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Noticing Newbies: December 28, 2005 Issue [#786]

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Noticing Newbies


 This week:
  Edited by: Cubby 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

*Gift1* Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! *Gift1* Our goal is to showcase some of our newest Writing.Com Authors and their items. From poetry and stories to creative polls and interactives, we'll bring you a wide variety of items to enjoy. We will also feature "how to" advice and items that will help to jump start the creation process on Writing.com.

*Snow1* We hope all members of the site will take the time to read, rate, review and welcome our new authors. By introducing ourselves, reviewing items and reaching out, we will not only make them feel at home within our community, we just might make new friends!
*Snow1* Your host this week: Cubby Author IconMail Icon*Snow1*

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Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

** Image ID #1040949 Unavailable **
*Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star* Looking Ahead *Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star*

How many of you made New Year's resolutions? I didn't make any last year, but this year I'm going back to the same ol' ones I usually make: Exercise more, be more positive, write more, try to be more organized, clean more.... more, more, more, more, more. Geesh, I'm beginning to have an attitude about that word! It's actually quite an overwhelming four-letter word, don't you think? Quite pushy, too, I'd say. Perhaps I should reword my list to: Exercise consistantly, think positively, concentrate on publishing something, stay organized, straighten the house daily, and don't stress out on any of these if it doesn't happen. While some people are perhaps not hard enough on themselves, I am way too hard on me, which eventually pulls (or pushes) me away from the very thing I enjoy doing.

This past year has not been a good writing year for me. Much has happened to keep my creative juices from flowing. Life deals out its own hand and there's no way of knowing if you're going to end up with a joker or a royal flush. But guess what? I know it will come back. It always does. I'm not going to toss it out the window. I need to write, even if I don't finish what I start. I love it when my adrenaline gets pumping while I'm scratching away with pencil and paper and can barely keep up with myself!

The main point I'm trying to get across is that we all must look ahead and focus on what's important to us. It's too easy to dwell on the past and wallow in discouragement. Yes, the past is important and has taught us many lessons, but we need to go forward and perhaps use the experiences we've endured within our writing. Every single one of us have suffered hardships, whether it's been the loss of a loved one, children moving far away, a bad relationship, abuse, financial difficulties, depression, pressure at work, illness... and the list goes on. Sometimes I have a pity party for myself. It's pretty pitiful, too! *Laugh* I feel so sorry for myself at times, I swear the world hates me! But it doesn't. Life is just hard to deal with at times. Holidays can be very emotional for many of us. Yet we need to look ahead. Darn that's hard, isn't it??? But it really helps to get us through. Sometimes I create a character who I give some of my weaknesses to. I don't always like what I see in this creation, but it is rather interesting to see where this character goes. That actually might be a challenging prompt for some of you, eh? Hey, try it out and see what happens? Who knows... it may be theraputic for you!

Anyway, I hope you all the best through this holiday season. Don't expect too much from yourself, and remember to look ahead. Set goals, but don't allow them to overwhelm you.

Happy Writing!

Love,
Cubby ")

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Editor's Picks

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*Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star* Got questions? You might find answers here... *Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star*


Getting Started: Table of Contents Open in new Window. (E)
Visit here for a tour of Writing.Com and learn about this vast, exciting site!
#168945 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon

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This item number is not valid.
#794007 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#741058 by Not Available.


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*Star* ~~~And Now... For Our Featured Newbie Presentation!~~~ *Star*


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by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Her bright smile lighting up in my life
As each day goes by
Never letting go of her hold
Sticking close by me
Teaching faith in God into my daily life

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by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt: The room lay halfway in the ground, in the foundation of the house, next to the basement. Alone—the room was alone. The eyes of the walls were shut—they had endured much. The floor rested, as it always had. Nothing was there to see. Lifeless, the room could not be responsible or even respond to the darkness that had suddenly gathered there. But it seemed as if, in all its existence as a room—a cold, dank room with an uneven floor, something that had entered within its confines had finally caught its attention. The air around the house was hushed into stillness, and the darkness of the neighborhood leaned in as if it wished to know what other sort of darkness could outdo its own.

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by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt: In a moment, this group of shepherds risked everything. They could lose the sheep. They could lose their jobs. They could lose income and be known as those who deserted the sheep in the middle of the night when they were very vulnerable. They risked everything to see this thing the angels had told them about. They were willing to put it all on the line to see Jesus.

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by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt: Hydrogen fuel cells are the wave of the future, to help ensure a clean, bright, virtually inexhaustible, and extremely cost effective tomorrow. Their implementation could end oil wars forever and help eliminate outrageous gasoline-pump pricing. Despite the costs of implementing this new technology, hydrogen is far more efficient than traditional fossil fuels and could offset many costs here alone. Hydrogen is also extremely clean and environmentally friendly, providing nothing but water vapor emissions.

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by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt: The guard -- not just a guard, but a Pale Creeper -- walks towards me, quietly circles around me, keeping me in check. Hidden behind that chrome mask, the man (or maybe a woman?) is unrecognizable, a faceless assassin phantom. This is one of the many troopers of Gaius Gideon II, our epicene emperor.
"State your gender, citizen," the Pale Creeper says through its mask with its mechanically neutered voice.
I look down at myself. I can't tell.
"I'm kind of in the dark about that at the moment," I say.
The Pale Creeper scoffs. Perhaps it takes my comment as snide.
"Too wiry to be a male...but you've got no outstanding feminine features. A synth-transsexual?"
The wan metal-suited androgyne unlatches a small scanner from its belt. It scans my eyes, and for a moment I am blind.
The Pale Creeper reads the scanner's tiny screen.
"Hmm...all-natural," it says inquisitively. It pauses in what I assume to be thought. "So...a Switcher, eh? Not many of you around anymore."

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*Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star* Great Places for Newbies to Check Out! *Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star*

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#844409 by Not Available.

Image Protector
FORUM
Noticing Newbies Open in new Window. (13+)
A warm welcome to our newbies; come meet new and not-so-new members of Writing.Com!
#126963 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon

THE DROP-OFF BOX  Open in new Window. (13+)
Monthly newbie contest.
#530577 by Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#837496 by Not Available.

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*Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star* Winners of the Children’s Poetry Contest for Newbies ! *Star* ~ *Snow1* ~ *Star*

First Place
Camping Open in new Window. (E)
A poem about a boy and his camping trip.
#1017599 by jacaranda Author IconMail Icon


Second Place
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#1016694 by Not Available.


Third Place
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
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#1013200 by Not Available.


Fourth Place
Just A Cat Open in new Window. (E)
Fourth place winner in the Children's poetry contest! Also my first free verse poem.
#1020850 by GeminiStar Author IconMail Icon


Fifth Place
Puppy's Prayer
By: Delana Romaine Author IconMail Icon
(see enter #133 in contest forum)

Congratulations to all of you!!! Great job!


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Ask & Answer

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*Star* ~ *Gift2* ~ *Star* Yummy, Feedback! *Star* ~ *Gift2* ~ *Star*


** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** Marguerite Author IconMail Icon
I'd say around fourth grade. I wrote a poem for a school bulletin board, and it went over so well, I was asked for another by the teacher! I've been writing ever since!

How wonderful! It's so important for children (actually, adults, too, lol!) to be praised. Hmmm... fourth grade is about nine or ten years old. I think I was about ten when I first started writing poetry and stories. My grandmother gave me a blank book and I filled it right up! Believe it or not, I still have it (and I'm 49!).

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author IconMail Icon
I love your newsletters, they are always so interesting!
Answer to your question...I was about 10 or 11 when I started writing poetry.
The other writings came after I was in middle-school(12-13.)


Thank you, Tammy. *Bigsmile* It seems to me that ten must be the age many of us begin our creative writing!

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** PeaceLAS Author IconMail Icon
Hello,
Another great resource for newbies is the Black Case Experience Cafe. There are contests, a review forum, a sig shop, and a lot of good people. You might want to add it to your newsletter in the future.
Thanks,
PeaceLAS


Most definitely! Thanks for the suggestion. *Smile*

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** scribbler Author IconMail Icon
I have always written fiction but have only begun writing regularily in the last year or two and this is my first year of attempted poetry. I really only started writing because my english teacher encouraged me. haha it seems a little silly I guess but I never saw poetry as a form of important writing, it seemed...pointless, but I have since reconsidered. Now I write poetry as a means of healing!


*Smile* We not only write as we grow, but grow as we write, eh? Sounds like you've made a wonderful discovery. Yes, poetry can be very healing. When I was a teenager, my father bought me a guitar. I learned how to play maybe eight chords or so, and then began writing songs. Most of them were written when I was very emotional. A few of my songs were called: I am Lost, Sunshine, Take the Rain Away, and Somewhere in the Universe. The titles themselves give you the feeling I was searching back then. And though I was struggling with my emotions when I wrote them, the words were very healing for me when I sang them. I'm so glad you brought that up, Eothyne. I'm sure many have shared the same healing experience when writing poetry. Thanks for sharing! *Heart*

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** jeanimoo
This is a wonderful newsletter. *Heart*

Keep up the wonderful job. *Smile*


Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. *Bigsmile*

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** ms_s_motley
I just wanted to say "thank you" for featuring my essay in the newsletter. I would also like to thank each and every person that read it and gave me feedback! I love this site! :)

It's an awesome place, isn't it? And you sound like a person who really appreciates feedback. Keep up that positive attitude! *Heart*

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** T.M. Park Author IconMail Icon
I think this newsletter is terrific. I had signed up a few years back but was horrified as I hadn't even thought of asking for help, but then after doing some more writing and realizing that I needed more people like me around me, I knew I needed to come back here. So here I am and while feeling a bit overwhelmed, I'm ready to learn the ins and outs around here and maybe even upload some of my writing. Thank you.

That's great! There's so much to learn here, and have fun at the same time. *Smile* I can see why one might feel a little overwhelmed at first, but it doesn't take too long before you actually feel like part of the community. Most of us are pretty welcoming and try to be encouraging. I'm glad you like this newsletter and even happier that you decided to come back!

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** milkwoodtree
I suppose there are so many newbies that all of cannot be sponsored. I will just have to wait until I have gathered enough gift points to buy an up graded membership.
nightowl


Keep your eyes open. There are several groups here that help to upgrade newbies, along with others who are needy. *Smile*

** Image ID #1041333 Unavailable ** PastVoices Author IconMail Icon
Ah, Cubby, your question of the month. About what age did I begin writing. I was not quite 12 when I started making up stories, at night, in my head when I couldn't sleep.

I was in high school (between ages 14-18 and years 1969-1973) when I began my poetry I wrote tons. I have some of those original items in "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. in my port. I have posted them as unrateable as I know they are poor but after 30 years, I have no desire to edit them.


Thank you for sharing your poetry folder with us! I will be peeking in soon. Teen hormones seem to push out the ol' poetry, doesn't it? It did for me!


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Quote: Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
~ Henry Ford


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*Star* Cubby's Question of the Month*Star*

?What overwhelms you the most with your writing?


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See you again on January 25th, 2006!
Happy Holidays!

Love, Cubby ")


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** Image ID #1041327 Unavailable ** Next week's editor will be... Puditat Author Icon

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