  Short Stories
This week: Reading, Reviewing, and Rating Edited by: Shannon  
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It's a scary prospect, posting your writing online for all to see. You feel vulnerable, exposed, naked in a room full of strangers. Will they like what they see, or will they laugh, ridicule, and humiliate you to the point of never picking up a pen (or laptop) again?
To varying degrees, we all know how to write, but oftentimes we don't know how to deal with the end result: other people's response to it.
On October 11 iKĆÆyĆ„Ā§ama  asked via her notebook if she "intimidates folks around here". Some of her friends joked about being terrified, afraid to answer, etc., but those of us who "know" her know she's a big ol' pussycat. The thread was a popular one, and thanks to yours truly the conversation eventually morphed into a discussion about how members treat each other based on case color.
I have a secondary (black case) account in addition to my primary (blue case) account. I use a pseudonym for my secondary, and some people do treat me differently depending on which account I use. It made me wonder ... are we biased based on case color? Do we allow portfolio color to determine the tone of our reviews?
Although I've been a member for 10+ years, I am still nervous when I post content online. It's easier now than it was 10 years ago, but the apprehension remains. We're all just human beings who happen to be writers, and sharing our work is the baring of our souls.
We should, then, be gentle with one another. Kind and compassionate, understanding and helpful in any way we can be. Our goal should be to help, not harm; encourage, not dishearten. Writers, whether seasoned or novice, shouldn't be fearful of sharing their work with other writers, and we should never say in a WDC review what we wouldn't say in person regardless of case color.
There were times my reviews came across harsher than I intended, and once I realized it I apologized to the receiver(s). It can be difficult to convey/interpret inflection in an email, and I hope if it ever happens again the person will bring it to my attention. We get in a hurry, we're busy, but we all need to remember there's a real person on the other end of that review who's waiting with bated breath to hear what we thought of their work, and we should choose our words accordingly.
WDC is about mentorship, community, and friendship as much as it is about writing. We pride ourselves on the bonds created between members, and we celebrate each other's success. Many of us use pseudonyms and feel safer standing behind a made-up handle, others (like me) use our real names, but regardless of what we call ourselves and each other we should consider whether or not we'd want to receive the review we just wrote to someone else before we hit Send Email or Rate/Review.
Do you feel intimidated by blue, purple, and/or red cases? Are you less likely to review pieces in their portfolios? Do you have an experience regarding case color/reviewing you'd like to share? Respond to this editorial and I will include your comments in next month's newsletter.
Thank you for reading.
P.S. Just like last month, everyone who responds to this newsletter will receive an exclusive trinket. This month's limited-edition trinket will be retired on November 30, 2016, when my next Short Stories Newsletter goes live--at which point a new, exclusive trinket will be available only to those who respond to that newsletter. Who knows, this "feedback for a trinket" thing might become a monthly perk for reading and responding to my short stories newsletters. 
P.P.S. On October 11, 2016, I asked members to share their experiences concerning this week's topic, and with their permission, I will share their comments with you in next month's feedback section. As a special thank you to all who participated in the discussion, you will each receive this month's exclusive trinket.
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The following is in response to "Trinkets" :
SB Musing  writes, "Aw, man, you must know that you created a feeding frenzy offering a trinket for responding to this newsletter? I keep waffling on making a trinket and then I look at the price tag and waffle some more. Do you think once they get bumped up to 100k a pop that it'll change or still be feeding time? I think that it's fun to see everyone's different 'trinkets' and they show that person's personality. The trinket I kicked myself for missing was the bowling trinket The StoryMaster  was offering. I had someone say they would take a breakfast taco I make in exchange for it but... the taco would get cold by the time it got there. I don't think cold tacos are accepted, right?" Haha! I dunno. I guess that depends on the taco. 
Paul D  writes, "I have collected 15 trinkets so far. It is a cool idea." It is! 
A E Willcox  writes, "Hi Shannon, I have to say I'm guilty of pandering to WDC members trinket addiction as I have made one or a few myself. I haven't got that many compared with some because I've had my head down creating the things. They aren't cheap to make, but they are a lot of fun and I really enjoy designing new ones. I know I should be writing my novel, but you know how it is with trinkets. " Yep, I know all too well. 
Vaughan Jones - ONE Scribe writes, "Thanks for this interesting newsletter. These trinkets are all very cute and desirable, but to me, they're actually just negotiable instruments in a barter system. They carry a value and, for so many reads/reviews, you can have a trinket. They are actually simply a substitute for standard currency or Gift Points." Yes, they can be used as such. 
Shanachie  writes, "1. Do you have a trinket you'd like to share? No, not at the moment. 2. Is there one you weren't able to get and would like to trade? No, not really. I've been collecting them if I see them, but I tend not to go looking for them too much. 3. How many gift points have you spent creating trinkets? (I'm currently up to 300k.) None yet. 4. How have Trinkets impacted your time on WDC? They haven't, really. I did get really determined to find one this morning, but other than that, if I see them, I collect them. Otherwise *shrugs*. 5. How have you used trinkets to increase traffic to your portfolio? I haven't yet. I'm super busy with work normally during the week, so it's unusual for me to be around during the day." I'm curious if your trinket-collecting practices have changed since you responded to this newsletter? 
š Darleen - QoD  writes, "Oh yeah, trinkets have definitely effected my time on WdC. I find myself mashing the refresh button every time there's a newsfeed post. I haven't been wild enough to join groups yet just to get trinkets (those should be saved for people who really use the group), but I admit I've made one specifically for my own group members to enjoy! They are addicting, and I look forward to see how they're used in the future." Yes, some members have gotten pretty creative since the beta release. 
dogpack saving 4premium  writes, "Trinkets are dangling incentives to act and a good way to have visitors to WDC places, so true, however I was so busy when I returned I ignored them for quite a while. My collection has grown, I've created a few trinkets, and now it's a challenge to find more of them because I am able to view only about an eighth part of the screen at a time. This is really treasure hunting! Oops, trinket hunting! I think and believe you helped perpetuate trinket mania because your short story, a history, and information article is in fact a form of short story. So for me it is appropriate for this newsletter. Thank you for the trinket information and for editing this newsletter." Aw, you're welcome! Thank you for reading and commenting. 
the Wordy Jay writes, "Hi Shannon! Thank you for creating such pretty trinkets and sharing them in this newsletter! This is my very first WDC newsletter, and I'm so glad it came with goodies!  Many thanks." It was my pleasure, and welcome to writing.com! 
Steev the Friction Wizurd writes, "Oh, now I HAVE to respond. *salivating for special trinket* Yes, trinket mania has fallen upon the land and the people wail and gnash their teeth and moan, 'Trinket, trinket, I want a trinket,' while the great sorcerers stir their pots and chant their magic words until a new trinket appears." Yes! I think that pretty much sums it up. 
S Ferguson~ Prepping for Prep writes, "I have 90 trinkets and will soon be making my own one or two (or 10!) Okay, probably not 10. I love them." Me too. 
eyestar~* writes, "OH this is marvelous. I love the quote by Emily and Sara. Guess writers fit right in! You really captured the essence of trinketmania!" Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Hanna ~ Be Kind š writes, "To answer your question of how have trinkets impacted my time on WDC? Well, I share a phone and lately the person I share it with gets a little perturbed because I'm always on her phone. I've transferred them to people who are newbies to the trinket craze, my best friends, and people I don't know to pay it forward. These trinkets have changed WDC so much for the better! I've met so many different people because I collected their trinket(s) and became friends with them.  " I agree. It's a great way to encourage site-wide participation and community. 
CheerFairy Dutchessbarbie.  writes, "SM should be pleased; this is one beta that should last a long time. Wonder if more key trinkets are going to pop up, with more locked boxes? I hope in the future the price goes down to make them." I also wonder if trinket making will decrease once the price increases. 
Dragon is hiding writes, "I've made 3 trinkets so far--one for a group when I was desperate to join in and make one but didn't have the funds, and two for myself, now that I do have the funds.  I put a trinket in one of my book items, and the entry views suddenly went from 0 and 2 to about 20 in a day, so I think they're pretty good at redirecting traffic to specific items in your port! " That's great! I hope the traffic continues. 
Fivesixer  writes, "Excellent info on Trinkets! I have a set routine each day of what I do when I first long on to WDC: check notifications, the newsfeed, and then emails, but Trinket hunting seems to have taken over because I don't want to miss out on a limited edition Trinket if I don't have to! " I hear ya. I don't want to miss any either. 
Elycia Lee ā®  writes, "Wait? What's a transfer lock? I've learnt something new during these whole trinket frenzy: that those things at Biography are like the latest edits and there is a 'Go to Folder' button that I never knew existed. I'm SO EXCITED! I'm supposed to be working on serious things, but these trinkets ... they are SO YUMMY! They are like salmon sandwiches with salad and cheese and nachos with cheese sauce ... and a soda drink. " Hahaha! Well, now I'm going to have to try a salmon sandwich for comparison. 
Hannah ā«ā„ā« writes, "We've all gone stark raving Trinket mad! I wonder if Storymaster anticipated this mass hysteria. It's like a sickness. I see a post and find it's not about trinkets, and I'm like yeah, so, is there a trinket to be had. It's crazy, I tell ya!  125 Trinkets collected in four days!" It totally is crazy. I find myself looking for trinkets in every newsfeed post, too. 
Princess Megan Snow Rose  writes, "I love that you mentioned Emily Dickinson's poem including trinkets. Trinkets are addicting. Easier to get then Merit Badges. Get some sleep. Don't work too hard. I work midnights. Great newsletter." Thank you, Megan! 
GeminiGemš¾  writes, "Trinkets are way bigger than anyone could have dreamed. I have personally created nine trinkets for various uses. Two are exclusively for members of the Newbies Academy. One is for a forum I regularly participate in, four are my Danger Dogs and Friends trinkets (that I will hand out very sparingly), and two I made for everyone to enjoy. The one I made tonight is to celebrate breast cancer survivors, and it is pretty important to me. I get why people hide them in their ports, but I don't have the time to dig around to find them. It is disappointing, but there just aren't enough hours in a day. One thing I would like to say is to encourage people to do more than just click on 'collect' and move on. Look at the image, read what the person wrote on the inside of the trinket. You might learn something, plus the person took the time to find the image, write the information and PAID for the trinket...the very least we all can do is appreciate it. Here are the two trinkets for everyone to enjoy: and " I couldn't agree more. Some people put a lot of work into trinket making. We should appreciate their efforts. 
Elfin Dragon-finally published writes, " I've got so many trinkets I don't know what to do. And I even had to spend some GPs to create one of my own! There really are some beautiful ones out there." Yes, there are. 
Charlie ~ writes, "Nice newsletter, Shannon! It's like the short story version of trinkets. I think it's safe to say that most of us have glazed-over eyes from trinket hunting at this point. " I know I do, but I still want more. 
ruwth  writes, "I'm responding and sharing: "Trinkets on Display" [E]" Thank you! 
Elizabeth writes, "I've only just started with the trinkets today. I'll be honest, I'm still not entirely sure what the purpose is? It seems like a fun little sharing and collecting thing, so I am happy to hop aboard. I've got a whole two! I don't have the GPs to make one yet, but maybe soon. :)" You're not alone. Do you have more than two yet? 
NaNoKit  writes, " I am well and truly sat on the trinket roller coaster ride. I've made... *counts* six trinkets so far, five of which have been available to the public. My latest one is: It's an unlimited one, in line with its message. So yeah, that's 300K, but I think those were gift points well spent. It's fun to share these with others and give them a smile. And it's fun to collect them. I missed out on some exclusive ones, was lucky with others. It's all good. Writing.Com sure got more addictive, though. " For sure, and I think that's a good thing. 
Marci Missing Everyone writes, "We've all been bitten by the trinket collecting bug. It's distracting, but fun. I think things will settle down soon enough, but until then, I'll be clicking on those amazing square buttons!" I think it'll slow down, too, especially after the price increase. 
Mara ā£ McBain  writes, "The Trouble with Trinkets! I don't know how to make them ... I just figured out where I store them ... but I'm quickly becoming addicted to them! LOL" They are so much fun! 
NaNoNette writes, "So far, I've spent 200k gift points on making trinkets. The first one was a bust. It's an empty frame with a broken image link in it.  . The second one is one for everybody and it's unlimited. My third and fourth trinkets are affiliated with my "I Write" activity. One for the round that is currently running and one for the winter round that starts on December 1st. Sign up is open for that round under "I Write in December-January-February" " Thank you for sharing! 
Samberine Everose  writes, "Thank you for this informative newsletter, it gives me more idea about Trinket, they are so cool and fun, they create and gives lively to the WdC community, it just like a couple of break- relaxing from thinking our muse through collecting these awesome collectible stuffs. I still figuring out how to create one, but I collected some few awesome Trinket already. Thank you for a nice Trinket newsstuffs." Aw, you are so welcome! Thank YOU. 
Andy~hating university writes, "Great newsletter, Shannon. So far I've only created one trinket (so spent 50K GPs) and can be found here "Invalid Item" . I have a couple of Trinket series planned, but just need to figure it all out. There are a few limited Trinkets I've missed, but I'm not sure the trading aspect of Trinkets has actually kicked in yet. There is the Pay It Forward Trinket that was created for PIF's 15th anniversary that has been passed on to so many members, but, since the Trinket is unlimited, members who pass theirs on to someone else can simply recollect it. The idea of trading a limited Trinket so that a member will never have that Trinket again I don't think has started yet. Maybe once the creation madness stops and the dust settles in a month or so, then I can see the trading possibly starting. It might even be like when I was in school and football (soccer) sticker albums were the big thing. Kids were willing to trade stickers, but some stickers were deemed to have a higher value than others. Quite often the sticker of the team's insignia was all golden and shiny, so it was deemed to be worth 2 or 3 stickers of the players (since these were plain white matt backgrounds). This might be the way some people go with Trinkets - deciding that their "limited edition" Trinket is worth 2 or 3 Trinkets that can simply be recollected ad infinitum." I think that's pretty spot-on, Andy. I've only created one very limited edition trinket (25 copies), and they went pretty quickly. I plan to make more in the future. 
~Minja~  writes, "I won't lie, I'll be totally honest: I'm here because of the trinket  . I have created a few just to try them out and they are totally fun and addicting. Once you create your first you just wanna do more and more. I have so many ideas and so little gift points  ." Haha. No shame in that. Your secret's safe with me. 
Cubby  writes, "You poem by Emily Dickinson was PERFECT, lol. Enjoyed your newsletter, too! Packed with great info for the trinket collectors!  " Thanks! Glad you liked it. 
Purple Despises Orange  writes, "Hi Shannon. I love your trinkets! I've spent 350K so far. It's so addicting I'm already contemplating making more and trying to figure out how to come up with the GPs to do so, lol. I didn't expect it to become such a frenzy. I swear I've lost sleep over worrying I'd miss an exclusive one. I wonder if SM knew the monster he was unleashing on us?" I know! I am currently down to 5,875 gift points and wondering what I need to do to get more.
āPrincetteā„PengthuluWrites  writes, "I love trinkets. I am very, very bad at searching them out, though, some people are extremely sneaky in wherever they're putting them!" I'm the same way--a lazy trinker. If they're not clickable in the newsfeed I won't go digging for them. 
dragonwoman writes, "Trinkets rock! I'm just getting nibbled by the mania but hope to jump in with both feet collecting in a frenzy in no time!" So many trinkets, so little time! 
Nixieš¦  writes, "A NL about trinkets, and you found a quote and a poem with the word trinkets in it. I've only made two so far, and I'm sad for all the ones I missed. I hope SM's brilliant idea helps fund WdC. It is a business, after all. And, so many members are making trinkets, I bet we're a closer community. Nice going, The StoryMaster Here I go, off to your portfolio. (Dang, unintentional rhymes drive me nuts.)" Hahaha! You're a poet and you don't know it. 
StephBee  writes, "LOL!! I'm still a little confused about trinkets. I hate to say that. Are they like trading cards? How do you get one?" They can be traded, and rare = more valuable. Some people give them away (all you have to do is click) while others make you jump through hoops (review their writing, for example). 
innerlight  writes, "Trinket madness is effecting my life. I spend hours and hours on trinket hunts. But, you know I love every minute of it. Even though my whole body complains. I love it." Me too! Trinkets are the best thing since Cabbage Patch Kids and Beanie Babies! 
WakeUpAndLive~doingNaNo'24  writes, "I'm totally addicted to trinkets. My house is a mess, I barely review anymore (no time), and I've great trouble writing a story since my head is with the newsfeed and collecting, collecting, collecting! I have more than 150 trinkets now and I am yet not satisfied. I hope this fever will slow down after the first week, because otherwise I foresee mayhem. But they are so much fun!" Madness and mayhem, agreed. 
scooter writes, "thanks for explaining this trinket thing! I have been seeing the darn things everywhere and had nooooooooo idea what they were. When I opened one I was like, Great! I probably just opened a virus or something, so I feel better about that, too!" Glad to help. 
ladeecaid writes, "Trinkets are cool. There are so many different ones. I too have been bummed because I didn't log in early enough to see one on my Newsfeed. One day, I will create one, but for now, I'm saving my gift points for something I have my eye on in the store. I could buy gps, but I want to earn them. After that purchase, it will be trinket time." Trinket time. I like that! 
~ Aqua ~ writes, "You know whenever I wake up every morning, I check to see WDC Newsfeed to see any trinket I can get and without reading the description, I click on Collect and move on.  The reason is I don't want to miss out any of the limited trinkets. Due to my time zone, I am mostly asleep when people are awake on WDC and making LIMITED trinkets . I have spent only 50k on trinkets, here is mine: And I have collected 200 trinkets. The first trinket I made was for everyone, still is available for anyone who didn't get it. It is generally about writing and reading but the next trinkets I have in mind will be specific for a cause or purpose, perhaps for my own contest or activities ." I wondered how the time difference affected collecting! Yes, that stinks. Keep us posted if/when you make another! 
~MM~ writes, "Thanks for update on transfer-lock. I can't believe how well trinkets have taken off - kudos to the SM." Yes, pure genius. 
Maryann  writes, "What a great idea to make a Trinket's Newsletter! Thanks, Shannon! " Aw, you're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 
Starr Phenix  writes, "Hi Shannon! I've created four Trinkets thus far, totaling 200K. They truly are addictive, both to create and collect! It is so much fun, though, and brings the WDC community together in a whole new way!" I absolutely agree. So much interaction and activity is a good thing. 
Moody Blue: Needs an Upgrade writes, "The StoryMaster hit the jackpot with trinkets. This newsletter is very informative. Thanks for writing it." You're very welcome. Thank you for reading it! 
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  writes, "Always something to find." Indeed there is. 
Pony Tale writes, "What is a trinket? How do you recognize one when you see it? What do you do with it?" See last month's newsletter for a semi-detailed explanation.. 
sindbad  writes, "Hi. This is a nice and informative newsletter on trinkets. I did like the brief synopsis and want to add, trinkets and its launch has enhanced the excitement quotient in WDC, I find the exploring and hunt for trinket engrossing and educative as well. I pray and wish with the sincerest effect the success of this new introduction." I agree with you, Sindbad! The excitement is palpable. It's mellowed out a little over the past couple weeks, but people are still trinket crazy. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. 
Angus writes, "Hi, Shannon. I just recently got into collecting Trinkets after swearing I didn't want to have anything to with them. I've got about 65 now, and I still don't why or how I ended up on this bandwagon, but I did. So I guess I'll just go along with the ride now. And yes, they do take a little of my time, but I'm not obsessed with them. Really, I'm not. At least I don't think I am...am I?" Hahaha! You can run, but you can't hide. Trinketmania is everywhere, and it's okay if you're obsessed. You're in good company. 
pinkbarbie writes, "Great piece about the trinkets!" Thank you! Glad you liked it. 
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Short Stories: November 02, 2016 Issue [#7918]
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