  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: terryjroo
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Writing.com (or WDC as it’s often referred to) isn’t just any website on the World Wide Web, it’s a virtual community whose borders extend beyond computers and into the real world. It’s a phenomenon you don’t experience with every website you visit, even those you visit daily, but it happens here. Every time I turn around I read comments about the kindness and generous nature of the members here. It seems if people have a need, someone is close by to help – whether it’s a review, a virtual hug, understanding, advice, friendship, a few gift points, help with an upgrade or a hundred other things, you can probably find it or at least someone who knows how to find it here on WDC.
I’ve tried for several years to pinpoint what it is about WDC that makes it so unique. What draws people into this community in such a way that it becomes an integral part of our daily routine? Why are we addicted to WDC? What is it that makes us care about each other so much? I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it sort of boils down to this: Writing is an intensely personal experience and by sharing it with people I am baring a part of my soul. I think some people reading my work can see this and if they can relate to what I say they feel a special kinship that people in the real world never experience by just talking to me. In this same way, I relate to other writers. When we relate to people we naturally want to spend more time interacting with them which builds friendships. On top of that, this place is an awful lot of fun! 
This issue highlights five items dedicated to helping other members succeed! The owners of the items were asked the questions: Why did you start your group and what keeps you going? I hope you’ll find their responses interesting and take a few minutes to check out their items!
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Rising Stars
"The Rising Stars Tour Bus" [E] by Lilli 🧿 ☕ 
A One-Stop Mini-Tour of our Program, Past & Present
GabriellaR45  says about Rising Stars: The idea behind the founding of Rising Stars sprang from my own experience as a new member of W.Com just a little over a year ago. I remember so clearly the loving talented writers who were so encouraging and supportive of new members in ways that are unique to this forum. We hoped it would be not only be beneficial but also fun to structure a program to build on this tradition, to increase the investment of W.Com's more established writers in celebrating and rewarding emerging writers. In the six months since Rising Stars' founding, 105 emerging writers have been sponsored by writers carrying yellow and blue suitcases. What keeps us going is the generous involvement and support of over 100 wonderful volunteers and donors, and the very special collaborations we enjoy with sister programs on W. Com. Our most proud additions include Angel Army's collaborative reviewing program, Circle of Sisters "Rising Stars Shining Brighter (monthly) Contest", and our "Bright Star Challenge" set up to promote and reward volunteer involvement in service oriented programs like "I Remember When" across the W.Com community. The Rising Star team includes:
MDuci
kelly1202
Tornado Day
SHERRI GIBSON 
pypero7
laurie_o
GabriellaR45
Army Angels
"The WDC Angel Army" [ASR] by iKïyå§ama 
Dedicated to promoting positivity, encouragement, and support to the WDC community.
kiyasama says about Army Angels: After being around WDC for several months, it occurred to me that there were groups dedicated to 'specific' aspects of the website. You had reviewing groups, upgrade groups, newbie groups, birthday groups, etc, but what about a group that catered to everything or at least, did a little of everything?
The term 'angel' is something that's used a lot around the site, where generous and kind individuals do good deeds for everyone. An 'army' is a group of individuals united to 'fight/defend' a common goal - in our case, in promoting as positive a community as we can. Combining the two, a group would be created where its members would not only do their best to welcome newbies, review their works, encourage 'oldies', and grant upgrades to those in need, they would create a friendly environment, a support group where they can send each other c-notes on birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, graduations and so much more. They would create a forum where they can vent about having a bad day or having a good one. This group would encourage its members to do product reviews and welcome any and all fundraisers that would promote the goodwill and generosity of our group.
What keeps me going is the dedication, devotion and determined group of individuals who join The WDC Angel Army and do all they can to help. We are 138 members strong and still going, willing and committed to accepting anyone who wishes to do their part to make WDC an even better place. It pleases me to no end, to see our signature being used or name mentioned in a review, or to get an email from someone saying they've been touched by an Army Angel. Indeed, I am lucky to have truly special mentors, writers and readers who are willing to help, learn and grow with each passing day, but most importantly, I'm so glad to call them family.
I Remember When
"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor
kelly1202 says about I Remember When: This group was originally started by another member who is no longer an active member of the community. I helped with the group from the beginning and agreed to take it over because I believed in the philosophy behind it. IRW is all about capturing that quintessential excitement we all felt our first months at Writing.com. We try to reach as many newbies as possible with reviews that are helpful to them as well as encouraging. I feel that reviewing not only helps the author, it helps the reviewer. It’s a two-fold process in which both people benefit.
The dedication of the group members and the excitement of the newbies keeps me going. I vividly remember my early days on the site, and if we reach just one newbie and give them that feeling, then we’ve succeeded! Thank you to all of the members of IRW for your dedication and support!
Adopt-a-Newbie
"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor
mandy says about Adopt-a-Newbie: The aim of this group is to help newbies, to give them support and encourage them to participate in various activities on the site such as in contests and reviewing other members. It was also created to offer friendship and any other help these newbies might have.
What keeps me going on? Seeing newbies who are very active and who participate in various activities which have been created for the group. Seeing them participate in contests, win awardicons or even seeing them build friendships with other members of the group gives so much satisfaction. Something else which keeps me going on is having good friends in "The Hummingbirds" who help these newbies ‘learn how to grow.’
Gratitude Adore ♥  says about Adopt-a-Newbie: What keeps me going was that there was always something different that took place when working with the newbie. You might be working with a new writer or just a new member who showed you more through the mentorship; it is such a giving circle that returns to you on many levels!
*Adopt-a-Newbie was started by sara_c and then taken over by shleprock before these two members took over the group.
The Center Stage
"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor
terryjroo says about The Center Stage: This idea was born one night while talking to Fyn  on the telephone about another group I had that wasn’t working because it was focused on one person. I mentioned that I could change it into something that revolved monthly and Fyn said that she wanted to do something with each of the different cases and BOOM The Center Stage was born! I already had a great group of people who agreed that this would be a fabulous way to showcase talented writers here on WDC. Each month four writers will headline at the Center Stage. Each “Celebrity” appears with biographical information and we highlight their favorite item as well as two “Staff Picks” that are chosen by that month’s MC. We just opened our doors April 1st with our first four writers so stop by and enjoy the show!
As for why I do anything at WDC – like most of people, I love this place! I’ve made many good friends who share a common love of expression through the written word. I’ve grown as a writer through the help of many people on this site, most of whom are far more talented than I will ever be. Nothing I can do will ever repay their kindness, so I pay it forward as best I can.
I hope this issue has been helpful!
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Some terrific contests around the site!
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Have you received an anonymous gift?
Stop in and say thank you here!
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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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 0995498113 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
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Mark  says: “HI Ter, great newsletter! You really captured the spirit of W.com interaction, inspiration and creativity. It takes only a few minutes to laugh ones way through the In&Outs - but it yields so much in creativity. With so many to choose from, everyone can find a few favorites.”
Thanks, Mark! I love the In & Outs for some comic relief after a long day of “Mod duties!” 
Pass it on says: “This was a fun and interesting issue.  ”
Thanks, PIO! Glad you liked it!
Fyn says: “Great Newsletter...with lots of great links! Course, I then spent half the night meandering around them all! Thanks for a great ramble!”
And you wonder why I’m up all night? Glad you found some you liked Fyn!
sully says: “I was wondering if any consideration could be given to the Contests and Activities Newsletter holding a contest of its own. It could be made open to subscribers of the newsletter with prizes being along the lines of...the winning entry being featured in the newsletter, a profile or interview with the author (this would be worth its weight in reviews/gps), or even an awardicon. I'm not sure how the details would work out, perhaps judging could be done by committee among the newsletter editors. Just a thought...”
Sully, this is a lovely idea! I’ll have to bring it up to the other editors and see what they think, but I don’t see why it couldn’t be done. Keep your eyes on future issues since that’s where you’d see it!
Any thoughts on why WDC is so addicting? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject! What keeps you logging in day after day?
Drop me a note  !
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Contests & Activities: April 04, 2007 Issue [#1639]
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