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Noticing Newbies: October 04, 2006 Issue [#1299]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week:
  Edited by: zwisis
                             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

Welcome to this week’s newsletter – I’m your guest editor for this issue. When I joined this site in April 2003 I was at first overwhelmed by all it had to offer. I remember wondering if I’d ever find my way around, meet people and how my writing would be received. Well, I’m still here 42 months later, and I think I have a good understanding of how this site works. I’ve made some great friends during my time here, entered and won a few competitions, had my writing reviewed and rated by some wonderful people and done a fair bit of reading and reviewing myself. So for this issue I thought I’d reach back into the past, and hopefully give you some tips on using this site to promote YOU and YOUR WRITING!


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Letter from the editor

noticing newbies - newsletter header

Bio Block

This is the block at the top of your portfolio, and it’s an excellent way to introduce yourself to WDC members. First impressions are really important, and there are many different ideas available to you for your bio block. Some people use a quotation from a favourite poem or author or even a line or verse from a song. Others may write a brief description of the kind of writing a reader can expect to find in their portfolio; poetry, short stories, novels or factual articles. You can also use your bio block to highlight portfolios of other authors on the site. These may be writers whose work you’ve admired and enjoyed reading, or people who’ve been very helpful with reviews or advising you how to move around the site. I personally like a bio block that tells me a little bit about the person who’s behind the contents of the portfolio, especially if I’m going to be reading/reviewing one of the items it contains. A bit of information using one of more of the following is very helpful:

Gender
Think “men are from Mars, women are from Venus”. We don’t all write the same way, and it’s nice to know if the work you’re reading is written from a masculine or a feminine perspective.

Age group
This can have a bearing of your style of writing. A teenager’s writing will differ from that of an elderly person’s.

Location
English may not be your first language, and your culture and beliefs may be reflected in your writing. This is also a way to meet writers from your particular cultural background. During my time on the site I've met people from Australia, New Zealand, The Phillipines, Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and America. WDC really is a world in one website. *Wink*

Occupation
Do you go to school, or are you at university? Are you a manager, a teacher, an accountant, a lawyer or a housewife?

Why?
Why do you like to write? Have you been writing long? What are you hopes for your writing? Have you ever been published?

The main reason I’m suggesting you pay a little attention to your bio block is because I find it to be a great benefit when I review a writer’s work. I want to know a bit about the person who wrote the item, and it really does help me when reading and preparing a review. Which leads me to our next subject ...

Review On!

Those words are one of WDC’s catch phrases, and they are probably the most important benefit of showcasing your writing on the site. We all appreciate reviewers taking the time to read and comment upon our work. A good reviewers will give you positive feedback about your writing, giving advice about the way your story/poem/chapter/article makes him/her feel. There is a reason I’ve underlined the word “positive”, because while reviews are something all WDC members hope to receive, you may find yourself disappointed by a few of them. And most of the time you shouldn't feel that way.

A positive review may not tell you your work is “the next best thing” or that you are “greater than JK Rowling/John Grisham/Stephen King”. A positive review will be encouraging and tell you where your reviewer feels you writing can be improved. A positive review may concern some criticism, but it will also be encouraging. Do not be offended if a reviewer gives you a lower rating – rather read through any suggestions made and see if you feel the ideas might improve your work. Concentrate on areas where you might improve your writing. Remember you don’t always have to incorporate the suggestions made; they are one person’s point of view. Another reviewer may give you a high rating, praising all the points the previous reviewer felt needed work. Don’t take a review to heart and don’t take it personally. Rejection and criticism are common companions to the written word, and many renowned authors have stories of publishers who didn’t like their work when they were first looking for a publishing deal.

A good way to interact with members of the site is to do a return review after receiving a review. After thanking the reviewer for taking the time to read, review and rate your work click on the suitcase next to the reviewer’s name and you’ll be take to his/her portfolio, where you’ll find something to read. If you’re unsure about how to prepare a review just click on the “reviewing” button on the top right hand side of your screen. This will take you to the Public Review Page, and there you can read the last 1,000 public reviews. This gives you an idea of how people review, and you might find a review that encourages you to read an item and write your own review. One word of advice: be respectful and considerate when writing a review. Always put yourself in the writer’s shoes, and think about how you’d feel if you were to receive the review you’re wanting to write.


Write On!

Reviewing is one way of interacting on Writing.com. There are many other ways of getting your work exposed, and they’re so diverse you’re bound to find at least one activity that suits you. Here are a few ideas for you:

Contests

Using the site navigation bar on the upper left of your screen, click on Item Jumps and then on Contest Listings. A page will load with a list of many of the contests currently being run on WDC. Peruse them and select the one that’s most suited for your story. Or if you find a contest that looks appealing, write an item and submit it. I’ve highlighted a couple of contest for your considerations in the editor’s picks. *Down*

Plug Your Work

Got an item that you’re really proud of and you feel should be showcased? Go back to that site navigation tool, click on Item Jumps and on The Plug Page. There you’ll find the page to showcase your best work. It’s also a great place to look when trying to find something to read.

Request Reviews

Accessed the same way as before – site navigation tool, Item Jumps and Request Reviews. This is the place to highlight work that you want a thorough, more critical review than the average “critique.” It’s also a place where you can find an item to use for your own in-depth review.

Forums

These are very popular way of getting to know and meet other writers on the site. To find one that suits you simply click on the Any Type button on the search toolbar (centre right in the top third of your screen) and then on Search. A list of forums will load, and you can pick the one you feel best suits you. There are a couple of forums highlighted in the editor’s picks. *Down*

There is so much that wonderful about Writing.com. I feel I’ve grown as a writer in the time I’ve spent here. I’ve come to view this place as a kind of “cyber home”, a place where I can sit down and relax, reading some great work and interacting with some wonderful people. I’ve given you just a few ideas on how to use this site. There are so many more things to do and places to visit here – it’s a veritable treasure chest just waiting to show you its amazing content. I hope you enjoy exploring this wonderful site.

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Editor's Picks



*Down* These contests may be of interest to Newbies *Down*

This contest offers great prizes for your short story or poem. If you’ve been a member since 01 August, 2006 then you’re eligible! There’s great interaction and information for all contestants in this item; all you have to do is click on this link:

THE DROP-OFF BOX  Open in new Window. (13+)
Monthly newbie contest.
#530577 by Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author IconMail Icon


If you’ve been on the site six months or less then this contest is especially for you. Lots of gift points on offer, as well as some great publicity for your story. So wake up that muse and get those fingers working!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1080979 by Not Available.


Here’s a contest that offers great prizes as well as a chance for your story to feature in the Short Stories Newsletter. You’ll also get a really great review from one of the site’s best reviewers!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1161788 by Not Available.


A contest for a good cause, this one is very well supported and very organised. The prizes are excellent, and this is an ongoing contest! Another link for you to visit:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#710577 by Not Available.


This forum is packed with information and useful advice. You can leave messages and pick up links to many different aspects of Writing.Com, all designed to encourage your writing talent!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#794817 by Not Available.


*Down* Here's a selection of just some of the talented Newbies on the site *Down*

This newbie has created a forum where you can discuss your work and interact with other writers. Why not click on the link and visit this page? You might make some new friends and attract some great, helpful reviews.

 TeddyBear13's members only Open in new Window. (E)
Come discuss your latest pieces and any other subject you would like to discuss
#1157636 by TeddyBear13 Author IconMail Icon


A poem that pays tribute to someone who means a lot to the writer, this intimate piece is beautifully written with wonderful verses and a flow that makes it a fine read. It’s also beautifully presented.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1163463 by Not Available.


Flash fiction is an exciting, interesting way of honing your writing skills. This story is a great example of conomical use of words and dialogue to tell a story in less than 500 word.

 No Safety Open in new Window. (18+)
Contest entry. <500 words. A police officer is having a really bad day at work.
#1161694 by nerdychaz Author IconMail Icon


A very personal poem that tells of the writer’s pain at losing and then rediscovering love. The emotions and experience may be personal, but it’s written in such a way the reader can identify with the anguish felt.

 Not just poetry Open in new Window. (13+)
This is a very personal poem, yet I feel it's a story that needs to be told.
#1143970 by AntSO Author IconMail Icon


A meeting with a friend after some years apart makes a successful businessman question the values in his life. This story is a touching, well written tale of friendship, and how our friends contribute to the path we spend our lives walking.

 The Irish Minstrel Open in new Window. (ASR)
A high-powered executive from New York unexpectedly has to revisit his Irish roots
#1153619 by Eclectic Author IconMail Icon


Man’s best friend has been the source of some of the best stories I’ve read on this site. This is the tale of an owner’s first night in a new house, with a wonderful dog and some “unusual” and unwelcome “guests. Proof that inspiration for writing is all around us.

 A Dog Story Open in new Window. (ASR)
Blame the owner, not the dog! Written for The Writer's Cramp. See revised in port.
#1158776 by Becky Z Author IconMail Icon


Another example of the fact that inspiration is all around us is this poem, written around one of the most iconic images of the last 20 years. This photograph appeared on the cover of National Geographic, and the poem it inspired has been published and is availableyou’re you to read.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1162036 by Not Available.


 
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Ask & Answer

I have really enjoyed compiling this issue, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Write On!

Your Noticing Newbie editors are:

Puditat Author Icon
laurencia
esprit Author Icon
Cubby Author Icon


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