however, I guess I ask wishing to be reassured that (given the WOTF rules that define 'plagiarism')

Using "public domain" material that is indeed credited ...
but for which 'written permission' is impossible ...
isn't
a technicality that would force WOTF to reject an otherwise winning story.

Contest rules, like Supreme Court technicalities of procedure, sometimes force the hands of Judges who could otherwise be free to obey their higher natures and own common sense.

These obscure issues just pop out at me unbidden, I swear.

I have a character who quotes Scripture, a lot, as part of his character's motivation and thus drives the story.

[ETA] In full disclosure, there are a few actual uses of Scripture (not spoken by a character) used as independent paragraphs between fiction/story scenes. Fully credited by chapter and verse, etc ... but 'third party' poetry, where no 'permission' is available, obviously.

It seemed to me (and I could be being, as admitted, overly-legalistic and paranoid here) that a Judge could feel themselves bound by the mere technicality of a rule to reject a story based on such a use of 'third party' public domain quotes.

Is that a danger, in your opinion?

Just wondering. As I suggested, it's mostly a paradox of nuance and interpretation, respectful of the fine contest's fine rules, and easily settled, if one cares to.

I mean, when a Theban Sphinx asks to be asked a question, one wishes to have a question to ask!

Quoting from the public domain should never be a problem.

Yes, I'm here every day like the Guardian of Forever, waiting for a question (that I haven't already answered). {g}

nice TOS reference there, but rather self-deprecating.

I've seen photos of you and you're much prettier than, well,
a big hole.

But then so are most of us, I hope!

My latest entry is a long one, for which I can only say...suffer.

Prisoner

Quoting from the public domain should never be a problem.

Thanks for the answer! That's good to know, saves a ton of "but ... what if's" etc!

For those of you in the Austin area, I will be at Armadillocon this weekend. On Saturday, Aug. 15th, we'll have a "Writers of the Future and Other Contests" panel at 9 P.M. Come and hang out!