Jul 27, 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. Hi Aul. I liked the analysis and enjoyed reading your blog. But it seemed to be written by two different people at times, one was very factual and philosophical and the other more light hearted and attempting humour so it didn’t quite flow. The tone became more relaxed towards the end and it seemed more comfortable so perhaps you just needed to get in the swing.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s very insightful. I changed the writing style because the “gameshow” started. And at the end, I was kind of in a rush. I think that’s cool that you could tell!
        Thanks for the comment!
        Aul

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hey Aul! Your post was quite enjoyable. I think you should work out your tone though, because at some points it’s a little mixed up between the humor and the seriousness. Find a good balance that you like, that represents your voice, and let that govern the entire post. 🙂
      (by the way, I do love Frodo Baggins! He’s definitely my favorite on the list!)
      Also, it would be really cool if you wrote about some heroes that people didn’t really know about. Or characters that don’t always seem heroic, but ones that you see heroic qualities in. 🙂
      That’s all! Hope it helps! Happy writing! 🙂

      Like

      1. Thanks for the comment and compliment! Yes, I agree that I did switch between a humorous tone and a serious one…I felt like it was hard to be one or the other when I wanted the post to be funny and yet meaningful. You’re right though, I should choose one or the other.
        That’s insightful; i should write about heroes not too many people know about! Thanks again for everything and I hope you stop by again!
        Aul

        Like

      2. No problem! I’ll keep reading to see how it goes 🙂 and don’t worry . . . If you want it to be meaningful but funny, I’m sure you’ll find a way 🙂 you don’t have to chose one or the other! Make your own voice that balances both!
        One of the nicest pieces of writing advice I’ve had was to write the way you speak. Not necessarily how you speak out loud to people, but how you sound inside your head. 🙂

        Like

      3. Thank you 🙂
        I have also heard that piece of advice. The thing is, the voice in my head can sound quite different depending on my mood.
        Haha oh well 🙂
        Aul

        Like

  2. Hi WordPress lovelies and lover 😉
    I have changed my blog around a bit; made a menu and a welcoming page; to try and make it look a bit more professional-ish…? What do you think? Good now or better before? Take a look-see: http://laugraeva.wordpress.com/
    I’ll do yours if you do mine!
    Cheers me hearties

    Liked by 1 person

      2. I know, that’s the hard thing! The About/Welcome page was the hardest for me to write on my blog too. Maybe you could throw in a bullet list of random facts about yourself, if that’s what you like (I’d like it). Or maybe showcasing your best posts on the welcome page as links, or even better, linked images?

        Like

      1. Thank you 🙂
        Your blog looks awesome – super professional looking, but welcoming at the same time.
        I’m your new follower!

        Like

      2. Thanks so much for taking the time to look and join. If in the future you have any constructive criticism feel free to speak up. I’ll do the same

        Like

    5. Hey there! I can’t compare with before but I think it is a bit simple. Also, I would suggest to direct the readers directly to your content instead of the personal page. Hope this helps 🙂

      Like

    6. Hey there! First, let me say this: I love your header thingy, especially the colors! 🙂
      I read your post on procrastination (nice, by the way! 🙂 ) and I think the colors and design go well with matching the cool, creative vibe you’ve got going. I like!
      The only thing is… the way your other photos on the page (the bucket list, the wise owl…) come down in a line like that doesn’t quite agree with my eyes. Maybe you could make it a little more creative, like put the writing at the side instead of below the picture (just a suggestion)… or maybe …fix it in a way that pops and shows your creativity a bit more.
      Hope this helps! Happy writing! 🙂

      Like

      1. Thank you!
        And yeah I just added those picture links today – couldn’t quite work out how to make it look pretty!
        🙂

        Like

    1. The layout is really cool and has a very chill vibe to it. I like the colors and the ease of reading the content. The content itself is very eccentric and unique. It definitely has an artistic feel that is great to see! Overall you have a cool blog.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so very much! Your kind words are deeply appreciated. 🙂

        I enjoyed your blog as well; I find the layout to be organized in a most pleasing manner, and the content to be quite intriguing!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Why, thank you! I, too, enjoy reading more about the person behind the words.
        Your blog and ‘About’ page I find to be interesting as well. You take beautiful photographs!

        Like

    3. Hi there! 🙂
      Your layout is nice. It matches the very deep, cool, artsy vibe I get from your blog. Your content, I must say is very unique. I like it a lot from what I read so far (The Art of the Chameleon, Her Spirit Wishes to Soar), You write with a beautiful voice.
      I like it!
      Happy writing! 🙂

      Like

      1. Your comment completely made my day! You’ve no idea how deeply I appreciate your words. Thank you! 🙂

        Like

    1. It doesn’t feel very summery, but I’m liking the colors overall. Your pictures are really cool and I like the vibe overall!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. hey, you got instagram there!
      and also checked your blog.
      you’ve got a clean look- i’ll give you that.
      but since your blog has mainly photos, i would say a grid view would have been better.
      but then i’m just a beginner- so you know best

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yep, I like my Instagram widget a lot 🙂 I love grid layouts and the only reason I’m not using it — yet — is that I think my photos are not good enough to pull it off 😦 That’s however a great point to think about more! Thanks for your feedback!

        Like

      1. Thanks so much for your feedback! I guess you’re right, my blog looks autumn-ish rather than summer-ish now. I tried even brighter and warmer colours, but they were too hard on the eye. But it’s great to hear that you like the overall look. Happy summer!

        Like

    4. Hi Mara. I didn’t get “summery” when I looked at your home page because the woods in the picture looked like early spring. It IS a nice look though regardless of season 🙂

      Like

      1. Thank you for your feedback, Ben! True, the picture is from early spring — it so happens that I’m always a season behind with editing my photos! — so I see that the overall result was not what I wanted in the first place, but I’m glad that it’s OK on the whole 🙂 Happy blogging!

        Liked by 1 person

    5. Hey there! 🙂
      Well, I do love how it looks! It just doesn’t feel summery to me. (Maybe if you changed the background color from black to something else that goes well with your other colors, you may achieve more summery-ness).
      But honestly, it looks great!
      Happy Writing!

      Like

      1. Thanks so much for tuning in and giving me your feedback! I tend to agree with you — my look is not summery 😦 I was experimenting with brighter, fresher and lighter backgrounds, as you suggest, but I didn’t like it personally. So I guess I’ll have to go with my non-summery look after all! Happy writing to you and have a great summer! 😀

        Like

    1. I’m not sure I have any advice besides just going on… Your blog looks great — especially the header photo rocks — and the content seems good too, though it’s not really my cup of tea. I think you’re a good way!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. am in the same “boat” you are. i just go ahead and post whatever’s on my mind and choose to share here. have to start with at least a “hi, how’re you doing?” that’s always worked in my “real” life.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. How do you mean, in terms of visitors and comments or your motivation to write? If the former, then I’d suggest what I suggest to everyone: it’s important that you engage with your potential readership. View other blogs in your niche, offer comments and subscribe.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. I looked at your site and think you have an interesting assortment of content–though not very specialized, which may or may not work against you. Your About Page could use a little fleshing out, as it barely says anything about you, and I’ve found that people want to know something about who they read. Hope it helps

      Liked by 1 person

    1. when i started- i used the similar hexic theme. i think its good to start with theme like that as it gives you freedom to go to any direction. if the blog remains single-topic you could continue like this.
      and i also ‘just’ started here…

      Liked by 1 person

    2. With such a varied range of interests, people will want to know more about you before they start to follow. I recommend you expand your About page so that potential readers have greater incentive to read YOUR particular lifestyle blog as opposed to someone else

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I do admire your writing style. My blog is quite the opposite… I know exactly what I want to write about, it’s the actual writing which is causing me a headache (also just started). Keep it going!

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Hi there!
      Also as someone who’s only just started out blogging, I think yours looks pretty nice so far!
      The theme is cute and I like it.
      I read your post My “I could have’s today” and I like! I don’t really watch much tv, but I could very much relate!
      Good luck and happy writing!

      Like

    2. I liked your social commentary on selfies and the underlying vanity behind them. I think you presented your argument well and successfully defended your position. Good job–well-written

      Like

    1. I think of myself as an artist, not a writer….but I have had my successes….and I love reading articles that provoke thoughts that my brain didn’t initiate.
      I like the format, a great tool for getting those synapsis firing. However, for the reader, your letter is in one paragraph….for me, this doesn’t give me time, beyond the inserted “period” to reflect on these “concerns.” You might consider breaking up the paragraph, perhaps almost like prose, so that each thought (concern) is given more emphasis? The content, for me, is culturally important.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. http://supermulchweevils.wordpress.com/

    Hey, it’s me again, I am a graphic designer that blogs about Bin Weevils! I have my very own Bin Weevils Fan Site which I have just started and I have to say, the header is FANTASTIC in my view 😀 !!!

    I would like some people to visit my blog and have some spare time, just to relax and view the pages! (Some our empty btw!)

    If you visit my blog, I would visit yours! Just reply to me saying what feedback I can have while doing my blog and I will respond back! D

    https://supermulchweevils.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, you’ve certainly got a lot going on. I’m not very familiar with your subject matter, but the header image does convey the video game vibe. I’m sure you have a very specific target audience, so if you tag your posts well you should be able to get some traffic for those searching Bin Weevils

      Like

      1. Thank you for your comment , I am a beginner blogger, I want just to know some general tips and ideas in order to develop my blog .
        Thanks in advance.

        Regards
        Yousra

        Like

      2. Oh, let me link you to a post another blogger just wrote about what she would have liked to know when she first started blogging: http://suzie81speaks.com/2014/07/26/if-i-knew-then-what-ive-learned-about-blogging/

        My advice is to get involved with various events and challenges, like the different photo challenges there are since you’re a photographer. 🙂

        Also the Daily Post always has great tips for blogging. Whether you are old or new there is always something to learn. 😀

        Like

    4. Hi Yousra,

      I really liked the layout of your blog – not sure if you have prior experience but it’s very professionally done. Your pictures are beautiful.

      Critical feedback would be to minimise the size of your pics in the post (I checked the Sun Fishing post but it took quite a while to load up the photos) – perhaps display them in gallery or thumbnails for the viewer to dril into.

      Best of luck on your blogging journey!

      Aidan

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hello Ben ,
        I checked your blog post about the Indian city , It’s so interesting and amazing ! I liked your blog in general and the fact that we share the same interest. .
        Thank you for following my blog !

        Regards
        Yousra 🙂

        Like

    6. Hi there! I like the vibrant colors and the cool, neat layout of your blog. 🙂
      Also, your photos are beautiful!
      I would love, love to visit Morocco someday 😀 My cousin and I have an obsession with travel!
      Happy writing!

      Like

    1. Hi Bellview,

      I’d recommend filling out your About Me section as it gives the reader a good idea of who you are, your motivation behind the blog and what you’re going to be writing about. A sidebar with appropriate widgets and Follow option are all pretty important too.

      Best of luck,
      Aidan

      Like

      2. uh Mr. Aidan Reid. My About Me section is also blank and wordpress shows my Gravatar account there by default. Is it enough? I would love to have your suggestions

        Like

    2. you have very little content which could only suggest that you have just started.
      CONTENT. Put as much as you can.
      Make it a blog first and people will follow

      Like

      1. Ok! I would rather put little about something important than just filling with junk….. I was kind of thinking one post per day would be more than enough? And yes, it has only been a couple days….
        … or should I branch out and “blog” or mention, tap into, my other interests rather than what I have been “writing” about….?
        Thank you for your feedback!

        Like

      2. i can’t say for sure ‘casue i myself am very new here too. mine is a multi-topic blog and that’s my style (can’t say if its the best way to go) but that’s that.
        check my blog. i mean as i’m also a newbie, you could analyse

        Like

    3. I agree about filling out the About page, though I was able to glean some information through your posts. I found your writing to be powerful in the sense that there was clearly a ton of emotion and self-doubt behind it. Sorry to see that you are struggling. I hope you are able to communicate effectively to resolve some issues with your husband and perhaps the same raw honesty in your posts can be used to your advantage

      Like

    1. Hi Y.Zheng,

      Not sure what you would class as getting a lot of ‘hits’, but 38 bloggers liked your About Page, and you have a healthy following so clearly you are doing something right!

      Aidan

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you. Maybe I’ve just been comparing myself to the wrong group of people. You know, the ones that said they get 2000 followers in 3 months. I’ve been blogging consistently for 3 months and only got <300. It's nothing to sneeze at but is this number normal for someone who's been blogging for 3 months?

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I’ve been blogging for nearly a year and only have 84 followers despite producing what I (as a reader) would consider entertaining and informative material on my subject. So if you’re up to 300 after only three months I’m finding it hard to feel sorry for you 🙂

        Like

    1. Were you looking for any specific feedback? I agree with what you wrote, I think for several people it is that way. Maintaining any sort of relationship takes effort and with everything we have in our lives, we don’t always have time to keep up with distant friends as much as we would like to. Looks good, I just finished watching series 1 of Utopia, curious as how series 2 will go. Also being in the states, it is a super hard show to find. So might not get to watch series 2 for awhile. 😦

      Like

      1. Writing style and general readability is what I should have said I wanted comments on.

        Thanks for reading though. Oh yeah and so far series two has been amazing!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I found the vernacular a little hard to comprehend but I assume this is just your writing style. The post is on a very relatable subject to many, so kudos on that

      Like

  16. Hi guys I’d love your feedback on my blog please. It’s fairly new and I’m very much a beginner but love sharing things that my kids have got up to. I’m particularly proud of my daughter interested latest post:
    Frozen: Do You Want to Build a Snowman (Live and Emotional) by Alisha Aged 4.1 http://t.co/v770Tw7hcE

    My main blog is: http://jamesbromleyblog.com and I’d really appreciate your feedback on the presentation and design.
    Many thanks and a follow or share would be AMAZING!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Your daughter is absolutely adorable! My little sister sang “Let it go” for a talent show and is very young, so I can empathize with the pride factor. I like your blog and it’s set up really well. Blogs about kids are the best. They say and do the funniest things!

      Like

      1. Ah thank you that means alot. Extremely proud of her and love showing her off!! I bet you were just a proud of your sister 🙂
        In terms of the blog thank you for the feedback. I’m a complete novice but just enjoy sharing what the kids get up to…. You’re right they entertain me everyday!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I couldn’t watch the video (blocked at work) but really like your blog. You have a very clear, nice theme. Readability is good (now one of my favorite things). I also really like your header image. It all comes together really well. I have a feeling you’re going to have some great rants (going by your Introduction page).

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for the feedback it really does mean alot. I’ve struggled with the design as I’m the most uncreative person you could meet 😉
        I do tend to rant but it always makes me feel better!! 🙂

        Like

    3. Really enjoyed your poetry. The verbs you used were excellent for dramatic effect. One thing I would suggest: Flesh out your About page a little more. It is quite obvious you are a writer (and a young one judging from the picture) that is trying to make a name for herself. Tell the audience something they wouldn’t know just by reading your posts, since we all like to know a little something about the person we are reading. Great job on the writing though!

      Like

      1. I suspect that grin would ruin your claim to innocence. Tell your invisible friend to go vote and then everyone will be puzzled by the strange results

        Like

    2. I’m with Green Embers on this one. The best way to get people to read you is to read them, and to follow ONLY if you like what you read. Advice given by daily post back at the beginning of the year still holds true: We should read more than we write, comment often, like only if we do and follow others. Eventually, your audience will find you. But it takes time. Hope this helps! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the replies 🙂 I wasn’t looking for blind follows, I’m fairly new, and the sheer amount of content is a lot to slog through 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll admit I have a hard time reading this. I have a hard time reading really long posts though (attention span of gnat over here).

      As to the humor, writing humor is hard. I think because the way we hear it in our heads, might not be the way other people read it. Keep including the humor though, imo the most successful bloggers I have seen are more on the humorous side than the serious side. I think it is just something that takes time and practice to get right.

      Like

    2. Really enjoyed the set-up. Urinating abroad is always a sure-fire vehicle for humor (made me think of the time I peed on the Acropolis). I enjoyed the style and am now a follower

      Like

      1. Thanks Ben.

        I see great minds think alike! Reading your own blog you are extremely well travelled and have been to many places on my future hitlist. Keen to read some of your future as well as older posts for inspiration!

        Aidan

        Like

    3. Hahaha I read one of your posts and thought it was a great story! It was a tad long, but it’s because you’re very descriptive, which I like, but you could take out a few bits if you want to make it shorter

      Like

    1. Your pictures of the sand sculptures were excellent. Just be careful on how your text wraps around them. I saw one part where your text was disjointed due to the pic. Always preview before publishing.

      Like

    1. Interesting post Jed.

      I guess if it gets you over that hump of writers block, more power to you. As a reader it can be a bit disconcerting to come back to something if its continually changed in format. As long as the change is not too drastic, I guess it’s a win win.

      Aidan

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cheers! I’m glad you liked. I’m still working on the second Chapter, Not sure when, but it’s coming. Short stories have a tendency to refuse to stay short with me :p

        Like

  26. I’ve been trying to decide the best way to set up navigation on my blog. I want people to be able to read through my poetry easily. What do you think of the current setup? What could I do better?

    litbear.com

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I used to have the navigation for my poetry in the side bar. Then I tried putting a link to each collection in the main menu beneath the header. I can’t decide what works best.

        Like

      2. Right, I could see how putting each category in the menu making it a bit busier. As it is now though, I find it works well. It has a simple aesthetic, which I like and I didn’t find it hard to navigate at all.

        Like

    4. It’s a great layout. Nice and clean as the others have commented. I loved your post about writing. It’s spot on!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks. =) I’m glad everything looks good and you enjoyed the read.

        This is the first time I’ve asked for feedback, so this has been really encouraging.

        Like

  27. Hey guys! I just put up a new post and would love for some feedback! I am also looking for fellow bloggers who would be interested in linking our blogs together in order to get more readers. If you’re interested please let me know! I would love to check out some new blogs as well. Thanks!
    http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. Hi Collegelady,

      I read your last 2 posts about roomie relations and Ben + Jerry. I thought they were nicely written and enjoyable (and in the cast of your latest post quite educational!).

      Aidan

      Like

      1. Thank you Aidan! I read your latest post and it was quite intriguing. I am jealous that you’ve been able to travel and I think that’s awesome. Your blog was amusing and I enjoyed it.

        Like

      3. I’d like to get some bloggers to link my blog in some of their posts and in return I’d do the same for them.

        Like

      1. Well thank you! I strive amuse my readers with my stories. Thank you for the feedback Ben!

        Like

    1. I love that you have the Lost Boys theme tune on your blog! One of my all time favourite films! (:

      I thought that your content was interesting, but in my opinion, there were paragraphs that were too long? That’s just personal preference though. I find that I don’t tend to read large blocks of text, but skim it instead.

      Like

      1. IT’s one of my favorites too!
        Yeah my paragraphs were really long, I have been trying to shorten them, I don’t know if they look better now, or not.

        Like

      2. It’s definitely an amazing film! The second, not so much… and I didn’t bother with the third!

        I think the reviews look great. The paragraphs are a good length and broken up by pictures (: Maybe try and shorten or spread out the ‘Original vs remake’ section? (:

        Like

      3. I agree, the sequels to the original weren’t that good. I actually need to do a new original vs remake it’s been a while, that’s when my paragraphs were long. Thank you so much though!

        Like

      4. You could also try underlining where you have ‘review’ and ‘plot’ in your posts? or making it bold or changing the font colour? Red might go with your theme? (:

        Like

      1. Thank you so much Ben! That means a lot to hear that from a reader. I’m learning more on marketing each day and love it. Appreciate the feedback!

        Like

  30. I’m always interested in comments on my work (I’m an artist), but rarely receive any and I wonder, since WordPress is primarily for writing, is my blog the wrong place to post my art? Or is my art just so…..well, for sake of argument, “bad” that no one wants to comment? Or are comments rare? I would have thought that this posting would have elicited some reaction:

    “Summer in Gaza” ….Bombs in a Landscape?

    Comments and critiques are welcome, thanks
    Dana

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I may not be an artist but I thought that your art was very nice. As for comments, in order to get comments try commenting alot on other bloggers posts, that should help a bit. I have an art teacher who has old me that it is very hard for art pictures to get comments, but try following lots of art pages and commenting on their stuff. Tagging is also very important. Hope that helps!

      Like

    2. Hi Dana,

      I would recommend checking out other blogs with an art theme. There is a following for even the smallest niche on WordPress, so I wouldn’t be too concerned at this point with a lack of audience.

      It’s all about getting yourself out there by being proactive. The audience won’t find you if they don’t know you exist.

      Best of luck. You have some beautiful pictures.

      Aidan

      Like

    3. Good lord….that’s your artwork?? Dana they’re fantastic! Please, please, please keep posting your work. I love it!

      Like

    4. Hey your art is really awesome. I think artwork is hard to get comments on, because most people probably don’t feel qualified to comment on art. (Does that make sense?).

      I think one thing that could help, is to talk a little bit about the process behind your art, why you chose a specific thing to paint, the methods you used to get it right. That would help give people something to comment on.

      For general art feedback, I think something like deviantart is good (I have an account but I haven’t used it myself). Where you can get feedback from other artists in an easier setting.

      Like

      1. I’ve been a member of deviantart for some time – but works tend to get lost..and, comments are like hen’s teeth. I think your idea is good about the process and choices I make. I wish people weren’t inhibited about comments on art, because I feel art impacts everyone and I want to hear what non-artist people think, or respond to….it helps me grow. I’m so selfish that way.

        Like

    5. Hi Dana, first of all, your work is NOT bad at all. You have a distinctive style and what’s more, art is so subjective that even if it were terrible (which it is not) somebody would like it. I know how you feel about comments. I get very few myself and I come right out and ask for them! I suppose the number of followers has much to do with it. A small number of followers means a small pool of potential commenters. So build up your followers if you can (still working on that myself). A great way to do so is reading and following other peoples blogs and commenting on their posts. Doing so you might make contacts that enjoy your brand of art. Hope this helps

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for your input. I’ve come to realize that as an artist I require a somewhat constant “stroke” to my ego to keep going (and growing) or I think something is wrong with what I’m doing…..and you’re right, I need to get out there and do some reading and following myself!

        Like