The Puget Soundings

We have reached the heart of this first training session, the actual doing of the thing. Up to now, we have looked at the map, studied the layout of the control room, and double-checked our gear. Now it is time to dive.

WordPress is a writing platform at its core. For us, that means sharing stories, updates, memorials, or even the odd sea tale. It does not matter if you served on a diesel boat in the fifties or a fast attack in the eighties, the sea is full of stories, and WordPress is where you can tell yours.

This section walks you step-by-step through how to create and publish a post, the primary way we will keep The Puget Soundings alive and shipshape in its new online form.

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Step 1: Go to “Posts” > “Add New”

Once you are logged in and on the WordPress Dashboard, look at the left-hand sidebar. This is where the site’s systems live.

• Click on “Posts.” This opens the posts menu.
• Then click “Add New.”

This is your blank slate. You are now at the starting point of a new post, think of it like a blank page in your ship’s log.

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Step 2: Enter a Title

At the top of the screen, you will see a field labeled “Add Title.” This becomes the headline of your post. It tells readers what to expect and gives search engines something to grab onto.

Examples:

• “Welcome to the New Puget Soundings!”
• “Tolling of the Boats – March 2025”
• “Memories from Mare Island: A Sonarman’s Story”

Keep it brief and clear. Avoid all-caps or excessive punctuation. You are not trying to shout at anyone, just inform or invite.

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Step 3: Add Body Text Using the Block Editor

This is where most people get nervous, but stay with me, WordPress’s Gutenberg Block Editor is not as scary as it sounds.

The Block Editor treats every piece of content (text, image, heading, list) as a block. You build your post by adding and arranging these blocks.

To start typing your story:

• Click below the title where it says “Start writing or type / to choose a block.”
• Type your first sentence. Then your second. Then your third.

Each paragraph is a separate block. That is it.

Want to add a subheading? Click the “+” button that appears near your cursor. Choose “Heading.” Then type your subheading, something like “Why We’re Going Online” or “Honoring Those on Eternal Patrol.”

Want to make a list?

• Use the “+” button again.
• Select “List.”
• Type your items (e.g., boat names, duty stations, event dates).

Do not worry about formatting or fonts. WordPress handles all that automatically based on the site’s theme. You focus on the content, the words, the message, the story.

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Step 4: Insert an Image from the Media Library

A picture really is worth a thousand words, especially if it is a group photo, a shot of the memorial bell, or a vintage submarine steaming across the surface.

To add an image:

1. Click the “+” to add a new block.
2. Choose Image from the block options.
3. Then select Media Library to browse previously uploaded images.

If the image you want is not already there, click Upload to add one from your computer. Make sure the image:

• Is appropriately sized (not huge)
• Has a short, clear filename
• Is relevant to the content

Once you insert the image, you can:

• Add a caption below it (recommended)
• Align it (left, right, center)
• Resize it by dragging the corners

This gives your post a visual anchor and helps it stand out on the page.

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Step 5: Add a Category

On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see a settings panel. If it is not visible, click the small gear icon in the top right.

Under the “Post” tab, look for the Categories section.

Categories help organize your content. You might choose from:

• Newsletter
• Events
• Eternal Patrol
• Sea Stories
• Announcements

Select the most appropriate one. If none fits, you can click “Add New Category” and create one, but keep it clean and simple. No need for “My thoughts on submarines and life in general as told from the galley.”

This helps readers find what they are looking for, and helps us build a useful online archive.

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Step 6: Preview the Post

Now that you have written your content, inserted an image, and chosen a category, it is time to see how it looks.

Click the “Preview” button at the top of the page. This opens your post in a new tab, exactly as it will appear to readers once published.

Check for:

• Typos or formatting errors
• Image placement
• Logical flow and clarity
• Appropriate category and headline

If something feels off, go back to the editor and fix it. You can preview as many times as you like. You are not live yet. Think of this as checking the pressure in your tanks before the dive.

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Step 7: Publish the Post

Ready to go live?

Click the “Publish” button at the top right. WordPress will ask you to confirm, click Publish again.

That is it. Your post is now live on the site. You have added something real, valuable, and lasting to the community archive.

And that, my friend, is a solid day’s work.

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Hands-On Practice

Now it is your turn.

During this part of the session, each attendee will be guided through the process of creating a draft post. You will not publish it unless you are ready, this is about getting comfortable.

Try writing a short post about:

• A memory from your first patrol
• A funny moment in the galley
• Your thoughts on why the Base matters

Then:

• Add a relevant photo (or even an old boat crest)
• Pick a category like “Sea Stories” or “Newsletter”
• Preview it
• Save it as a Draft

Do not worry if you are not a great writer. The act of contributing is what matters. One story at a time, we are preserving our legacy.

Instructors and helpers will walk around to assist. Questions are welcome. Confusion is expected. The only rule: no one is left behind.

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