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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5242-Oh-No-Dont-Do-That.html
Noticing Newbies: September 05, 2012 Issue [#5242]

Newsletter Header
Noticing Newbies


 This week: Oh No, Don't Do That!
  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



Letter from the editor

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Writing.Com Party Central 2024! Open in new Window. [E]
We're celebrating our 24th birthday! Stop in to see what's going on!
by The StoryMistress Author Icon


"There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham, English dramatist & novelist (1874 - 1965)


[Oh No, Don't Do That!]

I don't understand. I posted my work but I'm not getting reviews. Why?

Every month when I sit down to write this newsletter, I pull up the newest posted work by clicking the "More Newbies" link that appears toward the bottom of the column on the left hand side of your screen with the heading that says "Read a Newbie". At the time of this writing, we've had 177 new members sign up and create 268 new items in the last 24 hours, so there are a lot of authors to choose from. What sets your work apart? What makes people choose your work to read?

Have you seen your work featured in the Newbies column I speak of? Do you know one of the reasons it won't be? If you don't rate your item when you create it, it can't be featured under that public heading or the "By Online Authors" section on the right side (when you're signed in). Did you know that? I know it's exciting to post your work and it may be easy to race through when you create an item, but taking your time and doing it right has it's advantages.

Not rating your item properly can do more than keep you off the public listings. While I'm looking through items, often I find one I really enjoy and I get disappointed I can't feature it in our newsletter. The reason is because it's not properly rated. I can't feature items that aren't rated. The image below shows two views - the top is an item that is improperly rated and the bottom is where you would choose your rating as you're making or editing your item. Please, I can't stress this enough, go through your posted items and properly rate them so you'll get more views and reviews! In the last 24 hours, 717 items were reviewed, were any of those yours?

Select the Content Rating for your entire item. Do not leave your content rating as "-------" as this will cause your item to not be displayed in public listings. Correct and accurate content ratings on your items is required. Incorrect ratings may be changed by site Moderators or Staff.


NL Image - Newbies


Also noted in the image above is the infamous "Other" category that your item will default to if you do not choose at least one genre category to list it in. We have 95 genres that you can choose from here at Writing.com, surely you can find one that matches your item. In the image below, you can see just where to choose the genre that matches your item during creation or edit.

Select Genres: Please choose from one (1) to three (3) genres for this item. Be sure that this item properly fits into each genre you select. You can update genres using the "Edit Item" tool once the item is within your portfolio. (Definition of genre: a category of literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.)


NL Image - Newbies


Take the time to show your work and your portfolio in the best light (fill out those bio blocks!) and your items will receive the attention they deserve.

Write and Review on! ~ Brooke

*Down*Published work from the brilliant Crys-not really here Author Icon is right here *Down* Check it out!
ASIN: 0979751381
Product Type: Book
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


[Related Links] *Thumbsup*
This month's links are to groups and items that specifically help new members.

"Newbie Help And Support Group"  Open in new Window. [E] by Tiggy Author Icon
"Nick's Newbie Guide"  Open in new Window. [E] by Nicholas Holder Author Icon
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. [] by A Guest Visitor


Editor's Picks


I'm featuring some work from authors that sent in feedback to my last newsletter and some that just 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:
Edmund Burke, the Irish philosopher and statesman famously said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Whether I qualify as "good" and how much impact this will have are open questions.


~*Star*~

 American Reality Open in new Window. [E]
The plight of many american dreams, in the current economy. It is a tragedy.
by Laura {item:1889046} Author Icon

Excerpt:
Abandoned, lonely, lost in decay,
a house once beautiful,
owned by pride.

Now sits,
with paint peeling,
time revealing,
the years gone by.


~*Star*~

 Peanut Butter and Pretzels Open in new Window. [E]
A memory of family, peanut butter, pretzels and observing.
by Annie McGee Author Icon

Excerpt:
I watched my brother as I have learned to watch others. Pushing thick tortoiseshell glasses up the narrow bridge of a too long nose, small sounds emanating from him as he tried to clear his throat. He was at an awkward angle for it, feet dangling over the back of the couch, head resting on a cushion. His foot was jiggling sporadically, half a beat behind the music.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
The most important part of writing is getting the words on the page, always is, always will be. So focus on that first, then go through your work and underline the areas that are cliches, weak descriptions, telling not showing, and so on. Write first, edit second.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
It's cold. I hug my arms around my waist and quicken my pace a bit, eager for the warmth of my apartment. I round the last corner between the bar and my home, now only a few blocks away from safety and a central heating unit. My street is as empty as the last one was. I've made this particular journey countless times since moving into the city a year ago, and since then I've learned that an empty street is nothing to be afraid of.


~*Star*~

 Phobic City Open in new Window. [E]
Dark, Broody, this delves into the life of a societal outcast
by grenade_lap Author Icon

Excerpt:
The pedestrians walked with their briefcases clutched tightly in their hands, their faces impassive. The cluttering of heels and leather shoes; all so absorbed within themselves. Not looking, not aware, not caring, they walked, suffocated with the intricate tangles of their lives.


~*Star*~

 Lament for the Slums Open in new Window. [18+]
Story of a terrible city
by Engetsu Author Icon

Excerpt:
My feet thudded against the asphalt, splashing against the puddles that had now formed in the road. It was no longer raining, but the merciless cold was ever present. I stepped into the alleyway, so scarcely illuminated that shadows became so robust, they seemed to be devils dancing amongst the night, mocking those who dare traverse amongst them. Or maybe I am just crazy.


~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
I looked up into the suns core

Wondering about you

Remembering everything I adore

Kindling your ghosts past

You and I were best friends forever

And that I can't deny


~*Star*~

Seeing Satan Open in new Window. [18+]
A mother's love gone horribly wrong. (The Daily Slice Winner of 08-24-12)
by misanthropicmuse Author Icon

Excerpt:
It wasn't like this at first. I put Sam in her walker, gave her a few cheerios then threw on the DVD while I folded the laundry. Back then she didn't make much of a fuss with it on. I thought I had lucked out. Finally, I had found something to keep her engaged long enough for me to do things I needed to do around here. I was such a blind fool.


~*Star*~

 Crimson Rain Open in new Window. [13+]
Metaphorical piece written to be interpreted into a meaning specific to the reader.
by SelfDivided Author Icon

Excerpt:
Chaos in millions seeping through
Causing damage they can't undo
Afterlife of crimson rain
Bleed black through the windowpane


~*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 [#5194] "Are you a techie?Open in new Window. and I'm proud to share it with you.

From jennigene
The awesome goal site has given me some pretty pathetic insight to my lack of discipline. I hope it helps.
thanks!


*Laugh* Yeah, that's a side effect of using it I've noticed. *Wink* Good luck and thanks for writing in. *Bigsmile*

From BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon submitted this item: "Reviewing Items You Don't LikeOpen in new Window.
Sometimes you have to do some reading.


Reading and reviewing!

From Mia - craving colour Author Icon
I may not be a newbie, but I do like your article. Every writer can make use of writing resources.
Thanks for posting them and doing it in link form.


You're very welcome and I agree, there are many veteran members who can still learn tips and tricks. Thanks for writing in. *Thumbsup*

From blunderbuss
Thank you for the newsletter which was full of good things as usual! I am still unconvinced about Twitter - it has such a bad press - but Grammar Girl is something else. I took a look, researched one of those words I always have problems with and this site is really great. It's bookmarked now, too!


Grammar Girl rocks! I'm glad it was helpful to you. *Thumbsup* Thanks for letting me know your thoughts. *Smile*

From Jeff Author Icon
I really enjoyed this NL, although I do hate you for introducing me to VisuWords because I've now spent hours on that site and haven't gotten any actual work done. (Okay, that's not true... you know I love ya. *Wink*) *Laugh*


That site is addictive isn't it! *Laugh* Right back at ya *Wink*

From Joy Author Icon
Great NL, Brooke.
I didn't know about VisuWords. I guess that makes me a 11 WdC years old newbie. Thanks for that, and thank you for giving a link to my blog piece. *Smile*


I knew as soon as I found it that I had to share. It was just too cool not to. *Thumbsup* You're welcome - thanks for letting me know you found it helpful. *Smile*

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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