Tips for New Members

Tips for new members -- things to know to improve your Writing.com experience.

Tips for New Members

Disclaimer: This item was transferred to me after a member left the site. While I didn't write the original article, I have updated and maintained it.

Welcome to Writing.com! Writing.com is a fun place to share your writing and receive constructive feedback from other individuals who enjoy writing and reading. There are things, however, that you need to know to make your experience here more enjoyable and to enhance the readability and professionalism of your items.

These tips come from my personal experiences as a member of three years and address some of the more common mistakes made by "Newbies".

HANDLE and USER NAME

Handle: Your Handle is the text that shows up next to your portfolio icon. You may update your handle as often as you wish.

User Name: This is the name you selected when you first joined WDC. It is the text that's displayed when you hover over your Portfolio icon. It may be changed ... but only at a cost.

Okay. You've registered, and you're just dying to create your first item. First, however, you need to understand that, as in all aspects of life, there are rules one must follow.

The first thing I would suggest is that you take a close look at the user name and handle you selected at registration. There are words and subjects that are not considered fit for public display to an audience of all ages and preferences.

For instance, if you thought it humorous to use something like "Over sexed", or "Cocaine King", for your handle -- change it immediately to something inoffensive to a general audience. If a Moderator, Senior Moderator or Staff member sees it first, it will be changed to match the user name you selected.

To change your handle:
1. Go to "My Account".
2. Under the top section "Account Info", select Change Handle.
3. Type in your new handle.
4. Click "Update".

If your handle is okay, but your user name is offensive, you can't change it without paying a substantial sum in Gift Points. If you have no Gift Points, the account will be deleted, OR you can cancel the account and start over with an inoffensive handle and user name by scrolling to the bottom of any page, clicking on "Close Account", filling in the required blank(s), then go through the registration process again.

To change your user name:
1. Go to "My Account".
2. Click on "Account Info", and scroll down to "More Account Links".
3. Click on "Change Username", and follow the directions. READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!
4. Click "Submit Changes".

THE WRITING.COM RATING SYSTEM

At this point, visit

Content Rating System (CRS)  (13+) Detailed information regarding our Content Rating System, its guidelines and rules. #197141 by The StoryMistress

This item contains the basis for the various rating guidelines required by Writing.com.

The rating system is here for a reason. Read the rules BEFORE you start creating items, to avoid having the rating changed by a Moderator or higher. If your item rating is changed by a Moderator or higher, it is locked, and you cannot change it back. You will be given the reason for the rating change. If you correct the offending part(s), or want a second opinion, post your request in

Content Rating Support  (18+) The official Writing.Com Content Rating Support forum: questions, rating adjustments, etc. #430933 by Writing.Com Support

Be sure to include the number of the item in your post.

Pay particular attention to the "E" rating guidelines. Item titles, brief descriptions, billboards, and bio blocks should adhere to the "E" guidelines -- along with handles and user names.

BIO BLOCK

Now that you've read the rating guidelines, create your Bio Block. Introduce yourself, tell other members your likes and dislikes, let us get to know you!

To create (or edit) your Bio Block:

1. Go to the Biography tab of your Portfolio.
2. Clicking on the Gear icon (far right on same line as the tabs) opens "Bio Block".
3. Type in whatever you wish to share with other members.
4. Click "Submit Changes".

YOU'RE READY TO WRITE!

Now you are ready to create your first item.

Remember, however, that presentation and formatting are as important as good writing when it comes to getting read and reviewed. Poorly presented items will have readers clicking out of the item without reading, reviewing, or even rating.

TIPS ON PRESENTATION AND FORMATTING

1. Select a font and size that can be easily read. Not every reader has perfect eyesight, and the desire is to keep your reader reading. For example:

This is the default font (arial) and size (3.0), unless changed.

This is Verdana, a 3.5 size san serif font.

2. Double space between 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.

3. Check spelling. It's easy to do, and shows the reader that you are serious about your writing when spelling errors are few and far between.

4. Don't use funky colors for your text. Stay with black text. Some color, for emphasis of certain words, is okay, but a solid page of light pink on yellow can leave the reader with eyestrain and a bad impression of your item.

5. Don't use all capital letters in item text. Again, it is hard to read, and it detracts from the professionalism of the content.

6. Item length. If you are writing the great American novel, split it up between several items, or chapters.
Short items tend to attract more readers and reviews.

7. Content. Remember that many 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. This is how the Rating Guidelines help you.

8. In the "brief description" of your item, don't be negative. 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?

BITS AND PIECES

Gift Points (GPs) are the coin of the Writing.com realm. There are several ways to accumulate Gift Points, such as reviewing, and entering and placing in the many contests available. Some members offer Gift Points

Upgrades are offered by several groups devoted to awarding upgrades to outstanding members for such things as writing ability, helpfulness, participation in site activities, etc.

So don't sign up and immediately start begging for Gift Points or upgrades. It's annoying, and will serve to achieve the opposite of the desired effect.

EXPLORE!

There are so many interesting things to learn and do here at Writing.com. Browse around. Learn how WritingML code works. Join a Newbie group. Enter contests. Sign up for weekly newsletters in the genres which interest you. Meet your neighbors! There are thousands of interesting, unique members here (just like you), and most will readily assist you with any questions you might have.