  Noticing Newbies
This week: Testimonials: By You and For You Edited by: JACE  
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Hi, I'm JACE .
Welcome to this issue of the Noticing Newbies newsletter. I hope to take you into some nooks and crannies of Writing.Com that you may not have found time to check out yet.
Don't forget to toss me a note about what you liked or didn't like in my column, or about a topic you'd like to see discussed. This newsletter is about and for you. And for you seasoned members, I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings. 
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Testimonials: By You and For You
As I write this, much of our nation is gripped in an oppressive heat wave. Temperatures of 100 plus are usually expected in the South and Midwest at this time of the year; yesterday, however, the weather map showed Boston at 103 degrees. How much farther north those triple digit temps went was not shown, but I suspect it was much hotter than desired.
I'm not one who advocates staying inside--I love being outdoors. But the call of the PC, specifically Writing.Com, is much stronger these days when air conditioning is involved.
"But I'm not particularly inspired to write with this heat," you say.
"Then do something different," I say. "Have you ever taken the time to read the Testimonials?" That's right. Check out your left column about halfway down, and you'll find them.
Testimonials are short declarations written by members telling us what Writing.Com means to them. The reasons why this site is important to them are as varied as those who post them--providing help with their writing for publication, meeting like-minded folks with whom they can discuss their writings, making new friendships, and just having a place to post their work.
Each testimony is personal; each one is universal.
A couple of my favorites....
-- "I hate this site. It holds me with a death-grip. I can't look away. I'm enticed by the excellent stories, fantastic critiques, and all-around good people. Please set me free. I have work to do. This site is going to get me fired. My wife will leave me. I'll go bankrupt. They'll turn off my electricty and I'll be forced to use public computers in public libraries. Somebody please help me. Excuse me, I have to go read some more postings. Bye."
-- loudermilk 
Comment added on 03-21-2006
-- "You guys rock. I would say more, but I wouldn't have as much time to write!"
-- pantherashadow
Comment added on 05-30-2011
Reading through the Testimonials I was struck by a couple of things. Many, if not most, were penned by Newbies, folks who have been members less than six months. Perhaps it's just something new and wonderful--you want to tell everyone about the great feelings you have when you're here, and how people here have helps you grow as a writer.
Another thing I noticed (sadly) was a number of folks who posted their comments haven't visited Writing.Com in some time. Perhaps the newness has worn off; I prefer to think life got in the way--that they didn't really want to leave.
Go to the Testimonial page and you'll see this header: "Testimonials provide visitors a glimpse inside our site and its community. With more than 1,000 comments, Writing.Com is proud to have one of the largest collections of testimonials anywhere online."
Perhaps it's my closet pessimism showing, but I think that just over 1200 testimonials posted out of more than 74,000 listed authors is a mighty small percentage. And I admit I'm guilty of being one of the masses, something I will change before this newsletter comes out. Posted comments remain in the hopper, so to speak, as long as a member remains registered.
If you decide to "Send Your Testimonial!" , you'll notice an option of spreading the word about Writing.Com. You're not required to take part in these options, but your support will help gain more exposure for Writing.Com, and that will only help us all. 
I wonder (and I'm speaking to you folks who have been members for quite a while now) if it's sheer procrastination that keeps you from writing a Testimonial. After all, you've stuck with this site far beyond the novelty phase, and it appears you're here for the long haul. Why not tell us your reasons for staying with Writing.Com?
It's easy to do--just click on More Testimonials in the left column, and follow the posted instructions. Won't you take some time to add your comments to this wonderful resource? I look forward to reading your testimony. |
From the first comment ...
-- "Our mission here at "Stories.Com" is to create the most useful and most interactive site on the 'net to bring authors together with their audience."
-- The StoryMaster 
Comment added on 11-19-2000
... to the latest ...
-- "I was speechless when I first came to Writing.com. It was only a few months ago, but I can definitely say; I am hooked. I have always loved writing, but always felt a bit under-confident about it. That all changed when I started receiving reviews from the WDC community. I would like to thank The StoryMistress and The StoryMaster for everything they have done to make the site what it is today. A fantastic place to be!"
-- Shaye 
Comment added on 07-20-2011
... and all comments in between:
-- "I've always searched for a place to submit my original fiction - desperate to see if it would make the grade and appeal to a broader audience. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across this site and the many wonderful things that have happened to me since then. I've met some cool friends, learned from the best and continue to improve my writing on a daily basis. This is simply the best thing to happen to online writing ever and I'm so proud to call Writing.Com my home away from home. "
-- kiyasama
Comment added on 05-28-2006
-- "I joined writing.com about three years ago because my mom said it was a cool place to go and read stories. I didn't really think I would get sucked into the world of writing. But more and more I found myself wanting to write new stuff. The people here made me realize that writing is what I want to do with my life. If it weren't for my friends here, I would be lost. Every day I learn something new to help me with my writing, and without this place, I would still be the beginner I was three years ago who couldn't even finish a short story. Writing.com is the best!"
-- GryffindorGurl
Comment added on 10-27-2008
--"Okay, I will admit it. I joined Writing.com on a whim, just to be nosey, have a good read and see how others wrote. Wow! What a site, I have been able to explore genres that I wouldn't dream of going near without being judged, practice by entering the flash fiction contests, get free constructive reviews of my work and ask for advice. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and you never feel like you are a burden. My writing has improved, and yes, I have now been published and PAID!!! I would not have been able to do that without Writing.Com. I would highly rate this site and recommend it to anyone who is serious about becoming an author or who just wants to dabble as a writer. I can't guarantee that you will be published after joining this site but I can guarantee that you will learn to believe in your writing and become a better writer for it. So what's stopping you? Go for it - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
-- Renn
Comment added on 02-28-2011
A small contest: Post a Testimonial and receive a Cheerleading merit badge. All persons who post a testimonial between 00:01 am WDC time, 27 Jul 11 through 11:59 pm WDC time, 23 Aug 11 will be considered for this prize, which will be selected by Virtual Dice. If we top 50 testimonials, I'll award two merit badges. See you on the pages in between.
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From BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
We all start somewhere.
Indeed we do, my friend! And, as this was my first newsletter, I consider myself a Newbie editor. It took a while to take the plunge, but I'm very glad I did. I had the same apprehension all new folks have when they try something new. For any Newbie not sure about taking those first few steps, read on--encouragement and support is not lacking on this site. I'm not immune to encouragment from any and all sources. 
From Jeff  :
Congratulations on your first newsletter as a full-time editor, my friend!
From Leger~ 
Excellent job with your first newsletter, Jace. May you submit for many years to come. And edit forever....
From NickiD89 
Awesome debut newsletter, Jace! Since it was launched last year, I've become a big fan of Writing.com 101 . And it never fails that in addition to the answer I seek, I end up learning something else along the way!
From THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! 
Cool reminder for newbies and oldbies alike, to refer to the comprehensive WDC guide! And thanks for the line about the bio-block, too!
From eyestar~*
Way to go, Jace! Congrats on your first edition. I liked your style and starting off with the incredible Writing 101. I like your encouragement for folks to go check it out to find their answers and then some!! It is so handy to have all in one place. I liked the way you plugged the bio block too. 
From Tornado Dodger 
Absolutely awesome first editorial, Jace. I can't believe it's already been a year since you worked so diligently on Writing.Com 101. Also, I'm thrilled to be working with you as a F/T Noticing Newbies editor!
Thank you, my fellow editors, for making my newbie editor experience wonderful. To save a bit of space, I've made one reply--but it goes out to you all. An idea is only half the battle; getting that idea packaged and presented is essential, and in that regard, your support was instrumental in any success I had with that first newsletter.
From miss_devine
Hi Jace, Love the NL, with plenty of help to find the answers to questions whether you're a newbie or been around a while. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks, miss_devine. I shall try not to disappoint; hope you enjoy this issue.
From saraiv
Thanks for plugging my unofficial guide! Great newsletter, Jace! By the way, I would have never survived without reading that handbook. Seriously, I think I picked up WdC so fast, because I read the whole thing. A year later, I'm thriving by getting my work recognized, and continually growing with the relationships I've made. This only happened because I utilize each and every tool that WdC provides!
I have that guide bookmarked--it's a great resource, Miss Roxiie. Write On!
From Dan Bresnahan
As a newbie, I think hearing other's integration and journey into becoming a regular would be interesting.
Not a bad idea, Dan Bresnahan . Let me think on that a bit; perhaps it may find its way into my column soon. |
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Noticing Newbies: July 27, 2011 Issue [#4519]
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