This week: A Soft Place To Land Edited by: 🌞GeminiGem 🌻 ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/costumicons/ps-icon-fox_1-60.gif) ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/icon-mail-off.png?i=2) More Newsletters By This Editor ![](https://www.Writing.Com/nw.gif)
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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
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Hi there! I'm 🌞GeminiGem 🌻 , but you can call me Leah. I am the guest editor for this edition of the Noticing Newbies newsletter. |
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A Soft Place To Land
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What brings you to Writing.Com? If I had to guess, I would say...writing, right? Yep, I'm just observant like that. Okay, so you came because writing is of interest to you. Now what?
But wait, there's more.
If you have been here for more than a minute, you have discovered that this is a vast, complex site. There is a vibrant community of writers here who participate at various levels. There are so many things to do here. It is easy to feel a little lost or even intimidated. I know I did when I was a newbie.
Since we all problem solve in different ways, this site is set up so that you can get the information you need in the way that works the best for you.
Question everything.
I will go over some basic ideas on where to find answers to questions when they come up. Notice I said "when", not "if". That was on purpose.
Let's Begin At The Very Beginning (A Very Good Place To Start)
If you haven't already dropped by "Noticing Newbies" , I encourage you to do so. Introduce yourself and interact with other brand new members. Build relationships with others who just got here and are probably having the same issues you are having. There are also more super helpful links there you may want to explore.
It comes with instructions!
Are you the type that digs around the box looking for the sheet of directions when putting a new item together? We have just the thing! Writing.Com (WdC) comes with a comprehensive set of instructions. The clickable link is always right there on the upper right-hand corner of your screen: "Writing.Com 101" . As far as I have ever been able to tell, it covers everything about the site. When I clicked on it myself just recently, I see that they have added instructional videos as well.
Question authority.
In that same toolbar, you will find other helpful links, including "Technical Support Forum" . If you are having technical problems related to the site, you can ask them here. Someone with technical knowledge will be along to help you. It probably won't be me , but you never know.
On the left-hand side of your screen, you will find another handy set of links. Scroll down and click on Writing.Com Tools. There's Writing.Com 101 again, and another link I have personally used a lot during my time here: WritingML Docs & Help. If you haven't checked this out, you should. It is a gold mine of information about all ways to make your writing appear more appealing.
At the bottom, you will find links to more places where you can ask questions when you are experiencing problems.
Phone a friend.
Okay, you aren't actually going to give a call, but there is a place where new members can get their feet wet, try things out with some guidance, ask questions from friendly people, and support each other. This is an especially good place for people who "learn by doing". Isn't that most of us? You can practice various skills to get better at negotiating WdC. This is definitely a soft place to land.
| ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/icon-.gif) | Invalid Item ![](https://www.Writing.Com/nw.gif) This item number is not valid. #2274181 by Not Available. |
Reach out and email someone.
Do you just want to ask a person to help and not mess with forums or the like? Pick a member and send an email, it is as simple as that. You can send one to whomever you would like, but I might suggest picking a person that has a blue "case" in their handle. These are the site's moderators, and they are a very good resource. When I was a newbie, I was having problems figuring something out so I picked a person I had a brief encounter with (through a contest, maybe, I don't remember) and sent him an email with my question. He happened to be a moderator, and he did an excellent job answering my question. Don't be afraid to reach out to a mod if you need help on WdC.
If you would like to learn more about the different colored cases (suitcases) on WdC, go here: "If You Want To Get Someone's Attention: Tagging and Handles" ![](https://www.Writing.Com/nw.gif)
Fall down the rabbit hole.
If you have goals and timetables, you may want to do what you need to do and keep to the task at hand. I suggest that you occasionally give yourself permission to wander freely throughout WdC. Follow whatever links catch your eye. Read whatever item presents itself. Snoop around in people's ports to see what they are all about. If something turns out to be something you will want to return to in the future, make sure you click the plus sign to put it in your favorites. You never know what you might learn in your WdC wanderings.
Newsfeed's got it goin' on.
Get used to scrolling through newsfeed to see what is going on. Interact with posts. "Favorite" authors and they will find their way to your personal newsfeed. Go to the community newsfeed and interact with other new members. Favorite them.
Mix it up.
Most people use a combination of the above ideas to get what they need to succeed at WdC.
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Here are some Newbies I noticed!
| ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/icon-.gif) | Invalid Item ![](https://www.Writing.Com/nw.gif) This item number is not valid. #2273602 by Not Available. |
| ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/icon-.gif) | Invalid Item ![](https://www.Writing.Com/nw.gif) This item number is not valid. #2274173 by Not Available. |
NEWBIES! YOU REALLY NEED TO PUT THIS IN YOUR FAVORITES. CLICK ON THAT PLUS SIGN!
| | Contest Clues (E) List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed! #2221492 by 🌞GeminiGem 🌻 ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/costumicons/ps-icon-fox_1-60.gif) ![](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/icon-mail-off.png?i=2) |
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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
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