  Noticing Newbies
This week: The Dreaded Slush File Edited by: esprit  
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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!
The Newbie Newsletter - it's not just for new members.
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Most of us won't admit we get bored. We like to call it our "Works in Progress" or "Writers Block" folder.
"Re: hi new here" SmokeyMtn
w. permission
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The Dreaded Slush File
Writers hear a lot about the nastiness of the slush pile and dread the thought of their novel becoming stuck in it. But personal slush piles can be good things. Somewhere in that pile of papers may be the outline of a first published novel. When you're out of story ideas and sort of discouraged from critiques, it's time to rummage through it, read a little and be surprised at what good ideas you had. You're really pretty good, aren't you? Reading your old stuff can renew your faith in you as a writer, and remember, you're constantly learning more about the craft of writing.
A writer will have the story--the part that can't be learned--but tell it badly. They rush in on the adrenaline high that we all know so well, submit it, then get rejected or critiqued (which many perceive as the same thing) and give up. That great story hits the slush pile and is forgotten. The reviews that may have helped get it going again are tossed into the trash bin. To work, they need to be kept together.
You must listen to the criticisms. Accept some and reject others, but always listen. They can help you see where the reviewer caught his breath, and why that line is so good, so you'll keep doing it. They can help you see why an area needs to be cut, even if you like it. Something might not work for this piece but it could on another. Keep your slush pile close. It's not a file of junk, it's your source of inspiration!
If you want to get published, learn the craft of writing. Spelling, grammar, punctuation . . . all that stuff you may have slept through in high school. Practice it now; do your homework and it will become second nature. When I was in school, my English class taught these things, but they didn't teach pacing, dialogue or how to write a good hook.
You have to read, and not only the words; study the point where you held your breath. How did they make you feel that emotion? Note to yourself too, if it's badly written, where you simply put the book down and couldn't read any further. What made it bore you? What did you not like? Study the good and the bad.
When you are suddenly hit by inspiration, write it down as fast as it comes to you. That's the part that can't be taught, and no one else can do it the way that you do. Don't worry about it being liked; if you like it, someone else with similar tastes will like it too. This is the draft though, not the finished product. There is still work to be done to finish it and make it stand out from the crowd. You are writing!
Remember, no one gets it right the first time.
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SUBMITTED ITEMS
Submitted By: Isan Voncarl
Submitted Comment: I have a new interesting non-rhyming poem that is a very deep sonnet. It is very personal so I hope it inspires others to write their feelings and not their dealings.
Unfortunately, the link wasn't included. Could this be the one you meant?
Submitted Comment: Hi, I hope you can include this little item in your Noticing Newbies newsletter. I'd be most obliged. Thanks.
Submitted Item:
and one more.
Remember to read your neighbor's work too!
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helpful links
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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
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Noticing Newbies: July 18, 2007 Issue [#1832]
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