  Noticing Newbies
This week: Edited by: esprit  
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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
Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! 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
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!
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Product Type: Toys & Games
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Are You Raring to Write?
"Guidelines To Great Reviewing" by The StoryMaster 
an excerpt: Reviewing is an extremely important part of the Writing.Com community. Helpful, honest reviews assist our authors to improve their talents.
This statement is my reason for being here. Is it yours too? Do you want to read and be read?
I was read on another site - once, but I was unable to respond to the comments. It was very cold and distant - unsatisfactory. I kept searching for a site where I could post my work and be read. Writing.Com was one of those I found and it’s the only place where members actually read my work while making me feel welcomed. Writing.Com is the only writing site I’ve found that gives so much to its members. The personal inter-action is out of this world, isn’t it?
If you don’t feel the special community spirit yet, or haven’t been read, I urge you to post on a few forums to introduce yourselves. I hate to think anyone has been passed over, but there are so many new members signing up every day, it’s possible. Some links to forums for new members were sent to your inbox when you signed up. Find them and join the fun of belonging to a real community of writers and readers.
 Over time, I’ve discovered my talent is not in writing fiction, though I enjoy it, but in reading it. I love reading the work of new members. Some have extraordinary talent and are on their way to becoming published authors. Some have already attained that goal. They are not new to writing since they already know the basics. They are new members. Their readers are able to concentrate on the content of the story without the hindrance of bad grammar and spelling.
New writers are in the majority and they need more readers and in-depth reviews than established authors do. Critiques sting. They make you cry. Are you willing to take a review and learn from it if it helps your writing? Sure you are! That's what you like about Writing.Com, right?
Before you can write a story that flows as smooth as honey, you have to know how to spell the words. You need to know how to choose between similar sounding words with different meanings and how to punctuate. You need to know how to write a sentence that makes sense. These things can be taught and learned through studying. If you are in school, pay attention in English class. If you’re not in school, refresh your memory of the things you were taught.
Being able to speak to be understood isn’t the same as writing to be understood. Some people are great oral storytellers For example:
If you said, “the bear bare through the ball threw the wall,” you would be understood by the listener.
But, reading these same words won’t make a lick of sense.
Punctuation has the same importance. When speaking, you naturally pause for a breath (comma) and stop at the end of the line. (period)
If, however, you, don’t. Know - were’ to put: punc’tuation, in you’re” writing: you’ll run in-to some serious difficultys right quickly;
Even in these two greatly exaggerated examples, you’ll have to close your eyes as you repeat the text to make sense of them.  At least I do.
Take baby steps by learning to write a good paragraph scene before you embark upon that novel. Write a lot of ‘55' or ‘100' word prompted stories; they’re fun and they are good practice. Learn to spell. Learn the basics. Study and read many, many books.
First drafts are usually rough and typos are expected; but don’t ask a reviewer to overlook a slew of basic errors just because it’s a Work In Progress.
There is never a need to be embarrassed by mistakes, we all make plenty of our own. No one is going to laugh or point fingers. A few misplaced commas or a spelling error are not going to affect your rate. (Or shouldn’t) Just do your best and keep writing; read and review at least one item a day. You’ll learn and you’ll have fun while doing it. Find a few ‘100' word contests and enter them. Don’t worry about winning, just have fun writing and interacting with others. They are wonderful practice.
Visit the Public Review page through the Reviewing link at the very top of the page and study some of the reviews up there. You’ll see a large variety of review types. Your special style of reviewing will emerge eventually. In the mean time, a few comments is enough and the author of the item will be glad you read his item.
There are many ways to become involved on Writing.Com, it will take weeks to find them all, but they’re all fun and helpful in your journey to become a better writer. First and foremost though, is the ability to have your work read and reviewed by more than one reader/reviewer. You will receive as many types of reviews as you do reviewers. You didn’t like the edit review? Simply fix the errors and post it on the review forums again. This time, they will be able to comment on the content.
Remember, the content suggestions are up to you to change only if you want to. Basic writing errors are not, (usually) only the opinion of the reviewer; they are facts - and they should be fixed and studied for better writing. Of course, reviewers can be wrong too, and it would be to your advantage to learn the basics as soon as possible.
Write on, and enjoy the site!
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Editor’s Picks
Remember to read your neighbor’s work too!
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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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Submitted By: vivacious 
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for all the pointers on how to get noticed. I was also beginning to wonder why some of my older stuff hasn't seen much activity. With an entire week's vacation coming up, I'll have plenty of time to re-read my reviews apply those changes some have suggested.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Esprit! Great newsletter!
Thank you, Vivacious.
Yep, fix the errors, work on the content and get it back out there! The main thing is don't let them sit in your port.
Submitted By: Little Scribbler
Submitted Comment:
Hi
I really like writing storys but I get bored about the subject before I write the first chapter! Why is this and could you please give me some great tips on writing a good story?
Hi, Matt.
What a perfect question for today's letter! I can't say why in your particular case, but with me it's because I don't know enough to try a novel, I'm not ready. I like prompted short shorts, like the 100 word contests I mentioned in today's letter. I write scenes. Why don't you try those for awhile? Do you use an outline? Do you know how it will end before it begins? Actually, novels can be written one scene at a time too. It would be less intimidating. Good question! Thank you.
Submitted By: StephanieMichelle 
Submitted Comment:
I am a newbie and I would definitely love it if someone would read my poem and give me a little feedback. Thanks, bye.
-Excited Newbie
Hi, Stephanie!
Welcome! I can tell you're excited.
Take advantage of the many review forums and post your work on many of them. You'll receive readers and reviewers once they see your item there.
Thanks all, for the questions and comments. Remember, all, or most editors have their past issues in their ports. Click on their cases and see what good tips, pointers and information you have available.
Editors:
Cubby 
Puditat
laurencia
Your host this week is esprit
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Noticing Newbies: January 18, 2006 Issue [#827]
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