Apr 4, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and friendly blogging chatter.

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

The Community Pool is for peer feedback and advice. Looking for more specific information? Check out some of these resources:

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

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  1. Happy Monday guys! I hope you are all well. My name is Mark and I have WordPress to thank for a fantastic start to my writing journey. In February 2015 I began writing my first novel and since then I have been lucky enough to connect with some great people along the way. I am happy to say that my debut psychological thriller, A Hole in Serenity, is now available as an ebook on multiple platforms in various countries. A week after publication and I still can’t believe it’s happened! I would love to hear from each and every one of you so please feel free to check out my blog. Any advice, feedback or general comments would always be welcome. Take care and thank you for your support. Mark.
    http://www.markdraycott.com

    Liked by 16 people

    1. I like your theme and your site looks really good on my phone. I found the articles about how to write a novel really helpful and I’d like to see more as I’m just starting a novel myself. Good luck with selling the book. 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Congrats! I suspect you’re feeling pretty accomplished right. Go with that. Now that your psychological thriller is all done and dusted, I hope you take the time to breathe.

      It looks good. I love the cover. I imagine the read will be edge of the seat. Bravo!

      Liked by 4 people

    3. Congrats on writing and publishing your novel! That can be the hardest part! I love reading and I enjoy the thriller genre (as long as I can sleep at night) so I’ll check it out.
      Your site looks great. Only thing is I saw a few typos, but they’re not that noticeable. Try the spell checker.
      Thanks for sharing!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and for your feedback. Yes I have unfortunately not taken the time in previous posts to correct grammar. A mistake I’ve definitely learned from. Take care and thank you for your support and interest. Mark

        Liked by 3 people

    4. First of all, congrats on the published book. I have done a little searching and some of the reviews are pretty good. I may end up reading it if I find the time between blogging, day job, my own endless quest to earn money from writing plus five kids and number six on the way. I’m sure I have a gap in July 😉

      I like the blog; my fave post was the ‘what I wouldn’t do again’. Simple yet effective ideas that I will take on board. I believe your based in England so hello from Wales and a begrudging congrats on the Six Nations. I would love to hear more about your writing experience, particularly what else you have done besides novels- short stories, websites etc. Feel free to get in touch with me (plenty of contact options on my blog) or PLEASE write more posts about writing.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Hi there! Thank you for getting in touch and for your kind words. It’s great to hear from a fellow writer and especially one that is not too far from home! I won’t say a word about the six nations! 🙂 I have written a couple of short stories which can be found on my blog. That was part way through me writing my novel which wasn’t easy! I can’t wait to get started on my second when I find the time. I know exactly how you feel when it comes to finding the time to read and write. I have two kids of my own. Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch. Take care, Mark.

        Liked by 3 people

    5. Hi, I want to write a novel but I have never quite gotten through to the end of it. I am working on a few stories at the moment, those plot bunnies. The book cover looks amazing! Love your site.

      Liked by 3 people

  2. Hey everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
    I just redid the way my blog looks and works, and I really want to know what people think of it. I’d love some constructive criticism concerning my front page, and just concerning my blog in general!
    Here’s the link: https://thegoldenlands.wordpress.com/
    If there’s anything I can do to return the favor, please let me know!
    Cheers,
    Dominic (Aul)

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Hi there, while I don’t know much about anime your blog appears to be well organized and easy to maneuver through. I would not have guessed your age based on the writing. Keep up the good work.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Hello! Your blog is organized well and easy to follow. Looks sleek. However, the background photo makes it look a little busy, and I found it distracting to the text. The font seemed small compared to the graphics. Hope that helps!

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Thanks for the advice! Yeah, I’ve heard some people say that my fonts are a little too small. I can definitely fix that. Thank you!

        Like

    3. Hello! I really love how your blog is organised, and there’s a lot of content, so it’s better that it’s easy to find specific things. I see you don’t go for minimalism, so I would just suggest adding a little more colour, or perhaps a funky font maybe. Just make sure it gels with your overall theme and you’re good to go!

      Liked by 1 person

      2. You’re very welcome. I would love feedback on my blog, and I wrote a comment on this post regarding my issue with blogging discipline. *sigh*
        maitreyimittalbeingaverage.wordpress.com
        I’d hold your criticisms in high regard.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. The content on your blog is simple, but wonderful. You’re a great writer! I do think that, while it’s not an issue for me, some people may not like how all of your posts have a background that distracts you from the text. Other wise, it’s an excellent blog!

        Liked by 3 people

      7. I would have to agree with Aul…your prose has got might and potential. May I suggest you view your site using several screens. I viewed on my laptop. I can read, but was somewhat distracted.

        I wonder what all the different background images would look like on a cell phone, and on a desktop computer?

        Your writing prowess is being under shadowed. Want? Don’t want? Care? Don’t Care? Will fix? Not sure how to fix???

        Liked by 1 person

    4. I knew very little about your pretty darn cool subject matter until today. I have seen it around but I didn’t have you around to explain it to me.

      Your pictures are awesome; although the main image blurs Golden Lands out a bit. Again, I needed your guidance to give it a guess. Very bright color.

      I could see the love between two of your characters. And the monster pic was self-explanatory just like you said.

      All in all, site is well designed. I personally don’t think you need to assist your readers too much in understanding. Hopefully, most of your visitors will have a clue already. Tell them less, interject questions, or suspense, and get some interaction going. Just a mention.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Okay, thanks so much for the advice! I am going to be taking everyone’s opinion today into consideration. I’m glad you liked what you saw!

        Liked by 3 people

    5. I just visited and it really does look great. Bright, colorful, great graphics to catch the eyes. Good copy to introduce your fiction. I haven’t started reading it yet, but I bookmarked it to read tonight when I have more time. Good luck!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you so much! I’m glad you stopped by. It means a lot to me to hear that people are interested in what I’m writing. Thanks again!

        Liked by 2 people

    6. Hey, on your front page, there’s a picture which reads the golden lands right? Umm maybe you should try changing the colour of the text in there, i first mistook it for a sunset !
      Hope that was helpful!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Okay! I understand where you’re coming from. I suppose I feel like I should keep the text a golden color because it makes sense…”the golden lands”. Thanks for the feedback though!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I read two of your posts, the one about being a teen, and about the sleeping issues.

      I read from beginning to end, no scanning. Bravo on your convincing prose. I feel you have storytelling moxie. I also liked the image of suspended you with head on pillow.

      All I would suggest is that you read all your posts out loud before publishing to catch typos, and stuck sentences. I find it helps me!

      Liked by 2 people

    3. I really like your writing style, it’s very readable. It’s interesting to get such a window into your life and I understand what you mean in your recent post about going to uni being a given. I look forward to reading more.

      Liked by 2 people

      3. The post was lovely! It reminded me of a movie I once watched where a father’s son had recently gotten married to a young woman. However, the son had to go off to war, soon right after. They never found the son’s body but the daughter in law, to satisfy her father in law waited for her husband on the platform of the train he left on, every year on her wedding night, in her wedding dress. The poem, The Platform, perfectly explained the sad, forlorn scene of the bride on that platform.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Sounds cool! I’d love to write and submit my own story – but what’s the email to contact you? Might be good to have that on the page 🙂 Also, why is the font so large? Is that necessary? I don’t think it adds anything to your words.

      Writer’s block is tough; I brainstorm when I’m stuck, or try something new (i.e. a new topic or a new medium). Just to break the repetition!

      Would you be willing to review one of my posts?

      How Ballroom Dancing Redefined Femininity (for me, anyway)

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Natalie:

        I read your tweeted bit of fiction. Although I personally found it abrupt (my first thought), I knew it would be (on purpose) going in.

        Guess I didn’t want to further the blip using my own sense and sensibilities.

        Too bad for me. I’ll just have to chew on it a bit longer sitting here at my kitchen counter all by my self *giggle*

        Well done!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. The trouble with Twitter fiction is that it has to be incredibly short, so I guess abruptness is just part of the bargain!

        But thanks for your kind words!

        Liked by 2 people

  6. This is not something I talk or write about without hesitation and mild anxiety. Not yet anyway. But I wrote a recent post about being groped on a train in London and how I felt for for a long time afterwards. However uncomfortable talking/writing about it can be, it helps. And maybe it helps others too. I’m trying to remember this as my piece is shared and commented on. Thanks for reading!
    http://howtoplayhouse.com/2016/03/31/the-space-we-keep/

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hello,

      First, I am so sorry this happened to you. It is not your fault.

      I read through the post. The writing flow is very good. What I found interesting is that it seemed hurried or uncomfortable at times. I could almost sense your nerves writing it. I’m not sure if that was your intention or not, but it works for the piece. Based on your above comment, you beautifully conveyed your emotions about the situation. And, quite frankly, I was very uncomfortable reading it. You elicited empathy and compassion.

      Great job! Thank you for telling your story.

      Cassie

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your post really captures the roller-coaster ride of emotions you are dealing with throughout it though, so great job on the writing, but I’m sorry your past experiences are leading you to worry so much. I hope you can find peace in the second half and that you will soon hold the baby boy you’ve already fallen in love with. Blessings:)

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Your writing is beautiful. I lost my first 2 pregnancies and those feelings are something you never forget. Even after giving birth to my perfectly healthy son and finding out I was pregnant with my daughter, that same flood of emotion and uncertainty came flooding back. I wish you the best of luck of luck Momma, and I’m so excited fo you hold your precious gift ❤

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I read more of the rhyme portion than the other, but I got the gist of all. Since I knew April 1 was a major force in the piece, I decided to go with the flow.

      Loved your image at the start. Wished for more throughout. I guess images would have helped me (personally) feel closer to the characters in the piece.

      Just a mention: The wonderful thing about reading different types blogs for me is…expansion. I mentally expand. You learn to allow.

      Bravo for pulling it off!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Hey there! I’m new to WordPress, just starting out and I would really appreciate feedback and support from others. I am open to offer my feedback to anyone to needs it too, just let me know. Meanwhile, I really hope you guys give my site a look and share what you think of it! Thanks a lot 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I love your blog, even if there is just one post. It’s so relatable and inspiring, yet minimalistic. The only thing I’d like to suggest is shorter/catchier titles.

      Also, I’d love some feedback and opinion on my blog, as I’m relatively new to WordPress too, and a veritable stranger to Community Pool. My blog is maitreyimittalbeingaverage.wordpress.com
      Keep up the good work!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for your feedback, I will consider it on my next post (which will be up shortly) and thanks for the follow too. I will have a look at your blog too 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Hello everyone! I’ve been working on a blog that focuses on mental health and wellness and I’m having some trouble coming up with fresh, new blogging/story ideas. So I figured I’d reach out to the community and ask what kind of content you would like to see? I’ve provided the link to my page below. All comments and critiques are welcome. Thanks in advance (: http://www.anxieteas.wordpress.com

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Your blog has a great look to it, and the posts I glanced at all seem to fit your overall idea for your blog. I don’t think anything is missing per se from your posts, but maybe some more wellness posts in the mix would give you some more ideas? Give your own routines and the success you have with them, or maybe a list of goals you want to work your way through, which allows for a whole bunch of new posts. Just a thought, but I like how your blog looks!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. The only way I can know if I’m interested in a beauty blog is by visiting one. Yours was handy!

      It’s so nice and clean and bright. The images are highly visual, and the products look well worth trying.

      Might I suggest you check to make sure all of your letters are upper or lower case respectively. I can’t believe you want to use a lower case i when writing about yourself. There’s also a spot on an April post that has an opening sentence you might want to fix.

      I’ve found that reading what I’ve just written out loud is most helpful. That doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally miss. It just means I’ve found a few typos and “stuck” sentences when I do.

      Beautiful B Blog!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I left feedback on blog. It was a pleasure. True Stories: Distance dating a guy whose been deployed in a creative and novel way was worth the read. I hope others join in.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. That photo by your husband is fantastic, not at all what I’d expect from a HDR image, especially as I’m a self confessed hater of overly processed HDR image’s in general. That photo is most certainly spot on the money perfect.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. First off, I love your theme. Very bright and feminine! I can’t help the lack of pictures on you page though. I suggest adding a few graphics just to give your readers a break from all the text. Lastly, make sure you keep your page updated! I see you haven’t posted anything since 2014. Other than that, I think your blog looks great and it seems like you’re on the right track (:

      http://www.anxieteas.wordpress.com

      Like

  24. Hi everyone! I want to say thank you for the helpful feedback I’ve been getting with my new blog. I appreciate the time you take to make me a better blogger and hope I can do the same for others. Please take a look at my new post and let me know if you see room for improvement and how cohesive it sounds
    http://aneneslife.wordpress.com

    Liked by 5 people

      1. All good news! I appreciate you taking the time to check it out and your nice comments!

        Like

    1. I love your blog, I found myself reading through many posts and really like how authentic you come across in your writing. The blog looks quite nice too. It’s well organized with nice clear photos. Think I’ll go ahead and follow you through all your badassery!

      Liked by 2 people

      2. I just visited your site! I smiled when I realized you were a grandma and your site is named after what your granddaughter calls you! So sweet!
        I have two girls (20 and 16), so no grandbabies for awhile, but gosh, am I ever looking forward to that next stage of life. I’m ready to spoil some littles ridiculously!
        I read a few of your posts and found your blog easy to navigate. It was bright and cheery too, which I like. Each post I read made me want to read another! You’re off to a great start! I have no constructive feedback, except to keep doing what you’re doing!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. What a nice compliment, thank you. Stop in and check on me from time to time to see how I’m progressing.

        Like

      1. I just visited your site! I was completely endeared to it the moment I realized you are sharing lessons you learned from your grandmother through your every day experiences! What a sweet idea and such a tribute to your grandma!
        I think we live in culture that is so rushed, that we often bypass the older generation and don’t take the time to sit and hear their stories. We forget that they have lived full lives with all the ups and downs that we experience today and have wisdom that exceeds ours. The lessons we can learn…ahhh, my heart pitter-patters at the thought!
        You’re a wonderful story teller. I can’t wait until you share more stories. Also, your blog is set up beautifully. It is well-organized and bright. I love your choice of pictures as well. The muffin in the dryer…hilarious and yet, I get it!!!
        Blessings,
        Karyn

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Where you dying for some feedback when publishing this post? xD Hi everyone, I’m just starting out and already running out on ideas of what to post! I know that I want my blog to be helpful to my followers in some kind of way and to post great photos with it. Any feedback would be great 🙂 Great post btw!
    https://mysteryvita.wordpress.com/ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    4. Enjoyed reading your posts. Since you love photography, take more pictures. You could then write short paragraphs pertaining to those.

      Choose more of your favorite quotes. Tell us why you chose, impact on your day to day, or benefit for society as a whole.

      Tell us more about your version of happy…show us, make us feel.

      Just some jiffy mention!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you very much for your comments and such constructive criticism 🙂 I will try and combine these tips in my future posts! Thanks again ❤

        Like

  29. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I’ve gotten back to posting at my blog over at:

    adayinhellmanifesto.wordpress.com

    Please let me know what you think! Any suggestions/criticism regarding form, layout, or whatever are all gladly welcomed. Thanks!

    Liked by 4 people

      1. I left a comment on your blog. Here I will write…You blog is graphic in a teachable way. Being highly visual, I more than got it.

        I suspect visitor take-a-way hit its mark!

        Highest and Best

        Like

  30. I am a student and I just started a photography blog! I’m wanting to use it as an online portfolio of my photography work. I will also be adding some video work as well. I’d love feedback about the content, organization, quality etc.! Should I add a bio about myself? Do I need to write along with the photos? Let me know! Thanks so much https://eensignblog.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 7 people

    2. personally I would include an “about” or “bio” page, people will want to know who the photographer behind the image’s actually is, especially if you’re going to use this for your portfolio. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few short sentences about yourself, your influences, perhaps even the equipment you use. I’d also, again if you are planning on using this for a portfolio, include contact details, even if it’s just an email or link to other social media sites where you post your work (for example I have a contact page and then link’s to my Flickr and Twitter).
      I think you’ve chosen a nice design template, nice big photo’s to show off your work and using the gallery format for closer viewing and details on the exif data of each shot. I’ve try and write a little about each image or set of image’s, what you shot, where, what you were trying to achieve or perhaps even a small critique of some of your favourite’s. It all help’s to show that not only are you able to take and make good photo’s but that you know what you’re talking about as well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person