Jan 23, 2017 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and camaraderie.

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

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  1. Greetings fellow bloggers! This week here’s a link to a story I just published on my flash fiction blog, To Cut a Short Story Short. It’s entitled New Year’s Eve Ritual (500 words). It’s about a personal experience, which I think makes a good story, and inspiring too I hope?

    https://simonjwood.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/new-years-eve-ritual/

    As mentioned in my previous posts, if you might be interested in joining a 300-word fortnightly story group then please contact me via my blog and I’ll be happy to send details. New members are always welcome!

    Liked by 14 people

    2. Nice story and actually nice idea for an annual ritual. I used to email my family a lot when I lived abroad and I love reading those emails now so maybe I’ll steal your idea and start my own ritual 🙂

      Liked by 6 people

    3. I read your post and left a comment on your blog. I think what you’re doing is a great writing exercise.. I might check it out soon. It’s 1am here so I’m off to bed. Haha.

      Love the story BTW.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks very much for your comment, I also replied there. I’ve found the story group idea tremendously helpful in my own writing. My blog wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t started a 200-word group just over a year ago as most of the stories originally came from it!

        I’ve found you definitely get into a writing habit (I always do two stories) and you also learn editing skills (sometimes drastically so!) which are useful in all walks of life. The longer draft versions can be useful for flash fiction competitions and posting on blogs 😀

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much! Yes, I can definitely recommend Weston’s Vintage. Not sure what it’ll be like in 2026 but I’m going to make drinking three bottles a part of the ritual. Oh, and the Chardonnay too 😀

        Liked by 3 people

    5. That is an excellent idea for a ritual. I might take this on! Hard to do in difficult years but I’d say a decade from now it would be so wonderful to read back on. Thanks!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi, thanks for your feedback! Actually I found it very cathartic and it has also focused my mind much more on what I want to achieve over the coming year.

        In a decade’s time, 😀 , anyone’s world could be completely transformed by positive forward thinking, and how fascinating to look back on the struggles and difficulties of now! Why not give it a go, there’s nothing to lose 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  4. Hello Community Pool,
    James from ‘James Proclaims’ here. I’m not saying my blog is the best thing since sliced bread because that’s a weird comparison to make.
    Also I really like toast.
    But my blog might make you smile.
    Equally it might not, but if you don’t read my latest post you’ll never find out.

    Liked by 15 people

    7. This intro made me smile before I could even see your blog! Great job! Would you mind checking out my blog too – aestheticgraphy.wordpress.com

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Hiya guys!

    Just your usual story writer here, and you know we love our stories being read. Soooo how about you come to my place, read one or two, like it, comment about what you like and you hate, and maybe follow me! 😁

    But no pressure though! 😋

    But I’d be really happy if you do! 😏 #PassiveAggressive

    https://yfns.wordpress.com

    Liked by 11 people

    3. I love this post! I am totally the type of person who doesn’t know how to take a compliment so this really hit home with me, I will be reading more!

      Liked by 2 people

    4. This was sooo soo relatable. I have always done this and have been doing it quite a lot recently. The triangle logic totally makes sense to me. Thank you so much!!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. At first the shape-thought logic was just weird to me, but after a while it totally made sense with how I was thinking and how I processed other people’s compliments etc.
        Thank you for such a lovely comment!

        Liked by 2 people

    4. Okay I just wrote a huge comment about your blog and post but now have no idea where it ended up. The low down I think it’s strong and powerful for you to share your experience. I have a very close friend who was assaulted as a child and I’ve been helping them through the remembrance of it. Your world help, as painful as they are they help. Thank you.

      Liked by 2 people

    5. That was a moving post. Commented. I hope you keep shining light on people’s lives by being the wonderful example you are.
      Feel free to browse through my page and share your thoughts on anything that interests you.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. It sounds like a person going through many struggles in life.. Realizing the evils in the world and within people. Maybe in the brink of insanity.. But not really. There is still awareness.. And maybe a hope that everything is not futile after all.

      Liked by 3 people

    5. To me, your piece of writing is about toxic relationships. Those type of relationships in which you don’t exactly like the other person, but at the same time you try to fool yourself into thinking that they are alright and that you love them. You find the good in their bad and stick to it. You know it’s toxic, but you don’t say anything about it, don’t do anything about it, thinking it’s just a phase or it’s in your mind, when in reality they are draining you slowly and you know it… you just know it…
      Beautiful piece of writing!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Wow that is a beautiful interpretation. I’ve never really looked at it from that angle, but I can totally see where you’re coming from. I suppose it’s all about what we can imagine; just as no two snowflakes are the same, neither is two people’s imaginations. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    6. That was nicely put. Open to interpretation indeed.
      Feel free to browse through my page and share your thoughts on anything that interests you.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. ​​Hi Blog readers: My latest post, written on Saturday, has received plenty of views but almost no love. I’m looking for some *honest* feedback. I’m guessing it’s “too something” Too preachy, too abrupt, too obvious, too much complaining, etc. ​Could readers please weigh in on whether I’m simply off base on this post​? Does it come off obnoxious?​.​ At 300 words, it’s blissfully short.

    ​https://jefftcann.com/2017/01/21/day-of-patriotism/​

    ​BTW – ​This is a very left leaning post and if that is likely to upset you as a reader, please just skip it… or read it and start a debate on my blog (but not on community pool). Thanks

    Liked by 4 people

    4. You are pretty entertaining with your words and your blog is very well put together, and having once been a conservative I find myself agreeing with your honest opinion of current political issues. It might be that the more political your posts get, the less people will be inclined to share their opinions due to other people’s choices to be rude. Just a thought. I really enjoyed scrolling through your blog. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Week 3 of Everyday Nostalgia is here, and it’s all about how to find (or re-discover) our “Musts”. Although this week’s post is Corey’s personal story, its message is universal. No matter who you are or how old you are, it’s important to follow your heart and live a life filled with love, passion, and intention. We’d love to have you check it out and let us know what you think! Also – what’s your “Must”? https://nostalgiadiaries.com/2017/01/22/week-3-find-your-must-everyday-nostalgia/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Very interesting topic. I would have to go with the wheelchair. I would hate having to give up hiking in my back yard, but I wouldn’t be able to limit myself to only 200 miles.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. Hello!

    So far the people I’ve met here have been nice and encouraging. What I really want for now is for someone to check my blog and look for a flaw… anything, from my writing style to the theme or you may say how crappy my site title and tagline is. As long as it’s honest I’d appreciate it! I grow on constructive criticism so I hope someone can help me here.

    Also, can you answer this: what is your first impression upon your visit?

    Thanks guys!

    Liked by 8 people

      3. When click on your overall home link, it shows that nice page with a title, an image and some beginning text. Most of the images were oversized the first time I went to the site. I started to write to you about that, but when I went back to your site for clarification, everything looked good. Not sure why this is.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. It happened to me too, when When Stories Attack above commented about it and I went to check. It was the only time I saw my homepage like that and like you, I looked again and the images fit in the border then. Anyway, thanks for your time! I really appreciate it.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello! First off, I love love love how your blog looks! It’s one of the most gorgeous ones I’ve ever seen, and I like that it’s a blush/rose color. A lot of pretty blogs are white-themed, and while that’s nice, it seems like everyone does it.

      As for constructive criticism, I’d love to see a separate about page. That’s always what I look at first when I visit a new blog. I read your intro post, and honestly, that would be a great about page. It would just be nice to see a separate link, because that post will get buried.

      Second, I saw that you are planning on posting in specific categories, so a menu up top with links to those categories may make it easier to navigate.

      Overall, though, I love your blog, and you sound like such an interesting person! I followed just based on your intro post, and I’m looking forward to more!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. (Also, sorry to double-comment, but I saw the comment from When Stories Attack below, and I have to say I disagree — I love the huge photos, but I’m also on a computer with a large screen. Probably it just depends.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Hi again! What do you mean by referring to your having a computer with a large screen? If that’s the case then my featured images show up to be too big for its border? Sorry I am just using a phone so I don’t know how it looks on a PC or laptop… Also, if you don’t mind and you know what I’m talking about, may I ask what “px” should I probably use on my images? Currently the image details say they have a width of 2000 px…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Well, when I looked at your blog I was using a desktop Mac, so there was plenty of screen space for me to see all of your content even though your pics are big. I think it’s probably the theme you are using that causes them to default that size, and a lot of websites nowadays use that type of design, where one photo may cover the whole screen until you scroll down. I like how it looks, but I think it’s just an opinion thing.

        As far as px size, I’d probably go with whatever the default for your theme is, but that would be something to ask the WordPress people about. There should be forums discussing how to customize your specific theme.

        Hope that helped a bit.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Why, thank you! I really appreciate your exploring through my blog. Everyone just says “nice post”, “nice theme”, and though I appreciate each one’s feedback, it’s not really much of help if, unlike you, they don’t point out -why- it’s nice. Anyway, I’m definitely going for your suggestions because I think they make sense! 🌻

        Liked by 1 person

    3. I like how each post is presented on a white block–almost like each piece is something you could pick up and read. Your blog name is great too.I’m a fan of your writing style as well. Sorry, not much in the way of critical feedback.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hello Jeff! I never saw my posts as “something you could pick up and read” and you are right! I think that’s a very nice way of describing it, it made me love my blog more… I’m glad you liked it overall. Thank you for taking the time! 🌻

        Liked by 1 person

    4. First impression is that the site looks great. I only read your newest post, which was good, no problems with the way it was written or content. The one thing I did notice was the lack of any side widgets on your page. If your theme supports them, and the more you post, you may want to add social media links, archives, recent posts, a tag cloud etc. I see that you have them at the bottom of your page but for someone to get there, they have to scroll quite a ways, so those side widgets really help.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Hello Robert! That makes so much sense! But unfortunately my theme does not support it. Maybe I’ll just try putting the only 3 categories on my top menu? Or I could reduce the number of latest posts on my homepage so people don’t have to scroll so much to get to the bottom? Or should I just go ditch my current theme and look for one which supports side widgets? What do you think?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. No, don’t ditch the theme, its a nice one. Usually the answer comes from experimenting for the best results. I would hope that at least it supports a ‘Archive’ by month widget somewhere so people can go by month. That and options in the top menu do help. For example I have Photography & Music, Photo Shuffle, Monochrome Mondays…this helps people land where they want to. Don’t worry about getting it perfect right away!

        Liked by 3 people

    5. First impression : *checks blog*
      “Have you really figured it all out?” Err.. not a very catchy title..
      *scroll down*

      “Clouds and conviction”
      Hmm.. whats this?
      *reads*
      .. oh thank god its not 5 million paragraphs long!
      *likes*
      *follows*

      Liked by 5 people

    6. Hi! I like the colour you chose for your blog and your header image is pretty!
      My suggestion is to perhaps introduce yourself a little in the About page. You do a good job explaining what your blog will consist of but we don’t really know who you are!
      P.S. I immediately thought of Harry Potter when I saw your title so I was pleased to know you named it after that!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hello! Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. Though I have a separate post where I wrote about who I am, I think it’s a really good idea if I also include it on the About page of my top menu. Someone suggested that too earlier, so I might really consider that.

        Glad to hear you were able to relate with my site title at once. See you around! 🌻

        Liked by 1 person

    8. Love the colors and design! I see that most of your posts are using the Standard post format. Have you thought about using Libretto’s other post formats that change the appearance of posts on your home page? Libretto has some lovely ones and also some “extras” like pull-quotes. Take a look at Libretto’s theme showcase page.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hello! Thanks for appreciating the design. I haven’t tried most of the extras of my theme yet. But will do on my next posts, especially the pull quotes. Thank you for your help 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I really liked your blog and you touch on many things that writers love and have a challenge with. If you weren’t experiencing these things you wouldn’t be a writer. Good luck! You’re doing really well!

      Liked by 2 people

  19. Hello all!

    Today, I wrote about my reactions to Trump’s inauguration speech. Not a fun subject, but it had to be done. I also included a discussion on Twitter as a news source.

    Thursday’s post will be a much more enjoyable discussion on coffee culture, complete with photos of my mug collection that (gasp!) were not taken with my iPhone. (We can thank my boyfriend for his photography skills.)

    http://www.missionincomplete95.wordpress.com

    Liked by 6 people

    3. That’s a great creation process! Loved the consistency with the “manga” style with the pictures and it was good to know my English teacher wasn’t lying about the narrator selection process and all that stuff 😉

      Liked by 2 people

  23. I’d like to invite everyone to stop by and check out my poem of the week, “Open Wound.” It’s a bit of a darker themed poem. The wound isn’t physical, but emotional. If you like the poem, please click the “like” button on the post page. Comments and feedback are always welcome, and please leave them in the comments section of the post page as well. If you like what you see, feel free to browse around, and follow along so you don’t miss anything as I post several times a week. Thanks in advance.
    Drew

    Open Wound

    Liked by 6 people

  25. Hello,

    This week I wrote about how a simple interaction could play a huge negative role in the lives of budding youngsters: https://thamara.blog/2017/01/22/redefining-ambition-how-to-escape-the-under-achievement-trap/

    This is an observation I made in the Sri Lankan society, I’d love to know if fellow bloggers from around the world have similar stories from their countries as well. I would also like to hear any feedback about improving my writing style 🙂

    Thanks!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Hello! I really enjoyed this post (and also your discussion on curated content). I like your tone and style, and really appreciate that your posts are well-researched. Also, your about page made me laugh.

      Followed, and am hoping your posts aren’t too sporadic because I’d love to read more of your thoughts!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks a bunch! I was inactive for quite some time, but this year I made a resolution to write more often 🙂

        I stopped by your blog, and followed because I found it interesting 🙂 I liked your post about Christianity in particular. I’d love to read more of your stuff as well!

        Like

    3. “Why see in black and white when I can see in colour”… left me speechless. I really needed this, it now makes me view this career thing diferently. Thank you! Your piece of writing is great!

      Liked by 2 people

    4. Nicely written. Very relevant for the Asian subcontinent in general I suppose where even the thought of a broad career spectrum to give enough choices to an aspiring professional is far fetched at the moment.
      Feel free to browse through my page and share your thoughts on anything that interests you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you. I often take most of my shots in both color and monochrome. Sometimes I like the results one way over the other, sometimes equally. Most of the time this view is shown in color though so I’m glad I got it in monochrome. Thank you for the comment!

        Like