DISCLAIMER SIN #7:
JUSTIFICATION
("The muse struck at 4 a.m.
and I want to get this posted ...")
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Then the muse is a flea-ridden whore. If you don't have time to spell-check your story, wait until morning to post it. And leave the Greeks out of this.
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DISCLAIMER SIN #6:
RATIONALIZATION
("I'm just a poor college student/
have no money, so please don't sue";
"No copyright infringement meant.")
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Legally equivalent to saying: "Don't call the cops on me for stealing your sofa." It's not going to protect you and it points out to the owner that you know you're doing something illegal.
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DISCLAIMER SIN #5:
OVER-EXPLANATION
("/* signifies what the character is thinking...";
"See appendix at end of story.")
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Avoid explaining your writing or putting a glossary at the beginning or ending of your work - it's pretentious, and it ought to be clear from the context of the story.
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DISCLAIMER SIN #4:
DELUSION
("I didn't receive any money
from Sting for using his song.")
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Holy christ, sweetheart - you're lucky if Sting doesn't sue your ass off for using his song...
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DISCLAIMER SIN #3:
POSSESSIVENESS
("Zapf Chicanery is mine! Do not use!")
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How sweet that you're concerned about copyright infringement! And it would be a pure shame to point out that most of the characters in your story aren't actually yours to begin with.
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DISCLAIMER SIN #2:
MANIPULATION
("If I don't get ten positive responses
by Friday, I'll stop writing...")
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If your writing is decent, you don't need to resort to manipulation for positive reviews. If your writing is awful, no amount of begging and pleading will cause people to like it. You should know better, you whiny brat.
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And the big one...
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DISCLAIMER SIN #1:
IGNORANCE
("I haven't actually seen the show,
but one of my friends told me all about it...")
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And your insight is so keen we'll want to read your story anyway? Life is too short for this sort of crap. If you haven't seen the series - trust me - you have nothing of interest to say about it. Do your homework first.
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