Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Redecorating

Hi folks,

After reading Fiction Groupie's recent post--which declared black backgrounds "no longer cool"--I felt a sudden need to redecorate. What do you think of the new look? Comments? Criticisms? Compliments?

I'm nearly 12K into the first draft of book 5, and I think most of my creative energy has been going into the book. So, I'll throw a question to everyone--is there anything you'd like to know about? I know a surprising amount of useless trivia; I hold a Ph.D. in psych; I do business development training, and I've spent the last three years learning all about the publishing industry. Appropriate topics include:

What is the average windspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Why do kids have imaginary friends?
How do I motivate a difficult employee?
What should I say about my cat in a query letter?

C'mon--ask away!

17 comments:

Disgruntled Bear said...

ANSWERS:

African or European swallow?

Because they want to talk about you behind your back with someone who won't rat them out.

Threaten to feed them to the wolverines.

You should write all of your query letters from your cat's POV and sign them with a pawprint.

fairyhedgehog said...

I mostly read your posts in a reader, but I popped across to see the new layout. I like that it's so clear and easy to read and the background is pretty. I wonder if it lacks a certain distinctiveness or if that's just me.

I love the idea of writing query letters from my cat. He's so fierce he's bound to get a response. Of some sort.

Disgruntled Bear said...

Hi fairyhedgehog! I enjoyed reading about your trip--thanks for sparing us the worst pictures of the rental house!

The new background is a bit more "pastel" than my old one, but I'm feeling more "colorful" these days. We've been going back and forth on the proposed cover art for the 4th Ganzfield book, so I've been up to my eyeballs in black-and-white for the past several days.

Unknown said...

I like the new layout.

Ellz said...

Looks Great Kate. The green is very clean looking-easy to read too.

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I like the new layout. Has a nature feel to it. I have a black background on my writing blog, but not many people follow me there so I'm not going to worry about it right now. =O)

I had an imaginary friend when I was little. My theory on them is that they are people you knew from a previous life. So I guess that means I believe in reincarnation!

YA Book Queen said...

I love the new look! It's definitely easier on the eyes ;)

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Love the new look. It is easier on the eyes.
My imaginary fried was a dog--please tell me that's not from a past life.

Jenny said...

I like it. Hmm. Hmm. How can we get people to stop hating other people? Why do people make tables with ridges food can get stuck in? Is there a god or an afterlife? why don't my children sleep? is there a way to get rich quick without compromising principles or morals? where the bloody (&^* is Gus's other shoe?

Disgruntled Bear said...

Ooh, Michelle, I love that concept! I'm taking notes for a book that will have a reincarnation component.

Mary, I think that may be related to the book "Dust of 100 Dogs."

Glacierlilies:
How can we get people to stop hating other people?
I HATE people who hate other people!

Why do people make tables with ridges food can get stuck in?
Because they are childless and want to torture the breeders.

Is there a god or an afterlife?
42

why don't my children sleep?
Because you haven't told them about the monsters that live under their beds and grab noisy children--so they must be silent.

is there a way to get rich quick without compromising principles or morals?
Powerball 8-16-23-27-31-38--41

where the bloody (&^* is Gus's other shoe?
Between the couch and the wall. Don't just reach back for it, though, it's next to something that looks like a half-melted lollipop covered with fuzz.

Vicki Rocho said...

Psych huh? I have a zillion questions for you but do you think I can come up with any just now?

Love the new look...will say that the word "followers"in green was a little hard to read at first because it happened to line up right in front of a bit of green from the background. Otherwise, it's much lighter and brighter!

vic caswell said...

this change was a godsend! white letters on dark backgrounds really mess with my vision and give me migraines. the only reason i was able to follow you, is that your posts are nice and short! so yippeee!!!! :) less headaches!

Ishta Mercurio said...

Oh, yeah - this new look is much better. Black backgrounds do make my eyes burn after a while. I'm not sure why, since it's mostly black with very little light. Maybe because we're focusing on the words, which are the light part? I ave no idea.

Hey, what do you know - there's my question. Why ARE black backgrounds harder on the eyes than lighter ones? Any idea?

Nicole said...

..Wellll .. the new background suits the title more.. i kinda liked the black background ;p

I had an imaginary dog. Cause we didn't have one at the time :)

http://damselinadirtydress.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Ohhh fun! I like the new background! I couldn't see your followers because the green matched up either but other than that it looks great. :-)

Okay, now to ask questions. Bear with me. I've been awake since 5:30.

1. Can you create a character in book 5 that has the talent of folding and putting away my laundry? It would be much appreciated.
2. Can I get one of those Minder t-shirts so I can take my picture with it on?
3. What is your record word count for a day? (I know you've got this in your excel spreadsheet somewhere!)
4. Wanna have lunch?

coley said...

Kate- I love the new layout!! The black was hurting my eyes....

Can't wait til january!!! I'm pre-ordering book three!!! (gotta have it signed by the great Kate!) :)

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