Noticing Newbies: March 05, 2014 Issue [#6192]
<< February 26, 2014Noticing Newbies Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMarch 12, 2014 >>

Newsletter Header
Noticing Newbies


 This week: Share What's Happening....
  Edited by: JACE 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

Hi, I'm JACE Author Icon.

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. *Smile*

Your Noticing Newbies Newsletter full-time Editors:





Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

Share What's Happening


CHANGE!

A word that often strikes terror in the hearts of young and old alike. Yet change happens regularly around Writing.Com thanks to a talented and creative husband and wife team, and in no small part to the catalyst that is its members. To the Newbies reading this newsletter for the first time, welcome to Writing.Com. You joined a very dynamic peer-to-peer writing site. I'm sure your reasons are varied for joining, and I'm positive you won't regret your decision.

I mentioned the word "dynamic" a moment ago, and while you may not know all the changes that have been wrought on WDC over the years, you can be sure you'll benefit greatly from them. Even seasoned members have a hard time keeping up with the many improvements incorporated by The StoryMaster Author Icon and The StoryMistress Author Icon. Their singular focus to make Writing.Com the best writing site is indeed our good fortune.

I thought I'd highlight a few of the changes that have occurred in 2014 alone. I won't take the time here to explain each improvement in detail; instead, I'll provide a link to their introductory unveiling in specific Newsfeeds, which, by the way, are your ticket to discovering what's happening. Check those notes for more details. I've listed these from latest to earliest (just because that's the way I found them on those Newsfeeds). *Delight*


*Bulletr* "Note: *Note3* NEW: Right Click a Handle and the ...", Feb 26, 2014   Right Click a Handle and the Queue!: The ability to Left-click on a member's handle (in my case, Jace in JACE Author Icon) has been a WDC staple "for as long as I can remember" (the SM's words). Now members can Right-click on handles for additional tools and links pertaining to that member.

*Bulletr* "Note: For those of you who have been asking for a way t...", Feb 23, 2014   Merit Badge & Awardicon Collection Binders are added to the WDC Shop.

*Bulletr* "Note: The new Options menu for newsfeed notes has been..."Feb 21, 2014   The Newsfeed (that's the second of four icons located above your Portfolio link in the upper left corner) Options menu is updated with the ability to Edit your note.

*Bulletr* "Note: I just pushed out a newsfeed update (that I've...", Feb 19, 2014   A new Options menu is added to your Newsfeed.


*Bulletr* "Note: For years, I've received requests from member...", Feb 13, 2014   Members may now commission specific merit badges that would represent their groups, favorite genres, or descriptions.

*Bulletr* "Note: For those who've wondered where Secret Project...", Feb 9, 2014   Using Awardicon or Merit Badge WritingML tags.

*Bulletr* "Note: Image Items and Covers max file size has been...", Feb 5, 2014   The maximum file size for Image items and Covers have been increased from 100K to 150K.

*Bulletr* "Note: Just pushed out another update that notifies you ...", Jan 25, 2014   Fan notifications updated.

*Bulletr* "Note: *Starb* There've been a few requests for t...", Jan 25, 2014   Passkeys can be used for individual Book entries.

*Bulletr* "Note: We've switched up the "Newsfeed" a bit...", Jan 24, 2014   The Newsfeed is updated with the ability to change between one's Personal Newsfeed, which includes one's Favorites) and a Community Newsfeed (a more global WDC listing of feeds).

*Bulletr* "Note: *Note3* EXCITING NEWS: Secret Project #2 ...", Jan 22, 2014   Members can now order physical Merit Badges and Awardicons anytime a virtual one is sent!

*Bulletr* "Note: Re: [Link to Forum Post #2622324] ... It was sugge...", Jan 18, 2014   The email, newsfeed, notifications, and Instant Message icons (in the upper left column) are now dynamically updated enhancing members' ability to interact with one another in a timely fashion.



Obviously, I could go on indefinitely. These updates represent only a month and a half of WDC's 13-plus years of existence. I think it bodes well for the future of Writing.Com. And it must be said that a number of these updates and tweaks have come about from suggestions by members. The Staff reads all the posts in "Suggestion BoxOpen in new Window.. Maybe your suggestion will be the next update in the Newsfeed. *Wink*


Editor's Picks

Check out these Newbies (I've selected folks who have filled out their Biography or something in their Bio-Block). Take a moment to review something in their Port ... or just say hi.
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1979650 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1979597 by Not Available.

 No title Open in new Window. (E)
Just wrote this. Nearly six in the morning in Portugal and I still can't sleep. with Love
#1979417 by Tomás Sottomayor Author IconMail Icon

 Lying next to you  Open in new Window. (E)
A poem I wrote in the early days of my husband leaving me.
#1979569 by Lil La Pea Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1978707 by Not Available.

 Starving anger Open in new Window. (E)
A quick rant about anger.
#1979444 by RDLer Author IconMail Icon


User submitted items;
Skin Crawl Open in new Window. (18+)
Body ink, both sexy and scary. A supernatural suspense tale of the erotic sort.
#1972719 by Mantis Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1974380 by Not Available.

 
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: B0CJKJMTPD
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

And from the mailbox about my last Noticing Newbies newsletter, "To Subscribe or Not To SubscribeOpen in new Window..

From letoria: I guess I'm slowly segueing from the Newbie stage to the novice level of my involvement with WDC. I would like to offer a couple of suggestions/comments that I think would benefit both Newbies and members with more experience.

Most of the other sites I post my stories to offer some form of a volunteer editor service. Volunteers offer their time and talents to other authors, both new and established, with the aim of proofreading and offering suggestions for improving a given piece of writing. The review request function here doesn't really seem to fill the bill in this regard. I've submitted works for review that go unanswered. Having a dedicated volunteer editor would fulfill my desire for constructive criticism, and a second set of eyes to pick out mistakes.

Along those lines, volunteer mentors would be a much appreciated addition. Let's face it, WDC is an extremely complex, even overwhelming site, with an incredible amount of offerings and options to wade through. It has proved overwhelming to me. Since I have a very limited amount of time to devote to all the aspects of my writing, including maintaining my own site, I've largely relegated WDC to a catch-as-catch-can third or fourth go-to site. Having a mentor to both help improve my writing and navigate the maze of all that WDC has to offer would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Wonderful idea, letoria. Actually a similar concept is part and parcel of the Rising Stars program. You can find some information about them in "The Rising Stars Tour BusOpen in new Window.. Also, networking with other writers with similar writing interests as yours may provide the mechanism to do what you describe. WDC is a peer-to-peer writing site designed to help each other improve their craft. It may take a little time AND some give and take to find that one or two folks to fulfill your needs, but it may be well worth the effort. Good luck on your writing journey.


From aegreenfield: I like your handy newsletter. Is there a way to apply to be a contributed or editor to this and other newsletters?

Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge, aegreenfield. The editor duties of this and the other 12 official Writing.Com newsletters are handled by the Moderators and Senior Moderators. That said, all editors welcome comments and suggestions for potential topics. Also, there are numerous unofficial newsletters published on site by members who continually seek contributions from the general membership.


From QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns Author Icon: I'm glad to be a subscriber to this newsletter. As a newbie, it's helping me find my way in and out of the maze in this writing community. I'm earning GPs by going to Auto-Rewards section to read and give a review. I'm making a goal to submit at least one Static and five reviews each week. When I have more time, I'll exceed my weekly goal.

I'm having the time of my writing life since I joined three weeks ago. Thank you for your encouragement.

You're welcome, QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns Author Icon.

*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.


<< February 26, 2014Noticing Newbies Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMarch 12, 2014 >>

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.