  Noticing Newbies
This week: Writing Dot Com - the Comfort Zone Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  
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| What does it mean to find a group of friends who support all your writing endeavours? |
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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I found Writing Dot Com by chance, while looking for a place to share a poem.
Quickly, it became an online home. I had a global family I'd never met in person, I had friends, I had fellow writers who were supportive in every way.
Writing Dot Com became the place to come to to celebrate happiness, vent irritation, find a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble. It became a comfort zone.
What does that mean, as a writer and as a person?
Actually, my 'real-life' friends were a bit worried when they saw I was addicted to Writing Dot Com, they thought I was getting complacent with my writing, that I wouldn't improve my skills.
On the contrary.
Finding a comfort zone meant having a place where I could take risks with my writing. Here's what I did:-
Hone existing skills
I like writing poems in the nonsense genre, and I like writing stories for children. I did both, and tried each with an edge. My nonsense became more nonsensical  because I pushed it to its limits. Reviewers told me when that worked and when it didn't. I tried writing stories for children to prompts. Again, reviewers told me how I could improve those.
Develop new skills
I hadn't written science fiction or romance before. I tried those. I participated in others' interactive stories and created some of my own. I wrote poetry with 'form' in mind - I attempted writing various types of poems that I hadn't known existed, till I joined WDC! I created polls and madlibs. All of which helped think in different ways, helped the 'writing muscle' and the flow of ideas.
So my writing has gained, in depth and width, thanks to finding a Comfort Zone.
Comment on others' work
Reviewing! Oh my goodness, I didn't know what a learning experience that could be till I joined a review group and participated in my first review raid. Reading and commenting upon items that I hadn't written myself helped me achieve an objective distance from my own work. Interacting with the folks I had reviewed and the folks who reviewed me helped me gauge various viewpoints and interpretations of a written item, see various perspectives.
Sharing
This has been, mainly, in these ways:-
i. Sharing feelings - when I write about something I feel deeply about, and someone reviews it and responds to the emotion, it helps clarify and share my feelings. Since it is fellow writers I'm talking to, there is empathy and a supportive shoulder. Sometimes, it's easier to share things with online friends, because they can respond without being involved in the situation themselves. WDC friends have helped me through some tough times!
ii. Sharing hobbies - I like watching The Amazing Race on television, and I found an Amazing Race Club here on Writing Dot Com, where I can discuss the teams, the tasks, the show - whatever! Similarly, hundreds of groups exist where one can share various hobbies. You could even start a group if you don't find one you are looking for!
iii. Sharing the writer's journey - Writing is a lonely task. It's great to have a whole network of people who understand what it means to have a first draft done, or a character sorted out, or the plot plotted - you know what I mean! It's great to share the journey.
iv. Sharing other goals - there are groups here to help with so many other aspects of life - like the group that helps those who are trying to lose weight, or the group that is for those forty years of age and above!
So yes - Writing Dot Com is a Comfort Zone, and yes, I'm addicted.
But does being in a Comfort Zone mean being complacent, or stagnating?
Far from it! It means growth, exploration, taking risks and a great deal of excitement!
Write On!
Sonali
Hey NEWBIES!
Check out this forum!
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| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1762956 by Not Available. |
| |  | Random First (E)
Just my first entry on WDC. Something small and true to start off my experience here.
#1761723 by Nina  |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1496257 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1522907 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1477711 by Not Available. |
| | Tap the Muse (18+)
Link an item to advertise or for r/r and write a short piece with the given word.
#1569967 by Joy  |
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https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I'm very grateful to those who responded to "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (December 21, 2010)" .
I really appreciate all the feedback, thank you so much for writing in!
eisafue shayne
Wow this sure is a nice newsletter for the authors who get a review once in a blue moon. That's the absolute worst being unsure of your work. This is awesome that you do this for them!
Nathalya
Finally someone who writes the words of my mind! As a French girl living in Germany, English is not my native language - and I know through the reviews of other lovely authors that it is not as bad as not to be read! At least they understand the messages I try to display.
So now my piece of advice for those who are afraid: smooth language usage comes with... tada...! writing! Incredible but true, my English improved after I read the newsletter for newbies, authors and short stories. And I implemented the recommendations that were written down. Great thing!
Therefore, dear Sonali (but also all other editors): KEEP ON WRITING FOR US, TO US, WE NEED YOU!!! Thank you! - Nathalya
atwhatcost
Sonali, As an American-English speaker - born and bred - thank you for nudging the "foreign" writers. One of the first things I reviewed on WDC was from an Indian, who came to America as a teen, and stayed. I loved it, even recognizing English wasn't his first langauge. But that was why I liked it - it showed us ourselves from a different viewpoint. Please, everyone, understand. The Internet is so cool, because this is the only way I'll get a different perspective - whether about my own country or your country. Sometimes I can't review, because the culture is so different, but I can always enjoy a new perspective. Viva la difference. And, yes, I can't read or write French either. Many folks don't have second languages here, so two or more is great!
Steve adding writing to ntbk.
Sonali you are such the encourager. Your words to the Newbies is well done and to the point. You are appreciated for the time you put into these newsletters and the awesome pieces you highlight. Write on Sonali! Copenator out!
embe
Hi Sonali, To endorse your advice to newbies, I wrote this poem as a newbie, highlighting the language used by non-native speakers of English. "Invalid Item" . embe,always availabe to help with reviews in kindness.
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Noticing Newbies: February 09, 2011 Issue [#4223]
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