  Noticing Newbies
This week: Handle With Care! Edited by: THANKful Sonali LOVES DAD  
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I've been on the site three years now, and the way members use the thirty characters of their 'handle' still amazes me!
A quick note: The 'handle', incidentally, is what appears to the left of your port, wherever you to on the site. It can be changed often, by visiting your 'My Account' area.
(The handle is different from the username, which appears when you 'mouse' over the portfolio icon and is a part of your Writing Dot Com email id, username@Writing.Com. The username cannot be changed easily. This issue of the Newsletter is about the handle, not the username!)
I give below some uses I've noticed of the handle, and some uses people brought to my attention in "Handling the Handle" - thanks, everyone who contributed, and is about to contribute to the in-and-out! |
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Handle With Care!
The highs, the lows
The thorn, the rose
The friends, not foes!
The way it goes
That is what your handle shows!
    
I was wondering how to sum up the many uses of a handle, when that ditty popped into my head, and I thought, well, why not? Handles can be so much fun!
Here are some of the uses people have found, for the handle. Where appropriate, I give how I personally respond to some handles. Of course you'll have your own way of 'handling' and of responding (or not responding)!
1. a. Name
Some users simply put their name in the handle. VikramAdith  and Sophy  often have their names there.
1. b. Pen-Name
Some users, like Acme Acme ; Voxxylady Voxxylady  ; Happiness Redefined Payal~is~Happiness Gryffindor Gurl GryffindorGurl and Hyperiongate Hyperiongate have their handle reflect a pen-name, something they like to be called.
Two similar pen-names! brairfoot justme
2. Name-or-pen-name-plus - Just an Ordinary Boo!
3. A character, like ♥Hooves♥  , The Milkman , Arakun the Twisted Raccoon  , planetariumnut
4. To promote an item on WDC, with the item number or title. Example: Andrew
Note - if you would like to see what the handle is promoting, you could 'search' the number, the item shows up!
If there's a title given, you could search that, and if it simply says, "my first contest" or something like that, you could click on the author's portfolio and look for the item there!
5. To ask for something, like "needs an upgrade" or "needs reviews" or "needs gift points".
There have been many discussions about this in various forums, whether this constitutes 'begging' and whether it is in good taste. Various viewpoints have been expressed, each reader of this newsletter is going to have an opinion on this. My personal opinion, for what it is worth, is that it is okay. Unless you express what you need, how are people going to know? I think expressing a need through a handle is acceptable, whereas emailing people or groups or misusing forums to 'beg' is not.
And what if you notice someone's handle that expresses a need? Well, it's entirely your choice how you want to respond. You are free to ignore it. You could, if you like, give them a gift, fully or partly meet the need. But that is entirely, wholly up to you and what you want to do.
6. To say 'thank you', to a particular member, all your friends, or anonymous. Sean ; GeminiStar ; dmerrysilver
7. To celebrate something - like publication , a real birthday or a WDC Account Birthday Princess Megan Rose GOT Fox   very thankful  ; a new job  ... you name it. On site, an achievement, like 'Rising Star' or 'Preferred Author'. When I see a handle that celebrates, I try to greet the person, whether I know them already or not. It's fun, in a community, to celebrate with others!
Sometimes, handles congratulate others who have been successful, like "congratulate new yellows".
Recently, Writing Dot Com introduced the idea of becoming a 'fan' of another author or an item. Here's one author celebrating having a fan following! Way to go! StaiNed-House Targaryen 
8. To reflect the 'downs' - like illness. I try to respond to those, too, if I can.
I simply send an email saying, "Your handle says you're feeling under the weather. Hope you're better soon."
Here's someone you could email! Prof Moriarty
9. To support a group on site, like "The WDC Angel Army" or "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" , especially when they're having an activity, like the Power Review Raid. On a larger scale, to celebrate something site-wide, like WDC's birthday in September.
Here, Sherri welcomes the new leaders of "Simply Positive". SHERRI GIBSON 
10. To salute a white case, like Larry (Kansaspoet), Dawn or Judy.
godspeed salutes JudyB
11. To throw light on a particular issue.
Recently, some of the Moderators were talking about how the 'average' rating for an item has, somehow, become 4 stars. That people receiving three or three and a half stars from reviewers felt insulted. We wanted to bring awareness that on a scale of 1 to 5, three stars is average. That 'average' means 'average', it doesn't mean pack your pencils and stop writing! That a 4.5 or 5 rating is for brilliant items.
We changed our handles to throw light on this issue, and it gave rise to a lot of discussion and argument. We hope it raised a bit of awareness, too!
12. To give a word count, especially during National Novel Writing Month. sunshine014
13. To indicate being offline for a while, or internet problems which limit computer use Tehuti, Lord Of The Eight 
14. To reflect what's happening to them generally, like 'moving house' or 'busy Mom'.
15. As a 'handle' ... ? storychick05 Handle
16. Just for fun!
Once, India was playing an important cricket match, a final. Some WDC friends from around the globe got caught up in my excitement. They didn't get the live telecast of the match, so I updated them using my handle, which is quicker than sending everyone an email or IM. So my handle changed every few minutes, to read things like "Oops dropped catch", "good a wicket" and finally "VICTORY!"
17. Anything else E-rated that you can think of, within 30 characters!
Got a minute? Try going on the 'authors' page and looking at all the different handles there!
Thanks again to everyone who contributed (and are about to contribute) to "Handling the Handle" .
- Sonali
PS - I received this email from Sticktalker as a response to this Newsletter, and I had to include it here.
I think it's great advice to keep part of the handle static, so that you are recognisable.
Thanks!
Dear Sonali,
Then there are some of us who dislike the constant changing of handles. Unless something is static in a handle, such as "Sonali", its' really hard to tell just WHO the person is unless you click on the suitcase and you recognize the "account name". I know that I've deleted email, or put it at the bottom of the list from folks who "get creative" too often just because I don't immediately recognize who they are.
I've kept my handle the same ever since I've been a wdc member (and, note, the handle is the same as the account name...see, NO CONFUSION.)
Sticktalker - Sticky - AKA Lyle in real life |
By Our Authors!
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All Time Favourites!
Fun contests!
To do with handles and usernames!
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A fun 'handle' activity - it's closed now, and I hope it re-opens soon!
 Kathleen - are you reading this?
Some of those Holiday Handles are fantastic, like "Kath-o-lantern" or "Count Milkula" at Halloween!
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A big, big, heartfelt thanks to those who responded to "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (December 30, 2009)"
Sandy~HopeWhisperer
Sonali, this newsletter was hopefully read by every member of WDC. It is an outstanding read. You are so right on every point made.
We are passionate; we do see, feel, and express in ways different from other folks. Alas, this also makes us more sensitive to poor reviews (anything less than perfect). Sure our writing is personal...it is OURS.
I love your new phrase "Think-skinned." It is perfect...a 5.0 rating. If someone is rating our work, they are reading it. If we go back, we can always improve our work. While as author we may not always agree with the reviewer, in most cases we can find at least one suggestion we can use from a reviewer. That makes a win/win situation.
I personally love to be reviewed. In the majority of the time I am encouraged. The suggestions I get are usually given in a positive manner and even those few that seem harsh have helped me improve my own reviewing skills.
GREAT NEWSLETTER!
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-JeRrY-
I love the fact that this newsletter took the time to post a piece of my work. I appreciate all the feedback that it generated. Also this weeks newsletter is one of the best ive seen so far. Keep it up.
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Acme
Fab newsletter, Sonali. I like your 'think-skinned' way of thinking
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Adriana Noir
Fantastic newsletter! I applaud you "think-skinned" phrase and think it's a great mentality. You are so very right, writers are emotional, and there is a time to cling to emotion, and a time to roll with the punches, so to speak! Great advice, Sonali, for both newbies and vets!
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JacDesign
Great article! Thank you for the insights. You have a great newsletter that not only encourages the new writer, but also points out that we're not alone in this venture. Happy New Year! May it be filled with inspiration and great accomplishments.
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water pebble
I wish you the best ever this coming new year. May the Think-Skinned be an aspiration to all.
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Winnie Kay 
Great advice, Sonali!!
Your 1st Newbie NL is right-on.
Published or unpublished, we are all sensitive writers. Rejection and criticism HURTS. I know. But you are right -- if we stop and work WITH the critical evaluations, we may learn something.
winnie
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eyestar~*
I am new to this venue and thank you for your assessment of a writer and your new word: think-skinned. It's like a code and now we know what it means! thanks too for the common sense message about keeping on in spite of Happenings!
a useful concept in life too. Eyestar
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-JeRrY-
I love the fact that this newsletter took the time to post a piece of my work. I appreciate all the feedback that it generated. Also this week's newsletter is one of the best I've seen so far. Keep it up.
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Cricket 
I would love to help with the newsletter in some capacity. Is there any way that I can do this and how? Any information would be greatly appreciated. (Response - As of now, only Mods edit the official site Newsletters, thanks for your enthusiasm!)
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annieframe
I really enjoyed reading this newsletter. Brilliant words and brilliant advice that all writers will grow from. Thank you |
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Noticing Newbies: May 19, 2010 Issue [#3729]
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