Dearest Mr. Pinkwater,
I am a twenty-two year old fledgeling writer, and you have greatly entertained and inspired me throughout my entire carreer as a literate being. I have recently written a short story from the point of view of Osgood Sigerson, The World’s Greatest Detective, who is naturally one of my most beloved characters. I have stolen his character and some of his traits from you but the content is my own. I was thinking of submitting it to be published in my local free paper, Xen Magazine, but I’m not sure if this is legal or not. With Mr. Sigerson so closely watching over me, the last thing I was to do is align myself with the criminal element. Would you grant me permission to use your character, or should I change my story in order to avoid a life-time sentence in the big house? Thank-you very much.
You humble servant,
Ellie Anglin.
I stole Sigerson myself. It is an alias Sherlock Holmes used. And until just before publication, Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle called his characters Sherrinford Holmes and Dr. Ormond Sacker. So feel free to take whatever you like. You may not be the first person to steal it.
