Jul 6, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for feedback, 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 . .

TIP: 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.

  • 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. If you simply leave a link to your blog, it’s likely to be overlooked.
  • 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.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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  2. I’m writing a post on tattoo stories, like what the story is behind a tattoo that you’ve gotten so if anyone could talk to me about that, I’d love to hear what you’ve got to say!

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      2. I’ve got “We Drank Turpentine In Paradise Alley” on my rib-cage which is an extract from ‘Howl’ by Allen Ginsberg. It’s my favorite poem. The line basically refers to people destroying themselves after realizing everything bad they have done. It’s a term relating to suicide & darkness but I saw it as metaphor for control & realization 🙂

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      3. I know Howl and I think that’s a very interesting tattoo! Did you decide to get that line done after a something in particular had happened or was it premeditative?

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      4. I actually had a few struggles with my mental health and decided to honor the turning point in my life with the tat. I’d fallen in love with that poem when I was 13 and thought it was most suitable 🙂

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  3. Hi everyone! I have a blog where I post original short stories, but I’ve been experimenting with the length of the posts. My latest story was so long I posted it in three parts so as not to overwhelm my readers. So should I keep my stories short, post longer stories in parts, or just publish longer stories in one post? Any other thoughts about my blog would be greatly appreciated 😀

    http://thedreamlifeofisabellafrye.wordpress.com/

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    1. First, great writing! As far as posting in multiple parts, that’s a great question. The three parts of the story aren’t necessarily super short on their own. I imagine that if a reader makes it through to the end of the first part, you’ve got ’em.

      I lean towards just putting it all in one post. The second and third posts end up being confusing on their own and require the reader to go to the first post anyway. I like the idea of having the whole story right there for the reader, because, like I said, I think if you get them to the end of the first post, you know they want to read the whole thing.

      On the other hand, having a non-committal reader see a shorter post might get them to start reading and get them hooked when they might skip over a super long post. And there’s the possibility of building some anticipation for the readers who are really into it.

      Haha, I don’t know if that helps at all. But really, I think it’s splitting hairs because the writing is really good. If a murder mystery fan finds their way to your story, they’ll enjoy it regardless of how you end up posting it.

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    2. Hey there, just read Murder, It Wrote. The punny names are hilarious! I don’t think there’s a need to restrict yourself to certain story lengths, it just depends on the story you’re writing.

      I think the way you divided Murder, It Wrote into three parts was excellent – you ended each part at a good resting point, giving each part a sense of conclusion and allowing the reader to rest a little before continuing. If you ever write more stories of that length, I’d say you should keep dividing them into parts like that. Breaking a story into parts is especially good for mystery/thriller stories.

      Somewhat related, and this is a little nitpicky, but I think you should use the ‘Read More’ button to hide the bulk of your posts away. That would make scrolling through your main page a lot easier – a visitor wouldn’t have to go past an entire story to see what other posts you have.

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      1. Thanks so much for your advice! I’ve heard mixed opinions about the splitting-up issue, so I really appreciate your opinion.

        I was actually just in the middle of trying to get the ‘Read More’ button on my posts when I read your comment haha hopefully I’ll be able to figure it out.

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      2. Hey! I would do as suggested above and use the read more button. Also, if you have already written your stories before posting them maybe post them backwards so part one starts at the top? I guess that only works if you are posting it all at once though. (I’m also on an iPhone so might be it just appeared funny on here). Finally, good writing! Keep it up 🙂

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    3. LOVE your header!!! The one with the moon and the balloon 🙂
      Liked and Followed, I will be keeping an eye on your stuff, as an avid reader (and Librarian) I am always interested in finding another writing blog 🙂

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  4. How do I enable someone to click on a link to read my Pages? What http address do I have to give them? Or is it some magic code? Lost in the haunted wood here. Help !!

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    1. If you’re on a desktop browser then click on the main page of your blog. Then copy and paste the link that’s displayed in your search bar 🙂

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  6. Hello there fellow bloggers! I have had my blog for a few months and would like some feedback. I share alt/indie music that suits my life story and my ever changing moods. Any helpful suggestions would make me forever grateful! Anybody else frustrated with how wordpress posts to Tumbler?
    http://immersedincoolmusic.wordpress.com/

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    2. I find the font a little small. But im also viewing it on my smartphone. Lay out is easy to navigate. I appreciate it with using my cell phone.

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    1. You are talking to a global audience who are all on different times so as far as I am concerned, there is no optimum time to post. I tend to post in the early evening, but that’s when is most convenient for me to post.

      I see you are based in Shropshire, a lovely part of the world!

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      1. Thank you, and thank you! I’ve worked out Twitter well enough, but struggling to optimise this. That said, it took me a year before Twitter started to work for me. For some reason, I find 1600hrs on a Saturday to be a great WordPress time. Thanks for the kind words, and yes, Shropshire is fantastic!

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  12. Just want to thank the creators and contributors – I love checking in and commenting on the posts here each week. Excellent resource for drawing inspiration!

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  13. Hi Shane,
    As far as best time of day to post… I don’t think it really matters. I just try to post once per day and before 12:00 AM. Nice thing is that you can schedule your posts… so you can see what works best for you. I find that if I post by 12:00 AM I wake up to hits… love that!

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  18. Hi, I am writing a blog for a project we are running for emergency services and communities, it’s the first blog so I would appreciate any comments good or bad about the blog. Specifically is it clear what we are doing?? Is it easy to navigate (tips welcomed) thanks

    Blog is – 999eye’s Blog
    https://999eye.wordpress.com/

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  19. Hi.. and thank you! I’ll keep this brief because I’m past my bedtime and less than my alloted amount of time to sleep makes for a cranky morning! 🙂 I’m asking please for specific feedback. I drafted a piece that was way too long to publish as one post.. I try to mostly post 500 words or less because I don’t want you to be faced with too much to read and take in. I decided to make it a series of four posts.. two of which I have published. I’m wondering if that was a good idea… do they (so far) lead in to one another and also do they stand alone? Are they even interesting? I’m sharing the development and exploration my own process and ideas about finding your purpose and hidden strengths. I’m brain fried looking at them now so a fresh pair of eyes would be appreciated. I said I’d keep it brief so I will. Thank you if you decided to help me out 🙂 Goodnight, Amanda x
    http://amandajgrace.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/life-purpose/

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    1. I think the posts stand alone well and the pics are well chosen to break up the text. They do lead into one another because they are along the same theme, you could link them even closer by perhaps calling them a mini-series and at the end of each one write something like, don’t for get to come back for part 2.

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      1. I’m sorry, I went back to your page and realised that you wrote that part in about it being a series. I have no idea how I missed that, I think it is just that it is the end of a long day and my brain is tired and I need a cuppa 🙂

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      2. Thank you ditchthebun! I do have a link from each, but I’m glad you pointed it out because it’s obviously not noticeable enough. I kinda buried that information down the very end of the post after my signature… Funny that.. I was shying away from being more direct in signposting people around my posts.

        Great feedback, thank you… Can I do anything for your blog in return? Amanda

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  20. My blog tells stories of parenting, modern life, relationships, family, care taking and teens through the eyes of a Vampire Mom. Don’t stop reading – I don’t do sparkly stuff or dripping blood. Anyway I also read a lot of blogs on totally unrelated subjects as well (squirrels, art, books, history, cooking etc.) My favorite blogs all have regular features and themes. I think it regular features build a sense of community by giving everyone something to look forward to and talk about. What do you think? What are your experiences?

    Thanks. ~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman

    Short Story Sunday: When You Grow Old

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  26. Hi everyone…..I would really love to get some feedback on my new blog especially when it comes to my posts. I keep feeling that maybe I ramble an my posts are a bit too wordy, though I plan to start trying different writing styles once I get a schedule down….so any an all feed back is welcomed

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    1. Can we say “Duh” I forgot to put the title of my blog on here….it’s Life Food and Me.com

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    1. Your post won’t be visible to everyone until you hit the “Publish” button — I believe your post is still a draft, which means only you can see it.

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  28. Friend, it is unfortunate that you see the recognition of truth as a perversion. Less than 10 percent is not a mischaracterization of small in considering the whole; 17 countries is very few of the 196 countries of the world.

    I did not recommend any denial of human rights. Each person has the right to follow God’s laws or not. That is a fact of life.

    Unfortunately, you did not answer my question, directed at the leadership of this blog. Thanks for writing a civil response. God bles and guide you.

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    1. You said “a few” countries and I wanted to point out that seventeen (plus others granting other degrees of rights) is more than a few. Yes, the percentage compared to the whole isn’t very large but this is changing quickly.

      I am glad you don’t recommend any denial of human rights. What I read in your comment was an implicit support of those places that have deemed homosexual behavior illegal. Perhaps I misinterpreted. But, denying people the right to love who they choose and denying them legal protections, jailing them, or worse for consensual relationships is a denial of human rights.

      Every person can follow God’s laws or not. Every person can also examine for themselves whether or not they believe in a god(s). There are many different religions in this world, and even within religions there is huge diversity. There are also many non-religious people (who still have a strong sense of a moral compass, even without religion). Just because someone judges that by their perception of God’s rules that something is immoral doesn’t mean that others see it so.

      I think it is best to love and support everyone as long as they are causing no harm to others.

      I can’t answer your original question because I don’t know every person who selects posts for Freshly Pressed. I am not affiliated at all. But I find your suggestion that someone is paying “media controllers” as off target. My impression is that those selecting articles try to choose some that are relevant to current events and given that during these past weeks Pride has happened in many cities and that in Indiana the court struck down the state ban on same-sex marriage makes posts dealing with LGBT topics very relevant.

      Thanks for keeping it civil as well.

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  30. Hey all, I’m hoping to get some constructive criticism/feedback on my writing. http://adaer.wordpress.com/category/writing-2/

    As an aspiring writer, I’ve been feeling the need to improve my writing beyond my current limits but I need people other than myself to look over my stuff. If you have an interest in my writing, please leave a comment!

    Feel free to comment on any of my non-writing related posts if it strikes your fancy, of course.

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