Dec 15, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and friendly blogging chatter.

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).

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  • No running on the deck.

Photo by Brian Cantoni.

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    1. When I clicked on the blog, I an email subscription popped up. You also have random advertisements appearing as well. You may also want to include the staff and their credentials or maybe something else about them.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m a new blogger and would really appreciate some constructive feedback. I wrote a piece (my first proper post!) a couple of weeks ago about my recent travels. I guess I’d just like to know if it’s useful for people hoping to visit Dublin, what there could be more/less of, things I haven’t though of…

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Hi, I’ve just started. I’ve got an idea I think I can develop, but it’s still quite raw – and so is my writing. However, I’ve decided to start writing and developing the idea throught this post – otherwise I will do neither.
    I am looking for feedback on both my writing and the idea.
    Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I just created my blog and I would love feedback. I don’t know how to get more people to check it out or what needs to be changed/improved. Also, how can I get my recipes to appear on pinterest? Any advice, suggestions, or criticism will be appreciated. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi – I didn’t find your post ‘stuffy’ at all. You obviously have a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm for your subject.

      If I were critiquing the post, I’d say look and see if you can get more swiftly to your point about ancient people making a considerable effort to climb the volcano and reach the quarry. As a reader I wasn’t clear where you were leading me with your description of the volcano, so some of the details passed me by. It was vivid but slowed me down a bit.

      All good luck with your blog.

      Like

    1. Yes, I’ve dealt with people like that. It seems like it’s mostly Chinese guys who want to do things they want, but often don’t get to. But when they do get to, they abuse it (no moderation). I’ve heard guys in China are passive, too. Wondering if this is true. Another social condition that gets implanted on guys from the very beginning.

      I imagine what would be difficult is how you’re supposed to tell your aunt, “I’m not letting him overrun my current residence” in a nice way, but she’ll take the hint and feel embarrassed.

      If your cousin doesn’t want to learn from you, let him learn from experience.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think so too, in my family, the men controls the family while the women do everything else.

        You have no idea how difficult it is to tell my aunt because she’s very scary sometimes.

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      2. If you have a scary aunt – there is no way to get around her. Your cousin is staying with you. If you don’t let your cousin stay with you, your aunt will tell (complain to) your parents and say how bad of a niece you are, don’t help your younger cousin in a new country, the list goes on. I imagine she can blame everyone for everything, but her son can do no wrong.

        Here are some things you can do that you must not share with people in your life.
        1. Fill out your cousin’s housing forms for the dorms. You trick him by saying you’ll help him, then get him to do something else then you fill that out for him, submit, and off he goes. If that’s not the way you do things, I have alternatives.
        2. He ends up living with you, so you make it unbearable for him to live with you. This is an American tactic everyone uses for all sorts of unwanted guests. By the next time to apply for campus housing, he’ll be begging his mom to get him out of your place.
        3. Chinese boys have been told all their lives what to do by their mothers or anyone else. I imagine engineering was his mom’s choice. He lives with you, so you tell him to that Americans are independent and teach him to be independent. Get his mom to buy him a bicycle to ride to the station to get to school. If it’s really cold and he’s begging for a ride, maybe have some sympathy, but he’s a guy so he’ll take advantage of that until he can’t.
        If he likes girls, tell him that girls like guys who can make decisions. You can teach him to make his own decisions since he doesn’t have his mom around to make decisions for him, but you have to maintain power over him because he’s living in your house. Kick him out if he’s being bad. He’ll call his mom but you have good reason for a bad child. If she doesn’t believe you, make sure you have evidence she cannot deny.

        Good luck.

        Like

    1. Your blog looks fantastic! I love your tagline, especially the croissant part. You have such an easy layout to navigate. Your food photos have made me hungry. The only thing I did not find was an About page telling the reader a bit about who you are. Am I just overlooking it? Seriously, one of the best looking blogs I’ve come across. Best, Karen 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Hey everyone! I just submitted my first post and would really appreciate feedback from anyone. I’m not really sure what I’m looking for since I didn’t write about anything specific, but anything you have to offer, I would love. This is all new to me but I’m jumping in with both feet!

    I will respond and offer any help I can to whoever to anyone who comments 🙂

    Thank you in advance!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like your first offering- it is open and honest. Putting your writing out there for the world to see is both frightening and exhilarating. You will find a friendly and encouraging group among the blogging community. Consider creating an About page as it is the first place many readers go to find out who you are and why you are blogging. Keep at it, and best of luck! Karen 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I think “lead” should be “led.”

      This is your blog, so write whatever you want. Some people rant, some people journal, some people share info. I’m posting my novel online, because one hacker stole my latest copy from me. So don’t leave the internet on while a file is saved plainly on your desktop.

      Like

  19. Whenever community pool post come out, I have to be fast if I want to post something. It’s so popular that if I blink or go the kitchen to have some drink of water, when I come back there are already hundreds of comments shared. Next time I will keep a bottle of water in my office and will remember not to blink my eyes.

    Wishes

    Like

    1. Hi – I enjoyed reading your post. I like your writing style – it’s very lyrical and immediate.

      I only tripped a bit over one thing – I wasn’t clear when things had happened to the man in your life. I think he’s still alive, but you speak about him in the past, not the present perfect, so it sounds as if his good luck is finished now. Am I reading that right?

      I very much like your words about ‘the paint in churches.’ You have poetry in your soul. 🙂

      Like

      2. Kidding aside, the real reason why I talked about him using past tense is because he is no longer the person he was. I totally converted him or let’s say re educated with the ways of life. He learned a lot of practical things as well and about emotions and dealing with people. It’s a bit complicated to explain without exposing too much. Perhaps if you have the time you can read my post Wall-E. That would probably explain more about some things.

        Like

  20. Hello all. I hope everything is going well on your end of things. I was hoping that some of you could offer some constructive criticism on the longest blog piece that I’ve published so far. Does it read well? Does the narrative make sense? Can you keep track of what’s going on? What can I do to improve my writing? Were there too many pictures? Not enough? Things like that. Any input is appreciated. Thanks for your time and happy holidays!

    http://shawnwingsit.com/the-2014-istanbul-marathon/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the going back and forth between pictures and text was really effective. I personally don’t like black background with white writing, but that may be because I am 44 and need cheater glasses (sigh). It was interesting because you were doing something really awesome. But the challenge, I think, with writing about a whole day and organizing it chronologically is that it becomes kinda list-y and “and then”-y. Two ways I can think of to deal with with is to pick smaller moments to focus on and really fill them in with detail–more like a snapshot that an edited video of the whole day. The other is to find a through-line or theme to be exploring as you go. You know, like good ol’ problem/solution, or what makes this marathon different, or conquering your emotions, or running from Asia to Europe, or something that guides your writing and pulls your reader along with you. it’s not that the chronological listing is bad–it just is more typical, less sparkling and doesn’t stand out as much. Good job finishing the marathon! What a great trip. I’d love to go there.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s some very good advice. The trouble is I tend to write in a very stream of consciousness way, so going back and reflecting and focusing could be really tough for me. But you’re reminding me that there’s more than one way to do things and that I can push myself. I appreciate that.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. I would appreciate any feedback about my blog. I have finally reached 20 posts, and there is a little something for everyone, whether you’re into golf, poker, or lifestyle changes. Thanks for all the support!
    mikeguillenblog.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I’d like advice on my blog, but more on what exactly to post for the coming weeks. I’m currently deciding whether to make posts weekly or bi-weekly or even monthly, but I mainly need advice on what people think would be best for me to posts. More of my story parts from Hunter’s Journey, or more poetry? bladeslife.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I think the best is to post what you’re good at and when time allows. There is no use posting articles that outside your expertise for it will only decline your traffic and the overall image of your blog will suffer.

      Like

  28. I just started a blog a couple days ago and would love some ideas and pointers as to how I could make my blog interesting and exciting. Any ideas?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ideas to make your blog more interesting and exciting…hmm…
      1. Do things that are not self-centered, but they have to be sincere efforts – no half-assed, no botched, no excuses, no whining, why bore you with the list, right? Trust me, this is going to make you a better person. Being a better person is a good thing.
      2. Why are you creating this blog? It sounds like your parents are forcing you. I can hear your attitude through my computer screen in your “Me” post. If you read some of these bloggers stuff, they have a message or a reason for blogging.
      3. How about making your blog useful. From last weeks’ Community Pool, I read about 2 separate girls’ blogs where they were writing about their experiences in their freshman year of college.
      4. Your tagline needs some work.
      5. This is your blog; do whatever you want with it. The right audience will think it is interesting or exciting.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey Joe. Thanks for sharing your photography. I really enjoyed some of that scenery. You have some really good composition on some of those.

      One thing if I might suggest, have you thought about adding a little bit of comments to some of your pics describing what it is we are looking at? Like a mountain name or ski resort name.

      Also, a couple of your photos were a little bit dark. I don’t know if it was my monitor or not. Heck it would take me 200 or more shots to get any one as good as most of yours.

      Thank you so much for doing this. I always looking at good photography.

      If you get the chance could you please check out my post at http://theboyfromchildhood.com/ I’m a new blogger and I would love to get any tips from you concerning my writing ability, style or whatever you think would be helpful. Thanks.

      Jeff

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I like that you have a unique angle to your blog by incorporating your life experiences into short stories. We all need to be reminded of how we used to dream as children!

      You did a fantastic job of leaving a cliffhanger there for us…I will be waiting for the next installment!

      Like