Noticing Newbies: November 19, 2008 Issue [#2720]
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Noticing Newbies


 This week: Have A Question? Need Some Help?
  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

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

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"It ain't a good review unless I throw a tantrum and CRY." And, really, I believe that - if a review doesn't get me thinking, it ain't harsh enough.
Michael Wonch Author Icon

Hang on to your sense of humor, you're going to need it!
esprit Author Icon

If you don't read the edit and think that you should kick the editor in the tush, they aren't doing their job.
"Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. by A Guest Visitor

"Thank you for the honest, biting review.
teihzbael Author Icon


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Writing Help Needed


Have A Question? Need Some Help?

I've heard through the grapevine that some of you are overwhelmed at the size of Writing.Com.

There are plenty of contests, raffles, review blitzes and all sorts of groups to get to know. They're easy to spot by their sheer frenzy of energized activity, and they pull you in. They can be so overwhelming that you may find yourself having so much fun that your writing has taken a backseat.

But, after settling down a bit, you've asked where to go to discuss writing. Where are the writing tips and articles, because above all, you want to learn the craft of writing. Just as writers tend to be on the shy side, so are the items you're looking for. They sit quietly within ports until you find your bearings and decide it's time to begin. I'm listing a few here. These are wonderful places to get to know. Don't forget the Power Search at the bottom of any page, enter your keyword and see what you can find.

Writing.Com is a social site, but it's a writing site above all. Members constantly write items, put together lists and links, answer questions and generally do their best to make this a learning place. You will review and be reviewed, read and be read, and you will learn to love Writing.Com.

I hope anyone with special knowledge helpful to new writers will pass it along too. "Write What You Know," because someone is ready to learn.

*Bullet* This issue is literally filled with information contributed by many members of the site.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Index of Educational and Reference Items. Have A Question? Need Some Help?

(If you can use the yellow pages in a phone book, you can do this.)
People with Unanswered Questions can post a request for an article to be written. Whether such an article will be written depends on a writer being willing to do it. Enter a keyword on this Library's forum search box, not the PowerSearch.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Looking for that perfect word to describe a character?
I've compiled the following list of more than 483 useful adjectives for precisely that purpose.


Drama Forum Open in new Window. [13+]
For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions
by Joy Author Icon

In this forum, we'll talk about writing in general and drama in particular.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Here's the golden rule about stage directions. If they take place within a character's dialogue, they are single spaced below the dialogue. Then the dialogue resumes, single spaced below the internal stage direction. If a stage direction takes place between one character's dialogue and another character's, then the stage direction is double spaced in it's own separate area between the dialogue of the two characters. See the example pages for the formatting difference between "internal to a speech" stage directions and "external" stage directions.


*Bullet* Newsletters are great resources for 'how-to's and tips'.

"Drama Newsletter (November 12, 2008)Open in new Window.

When we model characters inspired by people around us or even in the movies, what can easily fall by the wayside is the emotional subtext. Dreams give you, the writer, access to the emotional truth your characters need, offer new ideas, and create powerful images which can inspire.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Writing.com is about sharing. Many wonderful authors on site shared their experiences and their knowledge in article after article concerning the heart of Writing.com: writing, reading, rating, and reviewing.

There was a problem, however, in locating all of this extensive information. It was necessary (as I soon found out!) to go through voluminous amounts of items to pick and choose the work pertinent to these subjects.

My first impression during this search was
"It has to be easier than this to be useful!".


 Spelling Rules! Open in new Window. [E]
If you're having trouble with your spelling maybe you need to know the rules.
by Texas Belle Author Icon

Yes, it is true. As odd and as frustrating as it may seem at times, American English does have spelling rules. Though there are times when navigating the world of spelling can seem quite treacherous, it isn't as difficult as you may think. With this series of articles, I hope to diminish your frustration level and elevate your writing confidence.
One last note, regardless of what you were told, spelling does matter.


A Poet's Tool Box Open in new Window. [E]
Tools for the trade.
by Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon

The following is a guide and reference tool for poets. There will be links throughout - leading to articles on or off Writing.com - for further information.


Grammarama Open in new Window. [13+]
A library featuring commonly committed errors of the English language.
by Kraken through the Snow Author Icon

Basic Word Choice: This section contains examples of words that are commonly confused with one another. Some of them are homophones, while others are words with different pronunciations that have come to be used in the incorrect context.

General Grammar: This section will deal with punctuation, capitalization, and other broad issues.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Reviewing News and Views Open in new Window. [E]
Interested in a reviewing newsletter? Come on over!
by Storm Machine Author Icon


WHO WE ARE: We are Writing.com members of all ranks and all backgrounds with the common interest of discussing reviewing. Whether we're still figuring out our reviewing style or we've been reviewing for years, we engage in discussion and learn about various aspects of reviewing so we can improve how we provide feedback for our fellow authors. Anyone of any rank (from registered users on up) is welcome to join the group to expand his/her reviewing skills.


*Bullet* These are only a fraction of what can be found on the site. I try to list a few each month, but I'll never be able to list them all. Use the resources found on the site and let the hosts know you visited.



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

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Editor's Picks

 THE RUDDER Open in new Window. [13+]
The first hour of waking is the rudder that guides the whole day.
by Oldwarrior Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Different Open in new Window. [13+]
Why am I different?
by Fallen Angel Author Icon



Remember to read your neighbor's work too!

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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!

ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Ask & Answer

Comments on "Invalid EntryOpen in new Window.
Submitted By: flex
Submitted Comment: A good newsletter on procrastination, esprit. Often we make inactivity a demon, but you are right, there are plenty of other things to do. A favorite of mine is to do research.

Ah, so you like to surf the web? Me too.
*Smile*

Submitted By: bookworm243
Submitted Comment: Great Newletter. Funny and Lighearted. I also am a procrastinator and it gave me some good ideas. Haha. Actually I am procrastianting right now. Thanks for the Great Newsletters!

Good! I'm glad I helped. lol


Submitted By: iscolumbina79
Submitted Comment: I just have to let you know how you NAILED my own procrastination regimen: I love my laptop, but it surely seduces me from accomplishing ANYTHING! I've even tried disconnecting from the internet, but as you pointed out, there's so much you can do with files and defrag and cleanup....

Now, where's the button that kicks me into writing gear?

Oh, and I've successfully not "written anything" by writing to you. Thanks alot.

You're very welcome! I've learned a lot about the inner workings of my computer. Did you know you shouldn't mess with task manager? Really, you shouldn't.


Submitted By: artemisquil
Submitted Comment: Super newsletter with an abundance of suggestions for ALL of us who procrastinate.

Artemis Quill


What is your favorite way to avoid writing, Artemis?


Submitted By: Shaziane Author Icon
Submitted Comment: I really like this it was quite interesting and amusing. Got some procrastination ideas. Thanks alot. By the way the 'write anything' technique when you don't know what, has worked for me so it's not totally lost.

You're right, Shazianne, it's worked for me a time or two also.


Submitted By:4theLoveofWriting Author Icon
Submitted Item:
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Submitted Comment: This is a witty article. For what it is worth, I will offer my cure for the blank screen - ditch it. Yes, you heard me right, ditch the computer. I have come to be able to compose straight onto my laptop but, when I want to do some serious writing, I go back to the basics. Pick up a blank notebook and a nice medium ink pen - the darker the better. There is something about that vast expanse of white paper that just begs to be filled. When you put the pen to paper, something magical happens. I think, for me, it releases me from any proofreading or editorial concerns. With my pen and blank notebook, I am completely accessible to my muse and she never fails me. Well, I guess my readers will have to be the final judge of that.

Great advice, Lizzy! I tried this and got some doodles that would work wonderfully in a horror story illustration. I used to doodle with black lead before I went high tech. Thanks for the reminder of this great tool of procrastination, and it can be done anyplace!
*Delight*

You guys were wonderful to see the fun intended and respond in kind.
We always appreciate the feedback, thanks!

Editors:

CHRISTMAS cub-BELLS R RINGING! Author Icon
Puditat Author Icon
laurencia

Your host this week is esprit Author Icon


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
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