  Noticing Newbies
This week: The Five Rules Edited by: Tornado Dodger  
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The Five Rules
Being a good writer is 3 percent talent, 97 percent not being distracted by the Internet.
-Anonymous.
Being a group leader on this site for several years now, I've heard a number of reasons why people want to join. From the natural response of "I want to be a better writer" to a million others, I've heard virtually them all. I thought I'd share some 'common sense' wisdom to the new members of our community and perhaps inspire a few of the veterans while I'm at it. If you'd like to 'be a better writer' - here is my two cents, or rather five rules, on how to accomplish it.
Read & Write a Lot
"You see, in my view a writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway."
-Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize 2008, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
You can't become a successful author without reading, it's as simple as that. Reading is probably what inspired you to write in the first place if you think back. The more you read, the more knowledge you gain, which in turn, will help you improve your writing. Reviewing is one of the best writing exercises you can practice. Explaining to an author what you did and didn't like about their story will help you recognize what makes your writing enjoyable. It will help you recognize your strong and your weak points. As I mentioned, with practice, it will improve your writing.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Agatha Christie
Study and practice setting daily goals
"Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination." -Bertrand Russell
Writing can be a lot of fun and it can also be hard work. If you really look into why successful writers write, you'll find one common thread - they love it. Does that mean it comes easy? No, not at all. They all worked very hard at it. I read a comparison in an article recently that made a lot of sense. Michael Jordan didn't start out the record-breaking athlete he is today. He had to learn the aspects of his chosen profession and practice it - daily. With practice, he consistently improved, and he never stopped practicing and learning, even after becoming a professional athlete. A writer is no different. The best lesson to learn is that you have plenty left to learn.
"Put plainly: read, write, and repeat. The more you study, and the more you practice, the better your work will be." -Eldon Thompson
Believe in yourself and your writing
"I just write what I wanted to write. I write what amuses me. It's totally for myself." - J. K. Rowling
You've probably been told at one time or another, you're a good writer. That could be what prompted you to sign up for an account here. Perhaps it's just your love of the written word. Either way, you're here and you took that step. The farther you reach, those steps won't get any easier but you must believe in yourself and show the world you're worth listening to. Don't be afraid to join in on a group discussion, or comment in a forum where you don't know a soul. Speak up, speak proudly and show us all what you're made of. You never know who you may meet along the way that will be the catalyst to achieve your dream.
"Why not seize the pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation?" -Jane Austen
Critique & Rewriting
"I was working on a proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back in." -Oscar Wilde
You might have been told "To be an author you need to develop a thick skin". That's true to some extent. Every author gets their share of bad reviews and that goes for professional authors as well. You have to know where to draw the line on what advice you keep and what you throw away. For me, my opinion has a lot to do with the credibility of the source. If you put a high value on the critique than perhaps you file their advice away for later. If you put a low value on the advice, you can discard it without a second thought. Remember every one of your readers may not like every single one of your stories. You aren't limited to one type of writing or even one genre. I read an entertaining story a couple weeks back that proves this point. Author Stephen King was in a grocery store one day and an older lady was in front of him in line. She kept looking back at him and finally spoke. "I know who you are. You're that man who writes those terrible, disgusting stories. I don't like that kind of writing." King said he just nodded acknowledging the woman but not saying a word. She continued, "I like decent stories real authors write like Shawshank Redemption". King smiled at the woman and said "I wrote that." She quickly responded, "No you didn't!"  You see, not every reader will like every single thing you write. But it doesn't mean you need to change. Just keep writing and your audience will find you.
Rewriting comes into play when you realize (perhaps after several readers have said the same thing) that your story needs some tweaking. Rewriting is something all authors do, not just amateur ones. Rewriting is an important part of the finished product. However, don't let it overwhelm you so much you obsess over the little things and your story slips away from you either.
"Listen to criticism - don't be a prima donna. Read some more. Write some more. Work hard." - Graham Edwards
Always be Professional
"If your goal is to become a professional writer, it's never too soon to start presenting yourself professionally." - John Passarella
The above quote pretty much sums up the idea. The saying goes, "dress for the job you want, not the one you have'. While there are some quite funny parodies of that statement, it's interesting to apply to you as an author. Are YOU putting your best foot forward? Are YOU trying your best? Are YOU presenting your work in the best possible way?
 Don't write in your item description things like "this isn't my best" or "this isn't very good but..." The description is where you interest your readers and convince them to click the item to read it. On that same note, don't create a story with absolutely no editing done and expect to get rave reviews. It's not going to happen and you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
Hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like to share your thoughts, please send me a note using the box at the bottom of this newsletter.
Write and Review on! ~ Brooke
[Related Links] 
This month's links are to groups that help you improve your writing.
"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor
"Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" [13+] by Arakun the twisted raccoon 
"Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" [E] by Writing.Com Support 
"Please Review" [E] by Writing.Com Support
"Gaining Exposure For Your Items" Part of "Writing.Com 101"
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Here are some talented new member's items that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 
Excerpt:
The crunching of the lonely gravel driveway under her stilettos make him cringe; the sound reminds him that it had been too long since his last meeting with a real person.
She is uncomfortably standing on the decrepit balcony and facing away from the door, looking out onto the massive backyard, wondering how one person could be so selfish as to keep this much land to themselves.
~  ~
Excerpt:
A vulnerable seed's heart grows so hard and cold.
Never did it imagine within lived a beautiful red rose.
~ ~
Excerpt:
With the faint glow of the light she looked around. The floor, the ceiling, and the walls were made of cement and stone which were covered in a thick layer of sludge. A teasing breeze threatened to put out her last light source. She looked around for a window or door to cover, but there seemed to be none. No door, no way in, no way out.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Every time the two of you get together, it's me that ends up doing all the work! First, I have to come up with brilliant ideas, and then manipulate you around. After all that, I then have to put more work into sharpening you. Can't you do a little bit of writing on your own?
~ ~
Excerpt:
Have you wanted something that always seems to be out of reach? You try and try to capture it yet it seems to stay at arms length? That is what happened to a man who wanted nothing more than to prove it.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Tim would return home from three days away at the field offices of the family haulage firm. For weeks, she had thought through all their plans and promises to each other. She could no longer accept his reasons or excuses or delays.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Many kids don't take bullying seriously. However, when a real incident occurs, they are unprepared, shocked, regretful, or dead. Bullying must stop, for it is destroying the lives and futures of many innocents, perhaps not killing them, but ruining them.
~ ~
Excerpt:
The vase crashed loudly to the floor, breaking into tiny coloured bits of glass, strewn across the living room. Two pairs of eyes stared at each other, each breathing heavily. One wore a look of petulance and the other of seething anger.
"This has got nothing to do with you", said the mother, barely concealing her teeth.
~ ~
Excerpt:
He had a scar. One large and grotesque on his face, three more similar at the core of his soul.
Emily and Jerry were typical siblings, from a home and neighborhood of the same sort. Jerry, always looking for something thrilling to fill his time, Emily, attempting to pass Sophomore year. One mid-June night, Jerry got his wish.
~ ~
Excerpt:
A displaced little girl
In a darkened world
Wishes she could fly
~ ~
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I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#4498] "The Daily Grind of Writing" and I'm proud to share it with you.
From Bonnie 
I am nearly a year here, but still go to this newsletter, its always encouraging and informative and helping for newbies, this one is a classic!
Well done 
Wow, thank you Bonnie. I really appreciate you writing in and sharing that. You made my day. 
From BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
Help is always needed.
Much like feedback. 
From batwinger
Hi, I have been trying to get reviews not just on editing and grammar modification but on the actually story soul, so far I have only gotten "good start to a story." Then a list of grammar errors that I "could" (should) Change. This has left me thinking what about the characters and the description. Thank you for reading this.
I hope featuring your work this week will bring you some worthwhile feedback.
From Olivia
thank you for this it was very helpful
You're very welcome! Thank you for writing in.
From Mara ♣ McBain 
Fantastic NL!  Hearing the words of such successful writers on their hard work was inspiring!
Thank you! I wasn't sure if people would like this edition. It sure was nice to get such inspiring feedback. You guys rock
From: Christine Cassello
I enjoyed reading about these writers and getting a better understanding of them and their writing process. Thank you.
You're welcome. I enjoyed learning about them too while I was researching.
From: honolulu
Thank you for this imformative article. I shall save it.
Sincerely,
Dream.rithyms
You're welcome! Thank you for writing in and sharing your thoughts.
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Noticing Newbies: August 10, 2011 Issue [#4549]
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