Noticing Newbies: May 14, 2025 Issue [#13086]
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 This week: Do You Know Your Neighbor?
  Edited by: JACE 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

Hi, I'm JACE Author Icon.

Welcome to this issue of the Noticing Newbies newsletter. Join me as I take you into some nooks and crannies of Writing.Com that you may not have found time to check out yet.

Don't forget to toss me a note about what you liked or didn't like in my column, or about a topic you'd like to see discussed. This newsletter is about and for you. And for you seasoned members, I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings. *Smile*

Your Noticing Newbies Newsletter full-time Editors:

Jeff Author Icon,   Annette Author Icon,   JACE Author Icon


Letter from the editor

Obviously I'm writing this column under the Noticing Newbies newsletter. As such, I try to impart a little wisdom for the Newbies to use while finding their way across this complex and feature-laden site. I also believe seasoned members may find a useful nugget in my column.

You've joined a platform designed for interaction among writers. You're not meant to go this writing journey alone. If you're lucky, you'll find a compatible member who may act as a mentor, or even a collaborator. As a minimum you'll discover some tips that will enhance your writing endeavors.

Recently, I returned to my laptop around mid-afternoon, something I seldom do. Normally I'm online first thing every morning. But I was killing time until some scheduled appointment. Having completed my normal daily machinations, I started perusing other members Portfolios, specifically their biography information.

This is something I usually do before reviewing something in that member's Port. But I seldom roam the site just to check out members' Ports, and dig into their personal information. I was amazed at some of the things I discovered about even members with whom I interact sometimes daily, but often weekly.

Consider a few questions: How old do you think a member who's Port you're roaming around is? Does it matter if that person is 25 or 75? Would age change how you perceive the person as a writer?

Does the person have a Blog? That would indicate the author has joined the site as a paid member. That also indicates the member has more than just a passing fancy with the site and will likely be here awhile.

Do these questions (and any others that occur to you) make those persons more worthy of a visit to their Port, or of a review to encourage them to continue with their writing?

I make no judgments of those reading these words. But I submit the answer is "Yes!"

This week, take some time to poke through some Portfolios of members you've never visited before. Encourage them. Leave them a message in their Notebook that you were there. Review something in their Port.

In other words, make them feel welcome here. Not to be trite, but a happy member is a productive member. And all of us benefit from that.



Editor's Picks

Check out this forum designed to assist Newbies.
FORUM
Noticing Newbies Open in new Window. (13+)
A warm welcome to our newbies; come meet new and not-so-new members of Writing.Com!
#126963 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon


Then drop in on these Newbies. Take a moment to review this offering ... or something else in their Port. Welcome them to WDC through a scribble in their Notebook.

 The other side of the door Open in new Window. (E)
mother struggling with her 4 children’s as her husband leave
#2339855 by Saraswati Author IconMail Icon

 Silver Side Open in new Window. (13+)
A girl's journey with her best friend... or is she?
#2339948 by Chloe Author IconMail Icon

 The bus that never came  Open in new Window. (E)
A soft goodbye to the life I once dreamed
#2340148 by Wissalsong Author IconMail Icon

 If You Had Loved Me Here Open in new Window. (E)
a girls first heartbreak will always be her father
#2339828 by Anna V.M Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Mother’s Day For An Abandoned Child Open in new Window. (13+)
Raw, stark confession--childhood pain and abandonment--haunting memories on Mother's Day.
#2340144 by Noisy Wren Author IconMail Icon

 Silences Open in new Window. (E)
Brooke spots a haunting figure, leaving her terrified and questioning reality.
#2340146 by Viper4Grace Author IconMail Icon



 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Ask & Answer

Thanks for spending time with me today. At the bottom of every newsletter is a section entitled:

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

followed by a text box. If you liked what you read (or if you didn't), please take time and drop me a line. I'd love to hear your ideas.

From the Newsfeed for "Read The FormOpen in new Window.

From TheBusmanPoet Author Icon: One time when I first joined.

         Only once is a pretty good track record.

From Joto-Kai Author Icon: One big one is the "no editing after [date]." The thing is that the ones that lost are better stories than the one that one first prize. (I entered because I knew I could blow away the competition.)

         That happens a lot. But, remember, judges don't always judge how the rest of us think.

From Bilal Latif Author Icon: I bulldozed through the word limit once because I didn't realize the current round of the contest had a lower word limit than usual. The judge gave a really nice review though, and I was still able to enter it in other contests.

         A good consolation.

From Scary Potato Author Icon: Not yet, but anything's possible.

         Indeed!

From AbbyAG Author Icon: Yes, unfortunately, I'm famous for not reading all of the guidelines before I start. *Frown*

         My point exactly. *Wink*

From Dave Author Icon: I had one entry set on private. That will not happen again.

         Been there; got the t-shirt.

From iKïyå§ama-Yay-Nurses! Author Icon: Yes. Yes, and yes! *Sob*

         Even seasoned members slip up occasionally. I know I have.


From the Mailbag:

From markmore Author Icon: well said er written.

         Thanks.

From staiNed Author Icon: My favorite. Help me be accountable for my choices, and I get to what others are during, and get rewarded too.


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
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Removal Instructions

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