  Noticing Newbies
This week: Ch-Ch-Changes 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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Ch-Ch-Changes
[With apologies to David Bowie, who included the song "Changes" on the album Hunky Dory, released in 1971.]
As I write this Noticing Newbies issue, the Senior Mods have been offered the opportunity to alpha test he next major Writing.Com update--p15. (See "Note: " Alert 1... Repeat: Alert 1! "
The ...".) I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on change that takes place within Writing.Com. And there has been much change over these past fourteen and a half years. No, I'm not going to cover all the individual changes.  That would be well beyond the scope of one newsletter issue. But each change has some similarities, mostly dealing with the human factor and how we handle change.
With every change implemented by the The ScaryMaster  and The StoryWitchress  , the task of testing the changes usually falls to a select group of folks. In the case of p15, this is the Senior Mods. Compare this to reviewing a story. Folks review stories so they can be improved the author takes the feedback he receives to fine-tune his offering. Eventually, most, though not all of the glitches are worked out so the change can be implemented site wide. Even then, some of you may find a problem with some aspect of the change. And that's what makes Writing.Com great--every member has an opportunity of becoming part of the site in some small (or major) way.
Sometimes change happens though the "Suggestion Box" . Other times, it occurs through the extensive use by members of some change that has been implemented within the site.
Bottom line. Change is coming! It's called p15.
But please don't worry. I think it's safe to say that any changes made to Writing.Com are done to improve the site and make it easier to navigate. Forum chatter that precedes any previous update release (at least since I've been a member) runs the gamut from folks worried about being able to use the site without getting lost to those few who eagerly embrace any change.
The former (and those who would worry at least a little) should take solace in the fact that WDC is the baby of the SM and SMs, and they are committed to making this the best writing site around. Change, often unknown, fosters a certain amount of stress.
My advice: Jump in (when it becomes available--yeah, I know that's a tease) and start poking in all the nooks and crannies. You'll soon see this new update is not something to be concerned about. In no time, each of you will wonder how you ever did without these ch-ch-changes.
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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.
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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, "Rewarding Reviewers" .
From aegreenfield: This is good advice. New members may just need reviewing tips to write useful reviews, much like I did when I started here.
Submitted Item: "Invalid Item"
Reviewing is a popular subject in many newsletters, often including tips about reviewing. Consider searching through the newsletter archives for reviewing tips.
From Sebastian Di Mattia  : Thank you for the work you and your fellow editors are doing for the community, it is a noble act of kinship to all of us writers. Rewards for reviews is a sound foundation that I wholly agree with and I would like to add my thoughts.
Giving a review is something that I find rewarding in itself. But to be reviewed is what really makes me feel like I'm part of something greater than GPS. I would like to see more reciprocation from our members regardless of their skill level. You know the saying: "Opinions are like..." I happen to value the opinions of my peers. Those opinions and the occasional helping hand enabled me to publish four books and I am closing in on my fifth right now.
This place can be so much more if we would help each other with reciprocation.
Sincerely, Sebastian Di Mattia
I heartily agree, Sebastian.
From An apple a day....  : Hi Jace, I couldn't agree more about how important reviews are. Other than having someone read one's work, reviewing gives that personal and interested touch. I feel the most important part of a review is encouragement and support, and always keep that as my main goal in my reviews....Connie
Thanks, Connie.
From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy : I've been a member since 2006 and this is the first time I have understood how credit is given in the "Reviewers" "Most Credited Reviewers" because I have always believed any gps given in response to reviews even via email, were included in the 'crediting'. Now I know it takes additional steps to go and find the review then give credits as gps the way you've said. I've wondered why the Reviewers who do the most reviews are NOT also "Most Credited Reviewer". Very few people here pay out gps that way when compared to the numbers who give generously in their 'thank you for the review' email. Glad to learn how it works; sorry the email's gps are not somehow credited.
ANN
I remember when I learned this. What a revelation! Yes, it does require an extra step to properly credit a reviewer. But it's worth it to encourage good reviewers.
From ironlaw: The new blood come from different places including only their garret at home. I do believe most come from other literary sites with different rules. When they join WDC it's a foreign world to them. Some may not see the respond box or even ignore it as unimportant. Some, I think, are new awesome writers only to see them "dump" their best work in static items. Reviewing can be risky as well. I have found that the most effective way to review is join a reviewing group. I have been involved with WDC near ten years and it is second to none. I have always been a part of a reviewing group. I have learned that as important as writing is reviewing.
Reviewing groups are a great way not only to encourage reviewing, but also to improve one's reviewing skills. They also help members earn GPs and community recognition.
From leeandjj: What's an acceptable number of GP's to give to a reviewer? Thanks.
I answered Lee and JJ in an email. For the sake of other readers, I'll re-state my answer. I suggested anywhere between 50 and 500 gift points for most reviews, and asked them to consider a couple of points.
1. 10,000 gift points equals $1.00. That means 100 gift points equals one penny.
2. How helpful was the review? If you feel the review helped you, reward the reviewer appropriately.
3. You are under NO obligation to reward any reviewer. But, some kind of reward encourages a person to keep reviewing. And my opinion is if a person takes time to read your offering and leaves comments about it, he or she deserves some recognition. This may be only a few GPs and a thank you.
From 1protector: Greetings. So far so good! I haven't been able to 'dig into' this site very much the last week because of a most terrible cold, and other minor problems. But, I am rebounding with a flourish. This seems to be a great site you've set up. I am impressed, to say the least. Please give me time to recover from my illness and then I will, hopefully, blossom to occasion. ... So very glad to be here!:)
We're glad you found us. Hope you recover soon.
From QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns  : Hi Jace, I agree totally with everything you said in this Newsletter.
If you visit my port, you'll find that my submissions are always accompanied with auto-reward GPs. The reason is because I know that reviewing takes time and effort; therefore, I try to motivate potential reviewers to peruse a piece that might interest them. When I respond to the feedback, I send additional GPs. The amount depends on how detailed and in-depth the piece was handled.
Personally, I prefer to review those materials with auto-rewards first because my time is valuable to me; additionally, I have to pick on my brain to say the right thing and pen them as flawlessly as I can muster. The bottom line is: I don't work for nothing. That's to say that submissions without auto-rewards take a backseat; although, I do give consideration to newbies. After-all, newbies are just starting out and do not have enough credits to sprinkle around.
That's the way I handle reviews. So far, it's productive and profitable for me.
I agree. Good reviews do require an investment of time.
From the prodigal son returns 2024. : Hi, Jace,
My name is Bob and I wanted to respond to your recent newsletter that struck a particularly sensitive note for me. I'm sending you this link to an item in my portfolio that I think addresses some of the main ideas and concerns you express in your recent newsletter. See what you think, and thanks for your time.
Submitted Item: "On the Value of Replying to Reviews"
Thanks for sharing, Bob. |
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Noticing Newbies: March 04, 2015 Issue [#6856]
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