This week: The Basics of WDC Edited by: JACE  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
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
Hi, I'm JACE .
Welcome to this issue of the Noticing Newbies newsletter. Join me as I take you into some nooks and crannies of Writing.Com that you may not have found time to check out yet.
Don't forget to toss me a note about what you liked or didn't like in my column, or about a topic you'd like to see discussed. This newsletter is about and for you. And for you seasoned members, I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings. 
Your Noticing Newbies Newsletter full-time Editors:
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You know how to write. You learned that back in grade school, right? You learned the basics--grammar, punctuation, even spelling.
Now you've joined Writing.Com--the premier writing site, in my opinion. There's a new set of basics you must learn. Posting your writing on the site is different. Enticing readers to read your works is located in one section. Encouraging feedback of your writing style and content in another section.
This all starts with an Item. As explained in WDC's Reference Guide, "Writing.Com 101" : Items are the basic building blocks of Writing.Com and your online portfolio. Most forms of interaction with other members of Writing.Com are done through some Item type.
There are 22 item types available to members, nine of which are available to Free members. The remaining 13 types are spread among the paid membership levels--Basic, Upgraded, Premium and Premium Plus. Click on  Create New Item under the Navigation Menu on the left side of your page and you'll find a complete list of these items and which members can use them.
By far, the Static Item is the most versatile item you will use on the site, and is available to every member. Static items contain stories, poems, chapters, essays, and articles, to name but a few. Step-by-step instructions are found in "Create/Edit a Static Item" ; I won't cover that today.
I will leave you with several points to keep in mind when using any items:
1. If you hit Save and are missing required information, you will be prompted with Please correct the following problems. Do NOT leave the page without filling in that necessary information or you will lose everything you've entered.
2. Any WritingML designations you use in your edit window will remain visible until you Save your item. They should not be visible in your final product.
3. For peace of mind, consider restricting your access to Keep PRIVATE, for my eyes only! until you're finished editing. This ensures some quick individual doesn't review your item before it's ready.
Before long, these new basics will become second nature. Best of luck on your writing journey.
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Check out this forum designed to assist Newbies.
Then drop in on these Newbies. Take a moment to review this offering ... or something else in their Port. Welcome them to WDC through a scribble in their Notebook.
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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
Thanks for spending time with me today. At the bottom of every newsletter is a section entitled:
followed by a text box. If you liked what you read (or if you didn't), please take time and drop me a line. I'd love to hear your ideas.
From the Newsfeed for "Achievement Merit Badges" : Do you pursue the other Achievement merit badges as much as the daily Consistency badges?
From TheBusmanPoet  : No. I stick to the news feed and QOTD forum.
From Dave Ryan  : No, as it can become a crazy obsession. I don't even try for the consistency badges. I regularly get the consecutive days badge (through spending far too much time here ), but all the others just come out of the blue once in a while when I inadvertently hit the relevant threshold.
From N.A Miller  : When applicable. Not with a lot of success mind you. But I keep kerplomping along no matter if I succeed or fail. All you can really do.
I use them to jump-start my daily routine. But I admit I don't obsess over not doing them when I travel
From Jeffrey Meyer  : I don't exactly "pursue" MBs. Although they're fun and it's nice to get a gold star, I'm mostly here for the writing, in its various forms. If that includes MBs or awards, that's pretty cool, but the writing is the best part for me.
Agree!
From Jack of Diamonds : I can't say that I "pursue" merit badges, and I don't object in principle to the 7 days of blogging, 7 days reviewing, and the like, but I can never get those because I actively avoid the "7 days of logging in" badge. I avoid it by not logging in on Thursdays. That works for be because that's Post Day for the off-site blog I admin and share with ten other writers. So, when it looks like I'm lagging in the Community Recognition totals, it just means that all of my merit badges are for something more meritorious than turning on the computer every day.
Okay, rant over. That's one of the few things that bug me about this nearly perfect site, and when you offer me a chance to vent like this... Forgive me; I lack the strength to pass it up... 
Always glad to offer a soapbox.
From The Puppet Master  : I pursue the newsfeed and forum badges.
I consider the Review achievement the holy grail of the five. It's the one I have to work at the most.
From Tannus : If I find one I like, I will.
From the Mailbag:
From Jaycin Alexis  : I love that Feb 2001 was the birth of Noticing Newbies and it was the birth of my younger brother ^-^
I love karmic coincidences.
From P. M. Walkinturtle : RE: "To Touch The Earth" - I joined Writing.com in 2015. I had been writing since I was in jr. High and came across this site by happenstance. I have written quite a lot since then and uploaded several of my writings to be reviewed. I especially needed to get tips on the usual grammar, and some editing tips.
What I found out is that not many understand my style of spiritual writing and often gives conflicting advice on rewrites. One said "this sentence needs to be broken up into two or three sentences and it would read better. After doing just that and having it reviewed again I was told it would be better to combine the three into one sentence. My other writings I have attempted to get reviews meeting the gift point criteria requested by the reviewer and then ghosted and the gift points returned. This in itself is very disappointing and now am not even sure if I want to continue requesting reviews.
If you had ten reviews by different members, you would get ten differing opinions all based on their particular outlook on life. I have one item that won a Short Shots Official WDC contest many years back that has had 36 reviews. Each one's a little different. Occasionally I find something I feel important enough to edit the piece. Otherwise, I let them pass.
Perhaps you can seek a mentor or collaborator, someone with a similar style as yours off which you can bounce ideas.
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Noticing Newbies: December 24, 2025 Issue [#13507]
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