Synopsis

In Cheat!, the writer deals with a

question we usually ask authors:
Where do you get your ideas
from?. Lynne writes a story for a
short story competition. She has
worked hard on the story and dearly
wishes to be the winner. However,
the headmaster announces the name
of another pupil, Geoff as the
winner. Lynne only wins second
place. Although she is disappointed,
Lynne accepts the results. Then,
Lynne reads a book of short stories
by William Bradburie and
recognizes one of them being
similar to Geoffs. She is upset and
is convinced that Geoff has cheated.
She resolves to expose Geoff but is
afraid that doing so will reflect
badly on her. In the end, she cannot
help herself and mention
Bradburies name to Geoff. The
incident seems to remind Geoff of
something. Later, the headmaster
calls Lynne to his office. Geoff is
there too, looking embarrassed.
Lynne thinks that the headmaster
has discovered Geoffs deception.
However, the headmaster tells
Lynne that Geoff has asked him to
give his winning medal to Lynne.
Geoff fears that he may have
unintentionally taken an idea from
William Bradburies book which he
had read some years earlier.
Although this is what Lynne wants,
she is not happy about it. It makes
her wonder if she herself has
unintentionally used and idea from
something she has read in the past.