Jun 13, 2016 / 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? Are you redesigning your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

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    1. Oh, man! Paris flashbacks. I remember feeling the exact same way when I first visited. My fam and I were so unimpressed by our first brush with French cuisine we ate Chinese food in our hotel room for two nights in a row.

      Anyway, great post. It reminds me how I want to visit again. (It does tend to draw you in.)

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Love your writing! Just what I am looking for in a travel writer. I loved how you remember the little moments of your trip. So often it is the same way for me too. Thank you fpr sharing 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thank you! As I say, I’m no poet and this is outside the comfort zone of what I’d normally write creatively, so it’s nice to hear that people have enjoyed it. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    4. I personally loved the poem, it flowed well and the rhymes seemed to fit well and weren’t as awkward as rhymes are usually are. Also found it more relatable than i should have it had a message and i thought it was powerful.

      Liked by 3 people

    7. Hey Haylee, you have an incredible skill of writing poems, it was just amazing, you have a talent. Could you check my site out and maybe give me some thoughts of how I can make my blogs better? Would really appreciate that.

      Liked by 2 people

    8. I loved the poem! I really think you should do it more often!
      I would love if you checked out my blog too! I write stories mainly about love but there’s also a lot about friends and other general thoughts of a teenager!
      THE LIEBSTER AWARD – http://wp.me/p7r8il-dX
      Here’s my latest post. Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    3. You’re very talented and i love what you’ve done. Your color choices are impeccable, i think it has a pleasant contrast. All i am going to say which may seem negative but it’s not is you could perhaps make some thing more bold . Any way a picture is worth a thousand words 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hey I would love if you checked out my blog! I write fiction stories about anything and everything I guess. I also love critical appreciation! So feel free to drop in any comments! Thank you 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I just prefer commenting here so hope that’s okay. So i checked out your blog and read the stuff and it was great. You have such a creative and different writing style . Your blogs seem to have such an energy about them even with the topics that they have. They are so realistic and relatable.

        Liked by 2 people

  4. Hey! I’ll be completing a month on the coming 17th. I’ve enjoyed my journey on wordpress till now and would want to continue with this blogging community which is new to me.
    I published a story. Below are the links to the story. Give it a shot and I would love to recieve any feedback.

    https://thequietgirlblogger.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/a-year-and-then-what/
    https://thequietgirlblogger.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/continued/

    Thanks a lot. 🙂

    Liked by 14 people

      1. Thank you. I will keep that in mind and try to work on it the next time I write something as same as this. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    4. i really liked this it was sweet and emotional, once i started reading it i couldn’t stop it was quite captivating.However in my opinion this seems like a first draft, you telling the story to yourself, it felt a bit clunky and perhaps didn’t flow as well as it could. But it has great potential. I mean no offence by what I said I was just saying what i thought, so I apologise if it seemed harsh. I always tell people the truth about what i think because i’d like them to do the same you know?

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Oh! Absolutely. We’re all beginners. I myself want people to correct me at times. Thank you so much anyway. 🙂

        Like

      3. Sure. This means a lot. Thank you. Any suggestions on what to write about next? 🙂

        Like

      4. Sorry i rarely get good ideas. But whatever you write about could be personal experience just changed slightly but i think if it’s something you are writing it should be something with potential to get the reader to feel emotion because that one of the good things about your writing yo make it feel real and sort of relatable.

        Liked by 2 people

    5. Just read your story about the one year relationship. You write well although I wonder, if you changed the tense from a passive to a present, it might be more dynamic and the reader, more involved, as the story evolves? Just a thought. At my age, if I was putting notches on my bed to count the broken relationships, I’d be sleeping on a pile of sawdust but we keep going, keep hoping, keep loving.

      Liked by 4 people

      2. Thanks a lot. 🙂
        I have got to learn a lot from all of you. I did think about the tense, but I didn’t know how to use it. Now that I do know(thanks to you). I will try to work on what you said. You’re an amazing writer. I just read your blogs. “Embrace the criticism and learn” being my favourite now.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you, Madhavi, your words to everyone’s eyes, eh? regarding the tense, take a paragraph and change the tense. Instead of ‘she did’, write ‘she does’, then read it back to yourself, aloud can be useful, then hear how it feels. If it works, go for it.

        Liked by 3 people

      5. BEFORE: One thing was clear now. He loved her. Just as much as she did. He just wanted a chance to explain everything to her. She listened to him this time. He told her how guilty he was to have things messed up with her. That he wanted to tell her everything sooner. That he was afraid to lose her. That he had to choose between the other girl and her and that he chose her.

        AFTER: One thing is clear now. He loves her. Just as much as she does. He just wants a chance to explain everything to her. She listens to him this time. He tells her how guilty he is to have things messed up with her. That he wanted to tell her everything sooner. That he was afraid to lose her. That he had to choose between the other girl and her and that he chose her.

        How about now? Does this sound good?

        Liked by 1 person

      6. I think so. There’s an immediacy about it and that creates an expectancy in the reader – each sentence, each revelation is new, not something that has already happened. Which do you prefer?

        Liked by 2 people

      8. Excellent. It is often difficult to deal with criticism but as writers, it is essential. I’m so glad you liked it. I posted a story recently with a detailed critique I received from a Canadian writing festival. I invited other bloggers to give their opinion and some did. Then I rewrote the story and posted it again, yesterday. The blogs are called Practice what I Blog and Practice what I Blog Revisited. The original blog was called Embrace Criticism and Learn. I wanted to illustrate that.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. I think it reads much better. There is one line, ‘he couldn’t …’, perhaps that should be ‘he can’t’? Also, in good writing, the writer shows but doesn’t tell. One illustration, ‘she keeps feeling used’, now the reader is being told, but ‘she feels used’, now the reader is shown. Madhavi, the whole thing about criticism is, first, it is subjective or someone else’s opinion, if you like, and second, you can take it or leave it. Try it out, if it works, use it. Be confident in your work. Everyone gets criticism, never take it personally. Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Hello everyone! 🙂 I wrote a post on my blog and it is about when people pretend to be something that they’re not and they trick you into believing all their lies. They lie, cheat, pretend and at the end, they turn their back and leave you. If you like writing that is a little bit creative and has a really powerful message behind it, then please do check it out and maybe leave a comment about what you think? Thank you!

    http://www.strikedbyepicness.wordpress.com/people/

    Oh, and if you’re feeling nice, maybe check out my blog I have a range of things on there and I try to be as meaningful as I can in all of my posts.

    http://www.strikedbyepicness.wordpress.com

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Wow, just read your piece about people. Why blame them for being human? Life deals its blows to them, too. The past is history, tomorrow doesn’t exist so I implore you to get in the day and the now. Be the person you want to be, particularly in your dealings with others. Don’t lie or cheat, be honest but strong and resolute. People notice and hopefully, they’ll follow (your example).

      Liked by 1 person

    2. This is totally relatable, its great! I found myself sighing at the word work! And the nature thing is definitely too true. And as stupid as this may sound I thought it was tractors that sorted out the hay… *sighs* I live under a rock.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. This was nostalgic for me as well. I could smell the hay and feel the itch of my eyes. I’ll leave the baling to you. I noticed you have many tags on this post. Are you aware that WordPress does not put posts in their Reader if they have more than a combination of 15 Tags + Categories? If it’s important to have your posts show up in their Reader, you’ll want to use fewer tags. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

  7. https://lukeharmerblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/youre-beautiful/

    Hi everyone, my blog is about being a Christian with clinical depression, i do different topics every month and sometimes poems, this weeks is about self image and realizing that you are amazing the way you are and you don’t need to change who you are in order to fit in to the standards of the world, please give it a read if you get the chance and thank you if you do!

    Liked by 11 people

    3. Your layout is quite different and it’s refreshing to see some difference! The idea of the post is great and i agree that people are amazing and don’t need to change to please other people. I also think it’s awesome how your so open with religion most people try and hide religion in fear of being judged or they perhaps just don’t want to say i just think it’s amazing and fascinating! I just loved it!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Hi everybody, I write a blog claled misstery blog, and I love to write. I have always loved the beauty of writing and have always wanted to share that beauty with others. I write about anything that intrests or inspires me, so I am sure you will find something you like. I really hope you can check my blog out, I am nearing the 400 follower mark, which is crazy! And I will do the same. Hope you are having a great day! https://missteryblog.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 9 people

    3. I’ve had a quick look, Miss(?) and I marvel at your belief in the internet community because it is one I have to rely on myself even though I’m of an age that has a different meaning and concept of ‘community.’
      Writers need readers because the relationship is symbiotic. A writer can’t, I sometimes worry, in some Descartes-ian fashion, declare, Scribo, Ergo Sum (I write, therefore I am); there must be a reader to legitimise their effort, a community of readers is a noble aspiration

      Liked by 2 people

  9. I am making a new anon blog and honestly have no idea how to reach out to people or get my blog out in the open. What would you suggest for a newbie like me? I have never done anything like this before but I feel led to share my life experiences and things of that nature.

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Honestly, just try your hardest to connect to people. Starting out is very tricky and to be honest I defintely still learning myself. Comment on other people’s posts and follow them and become inspired by what they are writing. Make friends, because they will be some of the best ones you will find. But most of all, make sure what you are writing is true to your heart and you are enjoying it. Hope this helps! 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Okay!!! First of all, don’t worry about views . Concentrate on your amazing posts..then spread on social media..
      Your content is your connection.. also participate in different blogging charters…
      SEO is the best way to hit your target audience..

      Liked by 5 people

      2. Search engine optimization:
        just like you type some keyword in search engine (google) and get your desired link/post..
        do check Editor linked posts they’re really helpful

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Hello, I have always been hesitant about the SEO because I’m worried people I know will come across my blog. I know I’m being silly! But will the SEO bring up every blog post that you write? 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Firstly don’t worry abput people you know if they visit your blog.. I’m sure they’ll proud of you.
        Now let me tell you the seo story! !
        The post you write you give them specific tags/keywords, though which search engine could read you and give the result to readers. Now the thing is it depends on views/relevant content Google is smarter it will show the most appropriate content to users. seo is very effective and important .. the more view you get on post it will be listed on the top accordingly
        I hope it will be helpful

        Liked by 2 people

      7. You can find some helpful info here:
        https://wordpress.com/dailypost/2013/12/25/archival-seo
        and here
        https://wordpress.com/blog/2016/06/02/seo-settings-panel/

        But honestly, just focus on publishing posts and connecting with other bloggers – it’s the best way to get people to engage with you.

        If you want a boost, we offer a Commenting Basics course to help you get more comfortable reaching out to people; you can learn more here:
        http://bloggingu.wordpress.com

        Liked by 3 people

    3. Wow, sounds like you have gotten a blogging-related problem…Well, let me tell you how you can reach your audience-At the bottom of each WordPress-hosted blog, there are sharing buttons that have links to such social media sites as Facebook and Twitter; All you have to do is to create an account for those social networking sites, and then add those sharing buttons to the posts on your blog. Another good way to get your blog off the ground is something that I have read from a book on how to be good at creative writing-When you write, you just gotta remember that you are writing for yourself, so when you are writing for yourself, then you do some editing on your draft, and then share your talents to the world. I very much hope that this helps in getting your blog started; May I wish you the very best of luck in your blog, and I also very much hope that, when you have the chance, you please check out my blog, which is called Dream In Music, at http://www.j2w7.WordPress.com! Good luck, with ❤-JW

      Liked by 3 people

    4. Posting here is a great start. One of the best ways to reach out is to comment on similar blogs and start friendships. Actively look for new blogs to follow and comment on, and eventually you’ll start to see it paying off.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Hello everyone! Thank you for the feedback on the Tyvek shoe wallet tutorial. This week, I’m trying to learn more about how I can get better engagement on my weekly networking for social good series I’ve created.

    https://www.goodsgivingback.com/networking-social-good-philanthropy-friday-june10/

    What am I missing? What could I include that, even if you don’t have a post to share, you would spread the word for me to friends who may have a post to share?

    Thank you in advance for any feedback or insights you can provide.
    Dana

    Liked by 7 people

  11. Hello everyone.. In India, we are almost done with our day, and in the US, the day must be rising and shining.. Really sad about what happened in Orlando yesterday.. I wish we could change the world to be a place where there is nothing else but peace.. I have dedicated my today’s daily prompt “Rebuild” to the victims of the shootings.. here is the link in case you too would like to pay tribute to the victims .. https://mysestina.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/she-rebuilt-the-house-with-a-coffin/
    Love & Peace – mySestina

    Liked by 9 people

      1. I see such positivity in your thoughts… i am so glad that hearts like yours are never affected by hatred.. its a great deal to remain peaceful and I am so proud to know your perspective… Cheers to peace and love

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Omg I’m excited to have found another Indian! I know this is not at all relevant to your comment, but I would love if you checked out my blog! I write fiction and post twice a week!
      I’m also glad you support the LGBTQ+ community bc most people in our dear country don’t and that’s really a shame

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I know dear… its a shame how we tenx to force choices on others… it is such a serious issue that needs to be dealt with… i am also so glad to have found you… will check your blog…. thanks a ton for stopping by

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi Dermott thanks for your comments! I just published another hopefully it is as interesting or better than the last piece. 🙂

        I read your poem on Christmas. It’s beautiful 😉

        Like

    3. Hey that was really brilliant! Keep writing, you’re very good.
      Please check out my blog! I wrote stories and would love critical opinions on it!
      THE LIEBSTER AWARD – http://wp.me/p7r8il-dX
      This is my latest post, it’s unfortunately not a story. But my others are, so do give them a read 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I took a week away from blogging – well, I only blogged twice in a week – but now feel back in the swing. People often don’t respond well to criticism and fail to see it as an opportunity. With that in mind, I published two blogs today; one called ‘Embrace the Criticism and Learn’ and the other, https://dermotthayes.com/2016/06/13/practice-what-i-blog/, an attempt to illustrate how criticism can be used to a writer’s advantage. Any suggestions/comments?

    Liked by 8 people

    1. You present a really good point. We should not only be accepting of harsh criticism, we should also not hold back when critiquing what we believe to be really bad writing. I find that receiving and, more so, giving brutally honest criticism is something many people struggle with, myself included.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. You might try rearranging some of the paragraphs. (1) The corpse beside me… (2) They weren’t just ‘bloody’… (3) My mysteries… (4) This was a high-class… (5) Then the fog lifted… I do like the editor’s suggestion of having the main character’s thoughts alternating between the present moment and how his mysteries usually begin. My overall sense was that he is disoriented. The ending did seem abrupt for a stand alone story, but made sense if it a chapter in a book. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It is a mystery, but not, as he suggests, one to be solved. A slight shift in the pars might work and then, a little more context for the harried daughter, at the end. Thank you for reading it and your input

        Like

  15. Hello everyone!!
    Hello everyone, we are the guys of Indian origin but resident in Italy, and we have created our blog to tell the influence of these two countries on our life and style. try to take a look if you like, and give us your suggestions for improvement.
    italianpanti.wordpress.com

    Liked by 8 people

    2. Really like the color theme you went with – very vibrant and refreshing.
      Also, genius blog title! I really like it 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    3. I agree the colors are very bright and catching without being overwhelming. The header with the scrawl does indeed seem personal, like you signed off on it.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you so much Annie! It’s so heartening to hear people like the new look 🙂

        P.S. I love your blog name. Off to read some more of your work 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Hello, everyone!
    I’m about to complete a month with my blog – Eloraquence. The journey so far has been a bliss. I write motivational and inspirational articles, poems and short stories. Also, sometimes when I ran out of ideas, I randomly rant about anything and everything. For the month of June, I’ve taken it as a challenge to publish a post everyday. And so far I’ve been successful in doing so. The latest post I wrote is a poem named Listen To What I’m Not Saying. The link is as follows – https://eloraquence.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/listen-to-what-im-not-saying/
    Valuable suggestions and feedback is much appreciated. Thank you!
    Happy blogging!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. This is brilliant, I totally heard it in her voice as I read it and you nailed her personality. Well done 😊

      Liked by 3 people

  22. Hi everyone, I am a newbie to blogging. I like writing short stories about love and relationships. If you like to read, then please visit 187puneet.wordpress.com and comment what you feel about my writings. Thank you everyone.

    Liked by 7 people

    2. Stories about romance have potential to reach and move so many people. From one writer to another, I wish you luck in your blogging journey.

      Liked by 3 people

  25. Hi everyone! I’m a fairly new blogger, only started earlier this month, and my blog is a weird mix mash of stuff. The vibe is very millennial college student who aspires to be a writer and also to have her life together.

    I only have four posts so far, and this is number three. It’s kinda weird, it deviates from my normal style, but I would love to know your thoughts: https://emdashzhu.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/body-aches/

    Have a great week!

    Liked by 9 people

    1. I like it! I follow a lot of people who write mostly composed pieces (stories, poems, articles). It’s refreshing to read through a few of yours and just feel like someone is talking to me 🙂 I love posts like that, All of mine would be like that if I didn’t force myself to focus in on something. Problem is, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what you do. If I tried to do posts like yours – I’d just be posting huge wall-texts of “Awkward Babble”… haaaaaaa :)… No, but really.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Ah, thanks for the kind words! Yeah, I do try to keep a lot of my posts conversational, glad it’s working out. And a little awkward babble, stream of consciousness type thing can be good once in a while 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Mixed blogs are great! No one is forcing you to have a niche and as someone who doesn’t have one either, it is very freeing to be able to write whatever and not worry if it fits in with my ‘theme’. As long as you like what you write, there are no issues.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. The layout of your blog is very clean (love it!). Your style of writing kept me very interested (aka I read all your posts ;D) and your posts are very thoughtful too. I was just wondering if you have a name for your blog because the title is just a dash. Followed!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I absolutely love your about page it is concise and well structured, just wonderful, the same for the concept. As for the layout; maybe you could try mixing your pictures up with collages or other media. Mixing things up can totally change how the page looks like.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Really like your blog. Thought the layout was fine, really easy to navigate! I think the basis of your blog is really interesting aswell, love reading about family adventures. I’m following you and can’t wait to read some more of your disney posts!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi, vipashamehta! We’re excited that you’re so excited about blogging 🙂

      We would ask that you not leave repeated comments or replies to comments asking people to check out your post — it’s much better to actually engage with other people: ask specific questions, give other people feedback, etc. We’ll remove repeated comments to keep this conversation (and the First Friday conversation) focused, so as many bloggers as possible can get support. Thanks!

      Like

      2. Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to check it out. If it makes you feel any better, writing it left me feeling pretty raw for the past couple days, even if that was 20-ish years ago. While I feel bad for making people emotional – I also feel like I’ve accomplished my goal. In every thing I write I try to paint an image in someone’s head so they feel like they’re there. I’d like to think I’m successful a good part of the time (don’t read my blog “The good, the Bad, and the Ugly” though – it’s an awful bland piece which hopefully will be buried in my next 3 of that series lol)… Anyway.. here I am Awkwardly Babbling away…. sorry! 🙂 Cheers!

        Liked by 1 person

  29. I just wrote a piece that I would love to share with a wider audience. It is called I Am Human and in response to the senseless attacks and hate this world keeps seeing. I hope we can make a change to start spreading more love and kindness than fear and hate. It starts with you, it starts with me.

    I Am Human

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks, I’m really glad you like it. I’m really interested in your blog: I love the idea of going through the list of books, and I think it’s a great list (based on the books on it I’ve read anyway!) I’m curious to see what you think of them!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yea, I love reading and some of the books have been on my shelf or on my list for ages. While others are on the next-year’s reading list for the university. I can’t wait to read them all

        Liked by 2 people