Saturday, August 31, 2013

How To Write Blog Posts 101

So you blog and you want to know how to attract readers or what best things you should do when blogging? I decided to make this post for you who need help or pointers! Hope this helps. Good Luck!


1 - THE WARTIME OF BLOGGING

Plan it out. Don't say, "Eh, I just feel like saying this thing." Have an idea and plan out how the post will look like. The beginning, the points you want to say, the ending. Set up an strategy and stick with it.


2. THE BALANCE OF BLOGGING

Create a balance in your post. Don't type a short paragraph and say, "Yea, that's enough." Write MORE. But don't just talk so much that people's eyes just glaze over and go "blah, blah, blah." Create the balance that's easy for people to read, but has meat to it.


3. AT THE WATER COOLER

When writing something, make sure that it's about a topic that people would want to read. Not just something you're rambling on about. "Oh yea, you know what happened at the corner?... I FOUND A PENNY!" And?.... To be honest, I don't want to read a whole post about a penny. Tweet it instead please. Write about something that people don't know about for example. They are always interested in reading something new.


4. POINTS POINTS POINTS OF POINTS

When creating the post, make points or statements that's clear for people to understand. Heck, even if you have to, bullet point them. For example, a penny is...
1. Circular
2. Made with Copper
3. Rusts with age (will turn green when rusted)
4. Taste possibly horrible (don't ask me if I tasted it)
5. Is just .01 of the dollar

And no, you don't really have to number them or bullet them. But when talking in normal sentence, lay the points out. Sometimes it's best to paragraph them. It depends on how much you are writing about each point and how much you want to impress each point with your audience.


5. SUBSTANCE VS FILLER

Think about what people would think while reading your post. Is it interesting enough? Is it filler which will bore people? Make sure that people'll go "OOH PENNIES IN PIRATE101.. I WANNA READ MORE!" otherwise you'll lose readers. I mean Pennies? Really? Are you sure that's interesting? Even though you're trying to build a common bridge between the game and that? Really.. NO.

Just pretend you are the reader, will you read your post for real? Don't try to fool yourself. Think about what you HAVE read, are they similar, are they not? Are you writing a post like the ones you didn't like? Think about it.


6. QUALITY VS QUANTITY

DO NOT WRITE SO MANY POSTS IN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME! 

Not even the best blogger can write so many GOOD posts in a short time. Honestly, ONE good post's word will spread faster than many bad or eh ones. Doing a blog post once or twice a week is pretty good enough and make them COUNT. If you write so many posts that doesn't mean a thing, readers will become bored and not really read your blog. Or even worse, tell others, "Eh, his blog is so boring. Don't read it."

Also be careful because if you actually have pretty good ones, people will also just overlook them amongst many others that were fillers. I have had posts that hit 1000, 1500 views and I only write when I think the subject is cool and interesting.


7. SNIPPY SNAP SHOT!

 Pictures makes posts pretty. It quite helps catches other's eye and focuses them on the blog posts. It's also a nice break in lines. You should learn how to edit pictures or at least take nice pictures. It can brighten up a post pretty quick! You can find free programs on the internet which can help you edit pictures.


8. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

You don't have to be so serious when writing blog posts. You can make it fun to read! Make it funny. Insert a joke or two! Add a Meme!


9. CREATIVITY RAWKS!

 Be different, be random, find new ways of making blog posts. You can set up different kind of posts every once in a while to break up the blog posts pattern. You can have a blog post entirely devoted to pictures. Or music videos. That sort of thing. You can even create things that others haven't seen before.


10. THE ABCS

Make the post nicely written and neat. If it's messy or not written properly, people will not be able to understand exactly what you are trying to say. So brush up on your grammar, folks.

Hopefully my points will help you blog better and attract readers! :D
If you want more points from me, let me know and I can make more blog posts about blogging.

 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Islander's Hoard Pack



I think I almost got everything. Let me know if I missed anything.
Anything marked in New* means they are brand new items never seen before in-game!

Permanent Mount

Ancient Koi (Retired Mount)
Manta Ray (Retired Mount)
Hippogriff

Tiki Waverunner*


Thanks Timothy Titan for letting me take a picture of his Brand New Tiki Waverunner Mount! Surf's up!



Temporary Mounts

7 Days Hippogriff Temporary Mount
7 Days Manta Ray Temporary Mount
7 Days Ancient Koi Temporary Mount

Seeds

Boiled Peanuts
Fish On A Vine
Key Limes

Reagents

Spider Silk
Cat Tail
Fish Fin
Shell
Aquamarine
Jade
Citrine

Pets


Tiki Kahuna*


Lava Spider
Sun Bird
Pink Jellyfish
Jellyfish
Starfish
Magma Spider
Frosty Fish

Pet Snacks


Kalua Kebab, Rank 8, Balance, 3 Will, 6 Agility, 2 Intellect, 9 Strength*
Foamy Lomi Salmon, Rank 8, Storm, 5 Will, 2 Agility, 5 Intellect, 3 Power, 1 Strength*
Huli-Hula Chicken, Rank 8, Death, 2 Will, 8 Agility, 1 Will, 4 Strength*
Kahuna Tuna, Rank 8, Balance, 5 Will, 5 agility, 5 Intellect, 5 Power, 5 Strength*
Flowering Pineapple, Rank 8, Storm, 7 Agility, 15 Power, 8 Strength
Crab Knight Cakes, Rank 8, Fire, 5 Will, 5 Agility, 5 Intellect, 5 Power, 5 Strength
Crab Apples, Rank 8, Death, 1 Will, +10 Agility, +10 Power, +4 Strength

Papaya, Rank 7, Life, 3 Will, 5 Intellect*
Luau Pizza, Rank 7, Fire, 8 Will, 2 Agility, 4 Intellect, 2 Strength*
Asparagus Spears, Rank 7, Balance, 10 Will, 5 Power

Salty Fish, Rank 6, Ice, 1 Will, 2 Agility, 1 Intellect, 4 Strength*
Big Papa Paya, Rank 6, Storm, 3 Agility, 6 Intellect*
Winged Bean, Rank 6, Myth, 3 Agility, 4 Strength*
Tiki Tea, Rank 6, Fire, 1 Will, 1 Agility, 1 Intellect, 3 Power, 1 Strength*
Lava Guava, Rank 6, Fire, 4 Will, 3 Intellect*
Iced Crab Claws, Rank 6, Ice, 6 Agility, 3 Strength*
Poi Pudding, Rank 6, Ice, 1 Will, 5 Agility, 2 Strength*
Guava, Rank 6, Storm, 2 Agility, 5 Intellect*
Wiki Peas, Rank 6, Life, 3 Intellect, 5 Strength*

Loco Nut, Rank 5, Death, 4 Intellect, 2 Power*
Candlenut, Rank 5, Myth, 2 Agility, 4 Power*
Pineapple Spears, Rank 5, Life, 3 Will, 3 Agility*
Candlenut, Rank 5, Myth, 2 Agility, 4 Power*

Tiki Banana, Rank 4, Fire, 3 Will, 1 Agility
Large Fish, Rank 4, Life, 1 Intellect, 3 Power
Medium Fish, Rank 4, Life, 1 Agility, 3 3 Intellect
Sandy Corn, Rank 4, Balance, 2 Will, 2 Strength

Sweet Pineapple, Rank 1, Balance, 1 Agility


House Furniture

Curving Palm Tree*
Outrigger Canoe*
Outrigger Paddles*
Fish Drying Rack*
Large Shell*
Shark Hut
Potted Palm
Spiral Crab Table
Clam Chair
Fish Basket
Leaning Palm Tree
Bushy Palm Tree
Tall Palm Tree
Broken Palm Tree
Azteca Palm Tree
Water-Mole Torch
Palm Shrub
Pile of Sand
Shovel
Water-Mole Spear
Brain Coral
Water-Mole Mask Rack
Water-Mole Weapon Rack
Tall Tiki Totem
Short Tiki Totem
Skinny Tiki Totem
Water Pump
Shell Shield
Water-Mole Tribal Shield
Water-Mole Shield
Crab Lean-To
Coconut Drink
Crab Lamp
Cephalopod Statue
Spread Tube Coral
Tube Coral
Palm Fronds
Diving Helmet
Diving Tanks
Diving Gear Rack
Campfire with Fish
Fishbones
Giant Crab
Water-Mole Bowl
Tiki Torch
Crab Chimney
Water Mole Table
Small Fern
Coral Crab Lamp
Lava Bulb
Water-Mole Statue
Water-Mole Plate
Cephalopod Obelisk
Water-Mole Spear
Potted Palm
Crab Claw Statue
Wall Starfish

Treasure Cards


Skeletal Pirate, 5 Pips, Death, 500-580 Death Attack
Minotaur, 5 Pips, Myth, 50 Myth Attack and 520 Myth Attack
Legend Shield, 0 Pips, Life, Death and Myth Shield, -75% to Next Death and Myth Attack Spell
Spirit Spear, 1 Pip, Balance, +9% Piercing to Next Death, Myth, Life Attack Spell
Elemental Spear, 1 Pip, Balance, +9% Piercing to Next Fire, Storm, Ice Attack Spell
Tower Shield, 0 Pip, Ice, -55% to Next Damage or Draining Spell
Thermic Shield, 0 Pip, Storm, -75% to Next Ice and Fire Attack Spell
Glacial Shield, 0 Pip, Fire, -75% to Next Storm and Ice Damage Spell
Volcanic Shield, 0 Pip, Ice, -75% to Next Storm and Fire Damage Spell
Ether Shield, 0 Pip, Myth, -75% to Next Life and Death Attack Spell
Dream Shield, 0 Pip, Death, -75% to Next Life and Myth Attack Spell
Keen Eyes, 0 Pip, Balance, +10% Accuracy to 1 Spell
Accurate, 0 Pip, Balance, +15% Accuracy to 1 Spell
Sniper, 0 Pip, Balance, +20 Accuracy to 1 Spell
Unstoppable, 0 Pip, Sun, +30% Accuracy and +15% Piercing to 1 Spell
Extraordinary, 0 Pip, Sun, +35% Accuracy and +20% Piercing to 1 Spell
Sandstorm, 4 Pip, Balance, 295-335 Balance Attack to All Enemies
Cloak, 0 Pip, Sun, Cloak a Shield or Charm
Strong, 0 Pip, Myth, +100 Damage to 1 Spell
Giant, Myth, +125 Damage to 1 Spell
Monstrous, Myth, +175 Damage to 1 Spell
Gargantuan, 0 Pip, Sun, +250 Damage to 1 Spell
Colossal, 0 Pip, Sun, +300 Damage to 1 Spell
Regenerate, 5 Pip, Life, 225 + 1100 Health over 3 Rounds

Gears

All are brand new gears never seen before!


Thanks to Timothy Titan for providing all of the gear sets' stats

PURITY SET




SACRED SONG SET




RIPTIDE SET




WANDS



Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dworgyn & Evil Veggies: A Leaked Quest!



It was a pleasant day as I arrived outside of the gates of Labyrinth when I got a strange and urgent message from Dworgyn. So off I went to the Death School.





So off I went to the Haunted Cave and as I neared the cave within it, I notice something on the ground...


Once I hear that cry, I run to the gate that bars my way into the Cave..
"I'll be right there," I cry, shaking the bars in vain. They're rusted shut. So me and my fellow wizards stand and wait until the gates give way. That poor gardening mole.. 


What do you think lies waiting beyond that gate? Zombies? Monsters? Evil Veggies?!


Saturday, August 10, 2013

House Showcase: Cody Raventhorn's Secret Garden


I ported to Cody Raventhorn a couple nights ago and I got a neat surprise! As I remarked how amazing the new area he made was, I knew right away I had to show others as well!

Remember if you want to enlarge the pictures in this blog post, just click on the photos!

I love Life or I love Plants? Maybe it's both?!
Cody is a Life, but then this place is full of plants!

The beginning of Cody's Secret Garden! The ports I believe leads back to the house and how clever to put them inside of a House furniture.

This whole amazing thing is set up in the air at a Death school house!

 
Poor Pig stuck in the air like he could fall at anytime. :(

Wishing well! What do you wish for? I wish for a new world! I so love how he placed the Chinese Lanterns. It feels very summery in here along with flowers on the ground.

So love this, its so peaceful and homey.

Ooh what do I spy over that bridge?!

Ranked PvP Kiosk! How neat!

Cody sure loves to collect PvP Awards

What a neat hideaway for the Winterbane gauntlet. I so love the way he created that arch with the hedge rows.

 Ooh I love the way this looks especially with the moon above.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of Cody's Secret Garden!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Shark Week & Producer's Sneak Peek!


ITS SHARK WEEK!



Don't forget to join our Wizard101 Shark Raffle and Pirate101 Hammershark raffle! You could win a Permanent Shark or Hammershark mount! Visit our Contests pages at StarsoftheSpiral.com
In fact, we have TONS of different contests going for both Wizard101 and Pirate101. You could win amazing prizes! August is CRAZYYYYYY!

Timothy: "Sharks are cool to gift."
Me: "I don't know.. You wanna it to bite the hand of the gift receiver?"
Timothy: "They'll still love it."
Me: "I'm not so sure.. Imagine this, you open the gift, shark jumps up, eats you whole in one swallow. The end."
Timothy: "And they still will be happy that they got a Shark mount. That's how special sharks are!"

THE PRODUCER'S SNEAK PEEK

Now for the Producer's Letter.. Have you noticed this little bit of the letter?

"What you find in the next major world after Azteca will rock Wizard101, and things will never be the same"

Ooh I'm getting so excited, what about you?! What do you think it could be?!


As for the "Something new and spooky this way comes..." and you click on the button for the special Sneak Peek and you see the photo below!


I'm hoping a brand new Halloween area! After October is not that far away! What do you think?

To read the letter in its entirety, go to: 

WAIT WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS?!


But that reminds me.. I wanna see a brand new Christmas area as well. I was chatting with Lindsey Goldengrove about this. And we both agreed that we would love to see piles of snow everywhere in the commons, a frozen lake that we could skate on and snowmen everywhere. And especially a large tree covered in ornaments and christmas lights! I'm a New Yorker, so this tree is extra special to me. I would love a similiar one in Wizard101.

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