  Noticing Newbies
This week: The Role of Moderators at WDC Edited by: Crys-not really here  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
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
| Hello! My name is Crys-not really here and I'm happy to be the guest editor this week for the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! |
| ASIN: 0997970618 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99
|
|
The Role of Moderators in the Writing.com Community
As a Moderator, I occasionally get questions from newbies on what moderators do on the site. Instead of just pointing out the Writing.com FAQ in this newsletter, I thought I'd share my personal experience with being a "mod."
Besides writing newsletters (which is one of the best perks of being a moderator, in my opinion), mods have the responsibility of keeping the site "clean." We're often the ones who change content ratings on items when they're not properly rated. We also report member violations around the site-like non-E handles and usernames-so that they can get taken care of quickly and efficiently. Most Moderators take their job seriously. Please don't get offended if we change a rating on your item. We're just doing our job, and its nothing personal. 
Moderators are also some of the best people to ask about rules, regulations and features of the site. We're chosen, in part, because we're familiar with site navigation and rules. If you have a question, you can post in "Technical Support Forum" or "Non-Technical Support Forum" , and a mod or staff member will get you as soon as possible! We can also be found lurking on "Writing.Com General Discussion" , willing to help.
We're also often the judges for site-run contests like "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" . To me, this is both one of the most fun and most challenging duties as a Moderator. Just imagine judging a contest with a hundred or so entries, in a strict time frame! It's a fantastic opportunity to read a variety of items from authors on the site that I may not have met before.
My ultimate favorite aspect of being a moderator has to be writing newsletters like the one you're reading right now. It's a great writing and research process, and it allows me to stay connected with all members of the site. I love sharing my knowledge of writing and WDC with all of you, and I also love getting feedback from and having a dialogue with the community.
Moderators do have some responsibility on the site, but it's a fun opportunity too.
So, now you might be asking yourself "How do I get to be a Moderator?" That's a common question, too. Becoming a Moderator takes a lot of hard work and time. I was member of WDC for seven years before I became a mod.  Some people get promoted within a couple of years, and some people wait longer. Just know that if you're active on the site, friendly and helpful in the community, do quality reviews and follow the rules, you will be noticed in the community. Of course, "Preferred Author" status always comes before "Moderator." You can see The WDC FAQ at http://www.writing.com/main/faq.php#become_mod to learn more about the different portfolio colors and what they mean. |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1672711 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1682079 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1682617 by Not Available. |
| |  | Spaz (E)
A braided essay with three strands written for a advanced nonfiction class in 2010.
#1681931 by L.Rush  |
|
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: 0995498113 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
|
|
Thank you to everyone who wrote in about my last For Newbies Newsletter, "Revising with the Reader in Mind." I've included all of your comments below.
Crys: Very good advice about writing form, content and format that is both proper and pleasing for the reader. I do have another suggestion to add that I feel is of the utmost importance, especially for story writers. Take the time to do your research on any time and place facts that are or can be a part of your story. Any historical facts that may be woven into your story line or character/s are better developed around facts. This allows your reader to better relate with a personal familiarity and travel smoothly through the time and place you open a door for them to enter. -Allen Riley
In the comment section, Cry wrote, "In cases where a piece has already been published, I suggest that a member either add a note saying where it has been published or turn off the option to receive reviews."
A friend of mine is an author, who published one of his short stories in a little magazine recently. He's written several books, including one on how to write, and yet I found a timeline mistake in his story. I'm not a published author, but I e-mailed him to ask if anyone should tell an author if they found such a thing. When he said, yes, (as long as its done nicely), I explained the mistake to him. Good thing. He plans to include that story into his next book. It was a revision gone unnoticed by publisher and author. We've all seen mistakes in publish form. Maybe there is room for reviewing published works, too, although, personally, I'd want mine reviewed by e-mail, so my boo-boo isn't doubly embarassing. ;)- atwhatcost
Oh wow! I have the hardest time letting go, especially with poetry. So my story is very similar to yours. Except that I'm still struggling. I ended up going to college thinking I was too misunderstood. Went to my first creative writing class, and BAM; got my first B ever on an English assignment. I almost died! But that was the best class I've ever taken. It's allowed me to really take a step back and acknowledge the audience, the most important part. My professor always told me that after you write your first draft, you must take yourself out of the poem; and let the poem be what it wants to be. So every time I write a piece of poetry, I find myself asking tons of questions so that I pull myself out. Thanks for this! Knowing that others have struggled as well, helps me to keep at it! -saraiv
Right on about "walking away" from bad pieces. I gave some 2.5s or lower with tons of what I thought were good suggestions, but all they saw was the rating. -Lee: Namaste! |
| ASIN: B004PICKDS |
Product Type: Toys & Games
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
Noticing Newbies: June 23, 2010 Issue [#3812]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
