  Noticing Newbies
This week: Change Can Be ... Edited by: Brooke  
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“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.”
― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein
Life is full of changes, some we choose and some we don't. I recently went through a career change and while at first, it was scary, now I can admit, I'm very happy it happened. This same feeling can be associated with your writing. Some people dread editing and updating their stories. The truth is, don’t be afraid to rewrite. I’m not saying take all your work and rip it to shreds. Perhaps you meant to adjust a scene in one of your stories after that really great suggestion you received in a review but never got the time? Why not go back and do that today?
Now, that's not to say you have to change your work according to each review you get. I’ll be the first one to tell you to write for yourself. However, if you get several reviews with the same suggestions, that definitely merits some thought and consideration. How many of you have written a story several months or even years ago? How much have you learned over the past year? More than you probably even realize. Right? You’ll be surprised when you read through some of your older work how much you’ve improved and the mistakes you will catch in your own writing.
You may even find out some of those reviewers weren’t so far off, were they?
Speaking of reviewers, have you ever received a review that didn't exactly have the best suggestions? How about one that gave you a rating that was a little less than perfect? I think it's safe to say we all have. Remember though, this is a public, amateur writing site folks. The people writing here and the ones reading your work are not professionals. If you put your work out there for critique, be prepared for all kinds of responses. Reviews are opinions and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Opinions vary though and so do reviewing styles. One person's 5.0 can be another person's 4.0 and likewise sometimes even a 3.5 so keep that in mind and try not to take it personally. When you get a review you don't agree with, take a step back and take a deep breath before responding. Think about it before you write something that might be considered rude by the reviewer who took the time to read your work. Remember, a good well-rounded review consists of pointing out good points about your writing AND offering suggestions for improvement. If you don't want ratings, simply choose the "no ratings just reviews option" available when you create your item. Either way, remember to be respectful of your reviewers. They took the time to read your work so technically they are your audience. Just because you don't agree with their suggestions doesn't mean you shouldn't treat them with respect.
Here is a link to information to help you determine if you are getting reviews that you consider disrespectful.
"How To Deal With Negative Comments" by Writing.Com Support 
Things To Look For When You Receive Low Ratings.
 You should always send back a reply, even if it just says 'Thank You.'
That person took the time to actually read something of yours and cared enough to take more time to give you a review. Saying 'Thank You' is the least you can do.
If the reviews are pointing out misspelled words, fix them!
I don't know how many times I've had to give a lower rate than I wanted when a simple spell check would have solved the problem. Worse yet is when I see the same item later and find that the misspelled words are still there! Run a spell check folks.
Take a look at all of the reviews you've been given for that particular item.
Pay close attention to any area that is pointed out. Is there more than one reviewer finding the same problem? Anything that is questioned by more than one person merits a closer look.
Read your item out loud.
Do you have any sections where you seem to trip in the reading? Make a note. Are they the ones noted by the reviews?
Be objective!
The reviewers aren't trying to be mean. They are simply giving you their opinion. Use the information you receive to make wise choices.
Have realistic goals when you write a story or poem.
Not everything you write will be worthy of a 5.0 no matter how many times you rewrite. Expect some of your ideas to fail miserably, it comes with the territory. Chalk it up to 'lesson learned' and try something else.
The reasons people write vary. Some write for fame and fortune, others strictly for enjoyment. Some would like to be published but know it’s unlikely. For those of you that are actively seeking publication, it can be important to listen to your audience. If you consistently hear that your story is wonderful but your main character is flat or needs fleshing out, my suggestion is to listen to your readers. Without vibrant characters, even the best story will bomb. Another way to quiet that nagging voice in your head (or in your reviews) is to seek the opinion of writers you respect. When you ask them for their honest opinion though; make sure you’re prepared for exactly that.
Write and Review on! ~ Brooke
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Excerpt:
She lies on her bed cuddling with the remaining piece of her life, a ragged brown teddy bear she calls Mr. Snuggles. I asked her to glimpse in the mirror and tell me what she saw. I felt so disheartened as she told me that the reflection was not hers. The reflection was a stranger, a nobody. She also implied that she was not beautiful, nor special. She further stated that she was a mistake, and never should have been born. Her only friends were loneliness and emptiness.
~  ~
Excerpt:
Mr. President
How would you define freedom?
Anyone who stands in your way, you just bleed ‘em,
You loom over this country like a horned demon.
With all these officials you’ve hired we should just call you Legion.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Another night, the bitter cold
Empty stomach, and things unknown
As darkness falls, the noises start
A snapping branch stops my heart
This concrete mattress I call my bed
A pillow absent, I rest my head.
~ ~
Excerpt:
She almost used her credit card to purchase it, then realized her mistake and grabbed it from the clerk’s hand as he started to turn away. “I’m sorry! I meant to give you cash.”, she said forcing a chuckle and trying to appear nonchalant. He was slightly taken aback, but smiled and headed to the register with her $100-dollar bill.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Words that have faded
But haven't gone away
Even though I've failed you
I still love you More every day
~ ~
Excerpt:
Hello. I am putting this here letting everyone know that I am putting together a writing pool for Batman: The West Tower.
Batman: The West Tower will be a detective audio drama set in the Batman universe. The Joker, Harley Quinn, Arnold Wesker (wth Scarface), Baby Doll (Mary Louise Dahl), Poison Ivy, Two-face (Harvey Dent) and Catwoman wake up in a dark room in the mysterious West Tower.
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Excerpt:
It all happened on Halloween night. I was in the graveyard waiting for my friends to show up, and I had an eerie feeling that someone was watching me. Waves of nausea overcame me as icy fingers wrapped themselves around my arm. I could feel my legs buckling under me, but I force myself to turn around and before me was the ghost of a young girl no more than sixteen. She had soft features and a sadness in her eyes.
~ ~
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I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#8525] "Epilogue" and I'm proud to share it with you.
From hbk16
These are some good advice about writing.Indeed someone has to get a habit to translate immediately the released ideas on papers at the strong inspiring moments|.I have really appreciated it.
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Noticing Newbies: October 25, 2017 Issue [#8566]
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