  Noticing Newbies
This week: Find the Right Reviewer Edited by: Aennaytte: Free & Wild in GoT  
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1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
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Find the Right Reviewer
On a site this large, how do you know if you can trust a reviewer?
The vast majority of members on this site are hobby writers of very different skill levels. Since it is online, we also have do take into account that we all come from different corners of the world with some differences in the English we write. So, can you trust every single reviewer to give you the perfect review for your specific need?
Let me give you a tentative: yes.
Yes, anybody who passes through your portfolio, opens one of your items, and sends you their opinion of it is qualified to do so. That is assuming they read the whole piece from beginning to end and what they send you in the review is relevant to your text.
Yes, even somebody who writes UK English can review a US English piece. The few (but significant) spelling and word meaning differences can only be enlightening to both of you. As long as the reviewer tells you why a word is "off" to them, it all works out in the end.
Here is a tentative no for balance.
No, a reviewer who will use a review for you to merely crush your writing, plot, ideas, or who uses a review for you to advertise their own items in a blatant fashion is out of line. Don't worry about those.
Now - it is okay to ask for a return review for a review that was helpful to you. After all, we are all about review exchanging.
To find reviewers, go to the public review page and see who gives meaningful reviews, maybe for the genre that you write in. You can then click on their  and see if they have their review requests set to ON. Following the instructions, you can then request a review from that person.
You can also plug your stories on one of the appropriate plug pages. Please read all of the requirements for each page. Every single item on WdC has an appropriate plug page. If you post on the wrong one, your plug might get removed. This is not meant in critique to your item, it is done to keep the plug pages in a way that everybody has a fair shake at getting their work seen by the proper audience.
"Please Review"
"The Shameless "Plug" Page"
"The GC+ Shameless "Plug" Page"
"The Blog Board"
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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
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In my last newsletter "Ask the Right Questions" , I asked: What was/is THE ONE most puzzling aspect of Writing.Com for you?
Elle - on hiatus wrote: For me, the most puzzling aspect of Writing.com was 'How do I make friends with these other people I see around the site?' I found the answer was to interact on as many different levels as possible - reply to their notebook posts, comment on their blogs, participate in groups, enter contests, review and respond to reviews. The more you interact, the more you cut through the polite 'acquaintance' barrier and become friends. 
So true. I find that time also binds us. That means, while I am not in daily contact with some members here on the site, our interactions over time have created a group feeling. Of course, as a newbie the time factor doesn't work yet. However, any interaction with one another creates a building bloc toward a shared experience here on this site and we grow together.
The Run-on King PDG Member  wrote: The most daunting thing when I first got set up was opening WritingCom-101 when that list of things dropped down so did my jaw. And I'm going to need to know all that just to work a guest account? Geez, what will a paid account instruction manual look like?
As you know, the paid account comes with a ton more item types you can add to your portfolio. Luckily, once you've figured out how to use an In & Out (which comes with the free account) you should be able to navigate them all. Me, I still don't know for sure how to really set up an In & Out to do all of the things I want it to do.
Andrew  wrote: I'm gonna have to go with all the bells and whistles when creating an item. It took me forever to figure them out! 
Yes. Ever tried an In & Out with or without WritingML allowance. Date stamp, user stamp, self-deletion or none....
Arizona Lawman wrote: Hi Giselle,
First I would like to thank you for your helpful news letter. I am very new to the writing world and hesitant to say the least.
I have had some interaction here on the site regarding my work and have found the insight given very helpful. As a Matter of fact, I looked at what the reviewer commented upon and did a re-write of those points. It was very good to have that extra imput, right from the start.
I do find wrting.com a bit daunting and deep, but I think that is normal considering one is entering a new and somewhat foriegn world.
Thanks again I really appreciate the help.
Gene Daily "Invalid Item"
Hello Gene, I agree this site is daunting at first sight. You are doing the right thing. Getting feedback and using it to tweak your writing - that is what we're here for after all. Remember, reading and reviewing others can also show you things about writing. Sometimes, I get my best inspiration on how to rewrite by reading others.
QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns wrote: I'm a newbie and trying to find my way. I'm intrigued and thrilled to be a member because I've waited long enough to get the courage to get out of my shell. This is indeed a turning point for me. Thank you for being here and reaching out to us, wanna-bees.
Welcome to the site. It is scary at first. I think I had a panic attack when I got my first review. Before I even read the review! So, welcome to the site where everybody is a little bit like you. We want feedback, and we fear it too. As long as we all play nice and find ways to be helpful in our critique, we'll be A-Okay. 
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Noticing Newbies: February 12, 2014 Issue [#6140]
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