Dear Nihari

I confronted a writer and she said she lived my story

Photo by Alexandru Zdrobău on Unsplash

Life Experiences Aren’t Free for the Taking

I thought long and hard before writing this. Plagiarism outrage feels passé these days — probably because it’s everywhere.

But seeing it happen firsthand doesn’t mean I should stay silent. Every time someone misappropriates my words or my life experiences, I don’t stay quiet. That’s not who I am.

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The First Comment

The first time you commented on my post, it was obvious you hadn’t read it. When I called you out, you said the comment was meant for someone else.

Mistakes happen. I let it go.

But then you kept reading, kept commenting. I never suspected you were secretly scanning my words with a different agenda.

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The AI Rewrite

Then I learned about the AI rewrite.

You took my essay — my unique life experience — and reworked it as your own. When I reached out, instead of acknowledging it, you backpedaled. You claimed my story as yours.

I once lived with a narcissist who lied and thought he was above everyone else. You, my dear, are only just a beginner.

You call yourself a professional writer. Apparently, using AI to rewrite someone else’s life story now qualifies as professional writing. Is this how you serve your clients? With no ethics, just audacity?

I gave you the chance to do the right thing — to remove the post. You didn’t. You claimed my experience as your own.

Peer intervention

Several writers and editors have compared both essays. Guess whose was original and whose was a clear AI rewrite.

Some publications had already blocked you for this kind of behavior. Did you start your own publication to continue AI-generated write-ups and plagiarisms without oversight?

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A Final Word

You could have credited my work if it inspired you. But no. That’s not how you roll.

Some people think life experiences are free for the taking. They’re not. Neither is misappropriation.

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I primarily blog on Medium. Recently, another writer “borrowed” my post, “He Hit Me With the ‘It’s Not You, It’s Me’ Excuse” — words, life experience, and all.

Bless her heart. Nihari must be so starved for interesting experiences in Rajasthan that she had to swipe those of a Bostongirl instead.

My goal in writing this isn’t just to call out wrongdoing. It’s to raise awareness. The good eggs outnumber the shady ones, but when you see something, say something. Respect other people’s stories. Credit inspiration. Protect authenticity.