Jul 20, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

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 . .

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.

  • 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. If you simply leave a link to your blog, it’s likely to be overlooked.
  • 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.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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  1. WordPress chums!
    Anyone out there who is a freelancer/self employed person? I would LOVE to hear any advice you have about such a career move! I recently challenged myself to become employed; have a look see – http://laugraeva.wordpress.com/ ; and am continuously having ups and downs, and changing my mind about the whole darn thing!
    Plus – anyone who happens to look at my little blog answer me this: What should I do to improve my writing skillzzz?
    I’ll do yours if you do mine!
    Cheers lovelies 😀

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I am a freelance writer. It’s definitely difficult to find work a lot but once you get that going and set a few regulars, it definitely pays more than a regular job does.
      You’ve got a good blog 😀 I feel like the theme is very simple though.. 🙂
      Cheers 🙂 Have a good week

      Liked by 3 people

      2. I started sending resumes everywhere. A few replied and we decided to test it out a couple of times. And you sync with some people’s expectations and you don’t with the others. You just make sure you maintain a relationship with the ones who like the writing and keep going.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Did you study writing as well? (Sorry if I’m being nosy, I’m very interested in how people get to where they are, and I’m a bit jealous!) 🙂

        Like

      6. I live in India. I studied elsewhere (I keep that place private).
        Mass Communication is interesting if you love what you’re studying. I absolutely loved it so I couldn’t wait to get to class. I guess it really depends.

        Like

      7. Ooh cool! I will have to look that up. You’ve really helped with your advice and so on, so thank you 🙂

        Like

      9. Hey.. just on an added note – if you’re looking to be a freelancer, try Facebook. There are many pages like “media jobs” “writing jobs” where people looking for jobs and people who have vacancies post such things and you will find plenty of opportunities there. 🙂

        Like

    2. Hi! I’m a freelance translator and home tutor for italian and english language. Couple of years ago, I was working as a teacher in a private school. At the very begining I must tell you that working for someone and be selfemployed both have some advantages and disadvantages. Too many people think that a selfemployed person has more free time. That’s not true. You have to be extremly well-organised and responsable to be a free lancer.
      This is my travel blog, take a look, I will appreciate any feedback.
      Have a nice day!
      http://madreperlablog.wordpress.com/

      Like

      1. Hi! Yes I am totally seeing some of the disadvantages of self employment at the moment!
        And I love the sound of the ski holiday in the French Alps! We have a ski slop thing locally, maybe I should start learning and go on an awesome ski holiday! 🙂

        Like

    3. hey there! I enjoyed your little piece about procrastination, she is indeed a hearltess wench, and that hoe aint loyal neither. As per freelancing, go for it! Your blog has an easy to read style which is always a nice appeal 🙂

      Like

      1. Hello! Aw thank you, I do appreciate that.
        Yeah procrastination is such a tease, she lures you in and then 14 hours of Sims, Pinterest, and Netflix later you’re like WTF why is it 11 o clock at night?!

        Like

    5. Hi laugraeva. I’m a freelance writer. I think I’ve posted on your blog posts in the past. I started working on odesk and elance. Though the money is lower than you might get searching purely in the real world, there are hundreds of jobs posted every day. There’s more work, but on average lower pay per job. Give them a go!

      Like

      6. It took me about 2 months to get my first job but a couple followed in quick succession. Once you get off the ground with a work history and a rating, it gets easier and you can stand demanding higher rates.

        Like

      8. Hello mgm75, I’ve also experienced odesk and elance. It’s definitely a decent starting point, plus it’s better than nothing. It also gave me exposure other assignments, so I’m slowly making my way up!

        Like

    7. To improve your writing skills, get a well organized mentor who knows more than you, do some research on your topic before diving into a project, learn how to create a good, thorough outline that is subject to change (at least you have a plan)..bounce it off your mentor. Don’t let pride get in the way…if you are asking for help now..don’t be too proud to ask for a second pair of eyes. Try asking God for help…He is a good author. And finally, never turn down any one asking for help. Be blessed and always thank God.

      Like

    1. Hmmmmm I think perhaps not, as there are probably several people out there just as compatible as another. However, I do think that it is rare to come across one of them, so you should hold tight and appreciate your luck. And I believe in fate!
      (This is basically a declaration of love to Honk-a-donk!)

      Like

      2. Haha! We were actually saying the other day how weird it is that we basically owe our relationship to WordPress!

        Like

    2. I don’t believe in soulmates in the sense that the soulmate is the one you’re meant to marry and be with. I have a best friend who I truly believe is my other half and my soulmate in the sense that there is nothing that could ruin our friendship. We have gone through a lot of things together but in the end we have remained close friends. Soulmates exist, but the definition might not be what society defines it as…in my opinion.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Hi there, just had a quick skim through your blog, and it had some interesting points. But personally I don’t think it matters, all that matters is that if someone finds who they believe is their soulmate than more power to them. Who are we to tell them they are wrong? And what’s wrong with being happy? 😉

      Liked by 1 person

    4. No I don’t believe in the existence of romantic soulmates. Neither does my hubby. On one hand, we have been together for over 30 years. On the other, except for 3 couple all our friends who do believe in the myth have divorced and have had multiple partners. I have blogged on this too. Love the one you’re with

      Like

    6. Soulmates presumes that we live within an eternal reality in which higher spheres of being have discretion with respect to our temporal, or temporary mortal existence. This is within the realm of what Jesus is experiencing and teaching and since we believe we could well be Jesus reborn (based on extensive testing of that possibility, without any reason to doubt our experience) and since to be reborn as Jesus requires we be reborn to the same Mother and family in our modern incarnation, we support the belief.

      The belief becomes complicated because it means Herod and Caiaphas are also back and our life does support that too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caiaphas

      You likely hope someone somewhere has prepared your love match and to that we say, Pray to Jesus and He will keep His promise and will answer you.

      Like

    1. I really like this post. I feel like you make a good point, invite readers to participate in the conversation (even without stating a direct question, or maybe that’s just me, wanting to jump into the conversation). However — I had to read the Home page, the About page, and some of the posts to understand what the blog is… I see that it’s about your writing process, and I assume to serve as a platform for you as authors (for the story you hope to publish)… I’d tweak the “Home” page a little bit to make it more clear that you are not publishing the story on the blog, but writing about the experience of creating (and pursuing publication) for the story.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Hey everyone!
    I have been doing a range of personal and teacher type posts over the past few weeks that I’d love feedback on. Which do you think are stronger? Should I have the on different sites? They usual.
    I also have a really new theme so feedback on hat would be great.
    But ant general feedback would be wonderful!
    You can find me at http://www.newteacherlife.wordpress.com
    Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful blogs too.
    Sare x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi! Definitely your life and teaching posts should stay together, because of the common approach you use. Right now they both are a collection of feelings you have just about everything. But if you decide to go seriously about your teaching posts, specifically related with your profession, you should indeed keep them far from the everyday picture-jokes that are the actual core of your articles. The audience might become different.
      I don’t know how much the funny pics collections and the women’s magazine like articles represent you. Is this how you are, or is it just your literary approach?

      Good luck with your blog!

      Like

      1. I don’t really know I’m just experimenting with different things that I’ve found interesting and have inspired me I guess…
        You don’t sound very impressed with everything! But thanks for the feedback 🙂 x

        Like

    1. I think everyone at some point in their life has been through that type of situation. Emotions have a funny way of being a real pain in the rear end… I enjoyed your writing style. It’s easy to understand and the topic is very relatable.

      Can you check my blog out?
      http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you! I think transparency is important in a blog. I’m just an average person with funny stories to tell.

        Like

    1. Over-use of animation in PowerPoint presentations is just so unprofessional looking! Bah! My uni lecturer used to do it all the time!

      Like

    1. You have the ability to write more, and you know it. I loved it but I wanted to see more. I had time for two more paragraphs. Lol. I’d like to see you profoundly speak of the two, speak of the things you do (of how you’re living and not just existing) and show the reader either that he’s doing a good job with his life or that he is a stupid robot that lives a monotonous “life”. Very good but I know you can write a whole lot more.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ahh you caught me! True, I did catch what I call a “Writer’s block disease” the day I wrote this post. In a few years, I’ll go back to it and update it. (My opinion may change then…) Thank you for the feedback!

        Like

    2. Hi Cathy! I read your post with great interest as I thought it touched on something I was looking to publish soon, I do totally agree with you in that there is a great difference between just surviving and living.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha, me too. Every now and then I realize that I’m watching too many movies in a day, or not going outside for a bit.. Anyway. Thanks a bunch for the comment! 🙂

        Like

    4. I agree with others. This is too short, what is it… 400 words? This is the sort of subject I would want to get my teeth into, sit and read over a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday morning.

      This is something that a lot of people are evaluating in light of the last economic crisis: we work ourselves to the bone so big businesses and government can throw it all away. We’re sacrificing our happiness for stuff that doesn’t matter. There’s a lot more you can do with this post. 🙂

      Like

      1. I enjoyed your post, there is a log of truth in that: living versus existing. Unfortunately, it is easy to fall in to just existing. I agree I want to live. Would like to have read more.

        Like

  9. Hey everyone. I’d like you to take a look at my latest article, which is a short review of Awakenings (1990) mixed with a tribute to Robert DeNiro. I was wondering about how well the writing is, as well as the relevance of the subject matter. Should I do more of this? Thank you everyone!!
    http://neatl.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Horror – I checked out your blog as I’m a huge horror fan. Good to see a review of Freddy Krueger up there! Was a huge fan and collected all the straight to video movies. Comedy gold!

      I would personally advise against the red font – I see what you’re trying to do there with the gore theme, but it’s a bit too much for me. Also, chunk the bigger paragraphs into more readable bite sized passages. It will read better.

      Hope that helps!

      Like

      1. Some people do tell me that the red strains the eyes a bit, but some others although it may be a little hard to read like it. I am debating real hard whether to take it off or not, but idk. I will start so make my passages smaller, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the advice!

        Like

    1. Oof, I got chills reading about it. Good post! My one suggestion would be to maybe include a bit more history since unfortunately not everyone knows much about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. You did a nice job conveying the emotional horror of visiting, but I think for those who don’t know much about the history might be impacted more by your post if you provide a bit more background, even just a short paragraph or a few sentences. I enjoyed the post though, and I hope one day to visit myself. You’re right that it is important to go and be impacted by these types of places, so we don’t forget and will hopefully be even more moved to fight wrongs in our own lives.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Hey everyone!

    I’m interested in getting feedback on my writing! Please check out my blog at http://tinablogsalot.wordpress.com and feel free to browse around! I also write for music/entertainment website, BUZZNET, where I incorporate my love for writing and music. Link is at the top of the page.

    Thank you and I look forward to hearing your feedback! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tina,

      I like your blog and your writing style.

      Very hard for me to find any constructive criticism. The only thing I would say (and it is probably just my own personal taste preference here) is where scrolling to the bottom of the page releases a bunch more posts (to infinity I guess?). This is a lot of information to load onto a single page. Maybe a snippet of previous posts with an option to drill into for further reading would be a suggestion?

      Again, clutching at straws to find faults though. Clearly you’re doing something right with the following you have. Great job!

      Aidan

      Like

    1. I like the way you define the differences. In a relationship it’s so easy to get caught up in someone and feelings can be hard to really define.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Hi Guys.

    Curious to know if my blog posts in general read OK on mobile devices and tablets. I’m worried about pictures sizing correctly with the text.

    Thanks in advance!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Charlie,

      Congrats on jumping head first into the blogging world. Ensure you get the essential tabs up there on your blog, namely the About You, Home and Contact Section, so we can understand the motivation and theme of your blog.

      Plenty of fantastic info on the forums and don’t be scared to reach out. Best of luck!

      Aidan

      Like

      1. Thank you Aidan, I have been trying to update but it seems everytime I come back to it all though I have saved changes they do not appear! I will have another go tomorrow, it’s late here!

        Charlie

        Like

  21. I think the point you make of cheap writing is definitely something every good writer needs to think about. How can we hope to have loyal readers if what we write is hardly above mediocre quality? I like your post.

    Like

  22. I started my new cooking blog yesterday and I am not really sure if I like the layout. Although I am wondering if it will interest anybody, after all most of it will be just my recipes. I would appreciate your feedback and your critic. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi Ladybug,

      I’m not really into cooking but wanted to offer some thoughts on your blog. I liked it! You already have whipped it into a nice shape considering you started so recently. I like your photos.

      Constructive criticism – Your About Section. Instead of one body of text, I would encourage you to break it into paragraphs to make it more digestible for the reader. Another tiny thing would be the ingredients for your recipes – you double line space between each item. That was something I also did without knowing it. I feel that a list reads and looks better without the spacing. Hold Shift + Return for a single line jump.

      Hope this helps!
      Best of luck

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for taking your time to look at my blog. I have no idea what I am doing wrong, but when I change my public profile it shows paragraphs and after I save it it shows everything in one blog. What am I doing wrong? I will take care of the spacing…thank you!

        Like

    3. Hi,
      I love cooking and this article was very interesting. I’m with you about making things from scratch, but, never thought about making my own bouillon.
      As for the format of the blog, it seems pleasant, and home like. I’ve started following it; looking for more great ideas like this recipe.

      Like

    1. Hi! A couple of quick suggestions. First, I would update your tagline so it’s not a generic WordPress one. Second, I would pay some attention to your widgets. My tips there would be to add the follow via email widget, remove the recent posts widget (just my personal preference, but I don’t feel that it is necessary since your landing page is your recent posts), and remove the meta widget (since it is not really helpful to people looking at your blog). I would also expand your about page – I would tell a little more about yourself, why you’re writing this blog, etc. People are usually curious about the person behind the blog. 🙂 Anyway, I hope this is helpful! I think you have a great header photo by the way!

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hi Mad,

      As a Travel Blog, are you documenting where you’ve been or where you are going? If it’s the latter, maybe some sort of calendar of upcoming travel destinations.

      Best of Luck
      Aidan

      Like

  24. Hi WordPressers,
    Here’s the link to my blog, where I talk about life from the perspective of the twenty-year-old that I am and combining it with a sountrack that would go along with my life.
    https://soundtracksfortwentysomethings.wordpress.com/

    I really love writing, and sharing my ideas about life without holding anything back. So, I am really hoping to get better at this in time. If you have any ideas for me or advice, I’d be the happiest!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I like your blog idea! As a college student I can definitely relate to the music and it cracks me up. Let’s hear it for the twenty-somethings and the life experiences we’re getting ourselves into! Haha.
      Would you check out my blog?
      http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

      Like

      1. Thank you so much! I’m so glad you can relate to it, and I’m even more glad to hear that it cracks you up! I live for laughter 🙂
        I just read the couple most recent posts you had and they are hilarious 🙂 Looking forward to read more and thank you for the follow!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi! I really like this blog idea; combining music and personal insights into a single post. It’s great! I will definitely keep up with it. Feel free to check out my blog!
      hijklmnopaul.wordpress.com

      Like

      1. Thank you Paul! I’m happy to know you’ll be keeping up with my blog 🙂
        I was just looking at your blog, and I love the style of your writing. I’ll be reading!

        Like

  25. Hello guys, I’m a newbie here (Just joined a few hours ago) and I would be greatly honored if any of you could take the time to have a look at my blog: http://manoftwoworlds.wordpress.com/
    I’m looking for feedback about both my writing style as well as general blog layout and such.
    I’m using the free version of wordpress, and was wondering if there’s anyway to add things like favicons, or anything to make my blog a bit more personal?
    Much obliged.
    http://manoftwoworlds.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Hey using blogging as a way to express yourself is a great thing! A writing suggestion would be to break up your paragraphs more. It makes it slightly easier to read, and since it’s a blog the looser format is easier. Write about what makes you happy, what ticks you off, or honestly about whatever you want. That’s the beauty of blogging.

      Like

      1. Thanks for the feedback! I’m working on the paragraph thing, I think I have a very casual approach to format, which is a problem if I want to appeal to a larger audience. By the way your piece on Ben & Jerry is hilarious!

        Like

      2. Thank you! I’m glad you liked the piece. Feel free to browse my other posts. I am always appreciative of feedback!

        Like

      3. collegelady17, I just checked out your blog. It looks great! I think your content is interesting and the layout looks really good. 🙂

        Like

      5. No, I don’t. I’ve been moving real slow with that. 😦 Right now I’m on Google plus and Pinterest. Please feel free to follow me there or here on wordpress!

        Like

    4. Vasu, liked your post and the tour it gave me. Writing style is relaxed and easy to read. I’d suggest some deeper descriptions of what your eyes saw so we can see what you did. Great work keep it up!

      Like

      1. Thank you! I always enjoy getting feedback 🙂 I’m making more entries to put up shortly, and will use your tips in the writing process! Thanks again

        Like

    1. PlaSci – Enjoyed the dark and sad poem, typically I like to find the positive in darkness and death or allow my reader to feel a warmth as it comes to a close. Of course this is a personal choice not so much writing style. Keep it the moving work.

      Like

      1. Thanks for reading. That’s a good point. I should have given the reader some hope although I wasn’t feeling any at that moment. Anyway, I rectified my mistake in the comments. Thanks again.

        Like

    1. Hi Poseidons,

      Looks good. The one small thing I would query is the big white spaces beside the images of books. Is there some way you can expand the image or bend text around it? It just looks a little striking to me to have wasted space.

      Best of Luck!
      Aidan

      Like

  28. Hello everyone , I want to you all to visit my blog , aat least to read my latest post , about a six year old transgender’s mother , giving a fucking perfect speech about her child . it is definitely a must watch . Please watch and share. I promise it would make a difference in your own world ; in the way you see people . please watch the video

    http://priyankakanagaraj.wordpress.com/

    Like

  29. Hello everyone!! I am about to be a senior in college and just started blogging a little over a month ago. I’ve mad much progress so far. I’m most interested in receiving critiques on two recent posts, ‘Don’t Be Argumentative And Ill-Informed’ and ‘Setting Sights On My Future Career’
    If you want a couple views on your blog or some critique, let me know I am more than willing to read YOUR blog and help you gain a new perspective!
    Thank you!

    -Mykul

    https://mykulmitch.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really enjoyed your post about ill-informed arguers. I can’t stand to see people arguing over politics on Facebook when they don’t have any proof or sensible points… As for Chick-fil-a, I go there for the chicken and honey roasted BBQ sauce(that’s the bomb) not the politics.
      Feel free to check out my blog: http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Melissa,

      Interesting topic and best of luck with your blogging adventure. Some of the graphics seem to have fallen out of your white blogroll. It looks a little out of synch to me to. First impressions were that the Relish the Reading picture above your post was an advertisement which confused me.

      Aidan

      Like