  Noticing Newbies
This week: Just Like the Rest of Us Edited by: JACE  
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Hi, I'm JACE .
Welcome to this issue of the Noticing Newbies newsletter. Join me as I 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. 
Your Noticing Newbies Newsletter full-time Editors:
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Just Like the Rest of Us
Every person who joins Writing.Com starts with a clean slate. Much like a newborn who enters the world screaming, so do we writers have thoughts, ideas, rants and rails that need to be screamed to the world.
Dramatic? Perhaps. But to be a writer begs for drama in one's life. I said earlier that each of us begins our journey on WDC from the same place--from the most senior Senior Moderator to the most junior Registered User, we each clicked yes to the terms of agreement entering the realm of WDC wide-eyed and more than a little scared at what was before us. This place is huge; it's intimidating ... and awesome.
From that point, though, all paths diverge. Many begin their journey here as free members. Most folks, if one takes the Sitewide Stats at face value, remain at that level. But we would do them a disservice to believe that every person who chooses to remain a free member is limited in some way. On the contrary, some of the best stories and poems I've read here have come from the pens of free members. They may only need to showcase a few works on their way to publication.
Other (and far fewer) members choose a higher level of membership. Obviously, the higher the level, the more expensive the cost ... and the more features are available to enable or enhance that member's writing endeavors. Members requiring more features or storage space tend to take on more of what WDC offers--member interaction, contests, forum and group participation, etc. Participating fully is its own reward.
Still, individual choice is paramount. I've seen free members successfully publish their work, and Premium members talk about it, but never quite get there. (Yeah, I'm working on that one myself.  ) Again, there's nothing wrong with how a member chooses to use their membership. Only you can determine whether or not your membership fulfills that desire within you.
May I suggest you do something a little different this weekend? Go some place special, a place where you can think. Take as long as you'd like, but spend time taking stock of yourself. What is it you really want from Writing.Com? Are you a reader, or do you wish to write? Look around WDC. Will a higher membership level help you in that desire? Perhaps you just need to re-focus your energies. That last situation is me. I find myself getting more and more involved with various aspects on site, and I need to focus on my real (and current) goals about every three to four months.
No matter what level you choose for your journey, embrace it fully. Participate in a group of folks who will stretch your horizons, make friends with those who share your interests, find or be a mentor to someone, and step out of your comfort zone. Perhaps only then can you reap the joys and benefits of a writing experience that completes you.
I submit that while your writing experience may be a solitary one, the rest of us are here to support you in however you journey. We're in this together.
The next time I'll discuss the differences among the various member classifications on WDC. Stay tuned, will you?
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An Upgrade Moment
Each issue I write will highlight a feature available only to paid members at various levels. With so many nooks, crannies, and features available to members, one can hardly comprehend everything. Even older members can't track all the changes WDC has undergone over the past two years.  Most are explained in " Writing.Com 101" , and are marked with a symbol indicating to which membership level the feature applies. You may see something you didn't know existed, or something you just haven't tried before.
You can compare all the features available to a given membership level at " Compare Free and Paid Membership Benefits" .
This month, I'd like to discuss Chat. (Thanks for the suggestion, Unwritten Insanity  .)
Folks may also refer to Chat as the Chat Room. Chat is available to all members having a Basic membership or higher with access available through Writing.Com Tools in the navigation menu in the left column. The primary reference for Chat in "Writing.Com 101" is "Chat Room -- No Longer Offered" , which lists the rules regarding Chat. You must agree to the terms and rules of Chat before you can enter.
Chat is unique in that several members can communicate with each other in real time, making this a great way to conduct group meetings in which a lot of information may be disseminated in a short time. Meetings may be held in one of the pre-made Chat Rooms, or in a privately created room where access can be limited by a passkey. Chat transcripts may be saved creating a record of meetings that enables an easy delineation of individual responsibilities within the group, or for providing minutes to those members who were unable to attend the meeting, a useful tool to those assigned scribe duties. Be sure to save the transcript before you leave to room or you risk losing it.
Consider using a Chat Room to conduct an interview of someone you wish to feature in a newsletter to a group or sitewide. While such interviews may be done via email with a list of questions, the personal touch afforded by a real-time chat offers many more benefits, and may take you in a direction not considered before.
Once you enter the main Chat Room, you will see four icons in the chat window's upper right corner. The first icon allows you to change rooms among the Public and User rooms. From the popup window you can also create a new user room making it accessible to all or to those with a passkey that you assign.
The second icon displays the settings for the chat room. Most are self explanatory--feel free to try things out if you're not sure about a specific setting. Click to save the desired settings.
The third icon displays the Help window for chat. It's wise to read through this section as you enter Chat for the first time. Finally, the fourth icon takes you out of Chat. That departure is immediate, so be careful if you select that icon. When the last person leaves a User-created room, that room disappears automatically.
A recently created Calendar for Chat events may be of interest to those who use this feature. Check it out for scheduled workshops, meetings, and other professional development activities.
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That's Chat in a nutshell. I'm curious how many members use Chat regularly ... or how many have even used Chat at all. Drop me a line and let me know how you've used the Chat feature.
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Check out these Newbies (I've selected folks who have filled out their Biography or something in their Bio-Block). Take a moment to review something in their Port ... or just say hi.
Wenny ,
Don Two  ,
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Kayle Erhard ,
ohdear, | | | Invalid Item
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Finally, a contest for St. Patrick's Day by a Newbie: | | | Invalid Item
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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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And from the mailbox about my last Noticing Newbies newsletter, "Newsletters: Information for the Masses" .
From jim1184  : Hi Jace, another great news letter. I am a little late reading this one. I know I am one of the passive ones. I am getting deeper into my writing just now and have become very selfish with my time. I really Love Writing. com and have learned many interesting things. I plan to stay a premium member. I do have a policy if I read another author, I will provide review. So keep the letters coming. I think there are many of us who will jump in eventually.
Thanks for the continued encouragement, Jim. I've no doubt we'll be seeing much of you in the coming months.
From troy ulysses davis : Thanks for the inspiration. Very encouraging newsletter. Your advice is always treasured.
Thank you, Troy. By the way, writing is my desired form of therapy too. I look forward to reading more from you.
From GeorgeR : Jace, The newsletters that you and others have posted are helping me greatly navigate the WDC site. I managed to post two items in my portfolio but I don't know how to get them out to the masses on the site to read. Should I post a comment in the general forum and advertise them myself or is there another way to get this accomplished? I may be looking in the wrong place on the site for this information. Please help. Thank you and others who post the help sessions.
Exactly why I love writing these newsletters, George; always glad to help. From a recent look at your Port, it looks like you're beginning to get some feedback on your posted work. I'm convinced that staying involved on site with others helps you as well. Good luck.
From miss_devine: Hi Jace, Loved your NL. I enjoy reading the BioBlocks and Biography of ports I visit as it gives me a chance to get to know the author. Being active is the key and as I am getting back into the writing habit it is a timely reminder for me. Thanks
You're welcome. Those are the first places I visit whether I'm answering a post in a forum, or just visiting a new author I've found.
From BIG BAD WOLF is Merry  : The thing that might inspire you could the latest movie, or that ridiculous Cledus T Judd song you just can't get out of your head.
Submitted item: "Good-Bye Squirrel"
So true.
From Kalany : I am an "Old" Newbie. Been a member for awhile but haven't really done a lot with it. I have gone back to working on a book I started a very long time ago, long before I had even heard about WDC. Then a couple years ago, I added it's beginnings to my port. I have written 6 chapters so far (not proofed for grammar or spelling yet). I would love for you to give it a read and let me know what you think so far...
Welcome back--they say it's never too late to start again. You might search for some other folks who share your interest in that genre. I'll try to stop by when I get a little time. Anyone else have a moment to check out Kalany 's novel?
From Unwritten Insanity : One thing you should cover in your 'An Upgrade Moment' is the Chat feature (no, NOT the instant messenger, the CHAT feature, only two links above IM). You only need a Basic upgrade or higher to come in, and it's a great way to get your name into WdC and for people to read your writing, as a lot of the 'old' chatters who see 'new' chatters like to go see what the new ones write!
Thanks for your suggestion.
From goldenautumn: Thank you for helping me to get acclimated on Writing.com. It it weren't for the newbie welcome wagon, the newsletters, and the kindness of several members, I would never have made it.
You're welcome. Perhaps you'll soon experience the great feeling of helping someone new with some bit of knowledge you've picked up along the way. It's very rewarding.
From ulua: How do I get rid of all the advertisments? Or at least, how can I tell what link is yours or just another online add?
I see you decided on a course of action based on the information I provided you in an email on this subject. For the rest who may be wondering: Graphic and Pop-up advertisements are posted on the WDC pages for those members with Free and Basic memberships--heavy for the free and lighter for the Basic. These paid advertisements provide much of the capital needed to operate and improve Writing.Com. Fewer than one percent of members have paid memberships.
From M.B. Sheldon : I'm new to the site, Comment and criticize, basically size me up. Ill construct a new piece of writing, remember always the student.
My advice is (always) to fill out your BioBlock or biography, or both, M.B. I believe folks like to know a bit about who they're checking out. It looks like some folks have already visited your port. Just get involved.
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Noticing Newbies: March 07, 2012 Issue [#4912]
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