 Noticing Newbies: April 12, 2006 Issue [#974] |
  Noticing Newbies
This week: Enter Contests to Become a Better Writer Edited by: esprit  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
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
Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! Our goal is to showcase some of our newest Writing.Com Authors and their items. From poetry and stories to creative polls and interactives, we'll bring you a wide variety of items to enjoy. We will also feature "how to" advice and items that will help to jump start the creation process on Writing.com
We hope all members of the site will take the time to read, rate, review and welcome our new authors. By introducing ourselves, reviewing items and reaching out, we will not only make them feel at home within our community, we just might make new friends! |
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Enter Contests to Become a Better Writer
You know those members who get on your nerves by consistently winning over and over? As soon as you see their names on the list, you give up, don't you?
How did they get to be so good? Were they born that way? Do you think they won their first contests? Uh huh - they practiced with every contest they had time to enter; win or lose, they kept writing.
As I browse the forums such as General Discussion, I see questions from new writers on how to begin their novel. They're stuck with no ideas and the first line just won't come.
My suggestion is, don't write a novel. Don't even think novel! Think scene. Short scene. Short story. Fan fiction.
Take advantage of the prompted contests. The Poetry Slams. Fifty and hundred word contests. They are there for exactly this purpose. To get the imagination going. To teach deadlines, and how to stick to a wordcount. The prompt is used to cure the lack of ideas. Everything is there, all you have to do is write the story or poem. This is good practice, use them! So what if you don't win? It isn't about winning, it's about learning.
This most popular contest changes the prompt and genre every day. Typos don't count, either. It's all about the story and following the rules. Good practice!
Those of you who need ideas will find contests wonderful in loosening your imagination, and your fingers really will be on fire! Some of these contests even give you the first line. Exactly what some have trouble with.
Don't enter a contest with winning topmost in your concerns. Read the other entries and notice the variety of ways a prompt can go. Your imagination is growing and needs this exercise. Someday, you'll win, but you won't be finished. Keep practicing!
Thanks for reading,
until next month, Have a Happy Easter and a great Cinco de Mayo (as the world celebrates my birthday with me) 
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Editor’s Picks
Remember to read your neighbor’s work too!
helpful links
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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!
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Ask and Answer
Most questions can be answered by using the information on the F.A.Q. page. Search it to find the answers you seek.
Awards?
I see lots of items that have awards and badges. How are they awarded? Is there a criteria, and who decides?
Awards and merit badges are gifted by other site members for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they are a prize from a contest that was won, sometimes they are to show appreciation to someone for a great review or support, friendship, etc. And Writing.Com Support gives merit badges to the top reviewers on the site.
If you click on any of the awards or badges, you can read why it was awarded. The criteria and decision are made by the giver.
Sophurky 
Case promotion
Just how does one qualify for a case promotion? What is the criteria?
I have been here over 9 months and have seen people starting after me be promoted to yellow case already.
Can you buy your case color?
"Case" promotions are not automatic, cannot be purchased, and are not guaranteed to anyone based on length of membership, etc.
for more info on the topic:
http://www2.writing.com/main/faq.php
Note that promotion is, again, not automatic, and that therefore even if you do feel you fit the criteria it might take more time and positive involvement in the community.
Jay's debut novel is out now! 
Suitcases?
What do the different coloured suitcases mean? Mine is black.
Also, what do the numbers in brackets next to the users name mean? Mine is (1)
For more information on what all of this means, go to
http://www2.writing.com/main/faq.php#icons
The little numbers are "Community Recognition Numbers"
Click on your number 1 to see what you got your point from.
You can also click the -?- in the black line that says "Community Recognition Details" for more information on how to receive them.
Tigger thinks of Prancer
Comments Received
Submitted By: Tehanu
Submitted Comment:
You had a great Q&A session this week! And I got lost in all the helpful links - this has been another wonderful example of one of your useful, well-done newsletters.
Thank you! 
Submitted By: deev23
Submitted Comment:
I would like to second Gabriella's compliment to writing.com. I found this website about a month ago and have been hooked eversince. I log on everyday and look forward to new email and reviews!
The site is also teeming with all sorts of activities, contests, forums and much more. Its so interesting. I find something new almost everyday.
Thanks to those who keep it going.
Deevra
Thank you so much!
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