Noticing Newbies: October 12, 2016 Issue [#7909]
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Noticing Newbies


 This week: Comfort zone.
  Edited by: ~ Santa Sisco ~ 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

Hello everyone. I am ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author IconMail Icon. I'm one of the four permanent editors of the Noticing Newbies newsletter.

My aim is to ensure you have a smooth transition into the site. I still remember my first day here. "Bitem?" Do I have to be a computer programmer to put my writing on here? *Laugh* Forty-eight hours later, I realized it was a case of easy when you know how!. My biggest mistake when I joined was that I didn't take the time to read the "Writing.Com 101Open in new Window.. I was excited and wanted to do everything the same day. Sound familiar? *Smile*
You will see my contributions every four weeks and I hope they help you with using this great site.

My fellow permanent editors are Brooke Author IconMail Icon, ember_rain, and Sara♥Jean Author IconMail Icon.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99


Letter from the editor

"Every time you step outside your comfort zone, you add a building block to your character and confidence." ~ ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author Icon

Some people join WDC and seem to breeze through everything. Most people join WDC and worry about doing things for the first time. I want to cover some of the first things we do on WDC, and let you take it from there. *Smile*

Have you posted in a forum yet? If not, jump in and make your first post today! I highly recommend making your first post in the "Noticing NewbiesOpen in new Window. forum. This forum is just for newbies. You can introduce yourself and say as much, or as little, as you like. This forum is special as only newbies can make a post. Old-timers like myself can only reply to posts.
It is easy to make a post.
At the top of the forum messages, you will see this:

Post a new Message • Switch to Threaded View

Click on Post a new Message and you will have a Title box and a main body box below that. The title has to be between 3 and 60 characters in length. So Hi is not a valid title, but Hi! would be. *Bigsmile* Introduction, hello, and newbie here are all commonly used titles.
Then write your introduction in the text box. If you are unsure about what to write, just read through a few of the previous newbie posts and you'll get the idea. When you are done, scroll down and click on the Submit Post button at the bottom of the box. You have made your first forum post! *Delight*

Have you created your first item? If not, consider making it today. Once you have posted content to your portfolio your case will change from Grey to Black, and you will become a registered author on WDC. If you have an upgraded membership you will then also qualify to display the following signature:

Writing.Com Signature Image for Upgraded Registered Authors!

I still remember how cool I felt when I made my first post with that signature attached. *Bigsmile*

The best place to go to find out all the "Firsts" you can attempt is "Get Started With Your AccountOpen in new Window..

Once you have tried out all the basics you can begin to do some of the most rewarding firsts; making your first review and entering your first contest.

"Reviewing On Writing.ComOpen in new Window.

Reviewing has many rewards. I have met great friends on here due to mutual reviewing, and gained a mountain of knowledge about writing. Reviews will earn you gift points and the appreciation of the people you review. I'm sure you would want your work reviewed.
Most reviewers are not experts! Reviewers are people like you with a passion for reading and writing. Reviews should be positive and offer advice in an area you are proficient with. You can simply tell the author what worked, what didn't, and why. Doing reviews also helps you to look at your own work in a different light. I have written my own little guide to reviewing which contains my personal views and some very helpful links. "Sisco's General Advice For Reviewing.Open in new Window.
One of the best places to look at is the active reviews on WDC. In your left-hand column, click on Reviewers and read the most recent reviews on WDC.
Review an item on WDC and then confidently say, "I am a reviewer!" *Bigsmile*

Once you have an item of your own, you can consider entering it into a contest, or step outside your comfort zone and write a story/poem from a contest prompt. You will find the active contests on WDC here: "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. Official contests are at the top in the forum, below them you will find the contests that members currently run. Go on, enter a contest today!

I hope you manage to do at least one thing today that is outside your comfort zone. Why? Because I know how good you will feel when you accomplish it!


Editor's Picks

I decided to post some recent reviews from the Reviewers list I mentioned. They are all different, but every one of them offers advice on how to improve the work. (From the reader/reviewers prospective.)

Invalid Review by Anonymous
Review of "A CHOICE BETWEEN" by Warped Sanity Author Icon
Review of "Giant Lizards and Things" by the Wordy Jay Author Icon
Review of "When I Was Your Age" by Jellyfish-Flying Away 4 Xmas! Author Icon
Invalid Review by Anonymous
Review of "The Letter " by Starr Phenix Author Icon
Review of "NaNoWriMo 2016 Project " by Brandiwyn🎶 Author Icon
Review of "Puppet" by Purple Holiday Princess Author Icon
Review of "Know Thine Enemy" by Christopher Roy Denton Author Icon

 
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

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

Is there something new you might try today?
Have you enjoyed my newsletter? Let me know if you have any topics you would like covered.

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