  Noticing Newbies
This week: Forward Motion Edited by: Jay's debut novel is out now!  
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This newsletter is dedicated to helping new members find their way around Writing.Com, and for members who have been here a while, too.
Since we have on average somewhere around 200-300 new users each day, the ones who are most likely to get read and noticed are the ones who stand out. While a certain amount of garnering reviews is based on being in the right place at the right time, taking some time to polish your Portfolio and the way you present yourself in the community will do wonders to improve your odds of being read, rated and reviewed by your fellow Authors! |
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Hello again! It's Jay's debut novel is out now! back again for a quick Noticing Newbies Newsletter!
It is nice to get a chance to sit down and write to you all again after a very long month fraught with peril and failure. I set out to start 2011 with a whole new tank of gas, as it were, and try some things which are new and different to me. Like disciplined writing every day, for example. Yeah. That didn't happen! I totally shut down after a series of stressful situations put my Inner Perfectionist on high alert, and it's taken me weeks to get her back down to a manageable threat level. It's wearying when you can't do anything because your inner voice says over and over that you're not good enough. Like many others, I have a tendency to get wrapped up in what's going on around me. I forget to smell the proverbial roses, or even to take some time for myself to reflect and work on my own creations. I guess this is a natural response to stress-- to shut down and lose focus.
After a few weeks of being more or less Absent Without Leave, I feel like something of a newbie around here myself! I have no idea what fun activities might be going on around me here on the site this month. It'll take some dedication to get back into things and to get back up to speed. There's a lesson in all of that, I think. I need to learn how to manage my time when I'm feeling so much pressure. After the disaster that has been January for me, I am hoping to get back on that horse. I am disappointed in myself for not meeting my own expectations-- but they were my expectations for myself.
I think many of us writers and creative types go through times like this-- old, new or otherwise!
We beat ourselves up for not being the funniest or the cleverest or the most unique and original writers. We beat ourselves up so that our prospective editors won't have to, right? Or so that we won't post a story that might be perfectly good, or might need a lot of work. That inner voice that says NO to an unusual idea just because you don't know where it will lead just yet. I know that when I get like this it can be stressful for me to even think about posting a story for others to read and review.
I see this with all sorts of writers here on the site, but I think it is notable with newbies-- maybe because when we start something new, we set our expectations very high. Sometimes, too high. I hate to see other writers feeling discouraged, especially when they're new to the site. I'm here today to cheer all of us on: you can do it! it's OK to write rough drafts that actually ARE really rough! it takes time and commitment to build readership and make new friends! you are not alone! everything will be all right!
If none of these platitudes works for you, make one up and use it. 
I hope that your January has been all you were hoping for and more, but in the event that you, like me, are stuck in a rut of the Winter Blahs (Summer Blahs for the southern hemisphere): let's do our best to make February fantastic! We deserve it.
Until Next Month,
Take care and Write on!
~j |
This Month's Picks! Be sure to check them all out!
I found this to be quite relateable... at least recently!
an interesting look at the way our feelings affect us.
a descriptive essay about a fascinating part of the world.
another emotional poem that plays with different feelings.
a poem with fast beats that talks about an interesting social divide.
an intriguing story indeed!
a dark and chilling tale...
an interesting tale told in poetry.
a poetic portrait of a beautiful place.
a thought-provoking moment! |
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
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Feedback from last month's offering: "More, More, More..."
Ere  writes:
Thank you for this. I have a question/need advice on something- I've started a novel, that I intend to finish within the month for a contest. I'd really like some feedback, but honestly, it can be a bit nerve wracking/demoralizing to get reviews on incomplete material. So, should I wait till I finish the novel, before I put it up (and then bite the review bullet) or put up each chapter as I go along?
 I might have missed your deadline, but I would suggest posting it as you go-- you might as well get feedback on the early chapters, with the caveats being:
1] many reviewers do not review novels posted on WdC because they are time consuming to read and comment on thoroughly;
2] many reviewers will not review an incomplete novel (or an incomplete anything, really);
3] many reviewers rate incomplete work at a lower level than completed work.
I don't intend to deter you from posting your novel, but want to be honest as well; it is tough to get reviews on a novel, period, without being involved in a peer-reading or workshop setting here on the site. There are a number of novel workshops out there-- I'd definitely join if you think you can give the caliber of feedback that you would like to receive in kind. Workshopping a novel is a great way to find out what needs to be fixed-- and what people enjoy in your book as well!
J.I. Soucie writes:
I completely understand about having "cold feet". A few years back I joined this site but then just stopped visiting. It's hard to get reviews not knowing whether they are going to be good or bad, but if you never get "bad" reviews showing your mistakes or weaknesses, how else are going to learn to be a better writer and look out for your weakness in the future. That is the way I try to look at it. My story "The Christmas Boy" had good reviews but one review mentioned that it did not have enough narrative, so I went back to the story and added more narrative. I think it is much better than before and will be posting the new version of the story soon.
I think that's a great attitude to have about reviewing! Let us know when you end up posting the new version of the story.
31245bob submits the following for your consideration:
I am a newbie and stumbling my way around the site to acquaint myself with what is going on. I started a novella and wrote the first two chapters into my portfolio. It's a sci-fi piece called the first time traveler. Thanks for making a place to interact.
Rob Emery
Thanks for sharing the link, Rob! Hope including your link in this week's edition of the Noticing Newbies NL gets you some press!
Well, that's all the feedback I have from last issue! I look forward to reading and responding to your comments in my next visit.  |
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Noticing Newbies: February 02, 2011 Issue [#4218]
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