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Noticing Newbies: January 21, 2009 Issue [#2842]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week:
  Edited by: Cubby 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

*Snow2* 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.

*Snow2* 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!
*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*

Noticing Newbies Newsletter Editors

Cubby Author IconMail Icon
laurencia
esprit Author IconMail Icon

*Snow2* Your host this week: Cubby Author IconMail Icon


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

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Quote
An honest tale speeds best,
being plainly told.

~ Shakespeare, King Richard III


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*Smile* Make Haste, Then Trim Your Waste! *Smile*


         Trimming the extra calories out of your diet is much like cutting the fat out of your writing. Whether you are slimming your waist or trimming your word waste, beware of unnecessary extras.

         A few things to watch for are:

Too much description

The hem of the long, dark, black robe just about touched the floor.

The black robe's hem almost touched the floor.

Unnecessary words

He knew that the boy was crying because he was wiping wet tears from his cheeks.

He noticed the boy wiping tears from his cheeks.

Too many dialogue tags

What's that, Mom?" LeRoy asked.
"Oh, nothing, son," she answered.
"It looks like something to me," the boy said.
"It's a surprise, LeRoy. Now stop hounding me," his mom demanded.


What's that, Mom?"
"Oh, nothing, son."
"It looks like something to me."
"It's a surprise, LeRoy. Now stop hounding me."


Use your senses but don't explain them

My fingers started to touch the velvety softness of the butterfly wings of the dead bug, but my heart told me to leave it in peace.

My fingertips longed for the velvety softness of butterfly wings, but I left the lifeless insect at peace instead.

         These are only a few examples of trimming your work.

Now... Whether you are writing a short story or a book, and this also goes for poety, write your first draft quickly. Don't worry about trimming extra words and/or spending hours on research, until this draft is completed. If you ponder on what the cashier is wearing from head to toe, you are using up your creative juices and slowing down the flow. We need to ask ourselves, "Are readers going to really care about this?" I could care less what the cashier is wearing unless it has some sort of significance, such as a stolen neclace she is seen wearing, or a missing earring later discovered at a crime scene.

         Last November I participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The goal each year is to write a minimum of 50,000 words by the end of the month, and hope to complete a novel. I had no idea what I was going to write about, but I wrote anyway. I didn't quit and I made it! What really surprised me was everything came together at the end. I didn't have time to worry about typos or research because I was too busy writing. And you aren't suppose to go back and edit until it is all over, which was the hardest part for me. What I learned from this experience, was by allowing myself to write without roadblocks, such as editing, research, pondering on descriptions, etc., my creative juices never quit flowing for me. The freedom from all that other stuff helped me create and complete a first draft.

         Tell your tale; don't mess around! It will be there for any other alterations you decide to do with it later.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Keep on Writing!

Yours truly,
Cubby ")


Editor's Picks

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~ Got questions? Look for answers here... ~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#976758 by Not Available.

Getting Started: Table of Contents Open in new Window. (E)
Visit here for a tour of Writing.Com and learn about this vast, exciting site!
#168945 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#794007 by Not Available.


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And Now For Our Featured Newbies!


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
as you plopped into my lap
hair sweaty and sticky
with sweet sleep
hugging my neck
so tightly I wondered
where you ended and
I began


 Rocket and the Ducklings Open in new Window. [E]
How to aggravate a Mama
by Michelle Broughton Author Icon

Excerpt: Strong jaws and huge white teeth grabbed the last duckling in line and the dog turned back toward me. I fully intended to scold him for hurting the baby, but when he reached shore, he placed the youngster at my feet and immediately jumped in the water once more.

 Burning Open in new Window. [13+]
Historical short story occurring during the time of the Salem witch hunts.
by Kenzie Author Icon

Excerpt: I could hear their yells, angry voices that bit into the cold night. I could hear their cheers and their jeers, see the excitement burning in their eyes. Burning. How ironic that their expressions should be a metaphor for my soon-to-be physical state. But was it? Was that the true irony of my situation? That I can see the fire of determination burning in their eyes? Or was it the fact that I had been one of them not so long ago?

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
The words are there, in my head
The words unspoken, the words unread


 Words from the heart Open in new Window. [13+]
A love letter
by Daisy Author Icon

Excerpt:
Dear Love,

This letter is prompted by the noblest of impulses so do not misunderstand the noble mission it is going to convey.

I am writing to let you know how I feel about you. I do not know how to tell you face to face, so I am going to put my feelings in words.


Winners Announced!


Here are the winners of "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. Congratulations!

1st Place Winner!
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


2nd Place Winner!
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


3rd Place Winner!
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



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~ A Few More Places to Check Out... ~


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#844409 by Not Available.

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

THE DROP-OFF BOX  Open in new Window. (13+)
Monthly newbie contest.
#530577 by Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author IconMail Icon

Rules To Live By Open in new Window. (E)
Entry for the Don't Newbie Contest
#1275125 by D.L. Robinson Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#794817 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1254286 by Not Available.

Weekly NEWBIE Challenge Open in new Window. (E)
LEARN - Bitem Format, Emoticons, etc., and receive Reviews
#989394 by ~*~Damiana Returned~*~ Author IconMail Icon

Tips for New Members Open in new Window. (ASR)
Tips for new members -- things to know to improve your Writing.com experience.
#1016867 by JACE Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#552576 by Not Available.


 
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

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Ask & Answer

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FEEDBACK

jasmine Author IconMail Icon
this newsletter really helps a newbie like me.
i love it :)


~ Glad to hear it! *Smile* That's our goal here!

Franki Author IconMail Icon
I'm a newbie so this was an encouraging newsletter. I'm still learning my way around.

~ Thank you! I'm still learning, too. *Laugh*

Shen Wasuno Author IconMail Icon
Editors.... hmmmm!

~ Not sure what you mean by that, but hope it's good! *Bigsmile*

jaya Author IconMail Icon
That was a truly helpful newsletter. Thanks so much.
Jaya


~ You are welcome. *Smile* I'm glad you enjoyed it!

*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*

Recommended Books
Please send me your favorites!
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
[Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book 1]
Okay, so I never knew much about mythology, probably because it never interested me. But guess what happened after picking up this book? I've checked out every book the library has on mythological creatures and here they are in my home (the books, not the creatures! *Laugh*). I'm learning gobs just from reading this young adult novel. Let me give you an example: I always thought Poisiden was just a ship. *Rolleyes* I won't pass along any spoilers here, but if you get the chance, pick up a copy of this book at your local library and get to know a Greek God or two. *Bigsmile*



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*Note* Cubby's Writer's Block Challenge of the Month *Note*

Write something without editing or pondering!
Just go for the story itself all the way through to the ending. *Smile*

*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*

I'll see you again on February 18th, 2009!
Have a great week!


Cubby ")
*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*~~~*Snow2*

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