This week: Tips for New Members - Part 2 Edited by: JACE  
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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
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. This newsletter is about and for you. And for you seasoned members, I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings. 
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| ASIN: B07NPKP5BF |
Product Type: Toys & Games
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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YOU'RE READY TO WRITE!
Now you are ready to create your first item. For specific details about creating items, check out "Create/Edit a Static Item" .
Remember, however, that presentation and formatting are as important as good writing when it comes to getting read and reviewed. Poorly presented items will have readers clicking out of the item without reading, reviewing, or even rating.
TIPS ON PRESENTATION AND FORMATTING
1. Double space between paragraphs, and between lines of dialogue of different characters. Large blocks of solid, unbroken text are difficult to read, and many readers won't get far before they click out of the item.
2. Check spelling. It's easy to do, and shows the reader that you are serious about your writing when spelling errors are few and far between.
3. Don't use funky colors for your text. Stay with black text. Some color, for emphasis of certain words, is okay, but a solid page of light pink on yellow can leave the reader with eyestrain and a bad impression of your item.
4. Don't use all capital letters in item text. Again, it is hard to read, and it detracts from the professionalism of the content.
5. Item length. If you are writing the great American novel, split it up between several items. Short items tend to attract more readers and reviews.
6. Content. Remember that many members may have their "content preferences" set to view only items rated E to 13+. If your item is rated 18+ or higher you will be missing out on a substantial number of reviews. If one word in your item is enough to bump it from 13+ to 18+ you may want to consider whether it's worth losing all of those additional readers. This is how the "Content Rating System (CRS)" help you.
7. Don't be negative in the "brief description" of your item. If you say something like "Not very good," or "This is pretty silly, but read it anyway," odds are no one will read it. If YOU think it's bad, why should anyone care to waste their time proving you right?
BITS AND PIECES
Gift Points (GPs) are the coin of the Writing.com realm. There are several ways to accumulate Gift Points, such as reviewing, and entering and placing in the many contests available. Check out "Gift Points" .
Acquiring GPs.
One can purchase GPs through WDC's Shop.
Members can earn GPs through the review system, including the Review Mixer (in which you can receive GPs for sending a review to someone you've never reviewed before, "The Review Mixer" ; Daily Rewards (which encourages members to give qualified reviews to other members), "Daily Review Rewards" ; Auto Rewards (which are GPs offered by members to readers who leave helpful, thought-out qualified reviews), "Auto-Rewards" ; and Public Review Rewards (in which members can reward reviews posted on the Public Review page).
Upgrades are offered by several groups devoted to awarding upgrades to outstanding members for such things as writing ability, helpfulness, participation in site activities, etc. So don't sign up and immediately start begging for Gift Points or upgrades. It's annoying, and will serve to achieve the opposite of the desired effect.
Automatic GPs from WDC.
Every registered member receives a certain number of GPs for each day they sign in based on their member level (Registered User, Registered Author, etc.)
Registered Users receive 100 GPs upon creating their first item.
EXPLORE!
There are so many interesting things to learn and do here at Writing.com. Browse around. Learn how ML Code works. Join a Newbie group. Enter contests. Sign up for weekly newsletters in the genres which interest you. Meet your neighbors! There are thousands of interesting, unique members here (just like you), and most will readily assist you with any questions you might have.
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Check out these Newbies. Take a moment to review this offering ... or something else in their Port. Welcome them to WDC though a scribble in their Notebook.
| | | Heat Lamp (ASR)
A poem about me loving and obsessing over my favorite person, with anecdotal metaphors.
#2238406 by nottabe  |
| |  | Blinded Love (13+)
2 girls, around 1,000 issues. Government issues, no escape, must choose one only.
#2238146 by Kay |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2238461 by Not Available. |
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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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 0996254145 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
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Thanks for spending time with me today. 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 and mailbag:
From elephantsealer  : Start writing; isn't that what Writing.com is all about????
Sure it is ... in part. But everyone needs help at one time or another to improve. Both WDC and its members can help.
From TheBusmanPoet : From the beginning. That usually helps.
That sounds like something I might say. 
From Anna Marie Carlson : Be brave and write something; get it out there for other's to read. This is the way to get feedback from other writers. If you don't put it out there, you'll never know how good you are, and be ready to listen to other authors and how you can improve. I have learned a lot and I'm so grateful for that.
.My sentiments exactly. The willingness to learn is the best path toward improvement.
From tj-turkey-jobble-jobble-hard-J  : I guess I'm not understanding the question, "Where do I start?" If you mean the experienced member, then start from the beginning of the journey, perhaps even what brought you to Writing.Com. If, however, the question pertains to the new member, then they should start by setting up their Portfolio. Fill in a little about yourself and get some items in there. Also, get involved, especially with reading and reviewing. From there the rest just kind of falls into place.
I think it's hard for established members to recall how lost they were when they first joined. Hence, my tips. In 2008 when I joined, WDC was a very complex site. And now it's even more so. The wheel has been invented, as it were; no sense in re-inventing it. That's why the Noticing Newbies NL is here.
From s : "Let's start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A-be-see
When you sing you begin with do-re-mi"
Just write. Even if it doesn't make sense, even if you think it's rubbish, you need to write. Just write. It becomes easier. It's like any other skill - the more you do it, the better you get. Then start trying to improve.
Remember, practice does not make perfect - perfect practice makes perfect.
But the first step is simply - write.
So true, Steven. But just writing doesn't necessarily get it posted on WDC in a coherent and readable format. 
From no  : please stope (sic) sending me this
To stop receiving this or other newsletters, click on "Community" in the Navigation Menu, scroll down to "Newsletters," and select "Manage Newsletter Subscriptions." Select or de-select the newsletters desired, and click "Submit Changes."
From hbk16: These are some important tools very useful that a newbie should know and use and any member too.
Great issue indeed!
Thanks.
And thank you all for your continued support. |
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Noticing Newbies: December 02, 2020 Issue [#10493]
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