Top 3 Things Not to Do or Say on Newsvine

Speak of the Devil and His Horns Shall Appear

You have signed up, logged in and ready to display your journalistic prowess to the world through the Msnbc owned Newsvine.com. Never mind this Code Of Honor gibberish, for you are a good person, a patriot, and an artist. You are a sensible person and it's always been generally known that an aggressive tone has never played a part in your work. Think again.

The Code of Honor, otherwise understood as the "submission guidelines" on other less military termed online publishing websites, can be enforced like a War Hammer swinging down on some hapless geek on his first trip out of town. Simply reading the vaguely worded Code is not enough. You must live by it, or else. A quick search engine inquiry will produce plenty of stories and paranoia to scare the average typing freak into staying far away. It's either that or go straight into Attack Mode. Which is what happened to a dear friend and now it is affecting me perpetually. He couldn't even make it 24 hours before complete and total wipe-out of his two original pieces. There are things to be learned here.

1. Do Not Speak Of The Nazi
Whether it is a reference, comparison, attempted humor or a genuinely vicious attack on someone, this word will trigger a meltdown of your whole existence on Newsvine. There are certainly other words that may have the same effect, but this is a sure thing.

2. Do Not Use Vivid Or Picturesque Metaphors
You may think your work is visionary, almost mind altering. Full of wisdom beyond your age and at the same time hilarious - but the Code Police are not laughing. They are going to have a talk with you, yes-sir. There are no jokes. The truth is the funniest joke of all.

3. Do Not Apologize
Yes, these are the Top 3 Things Not To Do Or Say on Newsvine and if you Do Not apologize you will have no chance at having your account and liveliness revived. After you've been locked out of your account and a deep sense of embarrassment starts taking over, you will be offered to submit a query as to why you are no longer approved in the community. They may even hint that if you apologize, not to the readers, but to the Code Of Honor directors, they will consider making you whole again. Grovel or go home.