  Noticing Newbies
This week: One Writer's Experiences Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  
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We've all been Writing Dot Com newbies once. Even us oldbies, like iKïyå§ama  and Maryann  were, at one time, wide-eyed debutantes, trying to fathom the mysteries of this online home.
For those of you who are newbies today, a bit scared and a bit excited, I give you ☮ The Grum Of Grums's experiences, in his own words.
I have chosen this piece, of the many that talk of WDC experiences, because:
1. I have a secret crush on ☮ The Grum Of Grums, but that's not relevant to you newbies 
2. This piece covers many aspects of WDC (which is relevant)
3. It showcases how people become friends / family here
4. The tone of the piece just about captures the feel of the site |
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Dear Reader,
You're an individual, you're new ... and I'm guessing you're excited and a little nervous. Possibly, if you've been poking around the site, you're overwhelmed.
In this letter, I'd like to showcase one item on Writing Dot Com (WDC), about WDC, just to give you an idea about what the site means to a fellow member. You'll have your own, very rich, experiences here to narrate soon!
Here's the item I'd like to highlight:
(Click on the link given below to read the item, and then come 'back' to this newsletter, or finish reading the newsletter ... I've copied the link at the end.)
So let's break it down:
1. Tags
As Grum puts it, he has included a lot of tags in the piece. This means, he has named a lot of people, and given us their user links.
So -- WDC is a place where there are a lot of people.
You're going to meet these people.
Now -- it's up to you how many of these people you interact with, and how much you interact with them. And if you feel like having some 'me' time and not interacting with anyone for a bit, you can do that here, too. It's all good.
2. The Creators of this Online Home
Grum mentions The StoryMaster  and The StoryMistress  -- who thought up this whole site and who have been running it since the year 2000. (Seventeen is a lot, in internet years!)
What you must know is -- these two people are PEOPLE. They have children who need their attention. Lately, they've been facing some issues with their daughter's health. They adore cats, and have allowed felines to rule their household. And they've made this site a home. Which means family. Which means you'll have your warm, fuzzy moments, you'll have your time-outs and you'll have your loves, your likes and your 'I can't stands'
But you'll also find a very great degree of professional commitment in whatever they offer. They're personally involved in everything around here, and that is why each detail is so clearly thought out.
3. Deadlines
Grum next talks of 'flapping' to meet deadlines.
We have deadlines here. Daily deadlines, weekly deadlines, monthly deadlines and yearly goals. It's all there.
Alternatively, if you prefer NO deadlines, that's great, too. Do your own thing. Write at your own pace. That's cool. Whatever floats your boat.
4. Unexpected Stuff
Aha! Expect the unexpected, that's all.
Expect to find out things about various cultures, various writing styles, various genres -- above all, about YOURSELF! Grum didn't know he wrote poetry, but hey, on WDC, he does!
5. In-and-Out
This is an item-type, which allows writers to collaborate in many ways.
There are many item types (campfires, interactives, forums, groups) which allow you to meet and interact with your fellow WDC members. I first met Grum in an In-and-Out and he has since then helped me with reviews and with emotional support when I was going through health issues. I'm happy he has tagged me in that paragraph on in-and-outs!
6. Dedicated Members
There are too many of these to name. They host contests, run activities, encourage other members, mentor newbies ... the works. Grum manages to narrow it down to three sterling individuals, but there are hundreds of them out there.
 Which is why, as you see, Grum has NOT in fact, managed to narrow it down to three individuals! In his next paragraph, he goes on to talk about further individuals who have influenced his time here.
7. Inactive Members
This is something that speaks volumes to me.
Here on Writing Dot Com, we miss the people who haven't logged on in a while. Grum tags some of the people he wishes would start posting again on site.
I have a few of my own, on this list. I was really friendly with Jennifer, ten years ago. She cancelled her account a couple of years after I joined. Which means I haven't been in touch with her for about eight years now. But I still think of her sometimes and hope she's doing well. She has cancelled her account completely, so I have no means of communicating with her.
8. Go To People
Grum calls them his Go To People, and that's what they are. People you can ask, when you have a question. Who will either know the answer themselves, or point you to someone who does. People you can count on to tell it to you like it is, as per Grum's experience.
Again, I have a list of my own here, but what I want to tell newbies is that if you haven't made any 'go to' type friends yet, there are go to forums for newbies, where you can simply pop in and ask a question. Here's one of them. "Noticing Newbies"
9. Reviewing
Grum leaves the best for the last.
Reviewing.
It's a major, major part of the site. For some, it could be THE only part of the site they're interested in.
When you read someone's work and tell them what you thought. Give them a thumbsup for what worked, and constructive feedback about what you feel needs tweaking. In the process, you learn how to improve your own writing.
When you receive a review, and look at your piece from another's point of view. You weigh the suggestions, and incorporate the ones that fit. In the process (again) you improve your writing skills.
More than that.
Reviewers also share what they feel about the writing from the inside.
Which means that you discuss emotions and issues which face us as human beings. Across continents, you find that people have the same concerns, the same joys. Reviewing brings us closer, as writers, as human beings.
10. The Promise
Grum concludes by promising he's going to be here as long as he can.
Well, he better be, because, as I said before, I have a crush on him.
Only, don't tell that to 🌕 HuntersMoon  and Christopher Roy Denton  !
So yeah, it's big, it's intimidating, it's overwhelming ... and conversely, it's each writer's cosy nook, security blanket, online home.
Thanks for being here, and thanks for listening!
Thanks, Grum, for giving us
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By our authors!
Note: I first became a newsletter editor on Feb 18, 2009, with the Comedy and Spiritual Newsletters on that day. In a fit of sentimentality, I'm choosing items I'd chosen as Editor's Picks then. Some items I'd chosen then have since gone invalid, of course. I'm picking the ones still on site.
 Your favourite columnist stopped writing? Okay, write the column yourself!
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1502428 by Not Available. |
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Here are two writers who have the poetic form down 'pat', while being silly -- and getting a chuckle!
* * * * * * * * *
 Someone who took a universal truth, rhymed it, and added the spoonful of humour to help the honesty go down.
* * * * * * * * *
Here's one of the first items I reviewed when I joined WDC! Enjoy chuckling at something you've gone through yourself!
* * * * * * * * *
Here's someone who didn't hold back the negatives -- to find all of them emerging as positives!
* * * * * * * * *
The dilemma - show our true selves, or hide?
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1360800 by Not Available. |
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I admire this Mom for being able to pen this with courage and wisdom.
She really has delved deep into her own emotions to give a ray of hope to others in her situation.
She calls it 'light', and it is, but it's also empathetic and insightful.
* * * * * * * * *
Something to touch the heart.
All time favourites!
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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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Thank you so much for the generous response to "A Letter to a Newbie"
Tinker 
I joined WDC several years ago but found it difficult to maneuver and chose to concentrate my activities at another site that I felt better served my needs. A few months ago I was brought back to WDC by one of your members and I'm learning to find my way around and become more active. I'm technically not a Newbie but I appreciate all of the information in your Newbie Newsletters. This site has a lot to offer oldies and Newbies. I'm glad I found my way back. Thank you. ~~Tink
hbk16
Thanks a lot for sharing such moments as a permanent writer with us as both writers and readers.Indeed such wonderful site offers us a wide space of interactions and lets us evolve positively in different human dimensions. As a member I am still always discovering new rubrics and so hope to get part with.Thanks a lot again.
GabriellaR45 
I LOVE YOUR LETTER TO A NEWBIE...so much that I read it three times
and loved it more each time I read it 
Bravo, dear Sonali ! You're amazing. What a wonderful greeting !
I'm keeping it for inspiration.
Christopher Roy Denton
Hey, Sonali! Great idea to show newbies how to link items properly in your newsletter, as well as explaining the case colour system.
Joy 
Splendid NL, Sonali! It highlights the very basics of the site for the newbies.
I especially appreciate the alert of "Remember -- this is a global site," which the established members lose sight of, sometimes.
Jeff 
Great NL this month! Really fantastic info and very well presented!
Fivesixer 
What an excellent resource, Sonali! This is about as perfect as it gets for a breakdown of the basics, and it's sure to help quite a few people. Good thing these newsletters are archived!
justsonali
It was a really amazing newsletter Sonali. 
CLICK COLLECT, twice (on each trinket).
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Noticing Newbies: December 13, 2017 Issue [#8643]
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