All Newcomers to Writing.com should check out this link:
To find answers to these frequently asked questions, just click on the question, and information will pop up for you to read. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me (Pat ~ Enjoying Spring! 
). I love helping new members fall in love with Writing.com!
Information About Miscellaneous Tasks at Writing.com
What is a Bitem Link?
I got a signature image. What do I do next?
When you receive an e-mail message with an image attached for you (perhaps a gift from someone, or a prize for something you did), follow these easy steps to plant it in your port and display it in your signature, forum messages, and reviews. ((Keep in mind, though, that only one image will show up in a review.))
1. Open up the attachment and right click on it. Select "Save Picture as."
2. Once you have saved it to your hard drive, then go back to your Port. There you will find the words: Create Item (Just like when you added a story or poem to your port).
3. Click on "Image", which is at the top of the middle column.
4. The first part of your item will have the same fields you normally fill in. When you get to the big box where you normally type in your story or poem Type in a brief despcription of what it is. Example: Rainbow signature made by Kiya (it's nice to give credit to the artist. 
5. Next you will come to a field with "Browse" beside it. Click on "Browse," and you will be taken to your file of pictures on your computer hard drive. Select the new image and click "Open."
6. This will bring you back to the item you are creating. You should now see the link in the Browse field. NOW, if you would like for people to be able to click on your signature and be taken straight to your port, type in 100 in the next field. ((You can also link your image to a group ID or even one of your items.))
7. In the next box, select "Allow Registered Users and Above." Just 'cause.
8. Last, but not least, select your review preference. I always select "E-mail Comments Only." since I did not create the image and should not get the reviews for the image.
9. Click on "Save and View" and Voila! You have your image! It now has its own Item ID number so that you can add the image to your signature block and/or your review templates. 
Congratulations! 
How do I set a story to a setting where I can send a link and passkey to any author I want to read it, regardless of their status, and they can read and review it, but no one else can?
This is quite simple, once you know how, and it's a handy tool if you want to keep an item private, for only selected eyes to see.
1. Open your story item and click "edit".
2. Under the setting "Access Restrictions", make sure it is on "Make PRIVATE, for my eyes only!"
3. Under "Membership Restrictions", it should be "No Restriction; Allow Everyone".
4. In the "Passkey" setting below it, enter your passkey. This means that no one can read your item except those who know your passkey.
5. Then you can send the link to your item in an email to any member(s) you want to read it, and remember to include the passkey so they can access it!
How do I add an image to my signature?
Write down or "copy" the image ID number of the signature. Now, click on your user name in the upper lefthand menu. Next click on the "Options" tab at the top of the page. You will need to scroll down until you come to "Manage Signatures." Click on that option. You will now see an empty box. You can put anything you want in it. Whatever you put in that box will show up on all your e-mails, and forum posts. Now, back to the image. Type your image ID number in curly brackets like this: {image:1778344} Once you have what you want for your signature, click on "Update." Once it is through updating, click on "click HERE to test view." It should show you the way your signature will look to everyone who gets an e-mail from you. You can center it {center} or not, depending on your preference.
How do I post my entry into a contest?
I'm a Newbie at Writing.com. What are some sites that would be help me learn my way around?
How do I respond to a forum message?
When you want to respond to a message in a forum, simply click on the message title to open it up. Then, click on REPLY. A box will open up so you can type your message. You can preview your message by clicking on PREVIEW POST, and when you're ready, click on SUBMIT REPLY.
What if my message didn't post correctly in a forum, or I want to add something to it or re-word it?
Simple. Just click on the message title to open it. Then click on "Edit." When you have made your changes, click on "Complete Edit."
How do I use emoticons?
Emoticons are a whole lot of fun, and are easy to use once you get the hang of it. Using the curvy brackets on the right of the P button on your keyboard, you can create emoticons. Simply type in
{ to begin, then
e and a colon
: then the word of the emoticon you would like to use such as
smile and end it with a closing curvy bracket
}. When you are done typing it in, it will look like this
{e:smile} and will show up like this
when you send or post the item. The biggest thing to remember is that you do not allow any empty spaces in between the curvy brackets. For a list of available emoticons, click on this
WritingML Help. The Story Mistress has added so many wonderful emoticons. They're tons of fun to use!
How do I look at the reviews I've given?
An easy way to do this is to click on the "Reviews" right under "E-mail." This will pull up all the reviews you have given. Remember, if you forget to mark your review "Public," it will not show up on the Public Reviews Pages, but it will show up when you click on your reviews.
How do Gift Certificates to Signature Shops work?
If someone purchases a gift certificate for you to use at an image shop, it means they paid for it in the shop's forum. The shop owner will create an account for you and send you a gift certificate by e-mail. This gift certificate is merely a way to notify you of the number of GPs being held in your account at that shop. You can then visit the shop and order whatever image suits you. If you choose an image which costs more than the GPs in your account, you may feel free to pay the additional GPs for that special image you have your heart set on.
I accidentally deleted an e-mail message that I really need to read. What can I do?
Simply click on the drop-down menu in your mailbox. Click on "Trash", then click on the first little symbol, which looks like an arrow pointing to a yellow dot. (Hey, that's what it looks like to ME!) Once you open up your Trash folder, simply click on the item you accidentally deleted and send it back to the In-box by using the third symbol, which is a plain, curved arrow.
Information About Reviewing
How do I choose what to review?
What if I want to review an item from someone who's not on the Shower Board?
Of course we prefer that you spend part of your review time giving quality reviews to our members who have paid for showers or have been gifted showers. However, we all run across other pieces we want to review. Feel free to affiliate all your reviews with Showering Acts of Joy. You will still get GPs, but the reviews that are not from the Review Board will not count toward your weekly score, and will not contribute to being an award winner.
Also, remember: whenever you wear the name of Showering Acts of Joy, you represent our group. Always give your best when reviewing, thus presenting Showering Acts of Joy in the best light.
Do I need to post reviews in the forum if it's for someone not on the Shower Board?
No. The only reviews that need to be posted in the "
Showering Acts of Joy Garden"
forum are those done for someone on the Review Board. As long as you affiliate with Showering Acts of Joy, we'll find your review and reward you with GPs.
How do I do my very first review?
How do I affiliate my reviews?
When you are at the bottom of something you read, and you want to do a review, look just beneath the review box. You see the place where you check the box to make it Public? Underneath that you will see a line that says "Affiliate this review with a group:" Then you will see a drop-down menu. Click on the arrow for the drop-down menu. You should see a list of all the groups you belong to. You just pick the group you want the review to be affiliated with. You can only select one group to affiliate with for each review. If you do not belong to any groups, you will not see this menu option.
Why should I use a review template?
A template is not required, and some people prefer the freedom to write their reviews without the limiting structure of a template. There are pros and cons either way. I like templates if they are neat, attractive, and not overly wordy. I think it helps the reviewer remember to address all the aspects of the story or poem he is reviewing. I also think it helps the writer to get the most benefit from the review. Perhaps they can see that they did well with characterization, but need to work on using dialog effectively. That's just an example. Try reading this excellent article on comparing Template v. No Template
How do I create a review template?
Where can I find some good tips for giving better reviews?
Questions about "Showering Acts of Joy Group "
How do I order a Shower?
Click on "
Showering Acts of Joy Group "
. Select the package you want to order. Click on the link "Order Form." Complete the form, remembering to include the GPs to pay for the shower.
If you are an active reivewer for Showering Acts of Joy, meaning you have given at least three Garden Reviews during the previous week or the week you are ordering, you qualify for a discount. You will need to order the shower from:
How do I affiliate my reviews?
When you are at the bottom of something you read, and you want to do a review, look just beneath the review box. You see the place where you check the box to make it Public? Underneath that you will see a line that says "Affiliate this review with a group:" Then you will see a drop-down menu. Click on the arrow for the drop-down menu. You should see a list of all the groups you belong to. You just pick the group you want the review to be affiliated with. You can only select one group to affiliate with for each review. If you do not belong to any groups, you will not see this menu option.
How do I post my review into the item:garden} forum?
The easiest way is to "copy" the review link itself. Highlight it with your mouse. Right click on it to "copy" it. Then you can "paste" it into the forum. The review link is always given at the top of the page after you click on "Submit Review." It will look like this: {review:3535827}. Once you post it in the Garden Forum it will look like this:
Review of "That's What I Love About Summer" 
.
How does the Scoreboard work?
Each review that is done for someone listed on the "
Showering Acts of Joy Garden"
Review Board earns the reviewer a score of 1-5 points, depending on the quality of the review. At the end of the week the scores from the scoreboard are used in determining the Rainbow Reviewer and Golden Reviewer of the Week. We look for quality, so a reviewer who earns 21 points for completing seven 3-point reviews may be chosen over the reviewer who submitted eleven 2-point for a total of 22 points. Remember: you may affiliate any review with Showering Acts of Joy. However, only the reviews from the Garden Review Board will count toward your score on the scoreboard.
What are Anniversary Reviews?
Anniversary Reviews are given for members on their WDC anniversary.
Ember_Rain~flea marketing 
sends out a weekly e-mail to let us know about our own members' anniversaries. When you give a review for someone's anniversary, be sure to post it on "
Showering Acts of Joy Porch"
to get credit for it and possibly win prizes. Even if they are not SAJ members, you can give Anniversary Reviews for shower recipients listed in the "
Showering Acts of Joy Garden"
. In this case, you will need to post the review in the "
Showering Acts of Joy Garden"
and also in the forum for "
Anniversary Reviews"
. You will get DOUBLE credit for these reviews.
Be sure to include a line at the top of your review to indicate that it is an Anniversary Review. You might put something like this: {e:heart} {c:red}Happy Anniversary!{/c} {e:heart}, which will look like this:
Happy Anniversary!
What are Member to Member Reviews?
Giving a review to another SAJ member on his or her birthday or anniversary means a lot to them. It shows them that they are an important part of our group. We all enjoy being remembered on our special days! If you give a member to member review, please post it on "
Showering Acts of Joy Porch"
so you will get credit for it and be eligible for prizes.
Ember_Rain~flea marketing takes care of the "
Showering Acts of Joy Porch"
. If your birthday or anniversary is not listed there, be sure to contact her.
What are the different Showering Acts of Joy pages for?
The Main Group Page -- This is where people can see all of the packages we sell. They can find the Order Form on this page as well as the Request to Join Survey. This page also houses a list of all of our members if you scroll down to the bottom. This is also where our "Bank" of GPs is stored.
The Members Forum -- Everyone needs to check in on a regular basis, because you will find lots of good information here, lists of reviewers for the previous month, list of activities and contests, auctions, raffles, etc... It also contains useful links to items that will help members become better writers and reviewers. Finally, this is also a forum for members to chat or ask questions about things they don't understand.
The Garden -- Ahhh! Our favorite page! At the top-in the spotlight-you will find our weekly and monthly winners. Under that you will find a list of all the people currently receiving showers and in need of quality reviews. Just pick someone off the page and visit their port. Once you review it, you will need to come back to the Garden and post the "REVIEW" Link in the forum. This review link can be found at the top of the page after you click "Submit Review." It will look like this {review:3535827}. Once you copy and paste it into the Garden forum, then click on submit, it will look like this:
Review of "That's What I Love About Summer"
One of the leaders will come along at some point during the day and post your reviews under the names of the showerees.
The Porch -- This, too, is a place you can come and chat. It contains all the members and their birthdays and their WDC Anniversaries. This makes it convenient to help them celebrate their special days.
Memory Lane -- Here is where we display our former winners so that we can look back on them and smile.
Below are the links to all of these pages. Just click on the line that says
"Showering Acts of Joy Links" and the links will magically appear. By the way, these links are at the top and bottom of all the pages, so you will never be lost!
What's an item alias?
Information About "New Horizons Academy "
What is New Horizons Academy?
"
New Horizons Academy "
is WDC's Educational Institution. They offer a variety of classes designed to improve our writing skills. Please check out the link and see if you find something there that catches your eye. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these excellent classes. In fact, SAJ will pay for your tuition for one class each term for as many terms as you want! We are that excited about "
New Horizons Academy "
and about helping our members grow.
~ A.J. Lyle ~ 
teaches a class on reviewing that will change your approach to reviewing forever!
Missy~So tired of being sick!! 
teaches an essential class on "Navigating the Seas of WDC" which helps members learn all the tools and features of Writing.com.
Pat ~ Enjoying Spring! teaches "
Punctuation Inc. "
, and she will show you how to make punctuation WORK for you in your writing.
Winnie Kay 
teaches Comma Sense, which is an absolute essential for serious writers. There is Grammar Garden, Poetry from the Ground Up, and many more. There is something for every level of writer!
How do I get a scholarship for a class at New Horizons Academy?
If you are a member of SAJ, all you have to do is contact
Pat ~ Enjoying Spring! . Even if you are not an SAJ member, there are scholarships available. Just contact
Katzendragonz 
. She will help you find a scholarship. The classes are only 3000 GPs and worth every GP!
More Miscellaneous
What is Rising Stars?
Rising Stars is a very special group founded by
Gabriella 
. You become a member by invitation only. A member of Rising Stars notices your writing and sees that you have potential as a writer. He/she wants to "sponsor" you as a Rising Star. That member submits your name to Gabriella. She spends time in your port getting to know you. When she is satisfied that you qualify for Rising Stars, she will send you an invitation. For more information about Rising Stars visit the following site:
What if I have a question that's not answered on the FAQ Page?
Just e-mail
Pat ~ Enjoying Spring! ! She will be happy to answer your question and add it to the FAQ Page! This page is meant to be a changing, growing page. It was created with the help of other members just like you who needed answers to questions they had!
Click on the Links Line to go to one of the main pages.
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