Aug 10, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is now open! Duck-shaped life savers: optional.

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Did you recently start your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

To help us make the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips you might find useful:

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.

  • While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
  • The Community Pool comments section can get quite big — and starting duplicate threads doesn’t help. Thanks for not posting the same question more than once!
  • If you’re looking for quality feedback, be as specific as you can. Questions about a particular post tend to draw more comments than ones about entire blogs. Questions about specific design elements are more likely to be answered than ones asking for general layout advice.
  • We discourage leaving links without a more substantive message or question. These are often overlooked by other bloggers, and we frequently remove them to make the comment reading experience smother.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. The idea is to have fun — it’s a pool, after all!
  • 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 Brian Cantoni.

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    1. It looks good.. a nice read! And yes…last paragraph? LOUD AND CLEAR! Haha! Paragraphs are a tad long and could possibly be broken up a bit to aid readability on my tablet, but other than that, very nice. And well done on your unromantic wedding. Romance, as your last paragraph proves, is often overrated!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for you kind feedback! You are right, I was thinking about the paragraph length too and now you confirmed that they’re too long. A great piece of advice, and something I now know to pay attention to! Again, thanks for reading and enjoy a lovely summer, romantic or not 😉 !

        Like

    2. As a latter-day bride (second time around at the age of 38) I was overly concerned about appearances. My son from the first marriage (at the tender age of 19) was 19 himself when Bill and I married. Shopping for a wedding dress was a fun experience but I knew a frilly, poufy gown with veil wouldn’t sit well on my 38-year-old (although still slim) bod. I opted for a beautiful sheath spending far more than I had intended but worth every dime. Being this was the late 90’s I had the ubiquitous ‘big hair’ and just wore a simple ivory colored comb with beading to scoop back my hair to the side. Everyone remarked on how simple yet elegant I looked (blushing — I must agree; it’s not often that I look ‘simple yet elegant’). Bill and I paid for everything and our decorations and accoutrements were also simple. And I like to think — elegant.

      Enjoyed your post. The last paragraph? Killer! Kudos.

      Like

      1. You must have been a lovely bride! Despite the 90s hairstyle, which we probably all in retrospect see as slightly ridiculous… The dress and the accessories you describe sound truly elegant — this is the style that I myself prefer, though my wedding dress was more romantic, considering the occasion.

        I can understand your thinking. I didn’t marry too late, but I wasn’t a very young bride either and I felt a girly dress wouldn’t fit me well. It feels very reassuring to hear that other brides have similar thoughts! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and I wish you many happy years with your husband!

        Like

    3. Hi, I’m a newbie myself. But as a reader, I also felt that the paras were a lil lengthy and made me lose interest. Otherwise, very good.

      Like

      1. Thanks so much for your feedback! Yes, you are right, and I will need to keep an eye on the paragraph length. That’s a simple yet helpful suggestion 🙂 Thanks a lot again and have a nice summer!

        Like

    4. Nice one, Susie! Made me LOL – hahaha! (but seriously folks…) What a delightful post. You have earned my readership – I look forward to more! It is a pleasure to meet you – I’m Mother Hen

      Like

    5. this was funny! Do I really say those things? Uh, yes. And do I mean what you say I mean when I say those things? Uh, yes. You nailed it, Suzie.

      Like

      2. #8, my missus uses that because she doesn’t like making decisions

        #9, I use this a lot.

        #11, a variation of this, when someone says I text you, or I called you, I have said well of not got a text/missed call (although sometimes I actually do not have that).

        #18, not for a while but have used this

        #23, it just seems to be etiquette these days.

        Like

    12. Hi Suzie,
      I’m also a newbie looking for feedback so not sure how much “cred” I have yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed your post.
      I found myself nodding my head in agreeance!
      It seems you put in a lot of thought and effort to your post and it paid off. Nice work 🙂
      I’ve got a few posts so far and they’re light humoured too. You might like them 🙂
      https://littlemamateepee.wordpress.com/

      Like

    1. Hi there! While I have to admit that your actual content is not something I know anything about, the actual visuals fit nicely with the themes of your writing. I think the background and color choices mesh well together. Maybe include more photos along the way as exemplars for those not so informed on the content! It might help illustrate the words you are writing! Overall, love the look of the page!

      Like

      1. Thank you so much! That was a very encouraging comment 🙂 I’ve been wanting to put some more pictures in, but I just need ones that are good. I also don’t like to be a copycat…otherwise I probably would have put more pictures from Lord of the Rings in!
        Thanks!
        Aul

        Like

    2. Greetings. While I enjoyed the Trilogy films I’m not a big fan of this genre of writing. That said you are definitely spot on in endeavoring to create a tapestry of person, place and character in your writing.

      Oddly enough (maybe that’s just me!) the first thing that came to mind when I started reading your piece was how much I enjoy the use of backstories in programs such as Lost (a monumental disappointment at the end, alas!) and Orange is the New Black. It helps the viewer better understand and know the characters, cluing us in to how they think and how they might react to new situations and events.

      In any case best of luck with your story development. I’ll Follow to see where you go with this!

      Like

      1. I totally agree. However, I sometimes think that writers can go into the backstories of insignificant characters, and then it just becomes unnecessary. But overall I like backstories because I like to get to know characters.
        Thanks for the follow and the feedback!
        Aul

        Like

    3. Read through a couple of your posts, and I like what I see. Wish I had more time at the moment to go digging through the entire list! Great work, and I look forward to reading more.

      Writing, and publishing can be a frightening endeavor. You are so right that time is one of the things you MUST be have in order to make the words flow properly, and perseverance to get around the horrible road blocks that come along from time to time.

      Like

      1. Awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. And yes, writing can be a frightening endeavor….heh 🙂
        Thanks for the follow!
        Aul

        Like

    4. Whilst I am not a fan of Tolkien (I really struggled with the LOTR trilogy & to a lesser degree the hobbit) I am a fan of the films and also recognise that the world he created was just so indepth it is incredible. I only read the piece you linked and I found it inviting, the pictures certainly helped that and the piece wasn’t overly long, nor bogged down in highly niche conversation, it certainly would pique the interest of fantasy fans I think.

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      1. Thank you!!!! In fact, I am not a fan so much of Tolkien’s writing as much as I am his story-telling. His sentences drags on and on and the writing is way too descriptive.
        Aul

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      2. Indeed, I am surprised I finished the books to be honest. It is good to have a totally immersive world and history but be careful nt to (dare i say it) bore your audience.

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      4. I think it is a case of sometimes less is more, if it is too wordy then cut it down, a rich descriptive world is great, we all want to close our eyes and imagine the locations.

        Like

    6. While I haven’t read the trilogy (I did love the movie adaptation though) and this isn’t something I would typically read, I think you could still make your post more inviting. First of all, I would reconsider the font size, which may be discouraging to the potential reader making it seem like there is a large block of text to go through – you could also break down your paragraphs to make them an easier read. Also, I would consider bolding out some key words, which might attract readers who are into the topic. Adding more images would make your post more interesting as well. Good luck! 🙂

      Like

    7. As a first time reader, I wasn’t aware that you were creating your own world. So I wasn’t really sure where it was going, but by the end I was caught up and interested. I’m excited to read more.

      Like

      1. I’m glad to hear it! And I’m even more glad to hear that you write fantasy. Thanks for the feedback!
        Aul

        Like

    2. Hi Fernanda. Your blog seems very well laid-out and the design fits well with your overall fashion theme. Very nice job! What I want to know is how you got over 3000 followers in just a few days?!

      Liked by 4 people

    4. Wow the layout is quite impressive. I really like the signature you have at the end of each post it’s a really nice touch. 🙂

      Like

    6. Really good looking at first glance, I read your post on haircare and really enjoyed it, I might use some of those tips myself! 🙂

      Like

    1. I am currently a math teacher- I have taught high school and middle school. I appreciated this post because one thing I am always trying to teach my students is the importance of debriefing on their work and checking answers. Most students avoid this at all costs because it can be time consuming. But in your case, “a missed comma” or an overlooked statistical assumption can easily ruin weeks of work! It really spoke to what I am always trying to impress upon my students!

      Like

      1. Agreed! Double checking is probably the least fun thing you can do, but one of the most important. I usually make it a specific item on my to do list so that I remember to go back, but even then there are errors.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I took a look at your post and didn’t think that the frustration evident in your experience was at all inappropriate to the subject you were speaking about. Anyone who has ever gotten a rejection notice or misplaced a comma can relate. I actually found myself nodding along at points, so good job–you came across as a realist!

      Like

    3. Hi there!

      Your post is realistic and not the slightest bit “overly negative” or whiny! You articulated your frustration with rejection/failure and hope/fear for the future very well and I really enjoyed reading!

      I can’t wait to read more of your posts!

      -Zoie

      Like

    4. It’s a really candid piece and very relatable. 🙂 Don’t give up okay! 😀 A side note though: Maybe you’d want to use a more attractive picture next time, I find the letter F a little too cliche. Just my thoughts though. :>

      Like

    5. It reads to me that you were have a bad day/week and it is a post about frustration more than anything else. We all have a bleat, I know I have a fair share of them on my blog, and I often think that I come across as whiny, but it is serves to get the post out then so be it, besides unless people know you well they will read the post with their mindset. I thought it was a good post, although I do find the font on your blog very large.

      Like

    6. good post.
      the negative moments in our lives are an essential part of our learning experience. i mostly think on these matters, and your post is just right.

      Like

  8. This is a HUMOR post about online dating profiles but I did something different in the sample profile. Can anyone tell me if it’s too obvious(overkill) and you get it before the ending? It’s not supposed to dawn on you till the conclusion of the post. Much obliged for any feedback!
    Stephanie
    Thequotegal.wordpress.com

    Liked by 2 people

      2. This is GREAT! Love it!! Had me laughing!!! The green was def not too obvious. I was outside so with the glare on the screen I didn’t even notice the color until it mentioned it at the end.

        Like

    1. I really like your poem! However, I would recommend mixing up rhyme and non-rhyming, and also highlighting emotions other than grief when you lament the loss of your love. Perhaps you could include anger at such a sudden abandonment (you do touch upon this briefly, but perhaps you could expand on it), relief, perhaps, for now you are free to do as you like – you could go as far as suggesting that the protagonist was trying to escape from the mental imprisonment! Other than that, I liked your poem, and lvoe the colours of your blog! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for your time to evaluate. I will add your pointers and will post one more soon. Your feedback is valuable. I am not sure if I am spamming here, you could comment on the poem if you like on my page

        Like

    2. This is pretty interesting but I think the rhymes are a little overused. 😡 Also, I suggest that if you want to maintain a slight air of sophistication don’t use words like “crap” because it sort of ruins the mood the poem creates because it’s such a vulgar word. Just some thoughts on it though, Quite like the line “Restless turns, while you left for my street” though, it sets the scene very nicely. 🙂 Keep trying! 😀

      Like

      1. Awwwww, thanks. I am used to texting so i write in short form and write u instead of you so I really need to work on it. I would check out your blog to but I’m scared, I mean ur username. Sorry I`m a scardy.

        Like

    2. Love the layout it’s really snazzy 🙂 Content-wise could be improved like instead of just vague comments like “she makes her viewers feel good” maybe give an example or 2? Would help the reader to understand the person better. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha, loved the header of your blog! Your blog looks great. Good Job! And thanks for the feedback, it was helpful 🙂

        Like

      4. I’m honored thank you so much for that it means a lot :’) wow to “inspire” is seriously one of the best praise I could ever receive thank you for that. 😛 Mmm my first post was exactly on July 17th! 😀 I’m still pretty amateur so I treat this like a learning platform. 🙂 Just try to keep a constant flow of posts and you’ll be fine. 😛 ❤

        Like

      5. Your feedbacl is my wisdom. Thank you so much. I assure you I`m an ammature myself. How old do you seem to be. I`m guessing 13. Oh I have another blog and I started it last year but I didn`t like it so I created this blog for a fresh beginning. I think it was only 2-3 weeks ago but I already have 26 followers so I think I`m doing pretty good.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Don’t worry about it, you’re only 10 (I’m 16 haha :P) so you still have a long way to go and develop your talent. 🙂 Your blog is a start! 😉

        Like

  14. I’ve just given my blog a minor face lift – could I have some feedback on my header and background please? General feedback would also be good! Also, what websites do you use to create graphics? Thanks! My blog is rainbowcakesandrockyroad.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I like both your header and background 🙂 I don’t really use any websites to create graphics, but I use this program called GIMP to make backgrounds and such.

      Like

      2. I think the website is http://www.gimp.org. It’s a little tricky to learn at first, especially with drawing shapes, but once you get the hang of it, you could make anything you want, pretty much.

        Like

    1. Hi Matthew – I liked the way your blog looked and read.

      I’d have loved to see more intriguing stills in the post I read. The two I saw were pretty much the same – portraits of a individual men, looking straight on to camera, with their faces covered with fake blood. I got a bit bored with them and they put me off reading on.

      Do keep writing and good luck with your blog.

      Like

    1. I liked your blog the background and header look great. You should put a Instagram or Twitter widget it would personalize your blog and make it even better. Looks great too me though!

      Like

      1. Hah, thank you! I actually would’ve put a Twitter widget on it, if I had a Twitter account. I was looking for extra widgets to add, but there were only so much.. XP

        Like

    3. I think it would be nicer if the background image actually covers the entire background? The black space at the bottom sort of bothers me. 😦 Other than that it’s really quite apt and eye-catching. 🙂 And animations sound like a great idea! 😀

      Like

      1. I wanted to get the background to totally cover, but there was only a repeat option, and vertical repeat was kinda meh. But thank you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    4. The colours are bright and colourful and certainly says “video games. A nice amount of pictures which are clear and blend in well with the overall background, font is nice and clear, and just the right size on my monitor. Overall very nice.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Hi everyone!
    This week I’ve given myself a new colour scheme, header and sidebar, so would love to know what you think 🙂
    I also have two posts this week that I particularly felt proud of, because I wrote from the heart. One about love and one about #ProjectPositive. Check them out here:
    https://newteacherlife.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/424-days/
    https://newteacherlife.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/projectpositive-being-thankful-for-who-you-have/
    Any feedback in general would be much appreciated! 😀
    Looking forward to checking out all your blogs soon.
    Sare x
    http://www.newteacherlife.wordpress.com

    Like

  19. Hi fellow bloggers!

    I would like to have some feedback on the pictures I took yesterday on a street festival in my hometown.

    La Strada – Graz

    Also, some feedback on the english text would be nice, since I’m not a native speaker and still learning it.

    Like

    1. I love these photos, and the festival looks interesting! I think the 7th, 8th, and 9th photos are bringing down the overall quality of the set–it’s better to have fewer photos and have them all be impeccable than having more where a few drag the rest down. The english text is okay, none of it is technically wrong but it seems a bit choppy for how we usually speak. Great work!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks a lot for the feedback. This time, I tried to translate the german text. That’s maybe a mistake. Next time I just write some text in english, and if it’s not exactly the same content… who cares?

        Like

      3. Oh, I looked at the pictures 7, 8 and 9 now… You are completely right. These have been the pictures under the roof, where I had serious problems with the light… That’s why they look so different and have a poor quality.

        Like

    2. I absolutely agree with Sabina. Your photos of the show are great but I would definitely take 7, 8 & 9 away.
      As I am not an English speaker, I always get my texts checked by a native speaker before I publish them. Would it be possible for you to do the same?

      Like

      1. Ok, 7, 8 and 9 are away.
        No, I don’t have this possibility. However, next time I just do not translate but write a free text, then it will be more fluent.

        Like

      2. If your post is more about the photography, then a small description in English will be enough. But writing is definitely a great way to improve a language!

        Like

    3. Hi Sarah – what a beautiful blog. Very impressed with your photos and your English!

      I think you’re right about writing freely in English, rather than translating. You write very fluidly and very well in English. You use expressions like ‘go for’ perfectly. I’d guess that you’ve lived in the UK or that you read a lot?

      The only thing I noticed was that you start sentences with “therefore” more than any native English speaker would. It’s one of those words people get taught in English class and then get stuck with forever! It’s quite a formal word for what you want. ‘So’ would be enough.

      It’s very unusual to start a sentence with ‘also’ in English. Nothing’s impossible, if you’re being poetic, but I think you might have been translating. Is ‘hinzu’ the same as ‘also’?

      Those are tiny things though – and I’m just saying them to be helpful. They’re like the cherries on the cake. Your cake is wonderful!

      Keep writing and keep taking lovely photos.

      Like

    1. Hi Cathy. I haven’t read that book since I was a kid but I remember the chills like it was yesterday. I thought your review was just fine–giving an idea and thankfully not spoiling the ending. By describing your reaction you motivate the reader to experience it for themselves. in fact, now I want to read it again!

      Like

    1. Hi Natasha. I like your header image and the picture is top notch. I too am a travel logger and I’ve found that by inserting a photo gallery it draws in even casual visitors to your site

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t see where you come across as mean. I enjoyed reading your top post and think you have a very easy to read style that works well with your overall theme

      Like

    2. I know that there are a few sites and blogs that have prompts, but one of the best ways to start to find stories, when you’re really stuck, is to just start writing. Sit down at the keyboard (or with a pen and paper) and write whatever comes to mind. If nothing comes to mind it’s okay to type “I have nothing to say, lahlahlahalha” Just get writing and eventually SOMETHING will appear. When that idea does appear I don’t even start a new document, I’ll just keep tying, maybe note the start with a few dashes so it’s easier to dig out when I go back.
      Everyone write a lot of junk before they find the gems.
      Other ways to get starting
      – take an opening line from a book you like and write your own story off of it.
      – start with the phrase “I remember” and see what comes.
      -think of the most unusual or interesting person you have seen, or a place that you went that you loved, and write a description of the person/place.

      Like

      2. That is hard. Sometimes you just have to push yourself — or allow yourself to step away and do something different. Reading often will help prompt me to want to write, or getting outside for a bit. Generally things that are more passive, like watching TV or mindlessly surfing the internet, prove to be more detrimental to my writing drive.

        Like

    1. This is absolutely true: “Someone once told me that the way you act before 10am determines how the rest of your day will go”. Good tips for avoiding a bad day from the very beginning.

      Like

    2. My suggestion is that you add some graphics to go along with your blog. A header image that well-represents the overall theme of your blog plus appropriate graphics for each specific post. Not only does it break up the text block but readers find them interesting

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hi! Congrats on starting a blog. I like how you have broken you post down into short paragraphs. I think this is very important to keep the reader reading. Even if something is interesting, we are all lazy and being on the computer usually means we are putting off something else. So nice work 🙂
      If I do have a suggestion, it’s to see if you could make your sentences a bit shorter? I know this sounds like an odd idea, but it all goes back to the laziness theory. This is something I struggle with too. The whole idea is to keep the reader reading because it’s no trouble for them.

      Enjoy your blogging and good luck!

      Like

    4. Quite minimalistic which is nice, the font is clear and just the right size. I know you have just started but I think because of the minimal look it could benefit with relevant some images to the posts.

      Like

    1. Hi Joe! I liked your article with its focus on self improvement. These things are so simple but so hard to implement. With this in mind, I always find things like this more interesting to read if they include examples of how these practices can be put practice for success! Examples from famous people can be fun. Google will be your friend here! We all know we should do these things – it takes the example of another to set us on our way. Or perhaps you could do a real time experiment where you personally follow one of the ideas for a week and then report back with the results on your blog? Like ‘Come back next week to hear how I went on making my bed every day’ ha ha. (This is something I need to work on!) And then you could tell how this improved your life – like you went to bed earlier because you had a nice neat bed to get into. Get people involved.

      Good luck and have fun with it.

      Like

      1. Hi! Thank you so much for the generous and sweet feedback!!!

        I used to have a widget on the left side of my blog with my About me with a photo. Now that I changed to this new theme, it’s now at the Footer which I hope still catches new readers to know a little bit more about me! I will definitely add more posts about what it’s like being a girly girl!! Thank you for the tips!!!! ❤

        Like

    2. I got a feel for the atmosphere and spirit of your blog as soon as the first page loaded. Well done! It’s often hard to tell what the intentions of a blog are right away. With yours though, I knew right away what sort of place it was 🙂

      Great design and layout.

      Nice.

      Liked by 1 person