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  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! Your host this week is: Puditat    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!   Guestbook Formats A couple of months ago, I did my editorial on getting known around the site by having a Guestbook. There was a huge response, both via the feedback form, and in my personal inbox, to this topic. One of the common queries was about how to create a Guestbook. I didn't cover that in my editorial, but seeing as I am still getting interest in this area, I decided that this is what I would focus on in this issue. Why create a guestbook? Well... | it provides a welcoming front to your portfolio | it allows personal interaction with people who read your work | becomes a 'keepsake' of who have visited you | provides you with a list of ports to explore when you're looking for something to read | <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Your Choice of Formats Message Forum By far the most popular format for a guestbook. For this you must have a Basic Membership or above. Benefits: * You can respond to each visitor within the forum * You can keep all posts made if desired * It becomes a history of movement within your port * You can post messages about changes to your port * Using the tick box to be notified of any replies to your post keeps you informed * Drawbacks: * Is not available to members on free memberships * In and Out The next most utilised form for a guestbook. This is available to all membership levels. Benefits: * You can require people to link to an item for review * It can be set up by any member * There are numerous options for style * Not all forms allow use of WritingML code in the posts * Drawbacks: * Posts drop off once the post limit is reached, so you will not retain the history * Some find them more complicated to set up * Interactive Story I have not come across a guestbook that uses the Interactive as its base. However, there is no reason why you couldn't. Benefits: * It may encourage people to leave a little bio of themselves * It is available to everyone * The visitor may feel more involved * It is a creative use of an interactive story, and that could generate interest * Drawbacks: * It may be a bit more difficult to read all posts when they branch off (unless you request single options only) * There is no automatic way for a person to know if you've responded to their post within the story * It is not a traditional use so may be confusing * <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Once you have chosen your format, create it using the "Writing" link at the very top of any page. Dress it up as much as possible if you like a bit of decoration. This is, of course, optional, but it provides a friendly, pleasant enviroment, while demonstrating some of your personality in the choices you make. Use images if you have an Upgraded Membership. But if you haven't there is plenty of colour and personality to be found in using Writing.com's ML code. Cubby did a wonderful editorial on that earlier this month.  But as a reminder, you can find all the codes for emoticons, colours, links and formats from your "Author Tools" drop-down menu  "WritingML Help".Post your guestbook in my registry for an added bit of exposure. Just click the image below: ** Image ID #957141 Unavailable ** Now, I realise this is not a comprehensive "How to". But there are simply so many variables to this. I decided the simplest way was to start up a forum for assistance for anyone who needs help and advice to start a guestbook. So, if you have specific queries, needs or comments, visit the forum for personal assistance:
Thanks for reading. Puditat   A variety of reads from the latest batch of Newbies. Please help support them with a read, rate and review. 
And helpful resources for Newbies: A place for Newbies, created by a Newbie~
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%%   ~~~~I think I missed the how-to on guestbooks. Can somebody enlighten me? Miss P.T. Miss Pageturner Hopefully this week's topic will provide some assistance. wow! guestbooks huh? I know what I'm gonna be working on later. I would like to thank all those who worked on this newsletter. They are very helpful and entertaining. I like this one because it gives great tips and reminders that help us new folks become better writers. Experts; we love you!! Thanx for all the help. xoxo Brazette brazette Experts!? Well, I don't know about that. How about... 'enthusiastic participators in Writing.com'.  Thank you for the wonderful feedback.Hey. I'm a totall n00b to the site (joined yesterda). I'm looking to get this poem reviewed. Any help would be appreciated. See featured items, above. Bluebird Welcome! Let's see what we can do for you. Thanks for a great newsletter! I wrote a poll "What makes you read an item?" by schipperke about what catches a reader eye and pulls you in to read an item. A catchy "hook", whether it be a title or description works for me! schipperke Thanks, Schipperke. I took the poll; quite interesting. I hope my readers take the time to put in their vote... *hint hint* Hello, I dont know if it is possible, but if it is, i'd like to see if you could say something about my group that i have started. It is still a small group of only 7 members, but they talent within the group is amazing, Kilter a member that you have above [featured in a previous newsletter] is in this group. It's a good place for newbies to get positive feedback in a generally cool environment, if you could plug this in somewhere that would be great, if not thats is fine too. Rayln ranran123 Excellent Rayln. I wish you all the best for your group. I have featured it for you. ~~~~Any queries, problems, praise or advice? Send it to one of Editors via the feedback form on this newsletter or direct to their email by clicking the wee envelope after their handle. Have a question or comment for the Editor? http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form  To stop receiving this newsletter, go into your account and remove the check from the box beside the specific topic. Be sure to click "Complete Edit" or it will not save your changes. |
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