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 don’t know if anyone ever reads this after Sunday, but here goes nothing:

    Bookmarks

    A semi-crazy poem bookmark idea I had.
    The Pool even feels sleepy now… A ghost pool… Anyway, have a great day, all you fabulous nonpresent people 😃

    Like

    1. When reading this post, my eye became bigger and bigger because I had a similar idea a couple of weeks ago. In order to promote my blog, I left index cards with catchphrases in the library. Here’s the post I wrote about my guerilla marketing strategy: http://selfmadejournalist.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/promoting-my-blog/

      Seeing that I’m not the only one who uses index cards for their blog makes me really excited. I wish I find one of your cards, since I absolutely LOVE the idea of leaving and finding index cards at random places.
      Good luck!

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  3. Hi im new to blogging, my aim is to be an anonymous blogger were I can do casual normal blogs but also talk about feelings that are deep down and need advice on, but arm all is good and don’t have many people reading the blog so not much point asking for advice on it yet. The blog is

    http://1994anonymous.wordpress.com/
    Thanks doe the help 🙂

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  4. Hi everyone! I have decided to jump right in to blogging! I am a convert to Islam and I’ve been surprised repeatedly at how not-strange Islam is, given the general perceptions abounding. So I am sharing my o servant ions and experiences in order to challenge that idea- and to make Islam a little more familiar to my readers. I’d love your input so I can be sure I’m not offensive and headed toward my goals. Thanks!
    -The Muslim Next Door

    youramericanmuslimneighbor.wordpress.com

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      2. I like the look on of it also, look forward to reading more. One suggestion if you are going to talk indepth about Islam could you think about those who may have difficulty understanding learning about to them a new religion, many religious authors talk about different festivals, ceremonies and don’t explain the reasons behind them and then people fail to understand and can lead to misunderstandings.
        I was brought up in the Pentacostal church but now I claim no religion just my faith, a faith in a just and caring Being who answers our prayers, blesses us with his wisdom and guides us to live a better life.

        Everyone has the right to believe what they wish as long as that belief is not used for hatred and killings.
        I hear so many people criticising the follows of Islam as violent murderers and I have informed the misinformed that Islam teaches peace and violence has no place in Islam and its not welcome in my faith either and the quicker we get that message to those that matter the faster Muslims and all other faiths and religions can stand shoulder to shoulder and end this hatred that has wrapped up this world and slowly smoothing it.
        I have some good Muslim friends and you couldn’t wish to meet more lovely people, some of them adhere to the strict dress codes and festivals, but all attend the mosque.

        God bless

        Pete

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      4. Share how?

        I find Islam very interesting, and I find Muhammad very interesting as well. From my research, it seemed he was all about some form of gender equality. And the holy book talks about peace just as often as it talks about sticking up for oneself and discussing/defending the religion. I also find the use of Greek philosophy in this religion interesting. Whereas Christianity and Judaism focus on virtue, Islam goes way into the idea of moderation. It’s just very interesting.

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      5. Im glad you find it interesting.
        I mean would you share with your friends and family, via Facebook, twitter etc.
        I hope to foster understanding and appreciation. I need help knowing if my posts are effective at least in making people think in ways they may not have bern. You presented some good examples of points I’d like people to find out.
        Thanks for the dialogue. 🙂

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  5. So I tried writing something serious and hopefully helpful to people that may think about self harm or suicide. I’ve never thought about these things personally so it’s written from a perspective of how people would feel if they found out someone they loved died due to thoughts like this. I wrote it because people I loved told me they thought about it and it hurt. I was wondering if I could get feedback on if it is well written and if it is actually helpful or not.
    theheartofateen.wordpress.com

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    1. I personally think it’s important to get the word out about self-harm. A few of my friends too have said that. It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing and the post seems like a great start. I’ve followed and can’t wait to see more from you.

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      1. Well I wrote that post in the summer and I wrote a couple other posts kind of unrelated to self harm but they were about major problems that I had been going through. I wrote them so I could possibly help someone going through the same thing. I blog every Monday but not necessarily about the same topic… If that makes any sense at all.

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  7. Hello! I would love for somebody to please read something from my blog and give me feedback! I am a new blogger but I’ve been writing poetry ever since I can remember. My material is more of a spoken word/ free-verse route but I hope whoever decides to give it a try enjoys it 🙂

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      1. I really really love your blog! I am new at all this and I hope that one day it’s just as good as yours! We seem to have the same taste in books, which is great. 🙂

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      3. I took the freedom to check out your literature-blog. I like your book recommendations. It’s been months since I’ve read a book in order to entertain myself. But now, I got holidays till March, so there’s plenty of time to pick up on reading. Looking forward to further book recommandations!

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    3. I’ve always admired people who are able to write free verse-poetry. I had to fabricate some poems for my “Creative Writing”-class, but I stuck to rhymes. It’s somehow easier for me. I enjoyed reading your work. Keep it up!

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      1. Thank you!! I really appreciate it. It’s quite weird because I admire those who can rhyme. I love rhyming my poetry but I’ve gravitated towards free verse recently. 🙂

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    4. Oh but you might wanna set up an “About”-page. For instance, I’d be interested why you called your blog “Spilled Ink”. It’s a beautiful name and it got me wondering if there’s a story behind it. You could write about it on your “About”-page.

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      1. This might sound a bit stupid, and I apologize but.. I have no clue how to do an about page.. Like, I’ve been trying to figure it out but.. I’m so new to this and whatnot so.. Sorry for the stupidity haha.

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      1. Hello J.R. Littlejohn & Happy New Year to you.Thank you you for stopping by. I will definitely take your advice. I appreciate it very much, I will also stop by your blog & check it out.

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    1. Maybe it would be worth writing a paragraph about the casting director if you felt the casting was perfect? I really like the look of your blog. You might want to check the grammar/spelling before you post, there were a couple of typos I noticed. (not that I’m an expert on blogging, the whole thing is new to me!)

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      1. Oh, I always have typos in everything and I have to give it a few days before I can go back and catch them. I need to start reading them aloud before i post so they seem more polished.

        That is an interesting idea. I don’t know who the casting director was, but I know, in casting, the director has final say. So for a project like Perks, Chbosky would have been the one to choose. The casting director’s job is to weed out the people who would be terrible for the parts, or take auditions and ask them to read for a different part, stuff like that. (I know more about movies than I do about books, apparently).

        That being said, one of the casting directors was in charge of the casting for Divergent, Don Jon, and The Losers. And the other one did SIn City, Black Swan, and Silver Linings Playbook. So clearly these ladies are good at what they do. Nice suggestion, my friend. =)

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  10. I don’t know where to start or how to start. I am in my sixties who have gone from a very ordinary circumstances to may be the pinnacle of academic and professional achievement. My life is full of experiences and encounters that have made my life worth while. I am convinced of the immense goodness in people and in the world. I want to share these stories filled with goodness.

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  11. Like the others, I’d like some feedback on my blog. 🙂 Well, maybe I can say that it’s a casual blog but mostly it has my works (essays, photos, creative writing and stuff). Plus, I guess it’s a different view since I came from another side of Earth. Haha. Anyways, like the rest, I would be glad to know what kind of writing should I continue on in my blog. And hopefully, more readers! Thank you!

    http://unchartedpens.wordpress.com/

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    1. I find your blog really interesting. Maybe it’s because I’m a communications major too?
      But there’s one thing: You mentioned your real name. I’d be careful, there are a couple of creeps out there.

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      1. I see. Thank you for warning me. 🙂 Anyway, what other things do you think I should improve on? Or the type of things I should write about? I’m afraid my blog would look too casual…or something like that.

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      2. If it’s the casual style that worries you, you could decide on a theme for your blog. I’m talking about a motto, which shows the reader in which direction you’re going with the blog; but at the same time it should be broad enough that it allows diversity as far as topics are concerned.
        You mentioned that you wanna give your readers a “different view–from another side of the world”. That’s really interesting. I’d love to read more about your life in the Philippines. So, this would be a potential “leitmotif”.
        Since you also mentioned that you are into photography, you could, for instance, add some photos of your homecountry.

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      3. Thank you. This means a lot. I’ve just (officially) started blogging and this could be a big help. And I would consider emphasizing on, as you said, my life here…or at least a view of the Philippines in my perspective. 🙂 But, I think it would be okay to include my essays and my other creative writings in my blog, right? (forgive the many questions, I’m excited to really step-up my blog)

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      4. Of course – you can include anything you want! In my blog, for example, I mainly focus on being a freelance journalist but I wanna include some of my short stories too.
        After all it’s your blog and nobody can tell you what to do (or not to do). You can go wild on your blog. (-:
        Really looking forward to your posts!

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      5. Thank you! “Salamat”, as we say in Filipino. I do hope I could still write to you if ever I would want some questions answered or ask for some advice. I’ve read your blog and it’s amazing to read through all your posts. It’s nice that fellow bloggers can learn from you.

        Thank you again!

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    1. Hi, I thought you had some interesting stuff to say. If you were quoting from other people at the start and end of the post I think you should reference them. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

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  17. I would be interested to hear people’s opinions of my blog which is based on my work as a Training Coordinator. Specifically, is it of interest? If not, why not? And what can I do to get some followers

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    1. Your blog triggered my interest. I think the work you do is great and I’m looking forward to reading more about it.
      Some advice you might find helpful as to gaining followers: Promote your blog on social media platforms (for instance, by creating a Facebook Fanpage) and in real life (word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing strategies).
      Also, click yourself through other blogs and leave meaningful comments. Don’t only comment on posts because you want your name to be seen. You really have to “mean it”.

      Hope I could help. Good luck for your blogging career! (-:

      PS: I’d be happy if you give me some feedback on my blog.

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  21. Hello everyone. I would love to hear thoughts on my recently started blog http://aidymcglynn.wordpress.com/ particularly anyone interested in photography, Ireland, landscapes or nature. The blog has been up for about a month now with no followers and very few views. I’d be interested to see what people think of the content, and if there are any suggestions regarding either the photography or writing. I’d also be curious about how people with similar blogs promote them. I’ve avoided promoting it on facebook as I feel family and friends would be positive regardless of quality, and i’d rather the blog suceed on its own merits (if it has any!).
    Cheers

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    1. Wow absolutely beautiful! I think it is all about tags, I don’t have the same type of blog but with the right tags I seem to be getting some decent traffic. I don’t have fb so I don’t promote it there either.

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      1. Thanks for your response Pen of the Sheep. I think you’re right about the tags. I removed enough to take them below 15 for each post, and its already increased traffic. Cheers again.

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