 Noticing Newbies: January 29, 2014 Issue [#6136] |
  Noticing Newbies
This week: Get Involved! Edited by: Sara♥Jean  
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3. Letter from the Editor
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Get Involved!
Sometimes first coming to Writing.Com is a little overwhelming. The first thing you want to do... is get involved!
Even though I've been here a long time, sometimes I forget the reason I stayed in the first place.
The people.
It's undeniable. The people are wonderful. Sure, there are a few stinkers here or there that you might not get along with, but name one single community where you can get along with every single person 100% of the time, and I'd probably accuse you of living in a fantasy world. That just doesn't happen. Some people bump heads, some have different opinions... but the valuable thing about this website is that there are SO MANY people.
So many people, and so many ways to get involved.
Groups - Groups are... exactly what they look like. They are, quite literally, groups. Groups of people who have a common interest, and therefore gather together virtually via activities, or forums, or email, or many other methods, to share that common interest. I can't think of a time I haven't been a part of at least one group on this site, except maybe at the very, very beginning. Through those groups, I have met people that I will never forget. It has been awesome.
Forums - So many forums! There are forums for every topic imaginable. Asking for reviews, asking for advice on how to continue on a story, talking about a genre, creating virtual worlds together, teen angst, contests... you name it, I guarantee there is a forum for it somewhere! And the great part is, now SM fixed it so you get a notification on your left sidebar when someone answers your post, so you never have to post something, forget where it is, and then worry about forgetting. It's awesome!
Contests - The Writer's Cramp (I will link it in the Editor's Picks) is the very first contest I entered. And entered. And entered. And entered some more. And then I found Dialogue 500, and I entered that one even more than I did the Writer's Cramp! There are great contests out there, some even sponsored by the website where you can win memberships or gift cards.
Email - I got an email the other day from someone who had found my username somewhere, and visited my homepage, (read quite far back, I think!), and then sent me an email to introduce himself. It was awesome! When you find people that you think might have similar interests, there is nothing against emailing them, and introducing yourself. Sometimes you may not get a reply, but on the other hand, you might! And it might just be awesome.
Reviewing - I have met several people through simply reviewing their work. I find a portfolio that I just love, and I just keep reading! Don't be afraid to step out there and give someone your opinion. That's why they make it public - they WANT to hear.
Get out there, and get involved!
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I am linking some contests, forums, and other activities that have a long history of running, and running well. Jumping in and getting involved will help you find people you trust and love.
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From my last Noticing Newbies Newsletter, "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (January 1, 2014)"
Mark Allen Mc Lemore  said, "I like how you observe the "two weeks". This is true, it takes two weeks for us to loose are ambition and quit doing what we were doing. So setting a reminder every two weeks has been scientifically proven to increase our productivity in a year and keep us focused on those little promises we make to ourselves at the end of the year to begin the next year. Another good thing- START NOW! Why wait until the new year, that is a perfect set up for failure."
You make a good point. I have a tendency to put things off, to do tomorrow or next week. It's bitten me in the backside more than once!
The Run-on King PDG Member said, "You know I fought with myself for over ten years to do this online game. One day one of my sons pointed out to me that as long as we had no lore it wasn't going to happen. I realized that if I could write the lore for it the book sales would help pay for the development.
So I decided what the heck I either do it or find something else. Now like a newbie I thought I could write better then some authors. So I sat my rump down and started it. Now two books later I'm in the first draft phase I need input on the books to help improve my run-on and character development. My point is we either do it or we don't. I probably can write up to 5 to 6,000 words of run-on with the best of them.
But I know I can do that much. My goal is to get my first book or drivel out of first draft to published this year. It far easier to edit a first draft then it is to create it in the first place. As I wrote my first book. I didn't start it and crank out a chapter a day. I started with a few paragraphs then decided that didn't work, and pushed them farther down the page. I redid the new opening I would do something on it everyday. Sometime I never wrote a word on the story, but i made time lines or I created character files or named all my cities and made a map etc... The idea was if it helped me write the story and chapters then it was a productive day.
Some days I would watch movies close to what I was writing looking for a break and plot twists. Or I would read a book looking to see how another author worded his words. Remember don't hate writing, look at what else helps you out. So when you do sit down to write you feel your muse and the words flow. But after doing this for a month I was able to get seven chapters written. Once I saw that I increased my goal to a chapter a day soon I had 38 chapters done. I know I can write lol badly but I can write now. I'm working on fixing my grammar issues for this year as well as get a book published.
I have this because I sat down and set some goals and did it. Granted I did watch a lot of Netflicks and read a few books under the title of research. But I have a book to show for it."
These are some great ideas! It also looks like you have some great goals. I wish you the best of luck this year. Don't forget to enter the Dear Me contest!
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  said, "My resolution is to simply have fun- hard to fail that one."
You have a point there! Best of luck!
Lawless - Proud Pantser said, "This is in response to "Zheila said, "Hi,
I love to write but, what frightens me that people who read my writings might laugh, criticize, or, ignore my writings. That is when I put my pen and paper down and can scared of writing.
Sincerely,
Zheila "
I think a lot of us have that fear. We all just have to power through that fear and face up to the fact that what we write is not ever going to please everyone all the time. Some may laugh, some may ignore it. But what we write, we write to please ourselves first and foremost. The enjoyment of others may come and go. But it's OUR enjoyment in the writing process that matters most."
I love that you responded to one of the other submitters! Thank you so much.  |
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