This week: Presentation is (Almost) Everything Edited by: JACE  
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5. A Word from Writing.Com
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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. 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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| ASIN: B01IEVJVAG |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
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You're ready to create your first item. Or, you've already passed that milestone and have one or more items in your Portfolio. Whatever the case, you've posted your work in hopes it will be read, and more to the point, constructively reviewed.
You may be a seasoned writer ... or just beginning. But I submit you joined Writing.Com looking for feedback to improve your writing skills. Displaying your work on WDC is not the same as formatting it to submit for publication to a magazine. WDC offers a lot of features to enhance your documents, some which are beneficial for reading and some which detract from one's ability to read it. Here are a few of my tips for presenting and formatting your work here.
1. Double space your paragraphs, and between lines of dialogue of different characters. Large blocks of solid, unbroken text are difficult to read, and many readers won't get far before they click out of the item. White space is your friend when reading on a computer screen. As a side-note: USE paragraphs. 'Nuff said.
2. Don't use funky colors for your text, or a lot of different colors within the body of your text. Stay with black text. Some color, for emphasis of certain words, may be okay, but a solid page of light pink on yellow can leave the reader with eyestrain and a bad impression of your item. That said, you might have a poem that begs for a splash of color. Just go in with eyes open.
3. Don't use all capital letters in item text. Again, it's hard to read, and is considered as shouting. It's just not professional.
4. Consider your content rating. Some members may have their "content preferences" set to view only items rated E to 13+. If your item is rated 18+ or higher, you will be missing out on a substantial number of reviews. If one word in your item is enough to bump it from 13+ to 18+, you may want to consider whether it's worth losing all of those additional readers. Check out "Content Rating System (CRS)" for more on this subject.
5. Don't be negative in your item's "Brief Description." If you say something like "Not very good," or "This is pretty silly, but read it anyway," odds are no one will read it. If YOU think it's bad, why should anyone care to waste their time proving you right? The description should be a teaser to invite your reader in, not scare him or her away,
6. Check your spelling. It's easy to do, and shows the reader that you're serious about your writing. Spell Check is located under the Edit menu (the gear icon located in the upper right corner) of your item.
7. Finally keep your items short if possible. Longer items (10,000 words or more) tend to pull fewer readers. If you are writing the great American novel, consider splitting it up into several items. This may not always be possible, but realize you may garner fewer in-depth reviews of a very long piece.
Of course, no amount of presentation or formatting will overcome a poorly written story or poem. So don't forget to brush up on your writing style and techniques. That's another newsletter altogether.
I'm sure there are other tips to help you improve your writing skill. Readers? Please send them in and I'll share them. The fact is, I suspect you'll find similar and many more tips in some How-To essay in any long-term member's Portfolio.
In the meantime, best of luck with your writing journey.
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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.
| |  | Fat (E)
The teacher became increasingly disturbed by the children.
#2193022 by Rduane Assink  |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2193450 by Not Available. |
| | | James James (E)
Homage to AA Milne. Winner of The Writer's Cramp. Finalist in Talk of the Flight Deck.
#2193260 by Beholden   |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2193110 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2193286 by Not Available. |
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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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07P4NVL51 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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Thanks for spending time with me today. If you liked what you read (or if you didn't), please take time and drop me a line. I'd love to hear your ideas.
And now, from the mailbag:
From George Adams : Thanks for the information regarding paid memberships and the contests. I am new to WDC and I’m looking forward to meeting members of the community.
You're welcome.
From hbk16: These are interesting sources of writing support. Any writer should take advantage and and learn a lot. Good issue!
Thanks.
From Anna Marie Carlson  : Thank You for everything that you've shared. I love to write and appreciate the advice for improving.
I'm happy to have been of help, and wish you good luck in all your writing endeavors.
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| ASIN: B01DSJSURY |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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Noticing Newbies: June 19, 2019 Issue [#9607]
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