Nov 3, 2013 / Community Pool

Community Pool: NaNoWriMo/NaBloPoMo Edition

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).

Welcome to the Community Pool: NaNoWriMo/NaBloPoMo edition! As always, the thread is open for any questions, but we hope those of you participating in a NaMo event will find it a useful space to get feedback and encouragement. 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.

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Participating in NaBloPoMo? Head to BlogHer’s NaBloMoPo Central for more prompts, inspiration, and motivation to help you post every day — in November and beyond!

(Not participating? Why not? Get posting!)

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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    1. @susie81
      Hi there,
      I see you posting here a lot. It seems as if every time you publish a post you may also be posting here and that makes me wonder what you have done to promote your posts. Have you been commenting on posts on blogs with content related to your own content? Have you set up social networking accounts? Those tow steps will assist you with beginning to create relationships with bloggers who publish similar content. Hope this advice helps.

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      1. Hi! Thanks so much for your comment! I put one of my favourite posts here every week because it gives others an opportunity to see them, but I don’t post everything. On average, I write about 10 posts a week but I love the Community Pool! I’ve met lots of different people on here with varied interests too, so that’s another reason why I use it. I have a Twitter account set up recently @suzie81blog and a Tumblr @suzie81blog. I’ve managed to gain several thousand followers so far which has absolutely blown me away…

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      2. I enjoyed your b;log and read several post. I particularly liked 50 rules posts and your 46 Reasons why men and women are amazing posts and the lies you tell students post. I’m now following you. Blog on! 🙂

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      3. I don’t really av much of a clue wot I am doing. I av this urge to rite wenever I c a space inviting me to do so. Wether the content is interesting or informative I very much doubt, still I do it. Wot becomes of anything I rite I am un aware as I am completley new to all this social interactivaty stuff. I let it all go over my head thinking it wud never b relevant 2 me, now I’m bobbing around this digital dreamscape in a haze, trying to pick up any info while leaving my mark werever I can. I thank u for ur input and u can be sure I will take on board wot u say. Again. Thank u

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  2. I’m really into political science and I was wondering how I could get people in my generation more aware of the issues happening and their rights. Also I have a hard time finding things to write about. Writing during the week is also hard with 7 classes

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    1. Sorry if this comes off as rude but you *really* need to change that background to something with a minimal colour scheme and remove the ‘ambitious jackson’ overlay you have. It’s extremely distracting and it doesn’t let me enjoy the content of your blog at all. That’ll be a big step forward. Keep it simple and let your writing be the main feature, not a pink iced doughnut.

      What area of political science are you interested in? If you’re really into it I’m sure you can find more things to write about since pol. science is a pretty broad and interesting field. Maybe you’re more interested in politics than the science behind it?

      Best of luck!

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      1. I agree … you can make the best argument in the world, but if your grammar or presentation (unreadable print on strong background) distracts, then your point will not be made. Hang in there!

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    3. I like that your blog is really consistent in terms of topic and themes. Your readers will know what to expect. i think with consistency, you’re off to a good start and your writing will improve over time. Keep going.

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    4. Why are you “really into” political science? What drew you in? A particular moment in time? One politician? A teacher? A speech? Start with THAT moment, and “stick” that post. Passion will speak to people. As far as your blog layout goes, I have to agree with the previous posts – a simple layout is best. Don’t let anything distract your followers from your words. I love your pictures, but they all look the same. Try to paste them in different shapes and sizes, or as a linked slideshow.
      Good luck with your writing, and with lighting that spark!

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      2. You’re welcome. It’s kind of confusing. I spent HOURS figuring it all out. And my WordPress ID still doesn’t work to leave comments on their site. Good luck. I’m enjoying the challenge so far.

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  6. Hello again, dear Community Pool

    I’m just starting to do the NaBloPoMo thing this month.
    I’ve had a bit of difficulty coming up with interesting posts on a daily basis in the past, so this might be quite interesting to see if I can keep up with it.

    Would totally appreciate it if somebody looked at some of my recent posts and let me know some of their thoughts. Also, once again, anything about the general layout and content and everything would be fantastic.

    Constructive feedback and criticism is always welcomed and appreciated!

    Thanks a lot 🙂

    -Bradley

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  8. No one has to approve of the “theories” of evolution, or (much more complicated) gravity. They believe in you. I do have a question, however. What does “NaBloPoMo” mean? Later…

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    1. It means National Blog Posting Month (I think!). I’ve signed up for it for the first time; I’m not sure I can blog every day but I’ll try 🙂

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  9. I’m going through a tough time in my personal and professional life, unfortunately it’s impossible to avoid this creeping into my blog. I’ve fallen off the consistent updating wagon, but my last post was Freshly Pressed (so awesome, and unexpected, let me tell you) and I’m hoping the momentum will get me back on the wagon.

    I want my posts to be entertaining, well written, and to keep your attention.
    I dread my writing becoming whiney, full of complaints and bitching.

    I’d love feed back that I am indeed achieving the former, not the latter with posts like this-

    The Truth is I’m Not Doing So Well

    Thank you! 🙂

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    1. I just posted on my most recent post that your blog is my favourite! It’s such an inspiration and I’m so glad freshly pressed led me to it! I think your writing is honest and authentic so I think all you should do is keep it that way. I hope things begin to go better for you, but I feel like writing about it will help. 🙂

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    2. Hey New York Cliche, I think your writing is very honest and real, and real writing is one of my absolute favorite things about reading blogs. To me, it didn’t come off as whiny, and it was more entertaining than what I would expect from most blogs about New York. Hope that helps!

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    3. Hi NY Cliche

      I love your blog (not the fact that you’re going through a rough time). Yes, I believe you’re achieving your objectives with your writing. Looks like there’s some consensus there. I’ve also left a comment on your blog.
      As a newbie blogger, this is my first November. I’m not sold on posting daily if you don’t feel like it. Surely quality always beats quantity. But one can presumably write a daily post and only publish some of them. While it wouldn’t be NaBloPoMo, it might still be a useful exercise.

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    1. 🙂 That’s still allowed, V. BlogHer even encourages linking up to other prompts during our 30 days. And, if you have a quiet day, where your normal stuff doesn’t fit– then consider reaching into new types of posts you don’t normally do, or new challenges/prompts you haven’t tried, or just free write. 🙂 It’s more about consistency in posts than content.

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  15. Technical help please. I want to post several articles in one post and want to use the ‘more’ tag. I’ve figured out how to do that after first paragraph but how do I then move on to next article immediately after ‘more’? At the moment I can only have article two appearing at the start of the ‘more’ section for article one. I’d really appreciate some help. Thank you.

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  16. I’ve started NaBloPoMo, I decided to write to a theme as I was terrified of having to think of something to write every day, and the normal theme for my blog (my newly formed family) doesn’t give me enough to write about every day; for some reason the kids have stopped being outrageous. As I’ve had 35 jobs in my life so far, and each one has seemed memorable to me, I’m writing about one each day. I hope this is within the rules?! I’m really enjoying remembering all of the characters I met in each place I worked.

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  18. I would love your opinion and insight, please. I am a sighted person, and my protagonist is blind. Do you think that’s bad form? Like, that my story will suffer or not be realistic because I”m writing from a privileged position? How can I do it with respect? I’m doing some research online about the daily life of people who are blind, and maybe little things they do to help themselves, and my protagonist is not a ninny. I just want to be respectful. Thoughts?

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    1. Perhaps enlist the help of someone who is blind, and then give credit to those who edited for realism and offense? There are usually local institutes, and (though I don’t know if he’d have time for it), I know BuffaloTom is blind (like my papa) and is quite supportive of shaking the preconceived notions people have. Tom’s blog is: http://buffalotompeabodyblog.wordpress.com/ and he’s quite friendly!

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  19. Greetings! Am looking for feedback on my blog. I don’t focus on a specific topic, but instead just whatever comes to mind that day. I am working to improve my writing style and open myself up more as I struggle to finish my first book. I feel like my book just isn’t reaching the personal and emotional level that I want it to. I have always avoided critique and criticism on my writing and can’t improve without the opinions of others. Thank you so much for your help.

    http://ataleoftrex.wordpress.com

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  22. hello fellows, as for NaNoWriMo/NaBloPoMo I was wandering if these are exclusive for American people, can anybody from Asia for example participate in this challenge?

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      1. Well, no one can stop you from accepting the challenge, wherever you live. 🙂 But there are prizes offered for both, and those have exclusions. You can still link up with BlogHer, though, at least… that’s what it looks like from the comment section. 🙂 I hope that helps!

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    1. Hi Jillian – I started a blog – on Blogger – seventeen months ago, and transferred to WordPress at the end of July this year. In that year and a half, I have written 540 posts! A tad OTT, I know. In answer to your question, I – and several other people I know – write seven days a week. Addictive, this blogging business. Alienora

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      1. Wow! You are a champion. For this month I’m going to go 7 days a week and then see how I feel after that. It’s tough juggling so many things! I hope I can handle it like you!

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      3. Hi everyone, I’m relatively new to WordPress and I would appreciate it so much if you could give me some feedback on my blog. I would be happy to give some feedback in return. Thank you!

        Kayelynngilbert.wordpress.com

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  26. What’s up fellow bloggers – I just wrote a new article titled ’10 biggest travel writing cliches you should never use again’. Let me know if there’s any I missed…

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      1. Superb! Thoroughly enjoyed reading, and guffawing at, your splendid scathe; I quite agree – and would like to add another complete bottom-acher used far too often by those who should know better. Wait for it: Iconic. When used wrongly (and when isn’t it?!), the phrase – and its witless progenitor – has me reaching for the meat cleaver, albeit metaphorically…
        When any travel writing contains ‘iconic’, I will be sure to give THAT place a miss…
        Alienora

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      2. Haha, love it – thanks for reading! Iconic is a cracker, annoyed that I missed it now! ‘Rural’ is another one that just missed the cut…sick of it

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  29. Writing posts is not the problem. The problem I face is getting ANYTHING up on these community sites! I have tried everything (apart from Morris Dancing and Newt Sexing) in my three months on WP – but, I seem to be bringing my own version of a Black Hole with me wherever I go. Things disappear (like Biros, or socks, or loose change) down the great Sofa of Literary Endeavour, never to be seen again. Any ideas?
    I am attempting to do the NaBloPoMo – and, thus far, it has been like slamming my head against a patio slab…repeatedly!

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  30. I’d love feedback on my blog in general, I get a lot of views, but not a lot of likes, comments, or other interactions. Is it lacking a cohesivenesd or is there something others do to get people to interact more?

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