This week: Secrets Edited by: 🐕GeminiGem🎁  
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Hi ya! I'm 🐕GeminiGem🎁 , one of the guest editors of the Noticing Newbies Newsletter. I'm going to talk right in the open about some WritingML secrets. |
SECRETS
riting.Com is a big, complex site. I'm sure you have already figured that out. It's okay, though, we all have a bit of a learning curve when we are new members here. Some of us "mature" generations (I'm looking at you, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers) may have a bigger learning curve. None of us grew up with computers or the internet, but most of us get by well enough (I might be speaking for myself  ).
I'd like to share a few of my favorite little WritingML secrets. You will eventually learn these, probably, but why not accelerate your pace a bit?
First of all, don't forget that most of the most commonly used WritingML commands you will need are as easy as highlighting the text and clicking on one of the buttons right about the text box. You have bold, italics, underline, etc. I mention this because even seasoned members forget that those shortcuts exist occasionally.
There are many other WritingML commands, though. On the left-hand side of your screen, click on Writing.Com Tools. Then click on WritingML: Docs & Help. It will show you examples on how to set up basic writing tools, links, and how to embed things into your writing.
Now for my secrets. Well, they aren't really secrets, they are merely cool things you might not pick up until you've been here a while
One of my favorites is the COUNTDOWN. It has lots of uses: counting down until a special day, the deadline of a project, the day your last nerve will be stepped on, etc. The WritingML looks like this:
{code:countdown('07/14/26 11:59p')}
Using that code will look like this:
[Refresh to load countdown.]
When the time on the counter has passed, it will look like this:
[Refresh to load countdown.]
Along the same lines would be the PROGRESS BAR. It is meant to show how much progress has been made on a project. The WritingML looks like this:
{code:progress(91,lilac,black)}
You will get this:
Please note that you can use any two colors from the Writing.ML color chart that strikes your fancy. You can change the progress percentage by changing the number in the code:
{code:progress(72,indigo,lteal)}
One last little tidbit. You can use a giant letter as a decorative way to start a paragraph. This is called a DROPCAP. The WritingML code for the first sentence of this paragraph looks like:
{dropcap}O{/dropcap}ne last little tidbit.
That code will make the text look like this:
ne last little tidbit.
I find it convenient to copy and paste the code information onto a page in my Notepad. I only put codes I don't use frequently but really like and want to access quickly.
We'll talk about some other less common codes in my next Noticing Newbies Newsletter.
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Here are some newbies I noticed.
| |  | Is it just me (E)
A poem I have written and for context I pretty much just started. Hope you like it.
#2343611 by Maddie  |
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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
Feedback from my last Noticing Newbies Newsletter "Keeping It Friendly" .
I asked: Were you aware that you could contact a mod or senior mod to help you with WdC problems?
from TheBusmanPoet 
Yes, and if I need them, I will contact them. 
Perfect! Hopefully now a few new members are aware as well.
from Mousethyme 
I like being a spur under the saddle of mods... keeps them on their toes.....
Somehow, I got that impression from you.
from JACE 
Great newsletter, 🐕GeminiGem🎁 .
Somehow I've never come across your article: "Information For Writing.Com Newbies" . Very helpful, and now bookmarked so I won't forget.
Thank you, Jace! |
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Noticing Newbies: July 16, 2025 Issue [#13248]
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