  Noticing Newbies
This week: Three Big Keys Edited by: Stephanie Grace  
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Hey there, Newbie! I'm a Newbie, too! We're all newbies at something, right? Well, be this an introduction to something new or a refresher course that makes it feel new, I hope that you enjoy this edition of Noticing Newbies.
Please, don't forget to leave a comment, question, or suggestion when you are done reading --Just like you, I need inspiration, too. 
 ,
Stephanie Grace |
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Hello, everyone! It's been a while since I've written a newsletter (or anything, for that matter), so I figured I'd stick to familiarity. I decided that going with the thing that I both love and loathe the most about WdC would be a natural topic for me. So, here's yet another Stephanie Grace newsletter about reviewing.
There are many, many aspects to reviewing and most depend upon your personal preference and style. There are, however, three things which should adhere to every review.
I. 250 CHARACTERS
This is crucial for public reviews. It is not 250 words, just characters. For example: My name is Stephanie Grace. = 27 characters (My= 2; name=4; is=2; Stephanie=9; Grace=5; Period=1; and four spaces=4). Counting is made simple by paying attention to the Character Count shown below the review box on an item. However, that count can be wrong!  Without knowing it, you could be cheating the reward systems in place just by trusting that bold little “# Characters” under the box!
How? Well, of course, it really is correct in its counting. The 250 characters that matter, though, should be only about the item being reviewed. Your introduction, disclaimer, closing, how you found the item, etc ... All of that does not count toward the 250.
Example:
I really enjoyed this story. The characters felt very real to me and the story was believable. I could easily envision everything taking place in my mind. There were a few typos, but they did not take away my enjoyment. The pace was appropriate and, all in all, this is a realistic story that I could see many people enjoying.
 That's 330 characters. It's not very detailed, just thoughts. No 'Hi, I'm yada-yada and I found your item through lah-de-dah'. It's a great review! It meets the requirements and is honest without taking up too much of your time or being padded.
 This is not to say that saying 'Hi, I'm yada-yada and I found your item through lah-de-dah' is a bad thing, but those things just shouldn't add to your character count.
There are two simple ways to avoid this:
 Type your review first, and then add your closing, introduction, and whatever else you'd like to include.
Use the Review Tool. If you create a template using your usual additional details and then review through your Review Tool, the template bits won't count and you can trust the character count 100%. (For more, see "The Review Tool" ).
II. FOCUS ON ITEM
When I was a kid, I wanted to know what would happen if I stopped the front brakes of my bike without stopping the back brakes at the same time. I learned that the back tire keeps going, right over you. It was not a pleasant experience. Your story reminded me of that, but was much better than the memory.
Well, that's over 250 characters. It doesn't have an introduction, etc … It must be great, right? Read it again. Does it feel like a review? To me, it does not.
The actual item being reviewed seems like an afterthought. Now, there is nothing wrong with showing how you relate to the item or giving an example of how it hit home for you, but that should be considered added detail if it's more than just a few words. Remember, a review should be about the item, not you.
III. UNBIASED
Oh, how I hate to see a biased review! I always try to keep myself levelheaded, non-emotional, and unbiased when reviewing or reading reviews, but this gets under my skin. What am I talking about?
This story shows a lot of your potential as a writer, however, you will never get anywhere if you write about being a housewife. Personally, I find it offensive that you feel writing about such a topic in modern society is okay. You are wasting your talent with unrealistic dreams. You should write about vampires, they are tried and true moneymakers.
I cringed writing that example (I'm a housewife, LOL). Can you see how this “review” is all opinion about one thing? How it says, “I don't like this, so you shouldn't write it”? Does that not make you want roll your eyes? Your opinion should be part of your review, of course, but not in this way. It should not BE your review.
This occurs most often when one is reviewing for an activity or group. Otherwise, most people tend to stay away from genres or descriptions to which they are not drawn. If you find yourself compelled to read outside of your norm, though, just open your mind! You might be inspired or learn something. If not, and you still hate the concept, just mention that you are not a fan of 'fantasy' or whatever and focus on the technical aspects of the review. You can read without enjoying and still give a great review just by focusing on characters, grammar, pace, setting, etc... Poems and stories have just as many aspects as reviews. If you're not comfortable with one or two of the obvious, just shift your focus and you'll find yourself at the top of the Reviewers' Board in no time!
IV. OTHER POINTS
01.Don't lie. Be honest and offer to re-review if it's not all that great. We're all here to get better, not because we want our egos stroked. That said, honesty does not always mean pointing out as many flaws as possible. If you do find flaws, though, give yourself a rule of thumb, like one or two positive comments for every given suggestion.
02.Do not self-promote. This means, don't say, “Hey! Your item reminded me of what happened to me years ago. I wrote a story about it that you should read. Here's the link!” Self-promotion is never becoming of anyone. Reviewing etiquette generally dictates a review for a review, however, sometimes things get in the way or someone does not have time. If they want to visit your port, they will. There are places to promote your items ("Please Review" [E]); reviews are not the place.
03.Rate appropriately. If you say nothing but good, and then give a 3.5 star rating, how can the writer know the areas in which improvement can be made? One of my biggest tips for reviewing is always: Write your review before you rate. Once you type out your feelings/thoughts, you can then better assess the appropriate rating to match your words. An added bonus to this is that you cannot accidentally send an incomplete review without a rating [unless the item is review-only].
I thought I'd learned to keep things short in my time away, but I guess not.  Sorry 'bout that, but I hope to see you all giving amazing public reviews after reading this! --Be careful, I might be watching!
♥,
Stephanie Grace
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 I enjoyed reading these items and would love to see them receive some great, honest feedback. If you review any of them, please, let me know which item, in the comment section. The best review by a newbie (member for 31 days or less) will get that newbie 10,000GPs or a Reviewing Merit Badge! I will also offer the same reward for the best review done by one member that has been here longer than 31 days. **Reviews will be judged based on the following of WdC guidelines for reviewing as well as my own opinion.
| |  | Invalid Item
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#1923722 by Not Available. |
| |  | Finale (E)
An actor's perspective of the very last song of a musical performance.
#1923602 by mnreay |
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This item number is not valid.
#1923057 by Not Available. |
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#1923715 by Not Available. |
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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
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It's been a long time since I've done a newsletter, in fact, I haven't written one since last year! 'Twas "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (October 24, 2012)" and, while most people won't even remember it or that they commented, I still think that all good comments deserve good responses, so here goes:
Steve adding writing to ntbk. :
I have no problem stopping and recharging my batteries by writing in a notebook. I have 2 with me most of the time and one is especially for writing. I will also open my "paint" program and load one of my project pictures and just let it flow. Some cool pic n poems have developed over time that way.
Those I review from this newsletter will know that you featured them here.
Bless you!
Copenator out! BA, MDiv
Founder of Copenator's Crew
I always have a notebook around --and tons of sticky notes (I swear I can quit them at any time!). They help, but only if I use them and stay away from things like Facebook where it's like an endless roll of sticky notes without having to find a place to stick them.  I used to love using images for inspiration and playing with image manipulation, etc ... That changed when I started using a laptop because things can look so different from screen to screen and I never know if I'm at the right angle...
Plume :
Hi Stephanie. Your ramblings rang a bell. I find that I no longer have time to respond to all the e-mails I receive and sometimes I feel guilty about it.
I constantly feel guilt over e-mails. Most of the time, I read them when I don't have time to respond and then I forget to go back and respond later. It's such a nasty habit and I've been trying to break it for years, but I just keep going in circles and ending up in the same place: Annoyed with myself for not responding as soon as I read. I swear I'll learn self-discipline in regard to e-mail ...one of these years...
blue jellybaby :
Hey Stephanie Grace, I think I know what you mean about losing yourself. I think it's so important to take time to be yourself by yourself and do something you love doing. I, like you, sign on and check numerous accounts daily and while this is something I don't mind doing, I often feel suffocated when I don't get time to myself. So for me, it's about doing something that makes me happy, on my own 
It's weird, computer time used to be my 'me' time. Then, between all accounts and a constantly growing To-Do List, it seemed to become a job. I even tried to figure out how to do other things while being on the computer --Of course, it can be done, but where's the sense in doing something relaxing while "working"? As with all things, I guess it's just about moderation ... and wishing that being online was as easily organizable as paper bills in hanging file folders. The more we try to compartmentalize and organize online things, though, the more things we have to check and the longer is takes to getting to the enjoyable part of the internet. At least, that's true for me...
Jeff  :
Excellent NL, Steph. I feel the same way about losing the energy to write something more sustained if I first get my writing "fix" with something quick like a blog post or a Facebook status update, or a tweet. Because of that, when I have a story idea, I tend to guard it closely. I don't like to talk about it in detail, write too many drafts, etc. because I don't want to lose that passion I have for the story before it's done.
I actually turn to writing when I feel like I'm struggling with the real world. Whether it's job-related, or money-related, or family-related, when I sit down and give myself a chance to disappear into a completely different world for a bit, it gives me that mental escape necessary to recharge my batteries and then come back and face life's challenges once again.
Thank you! I think a big thing with me is that I've always written spontaneously. I've never been successful with brainstorming or thinking through a piece of writing. I just get this need to let it out and I let it flow ... and there it is. I've surprised myself with many 'twist' endings due to that spontaneity, LOL. I need to learn to keep things in more [again], as well as to not treat a story or something like a crochet project --I don't need to lure people into supporting me from the first ten-line gust just to finish; I need to remember that the affirmation of others is no where near as important as the happiness of finishing a project and getting it all out. ♥ Thank you for the reminder.
Quick-Quill  :
I totally agree with you. Technology is the detriment of creativity. You need to be aware of your surroundings, life, social media (not FB etc) but news, in all forms. READ, READ, READ that is the best way to feed the writer in you.
It's funny to me that we agree so much and yet I am a person that does not watch the news. Not because I believe it lies or anything (but, it does, LOL), but I chose when I was sixteen or seventeen that it wasn't 'right' for me because it made me too depressed. I will read news and I will research things constantly, but seeing news from New York everyday of one's life just doesn't seem healthy. One needs to hear about, read, and see good in life, too, not just the bad --which is what tends to be on the television here most days. I think the key is READ. Don't watch and take it all in as true. Don't listen and believe. READ and RESEARCH. Don't take someone's words and carve them into stone. Develop your own opinions and say your own words. Otherwise, you're just a yawn in the world. Don't be a yawn; Be a wind gust!
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Noticing Newbies: March 13, 2013 Issue [#5568]
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