  Noticing Newbies
This week: Edited by: Diane  
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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! |
| ASIN: B085272J6B |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
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I Want to Write!
Committing a story to paper (or pixel in this case!) takes courage. I love reading the introductions from new members in "Noticing Newbies" . It reminds me of my first time logging onto the site. I joined with a sense of trepidation, not quite knowing what to expect and worried about how I would be received. I was welcomed with open arms and given a lot of encouragement, which helped me to gain the courage needed to post something in my portfolio. It was a terrible poem, but the readers gave constructive feedback on how it could be improved and guided me to forums that might help a struggling writer.
As a longtime member of the site, I feel it is my duty to welcome and help others when they join. To do this, I follow in the footsteps of those who welcomed me. First I recommend that new members add something to their portfolio, then go out and review others. Reviewing not only helps tune your writing skills, but also encourages others to review you in kind. Plus, you can form a support network and make friends that will help you reach your writing goals, whatever they may be.
Next, I suggest members enter "The Writer's Cramp - Poetry Week" . It's a contest that posts a new prompt every twenty four hours so inspiration is always fresh. I entered this contest quite often and occasionally won, which is always nice. The reviews from the judges gave me the confidence to branch out and try other contests on the site. I've since joined the panel of judges and hope to encourage others with my feedback on their entries.
There is so much to do on Writing.Com that it can at times seem overwhelming and often members wonder how anyone will ever find their items to review. In fact, the number one question posed from new members is, "How can I get others to review what I've written?" My suggestion is to review others and make your reviews public. That links your portfolio in one more area on the site and the more visible you are, the more reviews you are likely to receive. Also, I suggest posting in "Please Review" . Be specific about what feedback you are seeking. Do you need help with the plot, characters, point of view? Spell it out for the reviewers and you are sure to get a response. In addition, you can post links to your items in review forums around the site. A list of review forums can be found by clicking on Things to Do & Read on the top left side of your screen under Site Navigation.
Getting involved on the site makes for a richer experience, but I'd caution you to focus this involvement on your writing. It is easy to get distracted from your reason for joining. To keep your eye on the goal follow these simple guidelines:
 Add something to your portfolio.
Enter contests for inspiration and feedback.
Review others to hone your writing skills and form support groups.
Join existing groups to help you focus on your area of interest, whether it be poetry, short stories, or novel writing.
When you have a general writing question or need some guidance, post a message in "Writing.Com General Discussion" . Chances are that others have had the same question or will be able to assist you.
Welcome to Writing.Com! I hope you enjoy the site as much as I do.
Diane
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I selected a nice mix of items written by newer members to Writing.Com. Enjoy, and remember to send a review to the author.
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#1639391 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: I walked towards the back of my house when I heard a noise that made me drop to the floor. It was louder than a gunshot, and certainly more so than a car back firing, but I wasn’t about to get up yet to determine the cause. As I clung to the dusty floor of the cabin, I turned my head and lifted it just enough to see flames coming from a home down the road.
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This item number is not valid.
#1639306 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Right now I'm sitting on this park bench. Believe me, it's not comfortable. The green paint is peeling and the planks of wood are splintering. I wouldn't be sitting here if I had somewhere else to be.
Excerpt: Having waded through countless blogs, articles, stories, essays, screenplays, poems and practically every other literary form for many years, I've come to a simple conclusion about what is readable and what is not.
Excerpt:
For the time being
I have lifted the blanket of watchful eyes,
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This item number is not valid.
#1634469 by Not Available. |
This interactive has just begun, but the storyline has potential and I thought it deserved some additional entries.
Excerpt:
There was a time not long ago from now
when self-respecting nature was my pride,
and all who knew me surely could avow -
perspective, peace and poise did I provide.
Below are some items that you might find helpful:
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#552576 by Not Available. |
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#1566217 by Not Available. |
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#909687 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
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#819970 by Not Available. |
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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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07N36MHWD |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 7.99
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As a guest editor, I have no feedback for the newsletter to share with you, but the editors work hard to make sure the newsletters are informative and enjoyable, and they appreciate your responses.
Writing.Com Tip:
Use the Random Read tool to find something to read instead of searching the site, which takes precious time away from the actual writing and reviewing you can do while online. The random read is linked in two places in the Site Navigation area on the top, left side of the screen. You can reach it by selecting Things to Do & Read  Random Read or by clicking on the image that looks like:
For your convenience, I am linking it here as well. I encourage you to use the random read tool to Find Something to Read! .
[Linked Poll's access is restricted.] |
| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
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Noticing Newbies: January 27, 2010 Issue [#3524]
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