  Noticing Newbies
This week: The 15-Minute Review: Part 1 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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The 15-Minute Review: Part 1
Recently I ran headlong into the WDC abyss, as area I define as that place on this wonderful site in which one can't see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel for all the tasks, duties and desires we want to do here. Any established members reading this probably know what I mean. You find so many activities that you like, you slowly become enmeshed in more than you have time to do. Newbies? My advice is "pace yourself." 
Recently, my nemesis is a pastime I've always enjoyed: Reviewing. Judging from the feedback for members I've reviewed, I've had some measure of success with my reviewing. While I don't consider myself the best reviewer on WDC, I write reviews in a manner in which I would like to receive them. Positive, upbeat, and detailed. Essentially, I tend toward writing longer reviews. I check my reviews to be sure that my grammar and punctuation is correct, and that the opinion I offer provides some measure of help to the author. Format is important to me--a review can and should be fun to read, as well.
Such a review takes time. Thus, an idea popped into my head. Can such a review be written in fifteen minutes?
To be honest, I'm not sure. But I'd like to offer a few suggestions that might spark some conversation among the readers of this newsletter, and perhaps we can fine-tune this activity. I believe such a review is possible.
Let's not be naive enough to believe that you can read a story AND write a detailed review in fifteen minutes. Writing a review is a separate and distinct entity. But, there are a few things you can do to position yourself for that quarter hour of your WDC life.
Before the review:
 Read the item one time for sheer enjoyment. Note your overall impression only; jot down a few thoughts about what impacts you personally. Did you connect with the characters or the storyline, or not? Don't worry about grammar and punctuation at this time.
Read the item a second time with an eye toward the details. Note any repetitive punctuation or grammar errors, inconsistencies with the story's flow, and dialogue that does or doesn't work. Note what works as well as what doesn't. Jot these points down.
Make a template for writing your review that incorporates all the administrative and routine information that you repeat in each review you write. The trick is to avoid having to re-write the same things in every review. For Basic members and above, the Review Tool is the perfect means for this; free members can still take advantage of a review template though it requires a bit more creativity. Use your Notepad page to store the template that you can copy into your review before you start. Or, create a Static Item for this template. If you're serious about reviewing, it may be worth that spot in your Portfolio.
Finally, make a short checklist of items you consider when you review. Your checklist may correspond to the paragraphs in your review template. If you need advice about what to include in such a checklist, check out "Invalid Item" for a list of articles on reviewing. You should find enough tips to create your own checklist.
Next month we'll discuss Writing the Review. In the meantime, I'd love your comments about this subject. While reviewing is done one on one, we can all benefit from an open dialogue on the many facets of this activity.
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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 Passkeys.
An Upgraded membership feature, Passkeys are four to eight digit numbers that work in all Writing.Com item types. A Passkey allows members to limit access to their items to specific individuals while restricting all others from those items. They are entered into the appropriate window using the Edit mode of the item, and may be changed at any time, thus locking out anyone with an older Passkey.
Once activated, the Passkey is required from anyone attempting to view the Item who does not meet the restriction level set by the "Access Restrictions" setting. Private items are not viewable by other members either in your Portfolio or other WDC item listings. Therefore, in order for someone to find the item and use the Passkey, you would need to provide them with a WritingML link or URL directly to the item, as well as the Passkey to access that item.
The following article in "Writing.Com 101" , "Passkeys" , details specific Passkey features, including frequently asked questions, and some examples for using them.
If you're serious about pursuing publication, Passkeys may provide a measure of security that potential publishers desire while allowing those persons you trust to read and comment on your offering thereby allowing you to polish said story for publication.
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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, "Cultivate a Writing {x}Ritual{/x} Habit" .
From Nubian Writer  : Thank you. I really appreciate the letter from the Editor titled Cultivate a Writing Ritual Habit. I have had a hard time as of late keeping focus. I will read this over a few times. I did manage to do some proof reading yesterday, it felt good. Blessings.
You're welcome. I'm glad my article helped. Good luck with that writing.
From traciashalom: Thanks for the information given in this newsletter. I enjoy reading it and feel very encouraged by the tips and rest of info.
That's great to hear, Tracia.
From magicmayflower: I agree with your wife. I'm glad you sent this news letter, I've lost my ritual, which is why I joined this. I wrote my first piece, posted it, and got a review. I like your advice and now have it down from once a month, to once a week. Still working on once a day.
Thanks
Good luck. I'm sure you can do it.
From whippoorwill: Thank you for including my poem in your newsletter. It was a welcome surprise!
My pleasure.
From Doug Rainbow  : I once wrote a poem about running to the clock. I enjoyed running in the morning. I became curious about how fast I was going. I bought a stopwatch and tried to run faster. Not long after running became unpleasurable and I stopped doing it. I am determined not to let that happen with writing, which I enjoy without applying any pressure.
I know that feeling all too well. I admit that some things in life get in the way of my writing everyday. I do find myself feeling lost on those days I don't get to write. But it's still fun to write, especially after a day or two on hiatus.
From : Maybe you could use this for something like show how (not) to do something.
Submitted item: "The Cold Gem"
Perhaps, if you say ... but don't count out the value of reading others' work, listening to their comments about your work, and editing your stories, my friend. Keep writing--it's the best medicine for improvement.
And some additional User submitted items:
Submitted item: "RuneScape Survival tips" by BIG BAD WOLF is Merry 
Submitted item: "Euphoric fragrances" by Mysticsoul
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Noticing Newbies: May 30, 2012 Issue [#5072]
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