Noticing Newbies: July 17, 2013 Issue [#5791]
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Noticing Newbies


 This week: Find Your Quiet Place
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean 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

** Image ID #1786860 Unavailable **


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Find Your Quiet Place
Do you ever find that you are incredibly busy, and when you finally do get to sit down to write, nothing comes out?


This happens to me all the time. I've been running, running, running all day, and I finally plop down in my chair to write something, and I end up just staring at the screen. My mind won't stop its own race long enough to let me think of anything other than what I've gotten done that day, and what still needs to be done. I find that those same days, I can't sleep at night. My brain just won't stop.

I still fall victim to this sometimes. Earlier this week, I did. I allowed something going on in the media to get me so riled up that I spent until 2 a.m. fuming, until 2:30 finally trying to relax, and then finally another hour getting what I had to write out.

But I told all of that story to point out one single word.

RELAX

Before I could write anything - no matter how passionate I was, no matter how mad, no matter how determined - I couldn't get anything out until after I'd forced myself to relax. (Well, really - before I could write anything coherent and... less rude.) After I'd forced myself to disconnect from everything and take a deep breath, I was able to really focus my attention on what I wanted to say. And guess what, the passion didn't go away. It was actually more focused and more coherent than when I'd been so mad.

So, for those who have incredibly busy and stressful lives, I have a suggestion to add to your writing routine. Take a 15-30 minute time out, so to speak, BEFORE you start to write and frustrate yourself. It may shorten the time you have available for writing, but.. you may find it to be more productive, and you may get more out. I do.

Now, I'll note that this isn't necessarily for everyone, nor is it needed by everyone. So... for some of the others of you, how do you make sure that you will have plenty of ideas when you sit down? I'd love to hear! Just send me a message via the "Submit to this Newsletter" box, and I will be sure to share your thoughts with the others next newsletter. We are a community, after all. *Smile*


Editor's Picks

Check out these newbies to the site! Leave them some feedback, and welcome them to the WdC community.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1942228 by Not Available.

Excerpt:
The torches flickered in the wind casting shadows on the ground and from under the hood of her black cloak, Caelia watched the witches place the stones on the slab around the chosen sacrifice . The snake stone was laid at the head of the voluptuous redhead, this stone enhanced magic. The dragon's stone was laid to her right side and gave one the power to control the elements. The swan stone to her left and made its bearer immune to poison.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1942637 by Not Available.

Excerpt:
I realized I was just leaning against the screen door, not sure for support or so that she couldn’t open it and get inside my house. My confusion must have shown because the next words from her were, “Well for the love of Christ, Charlene, are you going to invite me in or not? It is 100 degrees out here and I just “shlept” in from Alabama to see you and yours.”


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1943095 by Not Available.

Excerpt:
He went to work after a week long holiday and she was left alone in the apartment. She ignored the doorbell at first but had to get up once it became incessant. She didn't bother looking at the caller, assuming it was her husband, and went straight to the bedroom. She thought she heard her name but lay still, her back to the door. She heard the shuffling of feet as he sat beside her. When he laid an arm over her shoulder, she turned to look at him and tears drowned her as she realized it was Rohit. He was shocked at what he saw. The girl he loved had somehow transformed into a ghost with bony limbs, unkempt hair and hollow eyes with dark circles under them. He gently pulled her into an embrace.


 Dry Your tears Open in new Window. (E)
This is a poem about leaving a delicate flower home, to follow a dream
#1943094 by Romeo D. Matshaba Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt:
Close your eyes, and do not stare at my back, not tattoos, just
Scars on my back, disfigurements I wear.
But dry your tears little one… just dry your tears.


 The Freedom of Choice Open in new Window. (E)
A story that speaks about the freedom of choice in human beings
#1943206 by Jo Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt:
She took another sip of her coffee. It paid to be optimistic, she thought. She had truly believed that her future would bring her prosperity and that time had almost come. Happiness was only an arm’s distance away. Had happiness been palpable then at that instant she could smell it, feel it and drink it.

The beard Open in new Window. (E)
about growing a beard
#1943229 by tonibarri Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt:
What`s with all this stubble?
And why has some turned grey?
I` sure it didn`t look like this,
what I saw yesterday.

 
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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!
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Ask & Answer

These are the responses I received from the last newsletter, "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (May 22, 2013)Open in new Window..

Sara♥Jean, I really enjoyed this newsletter. Just wanted you to know. - ruwth Author Icon

Thank you, Ruwth. I am very glad I was able to touch you with it.

Unlike you, I always like writing letters and wept up correspondence with people for many years until one by one they stopped writing. I miss that. Now I only have my journal to vent my feelings on and it is not the same because I don't get feedback. It does, however, give me more thoughts to write about. - Christine Cassello Author Icon

Well, I am both very jealous of you that you discovered it so much sooner than I did, but also very sad for you since no one writes back anymore. If you want a penpal, I'd be more than glad. *Smile* Let me know if you'd like an address.

Great idea! I will add this to something else I learned this week that seems to help writers out of a slump- the vignette. Perhaps integrate these two fun ideas.
Thanks for the newsletter. - Mark Allen Mc Lemore Author Icon

I am not actually sure what the vignette is, but I will look it up!

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ASIN: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

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