Noticing Newbies 1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! Our goal is to showcase some of our newest Writing.Com Authors and their items. From poetry and stories to creative polls and interactives, we'll bring you a wide variety of items to enjoy. We will also feature "how to" advice and items that will help to jump start the creation process on Writing.com We hope all members of the site will take the time to read, rate, review and welcome our new authors. By introducing ourselves, reviewing items and reaching out, we will not only make them feel at home within our community, we just might make new friends! Editors: Cubby Puditat laurencia Your host this week is esprit Passionate about writing? Take your passion to new heights - with an online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, available only from top ranked National University. Choose workshops based on your interests. Work with experienced and published faculty. Prepare for a variety of career opportunities. Use a state-of-the art online system: Study where and when you want. Click here to get more information! Show, Don't Tell. What Does That Mean, Exactly? When I posted my first stories, some of the reviews I received said the work was ‘wordy’, ‘telling’, ‘redundant’, ‘blocky’, doesn’t ‘flow’, need to ‘show’ more, etc. I had no idea what these words meant. I found out I needed to learn the terminology in order to understand the reviews. In the reviews I send I attempt to explain my suggestions so everyone can understand exactly what is meant. If you already know the teminology, great. If you don’t, you may be embarrassed to ask; I was. Show, don’t tell. Use specific language. Avoid ‘labeling’ words that don’t really describe, such as awful, delightful, scary, pleasant, nasty, delicious. They are general in meaning, they create no image in a reader’s mind . For instance, what does ‘pretty’ mean? Pretty is a label, meaning almost anything to anyone. Make a list of labels commonly mistaken as descriptive words. A few examples are; handsome, nice, funny, attractive. Labels ‘tell’ the reader what to see. The writer needs specific words in order to bring a character, a scene, a situation to life. A ‘telling’ excerpt from one of my first stories: Label/telling – The parade was colorful and exciting, enjoyed by everyone in the large crowd. The Parade had begun. The music was made from the noises the animals made. Croaker was hopping along behind, croaking. It was a beautiful band. This is impossible to see or hear. Specifics/showing – Cymbals clashed, trombones blared, drum majors strutted in their satin outfits of purple and gold and emerald-green. People clapped and cheered, standing on tiptoe to get a better look at the palomino horses in their glittering silver trappings. Of course this example is not of animals, but people, but the concept is the same. ** Image ID #914638 Unavailable ** ** Image ID #830174 Unavailable ** My Picks For Newbie of the Month These members are in different stages of their writing, and they all write in their own style. I see a talent in each of them that practice and encouragement is bringing out. Good writing will be seen from these ports. martianmama This member has the emotion down, and she's learning how to express it in fewer words.. kilter This new member has talent! He's busy honing it. rachel3990 I noticed Rae from her desire to learn to write. She has some good beginnings. Editor’s Picks
Remember to read your neighbor’s work too! helpful links
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form Don't forget to support our sponsor! %%NL_AD_BOT%% ** Image ID #967480 Unavailable ** I have no questions or comments this month so I'll issue you a challenge for fun, practice and a few gift points. Not many, but how about 100 just for participating? Describe a real-life subject, person or event as you observed it, not as you imagined it. Use sensory details such as smells, taste and hearing to bring it to life. Observing strangers or scenes that are new to you will help you learn to pay attention to specific details. Keep it to a short paragraph and post it here.
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