  Noticing Newbies
This week: Meet Your Senior Mods: Part 2 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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Meet Your Senior Volunteers: Part 2
Along with the The StoryMaster  and The StoryMistress  , who own and operate Writing.Com, the task of helping the manage this complex site falls to a group of volunteers called the blue-case Moderators and purple-case Senior Moderators. Since I haven't time to interview every Moderator, I'm limiting this and the next several issues to the Senior Mods' and Diane  's thoughts about the site. Limiting the focus of these issues is IN NO WAY intended to lessen the tremendous impact that the Moderators have on the day to day operations of Writing.Com. They are truly the backbone of this site.
For this issue, I've asked long time member Leger~  to join me in answering a few questions about my favorite site.
1. What were your first thoughts when you signed up for Writing.Com?
LEGER: I always loved stories and loved to tell stories. I had the start of a tale offline and thought to put it someplace online. Google was nice enough to send me here.
JACE: I'd been part of a social site (no, not Facebook) on which I'd posted a couple stories I'd written, and garnered a little positive feedback. About six years ago I realized two things--that parent organization was phasing their site out, and I had never really gotten any constructive help with improving my writing. Like Leger, Google answered my search with Writing.Com.
2. Did you ever realize your original dream? That is, why you signed up in the first place?
LEGER: Well, no. I had a particular story in mind when I first joined. "Legerdemain: The Curse" has more written offline, but I've never completed it. I did publish a different story, which I submitted at the encouragement of another member. It certainly fed the 'creative writing to publishing' bug.
JACE: I'd have to say yes! While I've always had publication in the back of my mind, I knew I needed to improve my writing first. The first few reviews I received were just what I needed--positive and constructively helpful. It was hard to hear some comments, but I learned to keep an open mind. From that feedback I submitted one of my first stories to the "Paradise Cove Writing Challenge-On Hold" and won second place ... the same month I joined. Heady stuff for a newbie. 
3. Describe the site when you first joined in three or four sentences.
LEGER: The site was confusing, there's so MUCH here. I hung in there, made friends and asked a LOT of questions. The site really clicked with me, I like the atmosphere. Plus, the site has changed and improved vastly since I joined in 2004.
JACE: There are so many more helpful writing aids for members now than when I joined six short years ago--drag and drop for stories and poems, attribute icons for writing and editing windows, and a comprehensive reference guide, "Writing.Com 101" .
One thing I believe everyone should remember, no matter when you joined, the very newness makes the site complex. I had the same issues I see being raised daily in "Noticing Newbies" and the Tech forums. And those questions were answered by Staff, Mods and members then, just as they are now. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance.
4. What made you stay a member of WDC for all these years?
LEGER: I like the members. I've talked to and even met so many people from all corners of the world. They all have the same passion for writing. There's an endless pool of advice and camaraderie.
JACE: Specifically, reviews. They've really helped me improve my writing. Of course, reviews aren't possible without great members. 
5. What is your favorite feature on WDC?
LEGER: Reviewing...and chatting. 
JACE: Versatility! Okay, that's not really a 'feature' in the true sense of the word. But with everything that Writing.Com offers its members, one will never be bored. I thought once I'd only write short stories. Yet over the years, I've added poetry to my Portfolio and completed two NaNoWriMo sessions. Reviewing has helped me improve my writing more than anything, and answering tech queries has taught me a lot about the site.
6. Which one group, forum or item would you recommend to a Newbie? Why?
LEGER: "Noticing Newbies" --it's a great forum for newbies to ask what they think are stupid questions. But really, there's no such thing as a stupid question. And we really don't mind helping. Get in there and interact!
JACE: In addition to that, check out the tech forums ("Technical Support Forum" and "Non-Technical Support Forum" ). Even if you don't have a question, you'll gain helpful insights that may help you later.
7. What advice would you give to a person who has just joined WDC?
JACE: Fill out both your BioBlock and your Biography tab. Most likely, you joined to improve your writing. This is the first step toward networking with other writers with similar interests. Cultivate friendships.
LEGER: Take your time. This is not a fast-food, feed-me-now kind of place. If that's what you're looking for, go play Candy Crush. This is a fantastic place if you let yourself learn the site, meet the members and find your niche in the community. You'll get what you put into this place.
8. Do you have any final comments?
LEGER:  Yes! Moderators love this site and care about the community. That's how we got promoted. You can ask questions, say hi, or send us cookies...we don't bite.
JACE: Don't sit back and wait for things to happen. You're the person most vested in your success. Decide what you want out of Writing.Com and go after it.
I'd like to say that I've learned SO much from all the Senior Mods, including my first mentor here, Jeff  , as well as from the current and past Mods over these past six years. Again, I hope my readers will take a moment to thank them all for their insights and continued support WDC and its members.
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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.
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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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And from the mailbox about my last Noticing Newbies newsletter, "Meet Your Senior Mods: Part 1" :
From sunnystarr: I really have enjoyed your newsletter. Full of information and very helpful to the newbies Great Job!!
Thanks.
From ~ Santa Sisco ~  : This was an awesome newsletter, Jace. Thank you.
I appreciate your comment. This series is a lot of fun.
From linda1975: Hello Jace, Thank you so much for your informative newsletter. I truly appreciate it. I am away more here lately than I want to be, but I am very busy. I will soon be publishing my second book. It takes much of my time. Then I have class and church, in which both my husband and I are very active. Thank you again for your time.
Good luck with all you have going. Don't forget to take a little time to unwind.
From QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns : Thank you so much for accommodating my preference in reading. You rock!
This past newsletter was posted using the Comic font, which is hard for some folks to read. I emailed a revised version to QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns so she could more easily read it. I've also changed the font style for this issue. She then sent the following comment.
From QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns : Hi Jace, Thank you for showcasing Sophy and Joy here. It's very inspirational to know how they started. Reminds me so much of when I first joined. It was overwhelming and intimidating but I was determined to jump the hurdles.
It's been a little over two months for me and I have to say, I've come a long, long way from being overwhelmed and intimidated to gaining self-confidence in heights and depths unimaginable. I'm surprised at how much I have underestimated myself for years. My inhibitions are shadows of things past now. Joining writing.com is like being born again in the context of reaching my dream as a writer. So, here I am, hooked! And enjoying every minute of it. My hat's off to all of you.
My pleasure. Thanks for taking time to read this newsletter.
From lunamarcher: JOY: Each newbie is a new light, a new star, in the vast cosmos of Writing.com. What a newbie brings to this community, in terms of ideas, action, and responsibility, is very important to all the members. So I hope, all newbies understand and feel their value to the rest of us.
That had to be the most meaningful response in the entire article. Something I/we need to keep in mind always. Wonderful getting to know Joy and Sophy a bit more. Thanks for this newsletter and some great reading by the new blood.
Yep! Joy hit that right on the head. I agree wholeheartedly.
From Jacqueline : Thank you for your newsletter. I enjoyed your question and answers. I have been with Writing.Com for three years, and still feel like a newbie. I almost entered a composition at Christmas, but ran out of time. This year I am hoping to enter some.
Thank you. And I wish you luck with your writing intentions. Stop wondering and take that step forward.
From rajasri : We need nurturing, and we need a firm dictum in creating warmth. This will come when we accept all in terms of nurturing skills and talent. This is not a easy step, however once we start the same there will be immense joy and satisfaction. I am sure as Senior Moderators you must have got the inkling of the same.
We sure try. Thanks for your comments.
From Janine : These are writing prompts anyone can use, plus there's a contest to go along with the prompts.
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Noticing Newbies: April 30, 2014 Issue [#6291]
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