Noticing Newbies Newsletter 48 4/30/08

N0TICING NEWBIES NEWSLETTER

Noticing Newbies Newsletter is geared to help members get acquainted with Writing.com. There are many things to do and learn. Our goal is to help you make your time here more fun and manageable.

Each week we select and showcase new items (poetry, lyrics, short stories, essays, campfires, polls, etc.). Exposure for an item (your writing) helps to bring you more rates and reviews by fellow members and the general public...of course depending on how much exposure you want your item to have. Some writers like to keep their work private. When your work does receive exposure, it helps bring more member interaction, which will give you the opportunity to build new friendships. Remember, it is a two-way street...try to make an effort to reciprocate reviews.


"There's someone that you haven't already met, go introduce yourself to him or her. Walls and labels can't keep you from the people who are so similar to you in spirit. There's a friendly face behind every door if you pick the right moment to knock. Once you start your wave of creative outreach, it turns into a contagious force. People are waking up and smiling at each other, sharing their dreams without hesitation. This community is worth something."

-- Author Unknown


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EDITOR'S NOTE:

Hello New Members!

While at night, people around the campfire might tell of great adventures, including myths and legends, make each other laugh with jokes, or share their ideas and intimate secrets. Well, Writing.com members have an opportunity to sit at their keyboards and collaborate on stories and great ideas with the Campfire Creatives; a fun and interactive way of writing with a group. A leader of a campfire begins a story that is then passed around the group for their input. The story can take up to 25 participants or you can leave a few spots open for volunteers to request an invitation. Once the group is ready to start, the leader will begin the story and then pass it along to the next member who will add a part of the story. Now, as a leader you can direct the story in a particular order or leave it totally up to the group and let the story lead itself. It's a lot of fun!

If you have not learned about or participated in Campfire Creatives, it is one of the most enjoyable activities to be involved in. I have been a member since Oct. 2001, and to be honest, I didn't participate in a campfire until Sept. 2004. I hosted my first campfire, "Romantica" , which received a ribbon and I had the pleasure of getting to know a great group of talented people and writers. The second campfire I hosted, "It's my first day of school..." , involved a group of silly participants, we all had a blast writing!

If you want to try something different, check out some campfires or better yet, host your own! To find community campfires click "Item Jumps" located under "Site Navigation".

 CAMPFIRE SHOWCASE: 

ID: 1169963   (Rated: 13+) The Royal Courts  4 girls fall into a magic kingdom and with 4 dashing men fight to aide their warring realm by S.h.e.p.a.r.d M.o.o.n

ID: 1213563   (Rated: 13+) Lancaster Estates  Located in the city, this complex brews over with crazy characters and endless drama. by Aiken4LOTRisMIA4now

ID: 1084067   (Rated: 13+) The Last Summer  Join 8 teens for the adventure of their life as they spend their last summer together. by Glam-BACK

ID: 883275   (Rated: 18+) Ever Onwards  When you're still alone even after high school by Matt - Nomad

ID: 807368   (Rated: 18+) The First Wal*Mart on Mars  Cow pioneers light a campfire all the way to Mars by hoovies honors my niece

Until next time...


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 NEWBIE SHOW ITEMS SUBMITTED FOR NEWSLETTER: 

ID: 1415771   (Rated: E) What Is An Angel Anyway?  This story is dedicated, to my grandchildren, Preston, Jenna & Harley love, Nana by Mareann

ID: 1384068   (Rated: E) Faith is hard  Daily Devotional by Christopher Clayton Depew

ID: 1353358   (Rated: E) EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!  Anointed writer publishes first book ever written. by Evangelist Pitts

ID: 1413462   (Rated: 13+) Darkness- Turn off the Lights  Mike becomes an adult, full of adventure and he is swept into the realm of secrets... by Writer_for_u

ID: 1411451 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 1410287   (Rated: E) The Song Of A Broken Angel  Just something that came to me around midnight... as always. by Liz

ID: 1419136   (Rated: E) Autumn Magic  Raking leaves with my father. Childhood memories. by Traveler

ID: 1419100 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 1418963   (Rated: 13+) Confusion of Pain  A Dragon/Star finds a little Fire Spirit, for The Unofficial Fantasy Contest by nothing.i.remember

ID: 1419208   (Rated: E) Come In From The Rain  A song expressing what someone is feeling, seeing a beautiful lady standing in the rain. by Z I P

 NEW MEMBER LINKS: 

ID: 794817   (Rated: ASR) Newbie Writing  HAVEN FOR NEW MEMBERS! - Stop by and make yourself comfortable. by Laurencia

ID: 1254286 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 989394   (Rated: E) Weekly NEWBIE Challenge  LEARN - Bitem Format, Emoticons, etc., and receive Reviews by ~*~Damiana Renewed~*~

ID: 1016867   (Rated: 13+) Tips for New Members *Under Revision*  Tips for new members -- things to know to improve your Writing.com experience. by Jace--New prompt at 1380461

ID: 530577   (Rated: 13+) THE DROP-OFF BOX   Monthly newbie contest. by Tammy~Catchin Up~

ID: 982972   (Rated: E) Black Case Experience Cafè  A fun place created especially for All Black Cases by BlackAngel

ID: 552576   (Rated: E) Writing.Com: Getting Your Work Seen  UPDATED Jun 6, 2008! Helping Newbies get their items read, rated and reviewed!! by Demon Squirrel of Doom!

ID: 126963   (Rated: ASR) Noticing Newbies  A warm welcome to our newbies; come meet new and not-so-new members of Writing.Com! by The StoryMistress

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ASK & ANSWER:

Thank you for this informative newsletter, Laurencia. I think it's great to encourage participation and working to deadline/demands of on-site contests, as it's good practice in meeting these requirements off-site.
flex

You're welcome Felix, and yes, meeting certain writing requirements off-line is essential to become a productive writer.


Laurencia,

The Newbie Newsletter is one of my favorite newsletters. Your articles are always helpful and insightful--certainly not just for newbies. It's a great resource.

Best regards, Coolhand
Coolhand

You are very sweet, thank you so much for reading


I found your newsletter very informative and encouraging, but would challenge your point of perfection. Indeed it is true no matter how hard we try nothing is perfect the first or even the second or third drafts, but should it not be our goal to try and achieve perfection, which would constantly give us something to reach for? Great Job! Keep up the good work!
robertthomas

Absolutely, for not to reach for our very best would defeat a writer of great storytelling.


Dear Laurencia:

Thank you for the informative newsletter!
CrazyS

It's my pleasuare.


Thank you all for your encouraging words and feedback.

See you May 28th!

Laurencia

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