  Noticing Newbies
This week: Talking To Yourself Edited by: Stephanie Grace  
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| I believe in simplicity in introduction to new things and also that there is a wide variety of topics to be explored in this newsletter --Not only for newbies, but those that have been here for years and want to recognize newbies through reviews, etc... I think that the primary focus of this newsletter should be twofold: Just Here and Here For Years... I think that the title is so broad that this newsletter really needs to feature something for newbies as well as "oldbies". Of course, cohesiveness between the two is also important so that one does not feel lesser than the other. We are all equals here and I think the best way to convey that message to newbies is to let them see their work alongside "WdC veterans"... |
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Hello, my lovelies! I hope that all is well in your neck of the woods! How's this new year treating you? To those of you that recently got some snowfall:  Didn't your momma ever teach you to share?  We haven't seen snow here since the trees still had leaves!
Anywho, for some of you this may be your first January. For others, I know it's not, but you never know what may be lurking in my ramblings, so ya may as well grab a cup o' joe and settle in.
Personally, I'm quite against the habit of making resolutions for a new year. Not only because I think that we should try to better ourselves at all times of the year, but also because the resolutions that we speak of on the first are often forgotten by the third. I do, however, believe in goals and structuring a plan of attack to meet those goals.
When you think about all that Writing.Com has to off its members, it can be a bit tricky to juggle everything you want to do and also find time to write. Unless, of course, you come up with a good strategy. A good way to do this is to write yourself a letter. Those of you that have been here for Januaries past are probably well aware of what I'm talking about: "Dear Me: Official WDC Contest" [E]!
What is the 'Dear Me' contest all about?
It's about offering you a chance to reflect upon your past and develop a method of how you want to tackle the upcoming months. It's about structuring your plan of attack.
What do I have to do?
Simple answer: Write a letter to yourself. Real answer: Click the link then read and follow the rules.
Do you have any suggestions?
The primary factors upon which entries are judged are listed on the contest page, but I think there is more to be considered.
 Before we go on, I would just like to note that I have never judged nor won the Dear Me contest. While, yes, this newsletter issue is based on the particular contest, I am giving advice one how to write such a letter as a personal exercise. Even if you do not enter the contest, I still feel that writing such a letter can be very beneficial.
 Honesty
I'm a firm believer in honesty in all aspects of life, but I think that being honest with yourself is probably the most important. When you sit to write your letter, you need to let the truth just flow. Even if it's not what you want to hear, you need it. Let your subconscious take the wheel on this one. (Remember, if you plan on sharing or entering the contest, you can always remove things before sharing -but keep a copy of the real deal for yourself!)
Don't Think
Sure, before think a little before you begin, but don't draw up an outline or anything. Letting your thoughts flow naturally might just lead you to places that you never considered. There is a great opportunity for new discoveries here. I've surprised myself in such letters by doing this and it's always left me thinking -which is always a good thing, right?
Don't Lecture
Remember that this isn't about making yourself feel down. It's not about yelling at yourself or kicking yourself. It's about coming up with ways to improve and, yes, facing and recognizing the areas in which improvement is needed, but that doesn't mean you should be condescending or demeaning. Be gentle with yourself and keep it lighthearted when you can. More bees with honey; More success without lecturing.
Be Direct
Yes, be free... but don't go off an a tangent about that knee scrape you got in kindergarten that led you to draw that picture that led to your first poem at seven which inspired your first story at eight. Not only do I think this is important in all writing, but with letters to self, I think it's even more critical. Yes, you want readers to relate, but they shouldn't need your whole life story to be able to understand and be inspired by your self-reflection and goals for the future. You want to hold their attention but, more importantly, you want your points to get across -and you most certainly do not want to lose your own attention!
Be Meaningful
Every thing in your letter should be meaningful -TO YOU! Remember, you are not writing this for readers, you are writing this for yourself. It doesn't matter if a reader may not understand the full meaning of something or laugh at a joke that you share with yourself or a friend. It's important that YOU understand those things. When writing this letter, keep in mind that YOU are your own audience -and no one else. Even if you plan to share it, it's important to remember that. You'll gain nothing from this exercise if you don't allow it to be personal.
Okay, okay... I really can't think of anything to add and this is getting mighty long, so I'm going to wish you all the best of luck and close this off. I really hope that you all decide to try a letter to yourself. It really can provide a lot of insight, inspiration, motivation, and therapy. I wholeheartedly encourage each of you to give it a shot!
 ,
Stephanie Grace
I did not plan on sharing my own first-thing-in-the-morning-on-January-First rambling, but I feel like I should if I plan to include others' personal letters, so: "Invalid Item" No need to read or review, just sharing it so that I don't share others' without sharing my own. |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1840777 by Not Available. |
In my ramblings above, I forgot to mention originality. I also never mentioned heart. This 'Dear Me' takes both of those to a level that I don't remember ever seeing in years past. Short and to the point, Mr. Cardiff said all he needed to say without letting extra details get in the way.
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1839872 by Not Available. |
Suze does a wonderful job of mixing personal and Writing.Com goals. The honesty and openness within her letter is consistent and obvious; her goals are realistic and she never seems to be writing for an audience of more than one --herself. I love it!
|  | Dear Me - 2009 (13+)
"Dear Me." A conversation with myself. I have to answer. (2nd Place winner.)
#1514599 by JACE  |
We can also learn from the past of others --as well as be entertained by it! This is also part of a series, so don't forget to follow up with "Dear Me: A Court Action" [13+] and "Dear Me, Myself and I" [E].
And, now, some newbie reads for your reading and reviewing pleasure! 
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From: fragmented
This was a really great article! It does sometimes come down to finding the line between reality and enjoyable fiction. Honest writing should never be offensive, the truth is always stranger than fiction, and nothing says good story like strange. Some excellent points and a well written newsletter! :D (And ba-humbug to holiday newsletters! This was much better.)
 I'm so glad that you enjoyed the newsletter! Without reality, there would be no enjoyable fiction, so amen to finding that line! Whether reality is the basis or it's what we're trying to escape for a little while, fiction would be nowhere without it. Actually, amen to all that you've said!  Thank you so much for your comment!
From: bertiebrite hoping for peace
I find that writing from my life's experience is easy for me to write, but entirely embarrasing for me to share. I had a very difficult childhood and recently by-passed a contest here because I did not want to bring the mood down with my less than happy experiences. To let someone know what your past was truly like when it was not pleasant is a most difficult thing that I have shied away from since college courses made me write them. I don't know if I'll ever be emotionally strong enough to tell the world about it, but with encouragement like your article, I am a bit closer to the reveal. Thanks for the confidence boost.
I am thrilled that I may have, in part, been able to help you gain the confidence to share your experiences. I, too, have veered away from sharing many things. No matter how easy they may be for us to face alone, I think there's also a constantly nagging concern about who will read it. Will the wrong person read it and wreak havoc in our current lives? Some bad experiences will always cause us to feel like someone is lurking over our shoulder... The key is finding a way to banish that ghost and stop letting it have any amount of control. When it comes to some bad experiences, we have to remember that writing about what we went through can save another from enduring it --or help someone else get through it. When what we right is therapeutic to us, we must always remember that reading it can be therapeutic to someone else. I hope that you find it within you to one day share your past --and I am all eyes if you need a reader! 
From: JACE
Amen, Miss Stephanie! Your statement "writing is also a form therapy for a good many of us" is absolutely true. Admit it guys--you ain't much of a writer if your don't experience what you write.
(((Mr. Jace))) I honestly admit to having been in and out of therapy at times and I found that it never worked. Why? Writing has been my therapy since I was a small child. My mom cheered me on in writing things to get it out (little did she know the trouble that would cause. LOL. --It was actually the reason I was sent to therapy, go figure!). When I'm reviewing something, I always think the greatest compliment that I can give is that I experienced what I read versus just reading it and I think it's always simple to tell if you're experiencing it with the writer or just through their words. When you're experiencing it with the writer, not only do you feel closer to them, but it all becomes very real without you even noticing it! I'm rambling... Oops.. Thank you for your comment and support, Mr. Jace!
From: allegroconbrio
Great newsletter! I wholeheartedly agree with the advice to write honestly. Having visited North Korea, as well as seen the recent videos showing North Koreans mourning their leader's death, there is nothing more horrifying to me than seeing a person's very identity and status as a human being compromised in this way. They aren't allowed to speak, write, or even think about anything else besides their oppressive regime. With all the controversy that the First Amendment gets, it is still a basic human right. We are truly so blessed to be free citizens.
Thank you! You bring up another wonderful point: We should appreciate that we are able to express such things --and, therefore, we should encourage those that can also express them to express them. Who knows who it could help? With the internet being what it is, one person taking hold of their rights here might give hope to someone elsewhere who cannot. We are fortunate and, without sharing, how can we show the rest of the world the 'good' that can come with such freedom? Silence may win a martial battle, but it's quite useless in other matters in the world.
From rajani
I have registered on this site few days back this is the first time I have read the newsletter, very interesting and definitely encouraging to beginners like me who have nil experience in writing. I wish to develop my writing skills through this site.
I am so glad that you found my rambling encouraging! Writing.Com is a wonderful place to hone your skills so welcome home!
From Sweethonesty 
"Invalid Item"
Thank you for sharing your item! Hopefully, I'll get a chance to send a review in the coming days!
From: noheart
Sorry for not have anything better to say...
Thanks for share this. ^-^
You thanked me for sharing my thoughts! What could possibly be better than that? Thank you!
From: jim1184 
This is an excellent news letter. Your comments on censorship set off a small firestorm in my brain. I have been at odds with the notion of political correctness for many years but that is another story. I am working on a fictional (to avoid problems)military story. it takes place late 70's early 80's. In order for it to ring true with anyone familiar with the Navy at that time, the language becomes a little rough for today's audience. I culled out the excessive and I am leaving the rest. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you for your kindness! I love that you give me a nod for inspiration, but I have a feeling you just needed a tiny pat to push you to do it. Language is something that I'm a stickler with at times. I read a lot of historical fiction (I actually have a newsletter begun on that topic, but I never actually finished it) and a big deal-breaker for me is when the language doesn't fit the period of time. I'm saying this not only so that you can make sure you haven't culled out too much, but also so I'm sure that I've let you know it's okay to stay to true to what you're writing. For it to touch those that will appreciate it the most, the language must be accurate to time, person, and situation. Don't change too much because of the passage of time --that's the magic of reading stories from times gone by; being transported to another time.
From: zm1020
Well thanks for the info I wanted to join years ago
Glad that you've decided to join us come home!
From: BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
"Oh the Cost" [13+]
Sometimes you have to remember where you began, and then build up.
I couldn't agree more.... and, hopefully, I'll get a chance to review your item soon!
From: retired04497
You go girl !!!! I'm writing my 1st book and using almost 30 years of experiences in plot, character and geography in writing it. And A lot of folks might not be to happy about the subject or how I am putting it together. But, as you say, Censorship sucks ! You go girl and never, ever worry about how the truth is recieved. It's out job as writer's to put it out there so that the truth can be judged on it's own merits and fault's, without any 'spin' influencing it.
Amen to that! I can't wait to read what your book!!!
From: troy ulysses davis
I loved the subject, Honesty in writing.
Thank you! I was afraid that everyone would be grabbing their torches and pitch forks!
From: mike238 
I loved this newsletter. It is so amazing!! :) -high five-
Awww, shucks! You sure know how to make a girl blush! Thank you!
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Noticing Newbies: January 18, 2012 Issue [#4827]
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