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Noticing Newbies: January 25, 2012 Issue [#4840]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week: Common Word Errors
  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


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Letter from the editor


Common Word Errors


I thought I'd take a moment this month to highlight some common mistakes in writing that I see on a regular basis. Maybe you'll notice some in your own writing?

*Apple* "Affect" is a verb meaning to influence. [Example: The athlete's actions affect the whole ballclub.]
*Orange* "Effect" is a noun meaning the result or outcome. [Example: The effect of the storm was horrible.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "Then" is typically an adverb indicating a sequence in time. [Example: We ate then went to the mall.]
*Orange* "Than" is a conjunction used for comparison. [Example: Shopping was more expensive than dinner.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "Your" shows possession. [Example: Here is your baseball glove.]
*Orange* "You're" is a contraction of "you are." [Example: You're the new manager of the team.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "Its" shows possession. [Example: Is that its only source of fuel?]
*Orange* "It's" is a contraction of "It is." [Example: Yes, it's more than capable of handling the trip.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "Aisles" are walkways between sections such as a grocery store or a movie theater. [Example: My brother tripped and fell in the aisle at the grocery store.]
*Orange* "Isles" are islands: pieces of land surrounded by water. [Example: I would love to visit the Isle of Man.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "They're" is a contraction of they are. [Example: They're not your books, they're mine.]
*Orange* "There" refers to a place or direction. It can also be used as the verb 'to be' or an exclamation [Example: I live there. There are no more oranges. There! I'm done.]
*Apple* "Their" shows possession. [Example: Their sports equipment is missing.]

~ *Cut* ~

*Apple* "Loose" can be used as an adjective or verb meaning free from binds or restraints. [Example: The detective said he needed to tie up some loose ends in the case.]
*Orange* "Lose" is a verb describing something missing. [Example: I didn't lose my hat, one of my students borrowed it.]

~ *Cut* ~

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 items that help you improve your writing.

"Writing and Reviewing Advice"  Open in new Window. [ASR] by Lightbringer Author Icon
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor



Editor's Picks

Highlighted Newbies:

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

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
It's to put aside your wants and needs
For a moment; maybe two.
To feel and think, smell, hear and see
as other people do.

As elephants can tell you
to pity others can be rough.
But to find the courage to wear their shoes,
oh man, that's just plain tough!

~*Star*~

 The Hidden Side Open in new Window. [ASR]
During the day and during the night, old cinemas have very different personas
by Milo Author Icon

Excerpt:
In the darkness, the walls begin creaky, whispered conversations, their ghostly murmurs floating chillingly through the air. Dim lights cause unearthly shadows to dance weirdly on the towering, lifeless walls, while air that was once still, inexplicably stirs.

~*Star*~

 Reality or Magic? Open in new Window. [E]
This is the finished preface to my current project. It expresses why magic is real for me.
by GranvilleS Author Icon

Excerpt:
It squeezes the mass of galaxies into a grain of sand, and whispers passion into the poet's heart. It obliterates worlds in an instant, and makes a stolen kiss linger forever. It is every singularity, and every stirring breath of life.

~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
When I get up from the dirt, the first thing I notice is the smell, like an open field of oil, the next, I can see the flames, I try to get up but when I put pressure against my arm, a deep stabbing pain, as if someone took a hot needle and jabbed it into my arm, I take a look and I see an open gash, 3 inches deep, about as wide as my Index, Middle, and Ring fingers combined,

~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Some of us sit and cry every day,
And waste our life away,
But how much use will that be,
When some of us have little to live,
Little time to spend,
Little hope.

~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Tommy sat with rapt attention as the crowd surrounding him grew quiet and the velvet curtain in front of him seemed to glow. He became entranced as light seemed to play off the fabric and illuminate the stands. He began to hear whispers beckoning him behind the curtain. And he seemed inclined to follow them to whatever lie beyond.

~*Star*~

 Forever to look at but never to touch Open in new Window. [ASR]
I wrote this poem when I was 15 years old. It was also the first poem I've had published.
by C.J. Grant Author Icon

Excerpt:
The sky is filled with stars
But they are slowly being stolen by thieving hands
And imprisoned behind steel bars.
But the law stands:

Forever to look at
But never to touch.

~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Panic screamed through Janice, but she did her best to push it down. "That's fine. I'll be there in about ten minutes," she told Sally. Her thoughts were running away with her. How bad was he? Would they be able to help him? How much would this cost?

~*Star*~

 On Orphanage Open in new Window. [13+]
The intro to a twist on an orphanage in a futuristic modern setting.
by Sitissoui Author Icon

Excerpt:
The ceiling upset him. Painted skillfully in hundreds of bright colors it mocked him as he glanced up at it from his bed. Its theme was that of a circus and he saw it now in detail as he never had before, though for as long as he remembered he had awoken to the same sight. The canvas stretched to all edges of the pentagonal arch, its many concessions and brightly lit attractions outlined against a twilight sky speckled with stars. Worst were the clowns, a group of them surrounded by an intrigued crowd of parents and their smiling children.

~*Star*~

 So you went and ate my doughnut Open in new Window. [E]
this is from the POV of a ten year old.
by Emrys Author Icon

Excerpt:
It all started on a clear but cold December morning in Hell Michigan. Dad had just gotten back from Duncan Donuts with two boxes full of the good stuff. I'm not talking the crispy cream stale stuff; I'm talking the real deal. There were chocolate covered original, Boston cream, and coffee buzz. That last one is my mom's favorite. I like the chocolate ones. My dad loves the Boston cream. That's where it all started. That was the day the donuts were stolen.

~*Star*~



 
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Ask & Answer


I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#4790] "A New Year - A New OutlookOpen in new Window. and I'm proud to share it with you.

From Phoenix Author Icon
Great newsletter, Brooke. While I can see the value in setting resolutions, I agree with you about beginning goals immediately, rather than waiting for a specific day of the year. I think instead of focusing on the time to set our goals, we all need to consider times to renew our commitment to our goals. Perhaps periodically checking in to focus on how much forward movement we are making. Especially important for those of us writing novels, as focus can sometimes wane.




From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author Icon with item: "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.
wonderful interesting newsletter with excellent items to review. I also go to many items that are in newsletters. Thank you very much. ANN




From troy ulysses davis Author Icon
Thanks for sharing your newsletter. It has such a writing community feel to it. It made me feel as if I actually joined a writing community. I hope you sense the sarcasm. Your staff does an excellent job. Thanks again for keeping us informed. I have been here for a year and I love it. Very inspirational and encouraging.




From: FireFlowerHanabi Author Icon
I love this site. As a newbie, this is the first time every reveiw I've had has been not only respectful but helpful as well. Thank you to everyone on this site. I really love writing here.




From: pixie Author Icon
Every year I make some new year resolutions but in the end I do what I feel like doing every day (I am very bad at following schedules, not that I would ever give up making them). This year I intend to tell my family that I write! (It would be real fun to see their faces).
I read your newsletters, and I try not to miss them. Each time there is something new to learn about WDC. And the displayed items by other newbies are a good read.
Thanks!




From: Doug Rainbow Author Icon
A tread of comment runs through this site to the effect that we must "keep on writing." Years ago I bought into that and disciplined myself to write a certain number of words or hours or pages or whatever every day. I began to hate my formerly beloved writing time. It was like being required to go sit in a corner. I stoppped writing, and for a long time. No I can write when and how much I want and when the spirit moves me. I am not talking about writing for a living or meeting deadlines--just (I think like most of us--just writing for enjoyment. Therefore, I resolve not to let my self be browbeat, wheedled, cajoled, or nicely persuaded into a discipline that may defeat the joy and fulfillment I find in writing when and how much I want to write. If there is no economic motivation, is there any real value in adding a layer of discipline as to quantity of writing? I don't think so.





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