- 2026 Writing/Activity Vault -

Task 3: January 29th - February 11th

Task ▶︎

Pick three members of "26 Paychecks "  and review their portfolio.
Ideally, you'd choose someone from the list that you're not already familiar with. This is an activity to get to know each other a little more.

Look at their Portfolio, Reviews, Biography, Notebook, Blog, and Community tabs.

See what they put in their Portfolio header.
  How organized and easy to use is their Portfolio for a visitor?
  Are their Review Requests ON or OFF, and what is their reviewing style from their own explanation.
  What did they include in their Biography?
  Check out their Blog intro (if they have one).
  See what they've been up to on their Community Tab.
Not everyone has all of these tabs showing. That's okay. That in itself is an observation.

For each of the three members, write an observation about these tabs.

Send your observations to each member in an email and also copy the text of all three of emails in a reply to "Task 3: January 29 - February 11"  

(all emails sent as well)

Weirdone-Back in the games

         Hello, Alex Lella!
         I am popping into your portfolio as part of my tasks for "26 Paychecks " . I have the pleasure of browsing and answering some questions based on what I see, so here we go!

How organized and easy to use is their Portfolio for a visitor?
         It appears that the portfolio is not really 'organized' per se, as all your items are simply posted and show up on the main page. However, you have written quite a few items (over 30!) and it would be great to create folders for your Short Stories, Poetry, Essays, Others (those items that don't really have a particular sub-genre), Chaptered Stories/Novels. Heck, you can even create a folder for 'Awarded Items', that way those items stand out from the rest.
         Such organization makes it not just easy for readers, who prefer any one particular writing, to simply click on the folder of their choice to read what they want, but I should think it makes things much easier for you as well.

Are their Review Requests ON or OFF, and what is their reviewing style from their own explanation.
         Your review requests are ON, which is nice - that means you're willing to read whatever your fellow member submits for your consideration. However, there is no blurb that talks about your reviewing style. Come to think of it, is there a place for that option? Because I don't think I even have any such blurb describing my reviewing style. Hah! However, from what I see from the reviews you've given, they aren't particularly lengthy and go straight to the point.

What did they include in their Biography?
         Alas! There is no bio set up yet! Although your main portfolio blurb states that you are unemployed (are you still in that current situation?) you also teach English in China. Fascinating!

Check out their Blog intro (if they have one).
         You do not have a blog; would be a good idea to start one and perhaps share some of your experiences in China as a teacher.

See what they've been up to on their Notebook Tab.
         You don't seem to make much use of your notebook feature as the last thing written by you was on January 2nd for one of the tasks for this very activity. Perhaps this email will help spur you to continue your participation.
  See what they've been up to on their Community Tab.          You have been a member since 2007! That's almost twenty years, and though you've been active - with 328 reviews given and over 500 forum posts, methinks you should make your presence even more known! With over 190 qualified MBs and 25 awardicons, it's clear that you've got plenty to offer the site and vice versa.

         Thanks for allowing me to poke my nose into your portfolio, and keep on writing!

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Detective

         Hello, Detective, I am popping into your portfolio as part of my tasks for "26 Paychecks " .
         I have the pleasure of browsing and answering some questions based on what I see, so here we go!

How organized and easy to use is their Portfolio for a visitor?
         It is quite organized into folders showcasing your essays, short stories, poetry and specified activities. Nice! There is a short story not within its folder, but I'm just nitpicking at this point.
         You've also made use of the 'Highlighted Items' tab to show off the three items you want readers/visitors to focus on.
         And all these items have made impressions on readers as they have shiny awardicons to celebrate them.

Are their Review Requests ON or OFF, and what is their reviewing style from their own explanation.
         Your review requests are ON, which is nice - that means you're willing to read whatever your fellow member submits for your consideration. I do not see a blurb that discusses your reviewing style; however, it's not difficult to see that your reviews are straight to the point, and that's okay. Not everyone can churn out a mini-essay when it comes to reviewing, and if something moves you enough to review, then by all means leave the writer a message to show them the support!

What did they include in their Biography?
         For this section, you mention that you are a female, your birthday is on April 1st, 1988, and that you live in Weymouth, Massachusetts. I have no idea where that is, so I'm probably going to Google that when I'm done. You also mention that you're an avid reader and writer since middle school! Nice!

Check out their Blog intro (if they have one).
         No blog has been set up.

See what they've been up to on their Community Tab.
         You have been a member since 2013 - Happy 13th Anniversary...in November! Activity wise, you've given over 1,000 reviews, posted over 1,000 forum posts and collected almost 500 trinkets (big fan of those, eh?) You have also received 607 community recognitions which shows that you're quite busy around Writing.com, and I encourage you to keep it up!

         Thanks for allowing me to poke my nose into your portfolio, and keep on writing!

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Maddie Pot o' Gold Stone

         Hello! I am popping into your portfolio as part of my tasks for "26 Paychecks " .
         I have the pleasure of browsing and answering some questions based on what I see, so here we go!

How organized and easy to use is their Portfolio for a visitor?
         It appears to be well organized with folders showcasing a variety of items ranging from short stories to poetry and specified activity folders. It makes it easy for readers/visitors to pop into what interests them the most quickly. Also nice use of images to draw readers into visiting the folders. It makes your port quite colorful.

Are their Review Requests ON or OFF, and what is their reviewing style from their own explanation.
         Your review requests are ON, which is nice - that means you're willing to read what your fellow member submits for your consideration.
         And lookie! What a very detailed explanation of your reviewing style and what your preferences are. Gosh, I really should set up mine, shouldn't I? Again, nice use of the image of a file cabinet to give visitors an introduction of sorts to what kind of a reviewer you are. It's clear you take the time and effort to give detailed and helpful reviews, and you are honest in your strengths and weaknesses. You are open to quite a lot of genres, except for erotica, nonfiction, and horror. Overall, this is nicely done. I'm impressed.

What did they include in their Biography?
         Now, let's see what your biography reveals!
         You're female, live in the U.S.A, and we share the same birthday month. You're a jack of all trades with 'Mom' being at the top of the list. As for your dream of getting published, I hope it comes true some day (keeping fingers and toes crossed). You have quite a few interests and you're a proud member of one of the most active reviewing groups on Writing.com (nice touch with the review image there as well).
         Regarding your favorite books and authors - I have no clue about any on your lists. For the movies, I can agree with Sound of Music (a classic) and maybe Fifth Element. For your T.V. shows, the only one there I can really say I've watched is Malcolm in the Middle (and I didn't even watch it to the end).

Check out their Blog intro (if they have one).
         Well, you do have a blog, but your intro is pretty much your summary which is...My thoughts about things - short and sweet. Your most recent entry was on the 25th of this month where you talk about the snowstorm that seems to be hitting most of the country. However, for a blog created in 2022, you have only 42 entries. Your blog is screaming for more thoughts on more things!

See what they've been up to on their Community Tab.
         So, although you have been a member for only four years come September, you have given 190 reviews, posted about 166 form posts and have 104 community recognitions. Not bad, but guess what? You can get even more! Hopefully, with your busy schedule offline, you are able to still find the time to participate in more activities around Writing.com.

It's folks like you who keep this site going strong.

Thanks for letting me poke through your portfolio, and keep on writing!