  Noticing Newbies
This week: Edited by: Cubby  
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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
 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!
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Amazon's Price: $ 15.99
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Take Advantage of the Season for a Reason
For many of us, wintertime means we are not as active as usual. The days are much shorter in comparison to spring or summer days. My hubby goes nuts; but I look at it as a break from being outdoors all summer. Don't get me wrong, I love doing all those warm-weather activities, but it does take me away from writing, among other inside things I enjoy doing.  So I use each season for a reason to write or at least take part in writing activities.
Winter after the holidays is a good time to tap into your hobbies that don't require being outdoors. Unfortunately, it's also a time of year that many people feel depressed and could be experiencing a let-down after the holidays. All that cheer and activity from December is past us and it's time to face everyday life once again. Not so easy for some.
Need a lift? You may or may not feel like diving into your writing for the time being, but if you're just wandering about because your muse chooses to hibernate, allow me to offer just a few suggestions of things you might want to attempt. There are always tons of stuff to do here at WDC, but as a Newbie, you may not be aware of them. Whether you are or not, perhaps you'll find something challenging and/or fun to do from my humble offerings which follow:
 Reviews: Maybe you don't feel confident enough yet as a Newbie to offer suggestions to more seasoned members. Please do not let the color of a case scare you off! Other than the Storymaster and Storymistress, most of us have all started out here as a Newbie.  We probably came here for the same reasons you have: to write, be encouraged, improve our skills through honest critiques, and whatever else I might be leaving out. Don't be afraid to review. If you are not comfortable with punctuation suggestions, tap into the skills that you are better at. Is grammar your strong point? Or perhaps content is. Focus on what you are comfortable with. A few optional places for you to check into are:
"The Shameless "Plug" Page"
"Please Review"
"Find a Review Forum"
These sites include items posted by anyone who is looking for a review. If you aren't ready to share your suggestions just yet, consider plugging one of your own items to one or more of these site for feedback.
I'd also like to recommend that you take a look at the Public Review Page. While I'm not saying each and every review on this page should be a template for you to follow, it is a great place to read many well-written reviews. You can find this page to the left of your screen in Item Jumps under the "Site Navigation" heading. After you click on this, you should see Public Review near the top of the list. Check it out!
Polls: These are not only fun to participate in, but also to create your own. When I first became a member in October of 2002, I soon discovered Polls. They are a great way to be on the site without feeling committed to write each and every time you visit. And if you are considering creating your own but are unsure about it, think about some things you are curious about. Perhaps you have interests in vehicles or animals or careers. The subject matter is endless. Here are a few I'll use as examples:
[Linked Poll's access is restricted.]
[Linked Poll's access is restricted.]
While you will find pages and pages filled with polls, if you don't see one that interests you, perhaps it's time for a new addition! Try it; it's fun. And the comments you sometimes receive back, are pretty interesting also. To find the poll listings, scroll up to the six columns toward the top of your window. In the second column, four titles down, you will discover Polls.
Blogs: Whether you are comfortable with journaling online or not, blogging is an outlet that other members use for a variety of reasons. Venting, sharing, humor... the list goes on. Many members write about their day-to-day thoughts while others might include drafts of items they are working on. If you don't feel ready to create your own blog yet, read a few blogs here at the comminity. If you feel you might be intruding on another member's privacy, fear not! If someone doesn't want their blog read, they will have it set at Keep Private, For My Eyes Only!. This setting blocks any item you do not want anyone else to read except for you.
I will not list anyone's blog in the newsletter, but for a recent listing, go to the columns near the top of this page and find the first column, second title Books/Blogs. Or... if you feel like browsing portfolios, many times you will find a blog included in the postings. Something I like very much is that you many leave a comment to someone's journal entry if you like. Sometimes these can be great fun!  And other times they can be encouraging to those in need. 
These are only a few examples of what you might want to consider taking part in. WDC is a community that offers a variety of activities that you can participate in. There are also workshops, contests, quizzes, madlibs, and so on. You might want to consider signing up for more free newsletters, too.
Bored of writing for now? Consider the season. If it's got you down and your muse refuses to budge, take advantage and discover tons of fun activities that could very well inspire you.
Have a happy, safe winter and,,,
Keep on Writing!
Yours truly,
Cubby ") |
~ Got questions? Look for answers here... ~
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#794007 by Not Available. |
And Now For Our Featured Newbies!
Excerpt: I believe that deep down inside he regretted what he had done; for all his flaws, he was a man of honor, and no one had told him it would have ended like this. This was not how a gentleman handled affairs. Yet the other side of him, the primitive, bestial side, reveled in the total defeat of his opponent, to hurt her as much as she had hurt him. I saw him standing there, one moment a six foot wreck of a man, the next as majestic and terrible as the sun. The incident changed him. He would never smile with any warmth after this, and his jokes had a cynical and cruel twist to them.
Excerpt: I hath other news as well; news of a strange encounter which occurr’d one day hence, an event so bizarre it compell’d me to have this letter penn’d. None other know this story, this tale which I am to relate to thee, the events of which truly only passing betwixt yea and I, and the scrivener to whom I dictate this tale.
Excerpt: Great. I chose the most neutral question there was onto which no one can read anything into. Not even a rocket scientist. The best part was, I actually sounded calm and halfway decent even when I uttered it in a half-strangled voice. In truth, all I felt inside was this churning feeling, akin to a wild animal clawing away at my insides to get out of me. I struggled to keep all emotion out of my voice. In fact, I even rushed the words a little.
Submitted by wildgoose 
"Invalid Item"
Comment included: I appreciate the support that writing.com gives to newbies. Here's a short story that I wrote, that you might find interesting.
Submitted by theparaNOIDZ .
"Sky of Dust and Fear: Chapter One"
Comment included: I need some views and exposure to my story. This work in progress will hopefully capture your attention and your imagination!
Submitted by multiverse
"Invalid Item"
Comment included: n/a
First Place | | | Invalid Item
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#1334280 by Not Available. |
Second Place | | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1357231 by Not Available. |
Third Place | | | Invalid Item
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#1340247 by Not Available. |
Fourth Place |  | The Giving Lesson (E)
Child's story about 4 animals who learn that giving is far more wonderful than receiving.
#1345108 by NickiD89  |
Fifth Place
Thank you, everyone, for your very enjoyable entries! This was not an easy round to judge!
~ Great Places for Newbies to Check Out! ~
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#844409 by Not Available. |
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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: B004PICKDS |
Product Type: Toys & Games
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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FEEDBACK
Gen
Nice one, Cubby, it certainly is "food for thought!
Thanks, Gen. Food is always fun to compare.
BreenaRose
Three of my favorite things are food, writing, and reading. You compared them all. It sounds wonderful.
Yes, there's quite a feast here at WDC.
Marsha Musselman
Time is my main problem. I have so much to do that I must do first, that I'm often out of time most days to do any writing.
Isn't that SO frustrating?  I know exactly what you are saying! Thanks for sharing your response, as I'm sure many of us here will agree with you.
Recommended Books
Please send me your favorites!
Quote
"One step must start each journey."
~ Author Unknown
 Cubby's Question(s) of the Month
Do you find the month of January a more difficult month to write in? If not, is there any particular month or season that you struggle with more than others?
If you are interested in book discussions and/or recommendations, please join me at these forums:
See you again on February 20th!
** Image ID #1359390 Unavailable **
PS. Our dear, sweet Puditat has recently resigned as an editor of this newsletter. I asked her if she would like me to include something from her to our readers. Here is what she sent me:
"A final note from Puditat --
To larryp, BreenaRose , laurencia, Cubby ,
and calamari, thank you for taking the time to respond to my last
issue of the Noticing Newbies Newsletter.
To all the new readers as well as the past and present readers, I encourage you
to support your Noticing Newbies Newsletter editorial team with a word of
support, discussion, or question. I know what everyone's feedback did for me.
Best wishes to all, Puditat. "
We will all miss you here, sweetie!
Next week's editor will be... esprit
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| ASIN: B07YJZZGW4 |
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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Noticing Newbies: January 23, 2008 Issue [#2191]
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