Noticing Newbies: October 25, 2006 Issue [#1333]
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Noticing Newbies


 This week: In-Depth Reviewing
  Edited by: esprit Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter

noticing newbies - newsletter header



Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! Our goal is to showcase some of our newest Writing.Com Authors and their items. From poetry and stories to creative polls and interactives, we'll bring you a wide variety of items to enjoy. We will also feature "how to" advice and items that will help to jump start the creation process on Writing.com

We hope all members of the site will take the time to read, rate, review and welcome our new authors. By introducing ourselves, reviewing items and reaching out, we will not only make them feel at home within our community, we just might make new friends!

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Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1945043032
Amazon's Price: $ 13.94


Letter from the editor

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What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.
- Samuel Johnson



In-Depth Reviewing



In-depth reviewing is tough for both the critiquer and the author, but it doesn't have to be. One way to make it easier is to keep it professional. If a writer asks for an honest, in-depth review of their work, they are serious. They don't want you to gloss over the bumps and tell them it's perfect if it isn't. They want to win the contract or contest. If they had the nerve to ask for this type of review, be nice and gather your own nerve to let them have it with both barrels. But, only if they ask.

The trick to remaining professional is to keep yourself and the author out of the comments. Don't get personal. Concentrate on the writing and stick to the writing. You won't need to fear violating the 'be nice' rule if you point out plenty of the good stuff too. They need to know what works as well as what doesn't. It's all part of in-depth feedback.

If you want to help a writer's story become publishable, in-depth reviews are the only way to go. But if you're afraid of saying anything constructive, {translated by many to mean negative) you won't be as useful. Stay aware of your tone when pointing out the flaws. Keeping it friendly is vital. Don't use exclamation points or capitals when pointing out errors! Read the review over before sending it and change anything that sounds bossy or like an order. Mean and Rude do not define Honesty. 'Don't be mean' is a great definition of 'be nice.'

Putting down another's draft does not make you a better writer, nor does it help anyone else. If you must be rude, review your own work; you're not helping and your comments are not welcome.

But, you're not a mean person, so stop worrying about being helpful. You don't need to cover everything either. Cover any element that catches your attention. Comments on plot, characters, setting... any and all are useful and needed. Don't re-write their item. No reviewer is expected to be expert in all areas, and reviews don't need to be two pages long. Choose the star rate to match the review and you'll be fine.

I don't like the term, 'Negative Feedback.' It rings of negative connotations and why would anyone ask for this? Constructive feedback is essential in helping a piece become better, and that is not a negative act. When we criticize work offered specifically for in-depth reviews, our goal is to help authors become publishable writers. What they decide to do with the feedback is always up to them; they don't need to agree with you.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the new emoticons and fonts! They are so autumny. My favorite colors. *Delight*


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Logo for Writing.Com Moderators - small.
noticing newbies committee sig


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*Check3* The content of public reviews should not exceed the content rating of the item itself. Public reviews are filtered from viewing by member content filters based on the content rating of the item. Therefore, if the item itself contains particular words, it is generally okay to use those same words within a review of the item.


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Editor's Picks

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 String Boy Open in new Window. [13+]
A story with a twist about a boy's troubled past coming out in the open.
by schwestertulip Author Icon


 Deal With Fate Open in new Window. [E]
This poem was one of my earliest and inspired by nothing more than my imagination.
by lexie Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 The Longest Five Minutes of My Life Open in new Window. []
Maybe five minutes doesn't seem like much sometimes...but how much is it really?
by Smiley Author Icon


 Ice Cream Open in new Window. [E]
It's about something we all eat. lol
by susie nook Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Remember to read your neighbor's work too!


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Helpful links

*Leaf1*This new forum is a meeting place for those who:
*Bullet* are new to reviewing
*Bullet* have questions about reviewing
*Bullet* want to share experiences in reviewing to help others
*Bullet* want to discuss anything about reviewing

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Writing Contests @ Writing.Com Open in new Window. [E]
Writing Contests on Writing.Com are posted here.
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


THE DROP-OFF BOX  Open in new Window. [13+]
Monthly newbie contest.
by Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


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Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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!



Ask & Answer

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*Check1* *Leaf1* Premium and Normal Upgrade

I had a normal upgrade before accepting the free premium trial. Is time being taken off my normal upgrade during the premium? To try to make my question clearer: I had two or three weeks on my normal upgrade before I accepted the premium trial. Will I still have my two-three weeks for the normal upgrade after the premium runs out? Or will my normal upgrade expire before the trial ends?

*Check1* Complete answers to your question and more can be found at:

 Free Trial F.A.Q. Open in new Window. (E)
Frequently asked questions about the One Month Free Trial Premium Membership.
#838062 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon



*Check1* *Leaf2*Five Item Limit

I had an upgrade and it expired so some of my items were locked. I then proceeded to delete the remaining items I could see in my port. But I'm still not able to add any new items. Is there any way for me to delete the items that were locked after my upgrade expired?

*Check1* At this time there is nothing you can do but wait till the grace period expires. For more info see "When Your Paid Membership Expires...Open in new Window. [E]

Reminders are sent to your inbox beginning two months ahead of the expiration date. This is to give you plenty of time to copy and move them to your own computer program for safe keeping. You should always keep a copy there. You can also copy and save your reviews if you choose to.


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Feedback from last month's "Invalid EntryOpen in new Window.

Submitted By: B.L. Houghtalin Author Icon
Submitted Comment: Good job on another great newsletter. Keep up the useful content!! B.L. Unity (Houghtalin)

Submitted By: laurencia
Submitted Comment: Awesome newsletter E!
You give great advice and inspiration, thank you.


Submitted By: dream_of_roses
Submitted Comment: Ohmigosh that was such a good article! I'm sort of moving out of the newbie stage, but I still love to read this. Good job!

Submitted By: Eclectic Author Icon
Submitted Comment: This was some really good advice - sensible, practical and very very handy ! Especially liked the bit about just stopping and observing the world, people's faces, their body language.

Submitted By: Gen Author Icon
Submitted Comment: Dear, Esprit,

I can honestly tell you, that in the two years, I have known you, you have taught me more about writing than all the professors I had in school.

Your gospel is to write from the gut and to practice at it always. Truer words were never spoken.

You know how I was basically on my back for over three months. What did I do? I read and reread books to the average of one book every two days. I did nothing else. No tv, no stereo, no Playstation. It was like drinking from the Fountain of Youth! It recharged me. It gave me my incentive back, and it made me even better at my God given talent, as you shall soon see.

But even after all of that you showed me that I could be even better. You did it with your words here in this simple "Newbie Newsletter". Don't get me wrong; everyone of the editors here are literally WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. You are all definitely unsung heroes in my book. There is much knowledge and wisdom here about the craft of writing.


Submitted By: karabu
Submitted Comment: What a great newsletter. This one shows that this isn't just for "newbies". I'm always learning helpful tip. Thanks!

Submitted By: SmokeyMtn Author Icon
Submitted Comment: Excellent newsletter...again.

I particularly appreciated the section on Paying Attention. As writers, we literally walk past 100 stories a day and so many go unnoticed. I'm putting a new post-it on my monitor..."Writer's block? Take a walk."

It will remind me to observe and write it down. Maybe I'll only get a setting or a character study but I'll be writing.

Thanks again for a great newsletter.


Thanks for all the wonderful comments; we always appreciate the feedback.

Editors:

Cubby Author Icon
Puditat Author Icon
laurencia

Your host this week is esprit Author Icon

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