  Noticing Newbies
This week: Become a better Reviewer/Writer Edited by: esprit  
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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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the real point is that we need to be critical of our
writing - at least some of the time. If we thought that what we did
was always brilliant, we'd lose objectivity and we wouldn't want to
improve, wouldn't know how to improve even.
Being hard on our writing sometimes is what makes us better writers.
But at those other, special times, loving what we do is what keeps
us doing it!
Keep writing!
Rob@easywaytowrite.com
Creating Better Writers
1. http://easywaytowrite.com
Time and energy will eventually be rewarded. On an average, it takes most writers seven years to get into print, and usually not with their first effort at a novel. The pro hones his skills, learning the requirements of his avocation.
Study to Become a Constructive Reviewer
and, a Better Writer.
If you want to become a constructive reviewer, you'll want to learn the elements of good writing. Just as a writer is advised to read often, so must the reviewer. Pay attention to the line structure and dialogue while you're reading those good books. You'll discover that there is more to good writing than what high school English textbooks tell you.
Before suggesting a writer cut or change a line just because it is a fragment, read the content surrounding it and see if it works. Incomplete sentences are not taboo in fiction if used in moderation.
Telling a writer to never do something (in fiction) is bad advice. Sometimes passive writing is useful to a story. It slows down the pace after an especially intense scene, for instance. Read and comprehend the purpose of a passive phrase before advising a change.
Internal thought is present tense while exposition is past tense. Both of these can exist within the same paragraph.
Too much polish: Too much formality and accuracy with grammar and sentence structure creates stiffness in narration and dialog. You should write fiction the way you think, within common sense reason of course. Have people speak as they customarily do. Use contractions. Don't be afraid of sentence fragments. Don't fear ending a sentence with a preposition in dialogue. Keeping all the rules creates mediocre writing. The great masters are those who know rules are springboards into unknown territory. You don't break a rule just to do so, however. You should know the rule, and know what effect you are creating by breaking it. Such an action should never be an accident.
The preceeding paragraph applies to writers, but the discerning reviewer must also understand when breaking the rules is done purposely and whether it works or not. In your opinion, as always.
Acquaint yourself with international differences of spelling. For instance, 'color' and 'colour' are both correct. If you're not sure, look it up. If you're still not sure, question it so the writer can check, but don't tell them it's wrong.
You don't have to fill in the blank for each writing element listed on the review template you may be using. You may be great in evaluating a plot, but not know what makes a full bodied character. Don't try to fake it. It's enough to say you understood the story, could visualize the characters or not, and so on, as a reader. No one expects you to be able to cover everything; at least they shouldn't. Adjust your review template to include only sections for what you know and use.
When you cross an area that is unclear, point it out and say where you became lost. If you can offer a solution, do so. If not, say so.
When you find an especially good scene or dialogue, or a realistic character, point it out. Let the writer know where the writing made an impression on you. You don't want the writer to cut the good stuff and if you don't show him where it is, how will he know?
You don't have to agree with other reviewers. The point is to get varied views. If you like a certain element, say so. If you don't, say so. That will give the writer some idea of what works and what doesn't. Being honest with the writer is the most important aspect of reviewing.
Misspelled words should be included along with a copy/paste of the sentence so it's easy to find in an extra lengthy item. Poems and short pieces need no more than three or four words. You don't have to give the correct spelling if you don't want to - the writer has his own dictionary, and looking it up will help him to remember it.
Misused words, sound-alike words, and grammar mistakes should be shown and explained so the writer can study to avoid making the same error constantly. Do this only if you're sure you're right.
Check your own writing on the review. You don't want to make the same errors you're pointing out to the writer. There are options to preview and spell-check in the review tool; be sure and take advantage of it every time. Typos happen to us all, so don't stress too much on yours, or the writer's.
There is a great deal of satisfaction in reading someone's work and knowing you're helping them get a piece ready for publication. The more reviewing you do, the better you will become. Just as writers are advised to write something each day, so must reviewers review something each day. Practice. Learning to read with comprehension is important, and you'll find yourself enjoying the reads much more.
I don't think anyone has to be reminded to always be pleasant and point out the good stuff too. It is important to always be positive and encouraging.
To learn more about the craft of reviewing, sign up to receive the only reviewing newsletter on the site.
A forum is available for questions regarding reviewing. Your views are always welcome.
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SUBMITTED ITEMS
Submitted Item:
I was hoping that this newsletter could bring to light this group for the newbies. The group has recently created a learning forum for all who wish to know more about WDC and writing.
Remember to read your neighbor's work too!
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Comments on "Invalid Entry"
Submitted By: emerin-liseli
Submitted Comment:
Thanks for the great reminder about the bio-block - why would you leave blank another opportunity to get people to read your stuff? Laugh
Hugs,
Em
Submitted By: GA1R
Submitted Comment:
Not only was I sidetracked too when I first came to writing.com. I found these questions hindering my bioblock: 1.Where should I start? 2.What should I say about myself? 3.How much do I write? 4.What do I really desire to say about my works? But in the end I felt relieved when I completed my bioblock.
Submitted By: ajacrey
Submitted Comment:
Very informative for a newbie like me! Thank you so much.
Submitted By: tavron
Submitted Comment:
Thank you Esprit for this very interesting newsletter.
I hesitated to write my Bio block, as I wanted my pieces to be judged objectively for what they are and not based on who I am. I thought that I might get a better reflection if I submit them anonymously.
Eventually I did write my Bio after I started a Blog, because I felt that to knowing the Author can enhance the Blog reading experience.
When I am reading a story I don't really need to know who wrote it to enjoy the story, though sometimes I am very curious. Certain types of writing, of more autobiography nature, makes me wonder and check the Bio block of the Author.
Submitted By: JACE - House Targaryen 
Submitted Comment:
I love your newsletter. I always find something useful, or a link to explore. However, I have one question to which I've never found an answer:
How long is one a "Newbie?"
It's a question of small import to most--maybe I'm the only one who cares. LOL But I am curious.
Jace
Newbie is a term used to decide whose work will be featured in the Newbie newsletter. The time is 31 days. New members don't always know how to get their work out there to be noticed by the genre newsletter editors. After a month, they will have the hang of promoting themselves. The Newbie letter itself is not just a letter for new members though. I hope you continue to subscribe. Some contests are especially for new members, and the host's set their own time limit on the length of membership. Anywhere from one month to six. There are no limitations for new members. Any limitations depends upon your type of membership, not the length of membership. A great question!
Submitted By: Stan Stanley
Submitted Comment:
About bio blocks, I always go there first as well, as to so many standing empty, writers often have the knack of writing about other things, however when it comes to themselves, they are lost for words. I myself am not happy with my bio, but it is there.
Maybe if we could see ourselves from a different POV it would help?
We always appreciate the feedback, thanks!
Editors:
Cubby~Cheering House Florent! 
laurencia
Your host this week is esprit
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Noticing Newbies: June 18, 2008 Issue [#2450]
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