I know I'm not the first one to talk about the whole Minhobxtch debacle and if you have been following my blog, you remember THIS POST about Tresfuch. But for those of you who don't read my mind, I will give you a quick refresher:

Minhobxtch posted a brilliant story called Turning Away that was recommended to all by several of the popular fic rec shops. Well, turns out the story was copied word for word from here. If you would like more information about the situation, see here.

This is not the first and it will not be the last time someone will copy a story. I remember so well the whole Tresfuch thing because the original author she stole it from promptly started shutting down all of the places where the original story could be found and this was due to the YEARS she spent writing the story being so callously ripped off.

It sits heavy on my spirit when I hear these things happening for two reasons. 1. Because after the EYK blow out, I haven't heard one apology for all of everyone's overreacting and with this being an out and out theft, no one seems to be all riled up about a REAL menace to the fanfiction community and 2. Because you make Shawols seem shady and unoriginal and that pisses me all the off.

You all know how conflicted I have been about the direction I want to take with writing on this site. I suffer not only from writer's block but a real form of stage fright/ insecurity. When I post a chapter, I have agonized over it in my mind a hundred times before I un-hide the chapter. I have watched that mental movie in my head over and over and still kick myself for not having the vocabulary, talent or skill to properly convey all that I wish to share. It has gotten to the point that I no longer want to update and have recently thought about giving away my unfinished stories to people better suited to work them. I care guys. I care because this is my reputation, my heart, and my adoration of five dorks that are on the line.

True story: I have been quietly putting together enough karma points to promote the crap out of a SHINee story because I believe that our fandom is under-served in the wake of the recent EXO blitz. Now, I don't want to promote my own story, but I have been putting the feelers out for a great tale that will lure in readers based of the merits of the narrative, irregardless of it being SHINee. But when this thievery happens, I pause because now I am afraid to be embarassed promoting work that is a fraud. At the end of the day,  I long to show off the artistry of one of the most creative fandoms on the planet but you cast a pall over all of the other fic writers who work hard to give you your favorite pairing, in your favorite AU with all of the fluff, angst, and drama you crave, when you steal. And don't think that if EXO stans stole Making an Exception and turned it into Baekyeol, that we wouldn't all be outraged.

So if you are a writer and you agree with what I have just said, please write your own blog or share with your reader's the importance of originality, the crap you go through to bring them these updates and the hurt you feel when your work is disrespected.  Let the REAL criminals be exposed.

Oh, and side note: If you ever do that to me...