Dec 29, 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 your blog and your writing style. If you hadn’t mention it, I wouldn’t really have noticed that Enlish is not your mother tongue.
      But here’s one thing: You might wanna change your cover photo, since the resolution is not that good.

      Otherwise, nice work. Keep it up!

      Like

    1. Hi – I love your blog concept! My blog is in a similar thread as I am also currently living abroad. I think your five points are spot on, especially Point #2 about not knowing the language. One of my points would be that you should never be afraid to ask questions. I’ve found that strangers everywhere are very friendly and always happy to help!

      Like

    1. I love your poems, especially the short and crispy ones. I’ve always admired poets because I personally think that it’s hard to write poems. I had to produce one for the “Creative Writing-” class I took last semester. It turned out, I should better stick to journalism and creative non-fiction.
      Since I don’t know anything about poetry, I might not be able to tell you how to improve; but I can tell you that I (a person who normally doesn’t read poems) enjoyed skimming through your work.

      Keep it up!

      Like

  6. Hello everyone! I’ve been writing on my blog from around September, it’s about writing, film, music and art, as well as some misc. stuff too! Basically I would have hoped for it to have kicked off a bit more but I am now looking for some ways of “supercharging” my blog, whether that be getting guest writers in or writing about different things. Please leave some advice – would be greatly appreciated and I would be happy to do the same for anyone in return! 🙂
    http://www.halfdecentgigrider.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I love your piece about deadlines. For me as a freelance journalist and full-time student, it was very relatable.
      Are you gonna add more photos to your picture scrapbook? I would love to see more of Scotland!

      My blog is fairly new too and I also hope that I can build up a readership audience somehow. I’d be happy to hear your opinion about my blog. 🙂

      Anyway. I’m following your blog now and I’m looking forward to your next post.

      Like

      1. I love your blog! The theme is lively, but not so in your face you can’t read it (I think theme’s are never complimented enough!)! I love the content too, or what I’ve read of it so far – I look forward to delving into further treasures!

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    1. Hey there! I just skimmed through your blog and I really like it. Your stories are entertaining and your writing style is down-to-earth. There’s only one thing I noticed: You might wanna break up the text into a couple of paragraphs because sometimes, it got a little bit overwhelming because there were no line breaks at all.

      Otherwise, it’s a great blog. Keep it up.
      Oh and I’d appreciate it if you’d have some feedback for me. (-:
      Have a good one!

      Like

      1. Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it! I love the guest post idea! I am totally steeling that. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos page! Especially the dandelion. I just got a nice camera and I am really excited to use it!! Only thing I would suggest is some kind of banner or heading with a bit a color. Might be a personal preference but it might make it pop a little more. Not sure if the templete would allow it or if you wanted to stay to black and white but I think it would add a little something. Especially sense you take so many photos.

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      2. Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I’m still trying to figure out how to bring in more color; thanks for pointing it out to me!
        Have fun with your new camera. I’d be happy to see some of your photos on your blog! (-:

        Like

  8. Hi everyone! My name is Talia and I’m a 26 year old New Yorker living life and trying to find health and happiness as I overcome obstacles associated with lupus. I began running in August and have been committed to my health since. I also just signed up for my first half marathon in May! Please stop by and give any feedback! It’s always appreciated!

    http://52milespermonth.wordpress.com/

    Much love,

    Talia

    Like

    1. Hey–I only read your “haterade” post, but I totally loved it. I like your approachable voice and how you are willing to pick apart your own bad behavior (I wouldn’t say most have the discipline to do that in a public forum). Keep blogging and running!

      Like

    1. When I set up my blog one month ago, I was wondering the same thing (my native language is German). I finally decided to blog in English, simply because you can reach way more people by doing so. A great deal of my readers is from the States. They wouldn’t be able to read my blog if I was posting in German.
      I’m sure, there are plenty of Russian people on wordpress, however, it might take you a little bit longer to build up an audience.

      Like

    2. lolipeta
      You can write in Russian like selfmadejouranlist says. Go to Settings – General and set the interface language to Russian on that page and then scroll down and click save changes. Also note that there is a Russian language support forum at this link Русский (Russian): http://ru.forums.wordpress.com
      happy blogging!

      Like

  11. I am a novice blogger and very much in the very early stages of blogging! I would love some feedback from anyone who has the time to read my blog posts to date. All constructive criticism would be very much appreciated . Also any advice on how I get myself out there would be welcome. Thank you to all and I learn a lot from these pages x

    Like

  12. I recently posted about completing 101 things in 1001 days: http://www.tootimidandsqueamish.com/2013/12/completed-101-things-in-1001-days/

    My question is a general sort of question about where to go next. Many of my posts during the last 2.75 years were about completing challenges on my list. I don’t want to start a whole new list, but I am feeling a little lost about what direction to go in on my blog. I am planning to just take each week as it comes, but I know I will miss having a pre-planned series of things to write about.

    Like

  13. Hi there,
    I have a post I’m welcoming more discussion on.

    When you blog to inform publishing how-to posts and tutorials, and curating content with added high value commentary are part of your blogging strategy. But not all bloggers blog to inform and bloggers in all niches are now doing much more to attract, engage and hold an audience.
    Providing Additional Content for Blog Readers

    Like

  14. Hi ! I am working on my new blog and following the daily prompts everyday. I have changed many themes and I love the present one. Please let me know is it alright or I have to change it again. Moreover, I would warmly welcome any type of constructive criticism on my writing as I want to improve. Love xx

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    1. I’m not sure if you’re looking for feedback, but I’m going to give some anyway. I liked your poems quite a lot, and am definitely coming back for more. 😀 ( followed! ) – Q

      Like

    1. I am confused what the point you are making is. Perhaps you need a stronger concluding paragraph to communicate why it is important to review each month, the allusions to the romans…some parts were comical, but I am not left with something to mull over as your reader.

      Like

  19. Hey there! I’m a freelance journalist and started my blog about a month ago. I write about my way of doing things, even though sometimes “my way of doing things” turns out to be the wrong way.

    Oh, btw: Wanna see a photo of me wearing nothing… but my pajamas? – That was the way how I promoted one of my recent posts (http://selfmadejournalist.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/awkward-moments/) on Facebook. Did this strategy work? You tell me. (-;

    But seriously, I would love to get some feedback of you guys. I’m still trying to find out what appeals to the audience and how to improve my blogging-skills.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.
    Happy New Year!

    Like

    1. Your voice is very colloquial, which can appeal to some readers and not so much to others. That’s fine, as long as its always your voice. The one thing that did bug me is that you used emoticons. Outside of sending my friends dorky texts, I hate them. And you are promoting yourself as a journalist, in a sense, so I would refrain from using them.

      Like

      1. Thanks! I didn’t notice it at first, but you’re right: Using emoticons might throw some readers off. I’m going to try and use them less often in future posts.

        Thanks for the feedback!

        Like

  24. I have a blog I’ve been running for a couple of years now – theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com and I feel like I’ve run dry on my ideas and ability to keep it interesting without devoting all of my free time to it. I want a book element to it but I can’t think of how to include books without doing reviews (which I don’t have a whole bunch of time for…). Any tips on how you revamped your blog? Book wise or otherwise?

    Like

  27. Hello,

    I am new to blogging and have a quick question about widgets. Although I’ve used the categories widget to help organize my blog posts (because I talk about almost anything), I am not really sure what other widgets are useful or how many would be too many.

    Can anyone give me a little advice about useful widgets?

    My blog is:

    http://theauthorwhoknows.wordpress.com/

    Just in case the theme makes a difference

    Like

    1. Hello,

      I’m not sure about adding a tab to the top of your homepage, but you can use the categories widget to classify your recipes by type and make them easy to find. I’m not sure about other tools (I’ve been blogging for less than a month), but I’ve found that particular widget useful.

      http://theauthorwhoknows.wordpress.com/

      Look at the right side of the page and you can see how it looks/works.

      Like

    3. I’m not sure if this is on all themes, but what I did was I went to the dashboard and then under appearance you should see menus and if you have recipes as a category, you click on recipes under category and say add to menu ( which should be on the left side)…let me know if you have trouble

      Like

  29. Hi, I’m Sophie. I am 16 years old and very new to blogging. I have just published my first ever blog and would very much appreciate it if you could give me some quick feed back.

    Many Thanks

    Like

  30. I have an idea about starting a blog about a dear , sweet friend that is a decorated veteran that has yet to receive his benefits and lost almost everything while he waits. His health has also declined since he was injured in combat during the Gulf war. He recently underwent cervical (neck) surgery and developed a blood clot at the surgery site , but by the time it was removed, there was complete cord damage and he is now paralyzed. He also has an amazing Diabetic Service Dog which he has had to say goodbye to and is in my care. As I have watched this wounded warrior, this week, I wondered if it would be a good story and he fights in Rehab for some type of life again. Thanks, Sheri ,,,

    Like