  Noticing Newbies
This week: Stranger in a Strange Land Edited by: JACE  
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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.
Don't forget to toss me a note about what you liked or didn't like in my column, or about a topic you'd like to see discussed. This newsletter is about and for you. And for you seasoned members, I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings. 
Your Noticing Newbies Newsletter full-time Editors:
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A Stranger in a Strange Land
Once more I'm amazed at where my inspiration comes from for a story ... or this newsletter. I was in church this morning listening to our pastor's sermon when he used the phrase "a stranger in a stange land." Of course, ideas began bouncing around my head. I reached for my notebook to jot down a few sentences.
Two things: Yep, I know I should have been paying more attention to the sermon, and nope, this is not the Spiritual Newsletter.
A Stranger in a Strange Land. Is that how you feel as you navigate the complex workings of this site? You're new on Writing.Com, whether just a few minutes or several weeks, and many of the features seem daunting. Of course, this might apply to folks who've been here longer, but never fully embraced WDC.
Last month Writing.Com celebrated its Twelfth Birthday. It's true that WDC has grown in complexity, and I daresay usefulness for us as writers. I think it's safe to say that WDC is a work in progress thanks to both the members AND her leadership.
My point is those of you who just joined probably feel lost at times. We have a number of help forums available and don't discount the many members who are willing to answer questions--say a fellow member of a group to which you belong. [Not a member--find a group that mirrors your interests and join it.]
You know what you hope to get out of Writing.Com. Or, perhaps you don't presently and are stepping out in faith. Whatever the case, don't take on Writing.Com all at once.
Decide now where your main writing interest lies and cultivate that on the site. Believe me, just limiting your participation to one aspect of WDC will keep you busy enough, and will allow you to polish your writing efforts with more focus. Get your feet firmly planted on WDC soil before you venture off into another aspect of writing.
I submit it won't take you long to become comfortable with the workings of the site. Also, by taking little steps, you may see some aspect you might have overlooked in your rush to "do it all." Becoming comfortable may allow you the courage to move off in that new direction.
For the first couple years I wrote nothing but short stories. And I was moderately successful with them. But I discovered the joy of writing poems quite by accident ... and spent the next six months reading and writing poetry, a discipline that a year before would have never swayed me. It's made me a better writer (at least in my mind).
Baby steps! That's the ticket. Take on Writing.Com in small bites and you'll find yourself NO stanger in a strange land.
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And from the mailbox about my last Noticing Newbies newsletter, "Tricks and Tips" .
From Steve adding writing to ntbk.  : Thanks for another fact filled newsletter and for the recommended items. I found some material tor review and let them know their work was found in your newsletter. Praying for a smooth transition as your move is in progress. That you will be able to make your new place a home soon and the WdC will still be a place you can find solace and rest.
Copenator out!
Thanks, Steve. My move is coimplete, though still working on boxes. And WDC will always be my home away from home. 
From Merry_Mikey  : I always enjoy your newsletter, Jace, and that's good advice regarding "Frequent logouts:". I've never had an issue with getting logged off, but a trick I use may be helpful. I compose my stories offline using a basic text editor and template. The template includes fields for the description, ratings, genre(s) and keywords, and my text includes any formatting tags I need (e.g. bold text). When I'm finished, I just log in, create a new item and then copy/paste.
The system clock reminder is a good one, too. My wife likes to reset it to an even hour or half-hour time, when she updates certain files, and almost always remembers to correct it. ;)
Great advice, Mike. Thanks for sharing.
From leeeunri: Thank you for the information! :)
You're welcome.
From Cryptic Omega : Thanks for your newsletters. I'm a newer member and I've a lot to learn about Writing.Com. Your newsletters provide me with information and resources I might never have known existed otherwise. I have a quick question that I haven't been able to find the answer to yet and I was wondering of you could help me out. I see some author's names in regular text, like mine, but others are in bold. What is the difference between the bold and unbold names?
I answered your question via email so you wouldn't have to wait for this issue to come out. But for those who might wonder, I've re-printed that answer below:
The handles of all members with Free memberships are shown in regular type, while any member with a paid membership (Basic and above) are displayed in Bold. It's not meant to discriminate against free members, but to give those who've taken the plunge, so to speak, a bit more recognition. Most memberships (probably well above 90%) are free, and many of those folks are quite happy and able to do what they want with their writing with this level.
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Noticing Newbies: October 17, 2012 Issue [#5314]
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