The thrill of being cited on Wikipedia

Have a chuckle on me. It’s a reminder not to let “fame” or “being considered an expert” go to your head…

I’ve been cited on Wikipedia. Little old me. Here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_location

I mean, I’m really quite chuffed about it. Maybe even honoured.

However… the citation is wrong. If you read the article that is being cited, I say the exact opposite to what I’m being cited as saying.

Ie, the citation is: “Within narrative prose, providing a believable location can be greatly enhanced by the provision of maps and other illustrations. (Neal, Mapping a Fictional Location)”

My point in the article was: “So I’m not sure of the value of publishing maps, but I am convinced that every author needs to create at least a basic sketch for him or herself to ensure he or she doesn’t contradict something…”

In other words, the person who wrote the Wikipedia entry simply did a long tail search for the exact point they wanted to make, and my article popped up. They, very probably, didn’t even read it. But I may have looked like a credible source. Which is still kinda cool.

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6 Responses to “The thrill of being cited on Wikipedia”

  1. Lauri says:

    Congrats Daoine! You are an expert on many things fiction so I don’t know why you’re so surprised.

    BTW- I only just found this blog of your. Very nice. Must read some of the back posts.

  2. daoine says:

    Thank you Lauri. I need to catch up on your blog myself.

  3. Selma says:

    That is great news but a shame the citation is wrong. Still, a citation on Wikipedia mustn’t be sniffed at. Good on you. You should feel chuffed.

  4. daoine says:

    Thanks Selma. It’s a step in the right direction. And it made me laugh, which is always good. At least I wasn’t misquoted on a topic about which I feel very strongly.

  5. cleanerlife says:

    Gratz!
    Too bad it was used wrong, and the article is on a “blacklisted external link”
    It wasn’t even listed right. With the “www” in front, I couldn’t get there.
    Great article (I did manage to find it)!

  6. daoine says:

    No, you’re looking at the citation below mine (#2, by Dawn Arkin). Interesting, though, that ezine articles is a blacklisted site now…