june 12th newsletter

newsletter for June....

Firstly, I would like to apologize for my long absence from WDC and SMILE. I have had a fairly trying illness, job change, and some personal issues all happening at once over the past couple of months. I am trying to get back into the swing of things and find my smile again. I feel it creeping up the corners of my mouth right now as I type. Smiles have a way of just making a person feel better almost immediately, whether it be your own or someone elses.


Our groups intent has always been to spread smiles around WDC and hopefully, in the future, across the real 3D world in a variety of ways. I would like to touch on a few points of the group's agenda at the present time:

REVIEWING

Reviews: Whiled we do like reviews and it is my believe that reviewers all have their own style and sometimes it is much different for our own, we should keep the following in mind when reviewing:

A review is always received better if you are constructive but kind. Please take into consideration how you would feel if this were a review your received in your in-box. Be kind and thoughtful when writing those reviews.

While SMILE does credit generously (our way of putting a smile on the reviewers face), we expect certain things to gain those higher rewards. The SMILE signature should be used. There are many different ones to chose from. You can find some tips and siggies for reviewing for SMILE here: http://www.writing.com/main/forums/item_id/1643831-SmileWorldWide-Review-forum

Please note that you do not have to post reviews in the forum. We can find them easily as long as you use the affiliation tool. Jen and I have been using that primarily for letting each other know that credits have been done.


Please share the love! While it is always nice to review friends, please do not limit your reviews to only those people. Newbies, older black cases, yellow cases, Mods, and even the StoryMaster and StoryMistress would love to hear from you.


Jen wrote you all a few days ago and she had some valid points. While our job is to make people smile, even in regards to reviews. I always feel most 'satisfied' and happy after a thoughtful and thought out review is received. Please remember we are not professional critics though and we all have different reviewing styles. It is perfectly fine to say you love something, but please go into detail why. We are not asking for a certain length or type of review, we are asking you to think 'would I be really happy to receive this review if the review came into your in-box Also, I know I love when someone catches a spelling error or lets me know if the flow of something was off. It allows me to double check for mistakes. After all, our goal here at WDC, for most of us, is to become better writers with the help of other authors. But always be constructive, not critical...please.



You are not required to review to be a member of SMILE. Actually, there are no real expectations of our members except to ask that you spread joy and smiles where and when you can and in whatever manner you feel most comfortable 


Okay enough about that....on to other things.

I have not been featuring newbies since I have be on hiatus. I will continue highlighting them, again, in our newbie section next month. Every week, I pick five random newbies and purchase them one of SHERRI GIBSON and team's JBIWT package. I also send them 1000 GPS. These members are then entered into a monthly draw to receive a MB.

We also do a monthly draw for a member to receive a MB. I did not do it the past two months but it is being done this month! Congrats Caitlin Stafford who was chosen by the virtual dice to receive this month's Smile badge .  I hope it brought a smile to your face!






I would like to send out special thanks to all the members who have donated funds from their own pockets or from raffles or auctions they have run. SMILE always tries to send out package donations to any group, whether or not we benefit. We might miss a few and funds get depleted fast, so we thank you for every GP you send in. You can check the activity page (link in the members lounge) to check out fellow members current auctions, raffles, and contests.

Also do not forget we offer free C-note collections. You can send each card to the maximum amount of recipients and it will only cost what WDC charges. It is a fun, inexpensive, and easy way to send a smile to another. There are even cards for those not so happy times. The link is located off the member lounge page. Why not take a tour around and see what you can find






I would like to again thank Jen wakko71 who has been crediting reviews and has been awesomely supportive while i have been gone. I would like to thank It's too hot already! for always trying to keep the message forum in the members lounge active. Why not drop by and drop her a note before she starts to talk to herself again She is a great gal. I would also like to thank each and everyone of you for being part of this awesome group. It is awesome because of YOU!!!!

More is in the works...but that is to come later! In the meantime, I hope you find many opportunities to smile and to bring a smile to the face of another






Sorry for the lengthy newsletter this month. After not writing it for a couple of months, there was a lot to say and I still feel like I am leaving stuff out.


See ya soon! Connie ominblueeyes

P.S. My in-box is always open for suggestions, comments, or to just say hi!