Noticing Newbies: October 02, 2013 Issue [#5924]
<< September 18, 2013Noticing Newbies Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueOctober 9, 2013 >>

Newsletter Header
Noticing Newbies


 This week: Steal Like An Artist
  Edited by: Brooke 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


The Noticing Newbies Newsletter's goal is to make the newer members feel welcome and encourage them with useful information and/or links to make navigating Writing.com easier. Writing.com members of all ages and even veteran members can find useful information here. If you have specific questions, try visiting "Writing.Com 101Open in new Window. and/or "Noticing NewbiesOpen in new Window..


Meet The Noticing Newbies Full-Time Newsletter Editors






Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99


Letter from the editor



Google everything. I mean everything. Google your dreams. Google your problems. Don't ask a question before you Google it. You'll either find the answer or you'll come up with a better question. ~ Austin Kleon


I bought a great book last night. You can scroll down and see it in the link below this editorial. It said, in no uncertain terms, that the term 'original idea' is basically unoriginal.

Your favorite writer, comedian, artist, movie star, or whatever person you're stalking interested in is a mixture of their favorite things and people. Has anyone ever told you that you write like Stephen King? Does that mean you're a thief and you've stolen his phrases, voice, or writing? No. It means your voice is similar to his and because of your interest, your voice is developing in his likeness - and probably the likeness of a handful (or more) others, usually lesser known, that you enjoy as well.

Nobody is born with a style or voice. We don't come out of the womb knowing who we are. In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be our heroes. We learn by copying.

We're talking about practicing here, not plagiarism. Copying is about reverse-engineering. It's like a mechanic taking apart a car to see how it works.

Write what you know LIKE.


You are a combination of your environment, your parents, your interests, and your friends. All of those experiences combine to create a unique perspective that makes the way you think, write, draw, ... create ... unique. It's your voice, your own personal style. Surround yourself with decent, interesting, talented people and develop your passions, ALL of them. If you have an interest in music, explore it. If you have an interest in writing, explore it. If you have an interest in art, explore that. Don't give up on any of them until they don't interest you anymore.

As a writer, we all have had that moment where we stare at the blank screen waiting for that magical moment when inspiration hits.

Then it doesn't.

Remember the phrase "Garbage in garbage out"? Why, you ask? If you have to, you're not listening. You are a sum of the parts around you. If you are sitting in the same spot watching the world go by, you will become your surroundings. Get up. Get out. Surround yourself with talented people and things that interest you. Fill your mind with what interests you and never stop learning. Your work will thank you.

*Video* Visit this TEDx Talk with Austin Kleon  Open in new Window. and see what I'm talking about. He can explain it much better than I can.

And I'll leave you with a great quote from Austin:

If I'd waited to know who I was or what I was about before I started "being creative", well, I'd still be sitting around trying to figure myself out instead of making things. In my experience, it's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.

You're ready. Start making stuff.


Write and Review on! ~ Brooke

*Down*You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself.*Down*
That’s the message from Austin Kleon, a young writer and artist who knows that creativity is everywhere, creativity is for everyone.
ASIN: B0074QGGK6
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


[Related Links] *Thumbsup*
This month's links are to some groups around the community.

*StarR* "Poetry Forms"  Open in new Window. by Bianca Author Icon
Poetry Forms Easily Explained - a work of Bianca with additions by kansaspoet

*StarP* "One Night in Margaritaville"  Open in new Window. by Katya the Poet Author Icon
Small town bad poetry event on Friday nights.

*StarV* "Poetic Insanity"  Open in new Window. by deemac Author Icon
Complete the previous line and enter part of a new line of poetry...

*StarO* "Invalid Item"  Open in new Window. by A Guest Visitor
Round 3 is OPEN! Submit your favourite poem—the one you are most proud of and feel is your best.



Editor's Picks


This month I'm highlighting poetry because I find it often reflects a personal (sometimes raw) version of some of our newest authors. If you find something you enjoy, please send the author a review and share your thoughts.

 The Writer Open in new Window. [E]
He's just what I want to be....
by CJThomasson Author Icon

Excerpt:
I'm in the background,
the silent witness.
I'm the one
that everyone sees
but no one remembers.

~*Star*~

 The Grinning Gardener - Part 1 Open in new Window. [E]
Fight your inner demon.
by ArtCrusade Author Icon

Excerpt:
A seed of doubt has been planted inside your heart.
It grows and blows; well-nigh to full bloom.
The grinning gardener laughs as we are falling apart.
He is laughing at us from his wet tomb.

~*Star*~

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Excerpt:
Trees whisper about fear

Shadows were meant to hide

Bringing them to light

Where they dance in reflection

~*Star*~

 Numb Open in new Window. [E]
A quick poem that I threw together as an Intro to my Bio and my account
by Derick Lee Author Icon

Excerpt:
Walking down this road alone,
Frightened and on my own.
No where to go, I got no place
Times will be hard in the coming days

You and I seemed like a team,
Now it is a distant dream.
Now that you are gone
I'm frightened and on my own

~*Star*~

 Nobody Knows Us Open in new Window. [E]
This is for those who can't be who they are because of fear.
by Cameryn Author Icon

Excerpt:
They tell us to stand out
They don't understand
We can't take our own route
We're too afraid to stand out

Society will judge us
If we're not what they want
We must impress
All those who flaunt

~*Star*~

 The Shadow Open in new Window. [E]
A man's perspective is a distorted thing.
by James Mordecai Author Icon

Excerpt:
A shadow that is not native of this world.
A shadow whose features are not unlike of my own.
This shadow seeks to sway me, saying that “I should rage against the dying of the light”.
I grew fearful of the shadow, and thus I ignored his heed, for I will not submit to the shadow willingly.

~*Star*~

 My First and Only True Love Open in new Window. [E]
About deep and obsessive love
by Josh Brown Author Icon

Excerpt:
From the moment I first met you,
peering into the windows of your soul,
I knew that you were special
because you made me feel whole.

I was hit with a sudden sensation
of floating up above.
I was filled with warm feelings
like passion and strong love.

~*Star*~

 i dont know what to call it  Open in new Window. [E]
it about a forest and blood a little
by cathetel Author Icon

Excerpt:
trees
creep arcoss
the bloody stream
the warm steam rising
rising until death strikes us
gripping us by the barren soul

~*Star*~

 succesfull day Open in new Window. [E]
hunting poem
by stuart Author Icon

Excerpt:
Very cold crisp morning
The frozen dew on the leaves
The sun peering over the treetops
Orange and pink so beautiful
Looking into the gray watching searching
For movement

~*Star*~

 Alone Open in new Window. [E]
A boy who doesn't fit in and is depressed.
by adelion22 Author Icon

Excerpt:
His loneliness tasted like pennies.

A mixture of nickel and copper

Shoved down his throat.

Painful to swallow, impossible to chew,

Choking him like the tears

~*Star*~



 
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: B083RZ2C5F
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Ask & Answer

I don't have any feedback to share with you so I'll share a question (sorta) in the form of a quote from Austin Kleon. Think about it and if you feel like it, share your thoughts with me.

If all your favorite makers got together and collaborated, what they make with you heading the crew?

Go make that stuff.


*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!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99

Removal Instructions

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.


<< September 18, 2013Noticing Newbies Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueOctober 9, 2013 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.