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You Don’t Have To Be Slick To Use S.L.I.C.K.!
Simple Steps to Create a Static Item

Do you want to become an author on Writing.Com (WDC), but you’re having trouble finding your way around?

This easy guide will help you to become an author on WDC! Think of WDC as an immense resource containing helpful information and people to guide you on your writing path. The process of creating a static item is simple. You do not have to be slick; you just have to take S.L.I.C.K. Steps!

What is a static item?

First, let us explore what a static item is not. A static item is not the sock stuck to your pajamas because you forgot to throw in a dryer sheet; and a static item is not the subject matter of your mother-in-law’s latest ploy to cause trouble in your marriage! A static item is, however, a “classic non-interactive, non-changing work containing a single article, poem, essay, interview, short story, fiction, non-fiction, etc.”
([e-mail], paragraph 2; Media, Inc., 2000-2007).


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What is S.L.I.C.K.?

S.L.I.C.K. stands for the chronological steps you need to take to create a static item on WDC:

S is for Sign In to WDC.
L is for Locate a writing button, click it; Locate the static item button, click it.
I is for Insert your Information
C is for Click to Copyright and Save your Item
K is for Keep checking your email for helpful comments!
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What You Will Need:

A working computer with a mouse
Internet Access
Your Imagination
A thesaurus
A steamy cup of Coffee
A bowl of M&M’s, any variety (optional)

Steps:

S          Sign in to your WDC account. This is also referred to as “Log In.” Now take a sip of that coffee before it gets cold!

L          Locate a Writing Button. There are several to choose from:

         • At the very top, center of every WDC webpage, the word “Writing” is highlighted in blue.

-- OR--

         • Using the Site Navigation window, located on the far left side of your screen, place your arrow on Site Tools. A list of all the site tools will pop up. Move your cursor to the tool, “Create an Item” and left click your mouse.

--OR--

         • From your portfolio, there is a “Click here to create a new Item” button underneath your item listings.

~ If you click on any of these writing buttons, they will take you to the Create an Item page. Now, click on the words, 'Static Item' highlighted in blue. Another page will appear titled Writing.Com Portfolio Management:…Create a Static Item.

I          Insert all of the information for your item on the Create a Static Item page. Here’s where the chocolate might come in handy! Yes, this page looks overwhelming. But, you have the S.L.I.C.K. steps to help you through it! And, WDC has simplified the process of creating your item by separating the information blocks into seven sections.

         Section 1
                    Follow along and enter the basic information about your item. There are four information blocks to complete in this section:
         1, your item’s title
         2. your item type (ex., short story, poem, an article)
         3. a short, 90 characters or less, description of your item
         4. the rating for your title and description (For example, is it E for Everyone to read, 13+, or ASR for Adult Supervision Required?).

         Section 2
                   This section allows YOU to control WHO can read your item. To create your first item on WDC, two information blocks are required in this section: 1. Rate the content of you ENTIRE item (i.e., is your item suitable for all to read? Or, does your item require a rating to warn people that the subject matter is not suitable for younger readers?); 2. For maximum exposure, keep your item unrestricted to allow everyone viewing access. Select “Make public, allow EVERYONE,” then skip to Section 3. For your first item, you will not need to change any of the default selections for the remainder of section 2.

         Section 3
                   Completing section 3 will help bring potential readers to your item. First, select up to 3 genres from the 3 separate drop-down boxes. The genres describe what catagories your written work falls in. For example, is it an action/adventure, family, or children’s item? This helps your target audience know that your item is something they might like to read. Second, type some key words to lead potential readers to your item while searching items on WDC. For example, if your item is a poem for moms about needing a break, you might type these keywords in this block: kids driving crazy tired mom need maid vacation drink. Remember to leave a space between each key word!

         Section 4
                   Here is the fun part! Use your imagination and write your item in the large block under “Item Body”. Refer to your thesaurus to find slick words! If you already have your item typed on your computer’s word processor, you can copy and paste it into this section.

         Section 5
                   Edit Points feature is brand new at WDC. It is optional; to learn more about it, click on the [?].

         Section 6
                   Follow this outline to set the item preferences when creating your static item:
         1. You can enable the "Preserve Spacing" option by clicking a check mark into the box in this section. This option allows you to copy your written work from your computer's word processor and paste it into the "item body" block, keeping the settings the same as your word processor. If you decide you do not need to preserve spacing, skip to the next block.
         2. Select how you would like your item to be rated and reviewed, if at all. After reading your item, a WDC member may choose to rate it based on a 5 star scale (3 stars is average and 5 stars is perfect). In addition, a WDC member can email you a comment, or “review” of your item, offering you helpful insight and suggestions, and sometimes pointing out errors in your spelling or grammar. Accepting reviews may mean accepting corrective criticism, but this will help sharpen your writing skills! Also, it is a great way to meet other WDC members.
         3. Leave the “Auto Rewarding Gift Points” block blank. This option is given to authors who want to promote their item by offering WDC members gift points when they review the authors’ item. It requires an author to have gift points banked, and is not necessary for creating your first item! Skip to Step C!!!


C          Click to Copyright & Store Item. This step completes Section 7 on the Create an item page. Once you click the “Save Item” box, your item will be stored in you portfolio and automatically copyrighted by Writing.com.

Congratulations, you are now an author on WDC!

K          Keep checking your email for helpful comments from WDC reviewers who have read your item. Here are two ways to find your email:

         • Below the Site Navigation and “Special Notice” on the left side of the screen is your “Member Info”. Click on “My Email” which is located just below your username.

-- OR --

         • On the far left of your screen, find the Site Navigation window; place your cursor on “My Places”. When the list of My Places pops up, slide your “hand” over to My Email and left click your mouse.


         The page with your email messages will appear. All of your unread messages will be highlighted. Click on a message to read it.

Tips:

          WDC offers authors a way to enhance their item’s appearance with “WritingML”. WritingML allows you to add italics, bold, or color, as well as a myriad of other options to spruce up your item. To learn more about WritingML, click the WritingML button, located above the “item body” block in section 4 of Step I! A separate window will pop up, explaining the commands for the writing enhancements.
          You may edit your item after you have created it. Find “your item” under the title section of your item viewing page. Click “edit”. The Create an Item page will re-appear, and you can make any changes you want!

Warning:

Now that you know how to take S.L.I.C.K. Steps, try not to slip-- If you are not careful, you will become

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

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