  Noticing Newbies
This week: Edited by: Cubby~Cheering House Florent!  
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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!
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 ~ ~ A Timeline of Experiences ~ ~
One of the biggest resources we, as writers, have is experience. I'm not talking about writing experience, but life itself. Not one of us can admit to a lifetime that excludes ups and downs. It's impossible. And the reason our life is such a rich resource, is because we can draw off from it for ideas. If you are suffering from Writer's Block, this would be a great asset to get you going. Either make a list of highlights in your life, or get really creative and draw a timeline of your life experiences. Begin your timeline the day you were born (or when your mother was pregnant with you) and end it with today. Or heck, continue it into your future if you want. Now fill in all the episodes of your life that stand out in your mind, happy or not. I'm not saying that you have to write a story about yourself, but let's imagine that you are in the middle of a piece and you're stuck... Or your story is dull. You've run out of ideas. Hey, maybe you could tap into this timeline of yours and utilize some of your past experiences! Let me give you an example:
When I was eight years old, my mother died. It was extremely devestating for me. Forty-two years later, I still get emotional over it. I sometimes tap into that emotion and allow one of my characters to take it over. Yes, it's difficult to write about, even through a fictional character's point of view, but it's believable, and that's what makes it good.
Another example is my fiddle. Just over a year ago I began playing this challenging instrument. It's become a big part of my life as I can lose myself in it while I play. It makes me happy... very happy. Well, sometimes while I write something, I include a violin/fiddle in it. It doesn't necessarily have to be part of the plot, but it does, however, add a bit of flavor to the story.
One more suggestion that could become a writing prompt for many of us, is to take a good look at your timeline, but pretend, instead, it is a timeline of your main character (or supporting character, etc.). Fill in the spaces with fictionalized adventures and goals. Perhaps your life was never that exciting. Well, here's an exercise that you could use to add all the things you wish had happened to you in the past, the outcome being a short story, or a novel. Or create a timeline of someone you wish you might have been more like. Oh, there are an endless amount of possibilities here!
Hey, go for it!
Have fun! and...
Write on!
Love, Cubby ") |
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~ ~ Got questions? Look for answers here... ~ ~
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~~~And Now... For Our Featured Newbie Presentation!~~~
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Excerpt: In the Code, people were greeted by exchanging new threads of data, and that was the highest compliment one could give another. These threads were in the form of rectangular computer chips that could be attached to any book. The Mainframers treated Ichta with open disdain, however, as though they thought they were infinitely better than him. Ichta did not think so. He knew so, and was humble to every person he came across.
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Excerpt: The stars were blinking, the moon was shining. The world seemed to sleep this night, for never in a long time had it ever been this quiet. The birds did not sing, the wolves did not howl, the eagles did not hunt for food, and not even the smallest mouse dared to move. This night all the remaining Gods had their full and intense attention on the red house a few leagues from Lore.
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Excerpt: He pulled the chain on the ceiling light, which was a bare bulb coated in dust and should have caught fire by now. The girl preferred to leave it off and not have to see anything outside of her own mind and memories. The man wanted to see her.
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Excerpt: They fit her perfectly and were very beautiful. She felt like she was wearing stars on her feet. But, something wasn't quite right with one of them. Something was inside the slipper. She took it off and found a small piece of paper. She carefully unfolded it and discovered it was a letter.
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Excerpt: Daniel and I had been best friends ever since the third grade. My family moved right next door to where Daniel lived, and we bonded instantly. That was almost eight years ago. Now we are juniors at Lakewood High School, and I have to say, it is so much fun. Well, that is where our story begins; the beginning of an ordinary day, or so we thought.
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Excerpt: Imagine for a moment you have a little brother. Now imagine he doesn't talk, that you and your whole family are trying to learn sign language when you're still a toddler. He learns some, but he still isn't responding. He doesn't want to learn. Imagine then learning that he is autistic, that he can hear everything and chooses not to respond. Imagine being four when this word enters your vocabulary and imagine being me.
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** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** J.M. Butler 
Let's see my excuse for not writing has lately been that I just found out that a young man I was really in love with is all but engaged. Ah, well, I think some tragic romances will be coming on.
Many times a tragic situation will bring on a sudden energy flow of words for a writer. It's probably theraputic, too. And you know the saying, "Write what you know." Good luck, from the bottom of my heart. 
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Tammy~Catchin Up~
Great newsletter.
I loved the quotes that you included.
Tammy
Thanks, Tam! Always good to hear from you!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Night Visions
my excuses for not writing:
1. Way too tired
2. I tend to write about sad things, so if I'm extra happy, I don't write.
3. Homework, school, work...I need to get OUT and have fun on the weekends and when I have time.
1. It's definitely harder to write when you're tired!
2. I used to be the same way when I was a teen. The only time I wrote poetry or songs, was when I was feeling down. But guess what? They weren't too bad!!!
3. Sounds like you're overwhelmed. Not a good foundation for creativity, lol! Relax. Go have some fun. You're young. The writing will come when you are ready. In the meanwhile, jot down some ideas that will perhaps get your creative juices flowing at some point. 
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** essence of thought
Great newsletter about excuses and nice quotes. Excuse is common for all. I paint, and this is the most frequent excuse I give to myself for not writing, but usually the day ends with me neither writing nor painting!
Thank you! I think painting is a great excuse! At least you are being creative! My biggest excuse is my fiddle, but that has opened up a new world for me, and... I have written a few fiddle tunes because of it. Perhaps your painting will inspire a future story!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** remf
Cubby-
I joined Writing.com on the 19th and pretty much posted my first piece within hours. Today I recieved my first copy of your newsletter and imagine my surprise to see my article listed! The number of views of my essay doubled (to a whopping 41! It's a start...hehe) and I have recieved a couple of reviews from others with some very helpful advice.
I don't know if you chose my essay or if it was some random program at work, but I thank you nonetheless! So far, I have found most members to be extremely helpful and welcoming. I am someone who writes frequently but have always feared the rejection of placing it in a public forum. WDC has shown me how foolish my feelings were...at least thus far!
Thank you for including me in your newsletter and I look forward to the reading the next!
No, you're piece was chosen because I felt it was very good. We as editors select the items written by newbies that we feel are extra good. And you are very welcome! Yes, most members are extremely helpful. Please don't fear rejection. BUT... be prepared for the handful of members who are not quite as encouraging and helpful as others. It can't be avoided; no matter where you go in life, there will always be someone, somewhere, who gets pleasure out of being totally negative. Ignore such people. There's no way of getting around them, so just concentrate on the truly helpful and encouraging comments. If you need support, you're at the write place! 
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Alimohkon
I love your newsletter, that's all I can say (especially the ones exercising, they look real).
Oh, thank you so much! Yes, I had the ice skaters and speed skaters in my last newsletter because they made me think of the Olympics going on right then.
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** writeone
Okay, as far as excuses, I am akin to my children when they make up songs about random things they see. I can blame it on the spiderwebs hanging in the corners. I can blame it on ... well, the kids themselves. I can blame it on the sun shining too brightly or the rain falling too hard. But when it gets down to it, don't you think of the REASON behind those excuses? My reason is fear. I am afraid to fail. I am afraid to NOT make a difference. I am afraid to work so hard just to get another rejection slip. Mostly, I am afraid no one will read what I write ... I mean, that is the point. Work past the excuses and get to the impetus. Then turn that doggone internal editor's voice down and pick up that pencil!
Try just writing for pleasure.  I used to send things in all the time (years ago) and usually got rejection slips back. It is discouraging, and I stopped writing for a while. For the past few years I've written totally for my own pleasure, but I always save what I write. Now I feel ready again to begin sending manuscripts out, maybe because I have quite a collection saved up!  But I do think it's important to write because you enjoy it. That fear of rejection is almost like poison, isn't it?
It seems to me like all your excuses would make wonderful children's poetry! You know, like the spiderwebs in the corners... That sounds like a great prompt! Think of all the things you could do with that little web! Perhaps, like you said about thinking of the REASONS for the excuses, we should look more INTO those reasons and use them as part of our writing... such as the spiderweb, the sun shining too brightly, and the rain falling too hard. Wow, I'm feeling inspired myself! I think you've got some great stuff to work with here. Now... take your own advice and... PICK UP THAT PENCIL!!!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** schipperke
I loved your animated folks on your newsletter, Cubby! And it is wonderful to read your writing, again. You should do more of it... 
Schip's Excuses:
1)The dog misses me
2)My husband misses me
3)I have to finish the book I am reading
Thanks, Schippe! Your excuses sound so simple, but I know for a fact the smallest things really do get in our way!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Breezy-E ~ In College
My excuses:
School takes time, I can't decide what comes next, I read a lot, I play video games  , and the computer was taken up most of the time until recently.
Not that it stopped me from logging on at least once a day...
Breezy-E
Well, Breezy-E, school is definitely a major excuse of importance! And reading is also learning. Video games, well, hey... you've got to get some pleasure in life, right? Maybe next time you play a video game, you could somehow connect it with a plot. I don't play many VGs, but say the character you are playing is the main character in a story, and the goal you have in the game is the adventure your character is going on in a book. Hmmm... maybe it's worth a try!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Bee 
Excuses for Not writing:
1) I'm a college student, and I have class.
2) At certain points in the day, I have to eat, and though I have tried, I find it difficult to type left-handed while eating sushi with the pair of chopsticks in my right hand.
3) I enjoy having *** with my significant other. He hasn't been doing much writing lately either.
4) I have four short stories in the works... I'll have a good thing going with one for awhile, but then my brain will snub me like a spiteful ex-lover and I'll be sitting there for fifteen minutes hovering over the keyboard until my roommate flips on the OC and I have to leave the room before I kill someone.
5) I'm too busy editing my boyfriend's novel.
6) I'm too busy writing excuses for not writing.
Well, at least you have some things in the works. That's good, expecially for how busy you are. School, boyfriends, and eating, all take up time... that's for sure! {e:wink]
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Noble has the writing bug
Oh... the excuses I've used... I think my favorite one at the moment for not writing is: There's not enough hours in the day for me to write. (Though that's all I do)
You sure hit the nail on the head with that excuse! With the warmer weather coming up, the hours in our days will seem longer and maybe that will inspire some of us... Or we will be too busy doing yard work and going camping, to write... Yikes! Those sound like MY excuses!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** tavner
I don't have any exciting excuses. I find that when I want to avoid writing, cleaning the toilet or defrosting the refridgerator becomes extremely important.
Have a most excellent birthday! Turning 50 will be a fabulous experience!
Gee, thank you! It actually turned out rather nicely and was not bad at all [turning 50]. The most important thing is that I'm healthy and do not feel old [yet].
Okay, back to excuses! My husband would love it if I had excuses like yours! Mine tend to be more pleasure-seeking, but then again, maybe it's a pleasure for you to clean the toilet and defrost the fridge. Or... perhaps it just makes you feel like it's a darn good excuse not to write so you don't feel guilty... like I do!!! 
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** Lynn McKenzie
Nice to meet you, Cubby,
My biggest excuse for not writing? It's not having a good enough idea for a story. I only write when I get something in my head that won't go away no matter what other things I have to think about. In college, I wrote lots of short stories, but since then only two novels...but I think they're good ones.
It sounds like you are doing rather well, to me anyway! To write two novels, let alone one, would be a great accomplishment for many of us. Congratulations! 
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** dareng
My most common excuse is "I should be reading. . .er. . .researching!" I love to read, and sometimes it is difficult to put down a good book and work on my book! On the other hand, sometimes reading a good book can inspire me to get up and write. Thanks for a great newsletter, and for making me take a closer look at my excuses. I'm sure it was good for me!
I know what you mean. But like you said, a good book can be inspiring. I love it when I read something that makes me want to research things!
** Image ID #1075237 Unavailable ** scribbler
My gerbil's in a coma. Ok maybe not the best excuse but one that was used in my English class, haha.
By the way, I loved all the figure skating animations in this newsletter. Cute!
 I bet whoever thought up that excuse definitely has a creative mind! Glad you liked the skaters. Though I didn't see much of the Winter Olympics this year, they are my favorites watch.
 Thanks for all the great feedback this week! It kept me busy. But seriously, we editors love to hear from you! Keep it coming!!!
~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~
Quote: Everything that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. And later on you can use it in some story.
~ Tapani Bagge
Cubby's Question of the Month
Do you draw on past experiences in your writing? Share the single most significant episode in your life that influenced you to utilize it in a story.
See you again on April 19th!! Hoppy Writing!
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Love, Cubby ")
** Image ID #1075245 Unavailable ** Next week's editor will be... Puditat |
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Noticing Newbies: March 22, 2006 Issue [#935]
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