This has been the longest interval that I have gone between posts, since I started my blog. Granted, I have only been live for about three weeks, but I do want to grow my readership. To do that, I must stay consistent. So, even though this post is a divergence from the purpose of my blog, (to share my experience as a reader and writer; to review books, and to hone my writing craft) I thought I might share.
Here's what I've been up to:
1. Total Blog Overhaul. After visiting many, many blogs, I thought to myself: I need a better look. It's like I just moved into a brand-new apartment. The only thing there are the basic furnishing needs and white wallpaper. I have to go ahead and make this blog my own.
Problem #1: I actually know a bit of html, which weirdly, put me at a disadvantage when I wanted to change the layout of my blog. I found the templates to be a little restrictive, but I didn't want to start from scratch. Basically, I wanted the picture drawn for me, but then I wanted to color outside of the lines.
Solution #1: Blogger Template Designer. I discovered this after many differently worded help questions in Blogger. But, oddly enough, the answer was in Google, not Blogger. Here's to my persistence, and to my belief in reading thoroughly the 'instruction manual'.
Of course, later I realized that there was a tab for it on my dashboard. But, we'll let that slide for the moment.
On the night that I went to the Blogger Template Designer, I spent hours there. Literally. I was up until 6am trying out different backgrounds, layouts, fonts, and colors... In fact, I never went to sleep that day. I took a two hour power nap, but was pretty much doing the overhaul for the better part of 14 hours. Here was more choice than I knew what to do with. I had fallen afoul of the 'be careful what you as for' adage.
I'm not complaining, mind you. I loved it. I think I sampled as much as I could before I went with something that represents the purpose of the blog, but also my personality, and (I hope) catches the eye, and stands out. Readability was important to me, so I tweaked the colors and fonts so that everything is clear and easier to read.
I hope you enjoy the new look, and stay tuned for Part Two.
Until next read,
AliseOnLife
05 April, 2010
Absent, But Not Gone: Part One
I'm a writer, aspiring to that higher plane of becoming a published author. I love books in all their forms, be it electronic or print (though obviously, there is nothing like the texture of a book in my hands!). I want to share that love and meet others who feel the same.
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My blog shifted from background to background for a year. Plus I had a super boring, generic blog title. It wasn't until a month ago, when I realized that my blog didn't fit my personality as a writer that I dug in and overhauled! It's all about finding "you" and letting everyone else see it! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement, Mandy. And also, congrats on signing with an agent!
ReplyDeleteNice. Yeah, finding the right layout is difficult. I'm still not sure if my layout is easy on the reader and a true representation of myself. I like your look though. :)
ReplyDeleteNice. Yeah, finding the right layout is difficult. I'm still not sure if my layout is easy on the reader and a true representation of myself. I like your look though. :)
ReplyDeleteT.J. Carson: You're so right, it's hard. I couldn't decide between trying to represent myself or the purpose of the blog. It's slightly more of the latter. And thanks!
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