  Noticing Newbies
This week: The Best Ever! Except It's Not... Edited by: Sara♥Jean  
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The Best Ever! Except It's Not...
Seeing someone else's growth is easy, but seeing your own can be really hard.
So, at this point, I've found that I've been writing a long time. It's gone from something I struggle with and am uncertain about, to something I just do without too much thought. There are some positives and negatives that come with this, but that's for another newsletter. What I do want to talk about is the difference between seeing your own growth, and seeing the growth in other people.
Let's face it, seeing the growth in other people is EASY. Especially if it is someone that you are often reviewing or pointing things out to. You can tell when their grammar is getting better, or when their plots are becoming stronger, or when their characterization is becoming more defined. But how can you see your own growth? That's harder. We are always harder on ourselves than we are on other people, I think.
One way I've found to notice my own growth is to go back to my old writing. And no, I don't necessarily mean on WdC. I have writing back all the way to my high school days - I kept it all. I know, some call me a "pack rat". I call it "sentimentality". Never know when the odd poem about Pop Tarts might come in handy!!! And no, I am not kidding. I really have a poem about Pop Tarts. I was 14, you have to give me a break. In my defense, it had a great rhyme scheme!
But beyond that, I can see how far I've come. I don't even have to go back that far. I can go back even just one year and take a look at a story from then. Usually, the story that I was most proud of - the one I think could be published! It's the one! Here is usually my reaction.
1. I am still proud of it. That doesn't go away.
2. I recognize, however, that it isn't the greatest story out there. A year ago, I certainly thought so, but as I read it a year later, I notice that I could improve quite a lot of things. It may have even won a contest! But that doesn't mean there are no improvements that could be made.
3. Oh, and I notice the typos and grammar errors, too. And I wince. Because there's always at least one. Inevitably.
4. For the same sentimental reasons that I keep that silly poem about Pop Tarts, unless there is a reason I MUST change it, I don't. I like keeping a record of my improvement.
The fact that I can take a look at it a year later and still be proud of it, but catch my mistakes, means that in that year, I have grown as a writer. I have learned things that maybe I didn't know before, or I have become more careful about some things. Without the ability to look back at my own work, I wouldn't have this opportunity. Likely, I'd think I wasn't getting better at all. I'd think I was standing still, and everyone else was growing.
As we come closer to the end of 2016, if you have been writing for a while, I challenge you to see if you can find some of your writing from the end of 2015, 2014, and 2013. Put them in sequential order, and read them. Then, read one from October, November, or December of this year. Can you see your own growth? Surely you can... |
Take a look at some of our Newbies on the site! Don't forget to give them a nice, hearty welcome and drop them a review about their item.
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I find that I didn't put responses to my newsletter in October in my beginning of November newsletter. (I am so sorry!) I had a couple. So, I'll be responding to both. Goodness!
In the October newsletter, "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (October 5, 2016)" , there were these responses:
bogengine said, "I plan on nano-ing. I am doing the october prep. challenge. I may be traveling in November, however I intend on keeping up on the nano."
I hope you were successful, despite the travel! It is difficult task, even when not traveling.
dogpack:saving 4 premium: DWG  said, "I plan on nano-ing. I am doing the october prep. challenge. I may be traveling in November, however I intend on keeping up on the nano."
I find that as we get to know the site better and better, we learn the little things. But yes, some of our newer members may not know all of the little tricks we do. That's why we site-veterans are great guides!
In the November newsletter, "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (November 2, 2016)" , there were these responses:
Dragon is hiding  said, "My November is finals season, so I'm using the NaNo craziness to lay low and study!
(Might not be studying right now, but I'm on the tram  )"
Oh, I remember those days well. And I don't miss those exam times at ALL. Everything seemed rushed and I never felt prepared, even if I was. By the time this comes out, that should all be over. I hope you did well!
Cadie Laine said, "Filling November with catching up on class assignments, blog posts and contest entries. I participated in Nanowrimo last year along with October prep. It was a really great learning experience. I learned that I cannot write 25,000 words in a month, at this point in my life. That may change over time. short stories are they way to go for me right now. Thank you for your newsletter."
Well, you know what? I have never completed NaNo successfully, so you are not alone! I just always seem to have too much going on, and it never works out. I have gotten some great ideas that I do intend to flesh out, though. That ought to be fun in the future!
As for this newsletter, here's what I'd like to hear from you:
Did you compare your writing? Where have you grown? Did you surprise yourself at all? (Hopefully a pleasant surprise, if so!)
If you have something else you'd like to comment on instead, feel free to do so! There's a comment box provided. I hope to hear from you, and have a great New Year! |
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Noticing Newbies: December 28, 2016 Issue [#8005]
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