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Writing.Com Time

Saturday
November 7, 2009
12:56pm EST

Getting Started: Table of Contents #168945

Welcome to Writing.Com,
the premier online reading and writing community!

This area is filled with valuable information for visitors and members. The more you learn about this vast, exciting website, the more fun you will ultimately have each time you log in! The following topics will teach you the ins and outs of Writing.Com.

* Jump Start Your Account *
Setup your BioBlock Setup your Signature Block Setup your first Item Setup your Preferences Visit your private Portfolio	Say "Hello" & introduce yourself Open Instant Messages Console Subscribe to Newsletters Change Your Handle Have questions or suggestions?

* Getting Started Topics *
Writing Reading Reviewing Author Resources Useful Editorials	Membership Information General Information Interaction in the Community Frequently Asked Questions Helpful Links

Setup Your BioBlock:

Your BioBlock is the welcome mat that you lay out for the visitors to your portfolio. Welcome your readers with a brief introduction about yourself, your writing or what makes you tick!

How Do I?:

Click "My Account".

Choose "Change Account Text & Special Items".

Read the details and rules regarding your BioBlock.

Fill in your information.

Click "Submit Changes".

If you'd like to check for mistakes and preview what your visitors will see, go back to "My Account" and click on "Your Public URL."

Set up your Signature Block:

A Signature is text that will automatically show up in your emails, forum posts and journal entries. This is a very convenient way to leave an impression on those members with whom you're conversing!

How Do I?:

Click "My Account".

Choose "Change Signature(s)".

Read the details and rules regarding your Signature Block.

Fill in your information.

Click "Submit Changes".

If you'd like to check for mistakes and preview what will show up in your signature, just follow the directions from that area.

Create Your First Item:

To fill your portfolio with your writing, you need to create an Item. There are over 15 different Item types available; be sure to choose the best type for your particular writing purpose.

How Do I?:

Click "Writing".

Read the description of each Item type.

Choose the best type that fits the writing you want to post.

Read and follow the instructions on this creation page.

When you are finished filling in the information, click "Save Item".

To view your new item, click on it from within that same window or choose "My Portfolio". You will find your item in there.

Setup Your Prefences:

Setting your Preferences will make your stay here much more enjoyable by customizing certain site features to your liking.

How Do I?:

Click "My Account".

Choose "Change Preferences".

Read the details regarding all available preference settings.

Choose the preferred setting for each.

Click "Submit Changes".

Visit Your Private Portfolio:

Your Private Portfolio is your homebase or work area within the site. From this area, you may create new items, edit or delete existing ones and view information regarding your membership.

How Do I?:

Click "My Portfolio".

Say Hello & Introduce Yourself:

Don't be shy; step up and introduce yourself to the community! We know you might feel a bit nervous, but we're happy you've found your way here and can't wait to hear from you!

How Do I?:

The quickest way to introduce yourself to the community is to post your hello in various Message Forums around the site. Here are two great ones to get you started:

"Writing.Com General Discussion"

"Noticing Newbies"

Again, don't be bashful; there are many members to meet and friends to be made!

Open Instant Message Console:

The Writing.Com IM System is a quick way to get in touch with other members who are online and a great way to view and/or participate in some of the site chatter!

How Do I?:

In the "Site Navigation" column, click the "IM" link.

The upper portion displays members that are online and available for IM.

The lower portion is "Scrolling Message", a real time way to chat with other members.

Any member may view and follow along with the chatter in Scrolling Messages. In order to participate, though, you must have an Upgraded Membership.

Subscribe to Newsletters:

Writing.Com Newsletters are a great resource for members and sent out on a weekly basis. Our newsletters cover a variety of topics from Romance to Horror and Short Stories to Contests.

How Do I?:

Choose "Newsletters" from the "Site Tools" navigation menu.

Click "Manage Newsletter Subscriptions".

Choose your favored topics.

Click "Submit Changes".

Official Writing.Com newsletters are emailed every Wednesday; you will find your weekly issues in your email inbox.

Change Your Handle:

Your Handle is the text that shows up next to your portfolio icon. Unlike your username, which cannot be easily changed, you may update your handle at random.

How Do I?:

Click "My Account".

Choose "Change Personal Information".

Find and read the rules regarding the changing of your handle.

Fill in your new handle.

Click "Submit Changes".

To view your new handle, go back to "My Account" and look for "Your Handle" under your Account Overview.

Have Questions or Suggestions?

If you've read over the Getting Started area and still can't find an answer to your question, there are various areas within the site that might help you.

How Do I?:

"Help @ Writing.Com"

"Technical Support Forum"

"Non-Technical Support Forum"

Our FAQ: http://www.writing.com/main/faq.php

Also, don't be afraid to ask other members if you have a question. You might find that you'll learn something new and make a new friend at the same time!
Have a Suggestion? "Suggestion Box"

Writing

"Creating New Items" : Learn how to begin filling your portfolio with your writing!

"The Rating / Reviewing Preference" : Understand the difference between these two options and choose which is best for any particular item in your portfolio!

"Author Tools @ Writing.Com" : Find out more about the useful tools that will assist you with your writing!

"Analyzing Your Item Statistics" : Learn how to understand your readers and their ratings by viewing an item's Extended Statistics!

"Understanding Your Portfolio" : Get to know the ins and outs of your private and public online portfolio.

"Creating and Using Folders" : Organize your portfolio and layout of items using folders!

"Group Item Information" : Gather groups of members with a common interest and work together!

"Image Item Info" : Upload images into your portfolio and enhance your items and signature!

"Writing.Com Content Rating System (CRS)" : Each item posted on Writing.Com must be properly rated; familiarize yourself with our guidelines.

"Writing.Com Copyright Policy" : Get to know and understand our policies and procedures on copyright infringement.

Reading

"Finding Items to Read" : With so many items to read, where do you start?

"Finding Authors" : Learn how to wade through all of the Authors at Writing.Com!

"Sorting Through the Items and Authors" : Familiarize yourself with our methods of finding something to read or a portfolio to visit!

"Writing.Com Newsletter Archives" : Each archive contains an abundant amount of helpful information, thought-provoking opinions and creative inspiration!

"Rating and Reviewing Items You Read" : Authors want and need your feedback for those Items you read!

Reviewing

"Reviewing @ Writing.Com" : Honest, helpful feedback is invaluable to the Authors of the community; learn more about the reviewing system here.

"Guidelines To Great Reviewing" : Writing a detailed review takes time. Follow these guidelines for best results!

"How Should I Rate Items on Writing.Com?" : Learn to leave honest feedback for the authors of Writing.Com.

"Comment-In-A-Box" : An example of the criteria for choosing a rating for an item.

"The Review Request Page" : For serious feedback on your Static Items, post them here!

"Awardicons Info" : This is Writing.Com's Premiere Recognition System; hand out your very own ribbon or trophy!

"How To Deal With Negative Comments" : Read our advice on how to deal with an unconstructive and negative review.

Author Resources

"Site News & Announcements" : Find out about new and improved features, updates and news.

"The Shameless "Plug" Page" : Come and shamelessly plug your favorite item to the community!

"Writer's Resource" : Have a question on some aspect of the art of writing? Check here!

"Find a Review Forum" : If you're looking for a review forum, this is a great place to start!

"Writing Contests @ Writing.Com!" : Exercise that mind and you might just win! Check for a variety of current running contests here!

"User Resources" : A brief listing of review fora, how-to articles, writing workshops for newbies!

Useful Editorials

"Gaining Exposure Within Writing.Com" : Learn a few ways to direct the community's attention to your portfolio!

"Promoting Your Portfolio URL" : Use the URL that we provide to bring even more attention to your portfolio!

"Help Us Help YOU!" : Help spread the word about Writing.Com and gain exposure for yourself!

Membership Information

"Getting Started as a Guest or New Member" : Learn the difference between our Guests and Members!

"Memberships @ Writing.Com" : Find out more about the various Membership options at Writing.Com.

"Online Portfolio Icons" : Learn about the various colors of the Writing.Com portfolios!

"Merit Badge Info" : Recognize another member for effort and excellence with a Writing.Com Merit Badge!

"Writing.Com Images For Upgraded Members" : Need a new look? Grab a new image to spice up your posts, items and emails!

General Information

"About Writing.Com" : Find out what this community is all about and how it can help you!

"Gift Points Info" : Advertise items, encourage members or purchase products with our "virtual tokens"!

"The Writing.Com BidClick System" : Gain exposure for Items and offsite links using our innovative advertising system!

Interaction in the Community

"Noticing Newbies" : Come and introduce yourself to new and not-so-new members! We're waiting to meet you!

"Writing.Com General Discussion" : Jump right in here and tell us about yourself! Maybe a mini-bio, your specialties, reading interests... let's hear it!

"The Activities Page" : This is the place to find and advertise activities within Writing.Com!

Helpful Links

Self Publish Your Writing: If you've decided to take the next step in writing, check here first for all of your publishing needs.
http://www.writing.com/main/showcase.php?t=pod&i=600

Link to Writing.Com: Have a personal website that you'd like to link to Writing.Com? Text links, banner ads and html are provided for you here!
http://www.writing.com/main/linktous.php

Visit Our Online Store: Support Writing.Com through the purchase of a paid membership or branded product!
http://www.writing.com/main/store.php

Writing.Com Privacy Policy: Writing.Com has a firm commitment to our members' privacy; read to learn more.
http://www.writing.com/main/privacy.php

Writing.Com Member Agreement: These are the terms and conditions that each member agrees to upon signing up.
http://www.writing.com/main/agreement.php

Close an Account: Visit this area to close your Writing.Com account.
http://www.writing.com/main/cancel

Maintained By: The StoryMistress
Created: 06-06-01 @ 5:57pm | Modified: 10-31-09 @ 2:29am

Getting Started: Table of Contents

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