Noticing Newbies: May 01, 2024 Issue [#12534]
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 This week: What's Next?
  Edited by: Jeff Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter


"You never know what you can do until you try,
and very few try unless they have to."

-- C.S. Lewis


About The Editor: Greetings! My name is Jeff Author Icon and I'm one of your regular editors for the Noticing Newbies Official Newsletter! I've been a member of Writing.com since 2003, and have edited more than 400 newsletters across the site during that time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or the handy feedback field at the bottom of this newsletter! *Smile*


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

What Next?


Tuesday marked the end of "Game of ThronesOpen in new Window., a site-wide activity that challenged us to write, review, and create items like crazy in pursuit of team points. For many of us, it was a month of intense productivity, significant output, and — at this point — probably a not insignificant amount of exhaustion! It was, for all intents and purposes, a project that we've all just completed. And that got me thinking about what we all do after finishing a project.

There are no rights or wrongs here, as we each have our own process to follow, but finishing a project can be a source of anxiety for some, as they look for a new place to invest their creative energies. Some won't want to lose their momentum, while others might need a recovery period to get themselves right again.


If you're the kind of person who needs to recover, make sure you take the time to do that. And celebrate the victory while you're at it. There's nothing wrong with taking some time to appreciate what you've accomplished and reflect on any lessons learned. Free time and relaxation are important, so definitely don't shortchange those things; especially if you're feeling a little weary.


If you're the kind of person who gets anxious and starts wondering what to do next, it can be helpful to have something in mind as you're finishing up the last project; to dedicate a little bit of mental space to thinking about next steps, so that the transition between projects is a little smoother. Even just thinking or brainstorming about a new project can be a great way to fuel your excitement for what you're going to move onto next, and alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with the "what now" phase of finishing something up.


Either way, both things are important. You need to take time to celebrate and decompress after you've finished something (especially a long project!), and you also need to figure out a way to maintain your momentum and excitement about getting started on something else, whether that's further refining the same project or moving onto the next one.

Just don't get stuck in either experience too long. There's definitely the trap of spending too much time celebrating and relaxing, to the point that you're no longer motivated to get back to work... and there's also a trap on the other side of jumping immediately into project after project and eventually burning yourself out because you never have a break. The most successful writers are the ones who can find that middle ground, where the break is enough to recharge and refresh, but not so long that it derails. *Smile*

Until next time,

Jeff Author IconMail Icon
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If you're interested in checking out my work:
"New & Noteworthy ThingsOpen in new Window. | "Blogocentric FormulationsOpen in new Window.


Editor's Picks


This month's official Writing.com writing contest is:

Image Protector
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon


I also encourage you to check out the following items:


 The value of time Open in new Window. [E]
we realize the value of time in our old age
by writer Author Icon

EXCERPT: Time is money" as the saying goes.
Time is worth more than any gold in the world because every minute that passes in our life means our life is diminishing; therefore,we must take advantage of every minute that we have in order to progress in our daily lives.



 Heather Turner: The boggart Open in new Window. [18+]
Police detective Pam calls in Heather, a paranormal expert, after children disappear
by bluemonkeyslippers Author Icon

EXCERPT: Pam sat cross-legged on the hotel bed, takeaway boxes spread around her. The TV was on, but she just couldn't focus on it. Her mind kept being pulled back to the contents of the files on her lap. Four missing kids. Four. And only a miracle had kept it from becoming five.

She picked up her phone and stared at it, one finger-press away from making a call. Then put it down. Again. She sighed and reached for another prawn cracker. Until today, there'd been no evidence of supernatural forces. There'd been no evidence of anything.

She washed down the cracker with a mouthful of cola, then her eyes fell on the files again. Four disappeared, one traumatised. Nothing to go on. Lives at stake. As a detective, could she justify not calling in an expert?



 Start of the Apocalypse  Open in new Window. [18+]
Testing and item I'm working on at the moment
by Written_Works Author Icon

EXCERPT: George had always seen himself as a good father. Even though he had help raising his children he did in a way did it on his own. Despite what his eldest son Alex has to say. He would stay up late to go to work and get up early to make them breakfast. Just to see them off to school and go back to work once more. His only breaks were on the weakened and even that was rare. He hates to admit it but he never saw his children perform in after school activities. But would send one of his officers to cheer them on. George understands it's not the same when he's not around. But at least they weren't alone. Even for a small town like Georgia, Texas there's still a lot of activity. Especially this week. He didn’t know then but the end was surely near.



 The Shadow Directorate Open in new Window. [13+]
My second book, another work of fiction. If you enjoy time travel stories, read on...
by David J. Roche Author Icon

EXCERPT: In the year 2058, Victor Kingsley is thrust into a world of temporal espionage, armed with the extraordinary gift of time travel bestowed upon him by the mysterious Guardians. Tasked with a daring mission, he becomes the guiding force behind Britain's new clandestine agency, The Shadow Directorate, committed to preventing the imminent apocalypse threatening Earth's existence in the year 2086.



  The Weight of Three Words Open in new Window. [E]
In a world of sorrow, three words offer solace: 'Are you okay?'
by Sylvie Rivers Author Icon

EXCERPT: In the vast spectrum of human interaction, few phrases carry as much subtle weight and profound implication as the simple inquiry, "Are you okay?" These four syllables, innocuous in appearance, often serve as the thin veil that conceals a labyrinth of emotions, histories, and vulnerabilities. In moments of sadness, this question morphs into a beacon of empathy, a lifeline thrown into the tumultuous sea of despair.


 
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Ask & Answer


Feedback from "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (April 3, 2024)Open in new Window. about reviewing:


Great topic! I believe a lot of writers don't realize the value of reviewing. Thanks for sharing your own experiences.
Brooke Author Icon


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