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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/4739
Noticing Newbies: November 29, 2011 Issue [#4739]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week: More than a writing website.
  Edited by: Tornado Dodger 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


The Noticing Newbies Newsletter's goal is to make the newer members feel welcome and encourage them with useful information and/or links to make navigating Writing.com easier. Writing.com members of all ages and even veteran members can find useful information here. If you have specific questions, try visiting "Writing.Com 101Open in new Window. and/or "Noticing NewbiesOpen in new Window..

Meet The Noticing Newbies Full-Time Newsletter Editors

JACE Author Icon ~ Tornado Dodger Author Icon ~ Stephanie Grace Author Icon ~ Sara♥Jean Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99


Letter from the editor


Several years is a long time to be a member of a community. I know, I just hit my seventh anniversary here this month. Why have I stayed? There are many different reasons I could name but the main one is the people here. I have met many close friends and spend a good portion of all my online time right here. The members and staff here are much more than just names on a screen, they're an online family.

I actually wasn't really active the first couple years I was here as a black case. When I did start reviewing and joined a friend of mine in creating a group here, my involvement in the community grew substantially. Do you know what really cemented my relationship with the people here though? Reviewing. The more active you are in this community, the more it gives back to you. Promotions to Preferred Author and Moderator are given to active, respectable members of the community but you're also rewarded in many other ways. The more you participate, the more your actions are noticed and rewarded. Beyond the personal satisfaction you will receive by notes of thank you from those you review, you'll also receive gift points and merit badges for reviewing from site administrators and various groups that reward reviews from the public review page.

There are a number of activities here that are run by the site staff. You can earn many rewards by being active and reviewing. For one example, check out "Good Deeds Go NoticedOpen in new Window.. Several monthly writing challenges are run by the site that offer huge awards. Top prize is $100.00 in Writing.Com Gift Points (plus a merit badge) and can go a long way. Many members earn so many gift points through reviewing and other activities that they can pay for their memberships without spending a dime.

What's the point of earning so many gift points? Did you know you can not only pay for upgraded memberships for yourself or your friends, but you can also buy premium items in "The Writing.Com ShopOpen in new Window.? That's right. The rewards for simply writing and sharing your opinion in a review on this site are amazing.

People post their work here for many different reasons. Some post emotional work for personal release, others post stories and poetry in hopes of one day being published. Whatever the reason, your work has the potential of being seen by thousands of people. Make sure you are listing them properly so that you receive the feedback you're interested in. You can set items to receive ratings and reviews, reviews without ratings, even no ratings or reviews. The decision is yours.

There are statistics available to show you how many people are currently reviewing and rating items here. You can see them by looking to the menu on your left and click [Writing.com Tools] *Right* [Sitewide Stats] to see interesting statistics like these:

*Tack* Statistics:
         Members Currently Active On Writing.Com: 379,333 Members *Left* *Shock*
         Items Currently Stored On Writing.Com: 447,677 Items
         Reviews Currently On Writing.Com: 1,663,765 Reviews

*Magnify* :: Number Of New Ratings ::
The number of ratings given out by members is important; this is a snapshot of reading activity within Writing.Com.
         Last 24hrs: 540

*Pencil* :: Number Of New Reviews ::
Reviewing is an extremely important part of the Writing.Com community. This is the total number of reviews given from member to member.
         Last 24hrs: 430

*People* Number Of Members By Membership Type:
          Free Memberships: 376,880 Members
          Basic Memberships: 486 Members
          Upgraded Memberships: 1,589 Members
          Premium Memberships: 378 Members
          Professional Memberships: 25 Members

I hope you find a second home here, just like I did. *Thumbsup*

Hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like to share your thoughts, please send me a note using the box at the bottom of this newsletter.

Write and Review on! ~ Brooke

[Related Links] *Thumbsup*
This month's links are to groups that help you improve your writing.

"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor
"Leger's Christmas Raffle - CLOSED"  Open in new Window. [E] by Leger~ Author Icon
"Secret Santa - Closed"  Open in new Window. [18+] by Leger~ Author Icon
"Wandering through Writing.Com"  Open in new Window. [E] by Diane Author Icon
"Newbie Help And Support Review Central"  Open in new Window. [E] by Tiggy Author Icon


Editor's Picks


Here are some talented new member's items that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. *Smile*

 The Eternal Forest Open in new Window. [E]
A short story.
by Lilian Penn Author Icon

Excerpt:
Alone, a girl walks down an empty street. She's silently crying. Trying to let go of the pain that has been casting her down for far too long. She doesn't know where she's going, or how she's going to get there. She's just trying to get away from the inner demons she has been fighting.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Death is a hard thing to cope with. I missed him so much, everyday of my life I thought about how brave he was. I thought every day about December 8, 1941. The day the United Stated entered World War II.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
When Mattel Inc. recalled over 20 million toys made in China for toxic lead paint, as well as for the presence of magnets that could be easily swallowed by little children - and other issues - the media and the world stopped to notice. Like many parents, I went to the toy room and grabbed every toy I could find that was made in China. My mind was mired in questions. How could this happen?


~*Star*~

 The Kitchen View Open in new Window. [13+]
Random writings after staring at the lights.
by Megan Alexandra Author Icon

Excerpt:
My eyes are tired from a long day. The lights are starting to blur, giving the appearance of fairies floating around, bidding me to sleep. Warm colors always give me an enclosed, comforting feeling; like a sleeping bag on a crisp autumn night. I wish I knew why I was still awake but then again, sometimes things are better without purpose; it gives more freedom in decision making.


~*Star*~

 Don't turn to fear Open in new Window. [E]
For anyone.... Feedback would be really nice!
by Lillie Author Icon

Excerpt:
When the daytime sky turns black as night,
When not one star is twinkling bright
Don't lose faith, don't turn to fear
Don't be ashamed to shed a tear.


~*Star*~

 discord Open in new Window. [18+]
I read that cats have amazing hearing, made me wonder what they really can hear?
by Fergus Angerson Author Icon

Excerpt:
Simon found a good spot, soft fresh earth under his toes, took a good stance and flexed his haunches, tensed his sleek grey body and unloaded his bowels at the base of freshly planted tulips, destroying them instantly. By morning they would be dead, but that was ok, this human female was good, he knew it would be fresh again by the end of the week.


~*Star*~

 This Mother's Heart Open in new Window. [E]
Just as the seasons will change so will our relationships with our children.
by Tess Author Icon

Excerpt:
Spring brings a sign that everything is new, budding trees and the soft fragrance of flowers. I remember the feeling of joy and excitement I had as I heard the echoes of my newborn baby's cry. It felt like I would burst with all the love I felt inside. The gentle breezes blew and life could not have been better.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
In school, popularity is a commodity, and like the real world, some have more than others. Popularity in school however isn't money per say, more like power. The less powerful people spend every day seeing the very powerful, and some envy them this power. Some try to improve themselves to become more popular, some people try to improve and just have bad luck, some give up, some go their own way, and some try to take the power from the powerful with force.


~*Star*~

 Maddie's Ghost Open in new Window. [18+]
She tries to put the past behind her when strange things happen in Maddie's house.
by Liang Lan Author Icon

Excerpt:
It'd all started with the scratches. I don't remember when they started, exactly, or how long they might've been going on before the first time they woke me up. When they did wake me up, I'd groggily turned onto my back in my bed and tried to pin down the slow, quiet scratching. I'd listened and eventually pin down where I thought I heard them coming from the far corner of my bedroom ceiling, barely discernible.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Sitting in my room,
As darkness creeps.
Shadows slither.
My fears increase,
As a noise comes forth!


~*Star*~



 
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

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Ask & Answer


I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#4689] "Reviewing, Rewriting & RespectOpen in new Window. and I'm proud to share it with you.

From Farooq Author Icon sent with "The Dark Of The MoonOpen in new Window.
So true! A writer must understand and appreciate the true value of a review. What is the use of writing if no one reviews your work. At first I would rush to change whatever the reviewer suggested. But then I realized not all things should be incorporated. We first write for ourselves and then for others.


I think many of us make that same mistake. It takes time to know how to sort out the reviews and use what's useful. Thanks for writing in. *Bigsmile*

From atwhatcost
Amen! Great article. I was just looking over something I posted on here last year. You're right. I've learned so much. (I'm now embarassed by it. lol) And, I checked out all its reviews. Bingo! Everywhere from a 3.5-5 star rating. Then again, I didn't notice how many stars people gave me, until I read the 3.5 star one. The only one who didn't think it was wonderful. A year later? I agee with him more and more. lol


I find myself doing the same thing. I wonder how many people actually go back and edit items from several years ago with their new found knowledge? *Smile* Thanks for the note. *Thumbsup*

From debojyotipandit Author Icon sent with "Resource and HungerOpen in new Window.
I didn't get enough of reviews on this piece. Can you please tell me does this writing have any material..or should I stop wasting time in trying to write!


Writing is never a waste of time. I hope featuring your item here will bring you some feedback. Thanks for writing in. *Thumbsup*

From: allegroconbrio sent with "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.
Excellent newsletter, Brooke! I really appreciate that you took the time to write this. I know there are often reviewers who are inexperienced and sometimes have absolutely no clue what they're talking about, but it's just as you pointed out - at the very least, they took the time to comment on something, even if their comments didn't make any sense. Sometimes, those reviewers might not even have meant to be offensive towards the author in the first place! The linked item is a piece I wrote a while ago about the relationship between author and reviewer. I think those who liked this newsletter might be interested in reading it.


I couldn't agree more. There are those few who actually do mean to be rude and obnoxious (like one I received last week *Laugh*) but most people do mean to be helpful and kind. Thank you so much for writing in and sharing your thoughts on my newsletter. *Smile*

From: BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon sent with "Monster City Police ForceOpen in new Window.
It can be hard to get noticed.


For some people, this is very true. *Wink*

From: AnonymousTodd Author Icon sent with "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.

[No comment sent - just the item above.]

From: Sara♥Jean Author Icon
I really like how you put an excerpt from the items you highlight. *Smile* I've never considered that, and I think it's a great way to try to draw someone into an item.


Thanks! That's why I list them, hopefully it will interest someone enough to read and review. *Thumbsup* Thanks for the note. *Wink*



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