Aug 11, 2013 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for input, whether on post ideas, writing, blog design and layout, or anything else. If you have a post, page, or idea you want to bounce off someone, leave a comment. Your fellow bloggers can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Read on for the ground rules and to leave a comment . . .

  • You’ll get the best feedback if you can be as specific as possible about what you’d like people to respond to or where you’re struggling.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. We’re here to help and support one another, not to beat anyone down.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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  1. I like the Triton Lite theme as far as post pages go. Plain, no frills, grey and straightforward. But the home page looks like an unholy mess. I can’t see why anyone would bother to navigate through that crap. Is there a theme that has the same style as the one I’m using but in a “top-down” format?

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    1. I’m not entirely clear on what aspect (“crap”) you’re looking to get rid of. The only thing that looks like an unholy mess with that theme is the fact that the pictures and posts don’t line up well. Suburbia is a lot cleaner. It’s what Cassiewarrensocialtalk (a few comments up) uses but you don’t have to add all the visual frills she did.

      However, almost any theme will allow you to have a gray background.

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    1. I really like the design and name on your blog. The design is simple but the color choice is good so it looks clean but, not too distracting. The name made me chuckle “shoulda known better”. And i took a short look at the content and I like the flow. It is like a conversation instead of feeling like it is forced out like some peoples writing sometimes does. Good job!

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  3. Hi guys. After a month and a half of blogging I am still feeling slightly unsure of my blog. I would love to get some overall feedback on my blog, the design, the writing etc. from anyone and everyone who is willing. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

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      1. No it is really good. I like it alot. I don’t see anything wrong with abstract writing. You are good at it. And i don’t know if i would be a good place to learn from. haha

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      2. Well, the things you talk about speak to me and I can understand the point you’re trying to get out. It’s helpful. Thank You for the encouragement. I have a lot of fun! Classmates used to give my a hard time for making up words and stuff like that. lol

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      3. No problem. I think you’re just creative. And creativity and poetry (or any kind of writing) go hand in hand. You know what you are doing and i think you have been writing longer than I have. Go with your gut.

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    3. I checked it out and like the overall layout. I would move the “recent posts” more towards the top of the sidebar so people can find your poems a lot easier. I like haikus a lot, so it’s neat that you seem to devote a lot of time to them. They pose an additional challenge for the poet and a treat for the reader. I like the notebook paper background of the blog, makes it seem more personal, like we’ve been invited to read your notebook in school. Obviously I don’t know you, but I think the blog layout it shows off your personality a bit.

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      1. Thanks you for the feedback. I am glad you like the haikus and i do try and show off my personality in my blog as much as possible. I will definitely move my recent post up that is a good idea. And thanks so much for taking the time to give me advice. I appreciate it. 🙂

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    1. I checked out your blog Cassie. I like your poems and the photographs. My initial suggestion would be to move the “recent posts” widget up near the top of the left hand bar. It’s a bit intimidating to have to keep scrolling down to read past posts. Having the “recent posts” near the top gives people the option to browse around without having to scroll.

      Also, maybe you can find another theme that showcases each element without detracting from the others. For example, the background image is a great image, but it distracts from the writing, and vice versa. Maybe you can find a theme that showcases photography and writing in separate spaces so they complement each other and show the depth of your creativity.

      Hope this helps! Keep up the good work!

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      1. Thank you so much. I will move the recent posts. I’ve tried many themes and this was where I settled. Maybe I can get rid of the image and that would help. I like it because it inspires me. I value your input and will look into it. I’m such a visual person. I know a lot of poets keep their sites clean. I find that I get bored with them on occasion. I know it’s supposed to be about the writing, but I just can’t move away from the visual too. I’ll keep working on it though. Thanks!

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    2. You are welcome. I know what you mean, it’s hard to find that perfect balance between the images and the words. Since you seem to be involved with both, so that’s why I suggested another theme. Also, you can find one that will let you use the background image at the top perhaps, like a huge banner, so you can still see it and be inspired. I totally get that. I have a background on my twitter account that I chose specifically for that! You can see it at http://www.twitter.com/lupitatucker . I just have one more suggestion, and that is to see if you can find a theme that will center on the page. It is more aesthetically pleasing and might work better with your background image, which I like a lot btw. 🙂

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      1. I tried before and I didn’t. This was the best after trying many. In the future maybe I’ll buy the theme and then I can make it whatever I want. I think? I’m going to look at it again anyways though. Maybe I have different eyes to see today? 🙂

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  6. Hi, I have just began a new blog “Every Women Needs a Wife”, it is not a blog for same sex marriage, as the title might imply, in is about women serving women, making better women. I have a bio a mile long, however, I am curious what your comments are after viewing it, as well as any format changes.
    I have NO CLUE about computers, blogs, website developement, or how to maimize my site. I welcome any and all comments on any topic you are moved to comment on: The good the bad and the ugly!

    Thank you for your time! Please let me know the title of your Blog site so I can check it out! Lisa

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  7. Anybody have any advice on how I can get more people commenting or giving feedback (likes, ratings)?

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  10. I would like to receive feedback on my blog, http://notenoughpoetry.wordpress.com/ .

    I love writing poetry and am not tied down to any form or genre. I have always kept my poetry to myself, and only recently opened it up to the masses. For the most part, it seems that generally people like them, which has encouraged me greatly, so I want to crank it up a notch and see if I can maybe get something seriously published. Please check out my blog and give me suggestions on the quality of the poems, and any editing suggestions.

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  14. Howdy all.
    Would love some feedback, pointers, advice, etc.
    I’ve been posting for 4 months and really enjoying it, but don’t seem to gaining many followers or comments.
    Would appreciate any help on how to make blog more appealing.
    Thanks heaps.
    Lona

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    1. Lona, nice recipe blog! Love all the Lebanese dishes, as I am a major fan of Leb food. You asked for some feedback, so here’s mine. First, you don’t seem to have any tags on your posts. Tags are important, because they enable others to find your posts. For example, for the mjadra recipe, you could use tags such as: Lebanese food, Lebanon, Mjadra, Lentil, recipe, middle eastern food, … etc. you get the point. That way when someone is searching through Word Press, or Google, using one of the words in your tags, your post will appear in the search results.

      Lastly, I just want to encourage you to add a little more color to the blog. The white background is nice and clean, but very stark. If you can find a nice subtle background (nothing too flashy) it will add a little spice 🙂

      I am following and looking forward to some more yummy recipes!

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      1. Thanks so much. The background is a little bright I guess. I’ll look at different themes.
        I thought by adding to the tags field, I was adding tags, but looking over my posts, you’re right. They don’t seem to on there. Will have to look into that.
        Thanks again.

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    1. Hi, I have an idea. I was reading some of your posts, and sense that your blog is a sort of online journal/diary. I totally get that, sometimes I have to go to a semi-public place to just let my thoughts out and see what sticks and what the wind takes away, wondering where it goes. My blog serves me in this way. Anyway, I was thinking about your request for suggestions on a theme. I don’t know of any particular theme that is so spectacular that you will absolutely love, but I do have a suggestion for your blog’s appearance. My thought is that since it’s a personal blog, that you could find an image that really inspires you, or brings you solace/peace or energizes you even. That way, when you come to your blog to write you aren’t just met with a blank page staring at you. Also, maybe you can add some images every now and then to add a visual element. Not necessarily photos of you or personal things, but something related to your mood perhaps, or even a drawing if you do that. Blessings!

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      1. Thank you!! And I guess the blog is mostly a way to vent somethings without letting out to much. Finding people to talk to isn’t always easy so just writing to the world is. Not having a computer I’m not completely sure what I can do to spruce up my blog, but I can definitely add drawings (I do, do that) and other pictures that go along with it. Thanks again!!

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  16. Hey guys! I would be very glad if you guys can give me some advice on effective photo blogging. I’m just starting up and I think suggestions and some constructive criticism will really give me a push.

    Points:
    # Communication and Interaction to viewers
    # Appearance and theme
    # Making a name for my blog

    here’s the link to my blog: http://soarlikeeagle.wordpress.com/

    Comments would be very much appreciated.:)

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  20. Hi Everyone,
    I am fairly new to WordPress and could really use some tips about what to do in order to get more traffic on my blog and what you think about my current layout and everything. All suggestions are welcome. Thank you in advance! 🙂

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  22. Hello! I’m new to WordPress and even blogging in general so it’s safe to say I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing! I have been trying to find a direction to go with my blog and I think I might have found one but I’m not sure if it is intriguing enough. I’d love it if someone could take a look at it and give me some feedback on the whole concept! Also, if anyone has any tips on how to increase traffic to my blog that would be awesome as well! Criticism is more than welcome, no holds barred; have at it! Thanks in advance! http://memyselfandwrite.wordpress.com/

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  24. HELLO IM NEW TO ALL THIS LOL AND PROB NEED HELP IN ALL AREAS. ANY INPUT WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK U. IVE READ THE WORD PRESS.COM STUFF. BUT LIKE I SAID IM NEW TO THIS BLOGGING STUFF. THANK U

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  25. Just wrote my first entry ever. Would like to know what anyone thinks about its content before I keep going. Would be super helpful.

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  27. Linesbylinda@ wordpress.com feel like my writing is insignificant, no readers, no comments, like words blowing in the wind, I permapressed my last 4. I thought my post My1st anniversary was terrific, whoopy, one person liked it. Help,

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    1. HELLO IM NEW TO THIS BUT JUST WANTED TO SAY HI TO U AND WHEN I CLICK ON U IT DIDNT TAKE ME NOWHERE MAYBE THATS THE PROBLEM I DONT KNOW LIKE I SAID IM NEW TO THIS LOL GOD BLESS

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  29. Hello! I have been writing for a very long time now, but starting using wordpress only recently. I love writing poetry, because the play with words is what i enjoy best. I have recently taken to haiku, and have attempted a few. Do people enjoy reading haiku? What does it take to begin a conversation over a haiku? I think that’s important, because a haiku involves a lot of wordplay, pun etc.

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    1. I like reading haiku and i write some on my writing blog. The way I begin my haiku is to picture something ( a scene, an image, a moment in time). My approach is to try and capture that moment in 17 syllables. Although haiku traditional is an allusion to something in nature (weather, a season, a time of day) without directly saying it. The art has changed and it can be about mostly anything.

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