Sep 8, 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. Hello,
      I think the message it sends is just wonderful. It seems similar to the base of my blog, too. I guess my only question (not to you specifically but to me, you, and anyone else who tries to keep an open mind) is why is anyone “wrong?”

      As for your comment here, yes! This blogging is surprisingly fun! I decided I enjoy it so much because blogging gives me the opportunity to write and unlimited reading material. I may never go to the library again! 😉 (Ha! I totally will…but reading blogs is certainly saving me gas on multiple library trips.)

      Like

    1. The bilingual thing is definitely a good idea for you. I’d recommend that you keep it in the format of English first then Japanese since most of your readers are probably accustomed to English.

      Keep it up 🙂

      Like

      1. That’s the plan. I only know a bit of Japanese, so it’ll be something I’ll add on over time.

        Thank you very much for the thoughtful input!

        Like

    2. As someone who’s attempted bilingual blogs for a long time, I can tell you from experience that it’s fun, but also very tiring and time-consuming and, most of time, very under-appreciated. :S Specially when it comes to Japanese! At least, that’s been my experience. In any case, I wish you the best of luck and, if your posts are shorter than mine were, you’ll probably suffer a lot less that I did. ;D 頑張って下さい！

      Like

  7. Hello Blogging Friends!

    I’ve been at this almost a month now and am loving it! My blog is about friendships that don’t make sense: my Chihuahua & his Pit bull BFF, me (Christian) and that Pit bull’s owner (Atheist). I aim for humor and encouragement without being preachy.

    I decided to expand my horizons and have Pierre (my Chihuahua) speak up and give his perspective every now and then.

    Did I capture the “voice” of a Chihuahua in this post (my first attempt), or are there any other elements I could have captured? http://farfetchedfriends.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/paws-for-thought-reflections-from-pierre/

    Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback! 😀

    Like

    1. Ha, that was awesome. Really enjoyed that 🙂

      Writing wise, I’d calm down a little on the strikethroughs. I understand why they’re there but you want to keep the reader in the mindset of the mighty chihuahua (that’s so difficult to spell) and the random strikethroughs just take me out of that mindset briefly.

      Great stuff. Definitely put a smile on my face.

      Like

      1. Thanks for the feedback! I will keep the strikethroughs to one per post.
        I was thinking I was getting a little crazy with them. 🙂

        Glad it is otherwise okay.

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    1. It’s definitely a good topic and I think you should expand on it a bit! It’s actually quite similar to something I’m writing currently.

      In my opinion, achieving things doesn’t require you to lose any sense of enjoyment.

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    1. It all makes sense and it’s a good read.

      I think there might be a few words missing in some of the sentences but it’s nothing big. You did a good job of getting your excitement across. I’m glad you got to experience it 🙂

      Like

    1. Love the art.
      My only feedback would be that with a quick glance of your blog, it seems you favor edgy, mythical, scary, and/or darker themes? If so, I think the art in the header may be a little cheery for your genre. Of course, there could be a reason for that and if so, I’m sorry for missing it.

      Other than that, I’m from Phoenix so I have to ask if the goatee on your self-caricature is a phoenix? If so, that totally fits your vibe and I love it! Very clever.
      (If not, sorry…guess I’m missing a lot this morning. LOL)
      Vanessa

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      2. Dean, I am quite fascinated by the art. There was one pic in particular, like a dark angel, in blues red and black. Could you do a phoenix in this style, and how much would you charge? I would love to have seen some captions by the pics, btw, unless I just didn’t follow it well. I am new to this blogging stuff. Thanks…

        Like

    1. Catchy blog name – I like it!
      Your latest post is good. It is a call for the reader to accept responsibility and stop placing blame.
      Well done!

      Like

      3. Got it now thanks, what a beautiful family you have and a great family stories. I know what you mean about coming home. I served in the Air Force and so did my son and he went to the first Gulf war.
        The only thing that you could change is that each post given its on page like mine, saves scrolling down.
        My blogs are http://www.rainbow-photography.net which is an on going rebuild of my photography and http://www.mysoresoul.co.uk is all me and what I get up to 🙂

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      5. if you go to settings then reading, change the front page displays to static page and then choose the page from the drop down you want people to see. Then every post you make will have its own area like mine…….I think 🙂

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    1. It’s rather difficult to know, from a glance, what your blog’s focus/focuses are. I think it would help if you had more images up and perhaps a tag cloud. That way people could tell from a glance what to expect from your blog. As it is now the reader has to search around to figure out what you’re blogging about. In our fast-paced society, readers make judgments about whether to spend their precious time on your site.

      I wasn’t sure, when I first went to your blog, what the name KidprepJay meant. I gathered, after some investigation, that it’s your nickname. Perhaps you may want to call the blog something else, to clue your readers in on either what the nickname means or what content they can expect to see.

      Also, I’m from the US, so I’m not familiar with what the DVLA is, from your most recent post. I’m not sure who exactly your target audience is, but if it includes people outside of Great Britain you may want to explain what the acronym is.

      Otherwise, it seems like a thoughtful blog, and I like how you are really up on current events and how you really put forth your opinion on what’s happening in the world today. You seem like an intelligent and passionate person from your entries, and one who is a good friend. I’m sure that your followers and readers enjoy your work and your friendship.

      Like

    1. Hi, just read your blog and I really enjoyed it! I loved the idea for making your own deep dish pizza at home, I never would have thought of using a deep skillet. =) Thanks!

      Like

  22. Hi! I’m new to WordPress and Blogging in general, please take a look at my blog and let me know what you think! It will be much appreciated =)
    lifebeinggirly.wordpress.com

    Like

  23. Hello everyone!

    I am a new blogger, and I wanted to know what you thought of the layout of my blog, as well as the content that is on it. (http://ncbek.wordpress.com)
    Things I would like considered –
    1. Is the onslaught of posts on the main page distracting, and would it be more beneficial to just have the latest post?
    2. Is the content up to your standards? (Writing is a hobby but I can always improve)

    3. What is your favorite poem on my page. And what do you get from it.
    My favorite is Change, but a lot of my friends like letters home.

    Thank you!!!
    ~N
    ———————————-
    Poetry is the twitter messages of past, present and future crazed visionaries

    http://ncbek.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. Very touching and well-written story. =) I wish everyone to have that kind of love that follows them to old age, until the day we pass on. I know my grandparents had that, and it’s really inspiring to love someone!

      Like

  25. I am thinking of trying to turn my blog into a book. It is the story of the love letters my father wrote to my mother starting in 1937 through his time overseas in WWII. I am not talking about a few letters but a while suitcase of them. Since it was written for my blog I would love some input in what I will need to do to get it ready to submit to a publisher. I am almost done with the story and 80 chapters later it is VE-day and he still has no sign of going home, only rumors. I really want to preserve the story of the 35th Quartermaster and their role in the war.

    Any input is welcomed

    World War II Chapter 1 The Adventure Begins

    and the latest chapter

    World War II, chapter 80, Butch

    Like

  27. Hi. Not sure I’m in the right place here but wanted some advice on how I get my blog noted and read by the Mental Health community… Specifically, by recovery sites and Eating Disorders.
    Can anyone offer any advice?
    Many thanks.

    Like

    1. To get your blog noted you have to add precisely thoughtful content and also visit and comment on other’s blogs. It will help you gain fellowship and friends both. you should find blogs related to the topics you want to cover and discover more for yourself.

      Like

  29. I wrote this poem the other night after seeing an old crush for the first time in a while and I can’t tell if it’s finished or if it still needs something. Let me know what you think!

    Saw you again tonight
    and you were as beautiful in your uniform
    as you were at prom last year

    But tonight was different
    I no longer feel a rush of joy
    when you say my name
    there were no sparks flying
    or butterflies in my stomach

    there was just a numb feeling
    not even friendly warmth
    I guess we’re just falling
    falling out of love

    Like

  30. I wrote this poem the other night after seeing an old crush for the first time in a while and I can’t tell if it’s finished or if it still needs something. Let me know what you think!

    Saw you again tonight
    and you were as beautiful in your uniform
    as you were at prom last year

    But tonight was different
    I no longer feel a rush of joy
    when you say my name
    there were no sparks flying
    or butterflies in my stomach

    there was just a numb feeling
    not even friendly warmth
    I guess we’re just falling
    falling out of love

    Like