  Noticing Newbies
This week: Edited by: Cubby  
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 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: Cubby |
| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
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** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable ** ~ Writing Groups ~ ** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable **
I've recently been contemplating the idea of starting a writing group at my library. Though we have a summer reading program coming up for children, and possibly a storytelling workshop for teens and adults, along with a year-round adult book discussion group, we don't have a writing group. Before I commit myself, I intend to do a little homework on it first. In this week's issue, I will share my findings and also add links to many wonderful online writing groups right here in this community. 
First of all, I shouldn't take it for granted that everyone knows what a writing group is. Basically, it's a group of writers who get together and meet periodically and share their writing. Members not only support each other, but also encourage one another with suggestions (yes, that's called critiquing... but to me, that sounds like such a harsh word!)  This group's goal should be to help one another produce more effective writing.
Meetings could be held at a number of places. For me, the library board room would be ideal. Other possibilities are book stores, someone's home, the church basement (or other available room), a coffee shop or restaurant (ask the owner ahead of time if this is feasible), or anywhere else that is willing to accomodate a small discussion group on a timely basis.
How often should this group meet? I would think once a month should give each member a fair amount of time to work on their writing between meetings. Most people have fairly busy schedules so this should give them ample time to write before the next get-together. Depending on your members, you could meet more often or less often. But once a month is probably the average for most groups.
Members should be limited to 3 - 5 people. Doesn't sound like much, does it? If you allow too many to get together, the meetings could run longer than anticipated and the quality of effectiveness loses strength.
It's very important to keep an open mind at these discussions. We may all be created equal, but we certainly are not clones.  One writer might share a story or article that deals with an issue that another member disagrees with. Remember that the group is not there to sway opinions, but to help produce more effective writing.
As far as I know, writing groups don't cost anything. So what do you have to lose? If you can't locate one in your area, think about starting one of your own.
Okay, here are just a few groups you might enjoy participating with. If a page pops up that says Access Denied, just email the creator of the group and request to be added.
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 If anyone else has other writing groups they'd like to share with our Newbies, let me know and I'll sure to post them in July's newsletter. 
Have fun...
and
Happy Writing!
Love, Cubby ") |
** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable ** ~ Got questions? Look for answers here... ~ ** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable **
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** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable ** ~~~And Now... For Our Featured Newbie Presentation!~~~ ** Image ID #1219544 Unavailable **
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Excerpt:
I cannot take you across the globe on a private jet
But I can teach you to read and to drink in the world of knowledge
Excerpt: The man himself was more shadow than man, for he wore a black cloak that blended perfectly on a dark night. His face was not visible, as it was covered by a hood emblazoned with ancient script. Long, flowing black hair fell out behind him, and a cold scythe lay at his side, waiting like a hound for a new enemy. As he walked, something sinister happened. The raindrops that fell on him simply froze in midair, and his breath clung on his cheeks, instead of going on behind him. He walked slowly towards the tallest building in the capital. The instant the man entered, the guards inside tried stopping him, dumbly shouting to him that it was too late to see the king. But the man kept walking, and as he passed they turned into pure ice, forever frozen, dumbfounded, with their strange expressions.
Excerpt: It din’t seem that lil’ one was bornt properways anyhow. Seemed she jest got kicked out of the dirt in the middle of a dust storm--the dog-day summer kind. The kind when God is angry and throwin’ alittle ol’ fit. The kind that scares even ‘em fireflies away.
Excerpt: I was walking cautiously down a long winding hallway. Although a thick hazy mist surrounded me, there were lockers visible, stretching into infinity on either side of the corridor. They were beat up and dusty; they had apparently been put through good use at some point but were now only memories of school days long past. A stray paper drifted towards me across the debris-littered floor even though there was no breeze. The gray and chilling atmosphere was seeping into me the further I ventured down the never ending expanse. Suddenly, I stopped. I could somehow sense that I wasn’t alone even though there weren’t any people in sight.
Excerpt: On this morning she awoke to that exact memory. It was no big deal. What happened that night stayed in the past, after all, that was ten years ago. Yet for some odd reason Alex had dreamt about it again. Dragging her pregnant body out of bed, her thoughts plagued her.
‘It’s just the whole pregnancy’ she whispered to herself.
Excerpt: Oh, me Lads and Lassies, do I have a tale for ye. First, ye must be knowing a few things 'bout the wee folk and their world. Ye see the wee folk are what ye be calling Leprechauns. Magical lil buggers and I might add more than a wee bit mischievous. See, the wee folk are the guardians of the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow. Yes, they will grant ye three wishes but only if ye catch one o' the lil buggers by the foot with a golden thread. Even then, they cannot give ye the pot o' gold or even tell ye how to follow the rainbow to their shining land were the rainbow ends. |
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
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Last month's question:
What type(s) of books would you like to see published more? Do you feel we are lacking in any specific genre? Are we overwhelmed with publications that concentrate too much on certain subject matter?
 teihzbael 
I review and rate every thing I read, but am concerned that I do not seem to get enough return for my effort. I want reviews and ratings, good or bad. I appreciate the help with my editting I am getting from these reviews. How do I get the attention? What else can I do?
Plug your work in every review forum you can find. As easy as return reviews sound, many members are busy in the Real World with full time jobs and families, etc. and sometimes it's hard to get back a quality review. Myself... I feel if I can't put my whole heart into a review, it's not worth sending out. We all like pats on the back, but an honest and encouraging review is worth so much more... and takes time to do. It sounds to me like you are serious about receiving quality responses. That's great! I'll leave you with a few plug-in pages to advertize your items in, which should be beneficial for you and anyone else reading this who is searching for more reviews. I peeked in your port and noticed you like to write for children. Me, too!
"The Shameless "Plug" Page"
"Find a Review Forum"
sarasvati
Thanks from someone who just signed on as a member. I appreciiate it.
You are very welcome! And welcome to the site! It's a second home to many of us, so if you have any questions, be sure to ask.
Ta 
What a beautifully laid out newsletter! I have to it admit that it makes a difference. I tend to concentrate on what I'm writing and haven't bothered to learn a lot of the enhancements available here at WDC. Aside from the excellent content (I am writing seminars for motivational speaking) you've set a really good example for this girl.
thanks!
Thank you very much! Wow, what a challenge that must be to write seminars for motivational speaking.  But what rewards you must feel after those accomplishments. To me, motivational speaking is so important when I attend conferences. I usually leave feeling like I'm high in the sky! I'd be interested to know more about what you do. It's something I've never thought about too much as far as the writing part goes. Interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.
627
Great newsletter, keep it up!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Recommended Books
Please send me your favorites!
I'm almost finished with The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd,
and it's absolutely wonderful!
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Quote
Having imagination, it takes you an hour to write a paragraph that, if you were unimaginative, would take you only a minute. Or you might not write the paragraph at all.
~Franklin P. Adams, Half a Loaf, 1927
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Cubby's Question(s) of the Month
Have you ever been in a Writing Group? Did you feel it was helpful?
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If you are interested in book discussions and/or recommendations, please join me at these brand new forums:
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See you again on July 25th!
Love, Cubby ")
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Next week's editor will be... Puditat |
| ASIN: 0996254145 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
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Noticing Newbies: June 13, 2007 Issue [#1761]
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