tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post5215060668231619894..comments2023-10-31T10:59:03.023-04:00Comments on INKSPOT Crime Fiction Blog | A Place for Mystery, Mayhem, Writing and Life: What’s in a website? Would that with which an author advertises smell as sweet in any other format?Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-32278607354758844142011-02-09T08:25:06.278-05:002011-02-09T08:25:06.278-05:00I like the clean layout of Louise Penny's site...I like the clean layout of Louise Penny's site too, Gin. Thanks for pointing it out!<br /><br />She has a pronunciation guide, too. Tres cool.Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-41361855580338848782011-02-08T16:10:23.218-05:002011-02-08T16:10:23.218-05:00I am not fond of sites with moving, flashing thing...I am not fond of sites with moving, flashing things, or with enormous fonts in psychedelic colors against a black background. I find almost any typeface on black hard to read.<br /><br />I think Louise Penny has a lovely site. Lots of inviting photos.<br /><br />Your posts always make me smile, Jess.G.M. Malliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13805971625496094303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-91773234761744372352011-02-08T14:30:18.080-05:002011-02-08T14:30:18.080-05:00Thanks for the great suggestions, Kathleen! And I ...Thanks for the great suggestions, Kathleen! And I just had the CRM of the Wausau B & N ask me if I knew you. He's apparently super-excited to have you visit with their mystery club this month? next month? You're famous!Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-83008346894795690992011-02-08T13:50:15.689-05:002011-02-08T13:50:15.689-05:00I feel your pain, Jess! I've done my own webs...I feel your pain, Jess! I've done my own websites, and it always A. takes longer than expected and B. doesn't look quite as expected. But at least I can update my own stuff. I write across genres too, which complicates things.<br /><br />Anyway...I loved it when authors provide "extras"--behind-the-scenes photos, supplemental info about a series or character I've come to love. Good luck!Kathleen Ernsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07009876100214388898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-44824644015958022312011-02-08T12:20:47.005-05:002011-02-08T12:20:47.005-05:00Lois, I love the bright colors of your website and...Lois, I love the bright colors of your website and the way the banner seems so dynamic and layered. That's an element I want my new site to have.<br /><br />I struggle with font, though. I see you have a standard sans serif, as do I and most authors, but it never seems warms to me. Anyone have any easy-to-read, non-distracting serif fonts they can recommend for a website?Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-78744148549563333432011-02-08T12:19:31.798-05:002011-02-08T12:19:31.798-05:00Ha! Thanks for the recommendation, Keith. Maybe it...Ha! Thanks for the recommendation, Keith. Maybe it could just be its own link within my new website?<br /><br />HAIR<br /><br />I bet it'd make people click on it.Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-58497076705482500442011-02-08T12:00:29.719-05:002011-02-08T12:00:29.719-05:00I'm extremely lucky (don't hate me!) in th...I'm extremely lucky (don't hate me!) in that I have a son who is a professional animator and post production supervisor (He's currently working on the HBO mini-series remake of Mildred Pierce.) So he's my official web designer and go-to guy when I need help. After I moved from romance to mystery, Scott redesigned my website to reflect my new series. He took the "less is more" approach, which has always been my philosophy in everything. You can find it at www.loiswinston.com. I'd love to know your thoughts, and I can't wait to see your new website, Jess.Lois Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866423986250423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-88959348930271746102011-02-08T11:53:40.623-05:002011-02-08T11:53:40.623-05:00Jess, I hope you'll have a tab for your hairst...Jess, I hope you'll have a tab for your hairstyles over the years. (What that has to do with your terrific oeuvre, I don't know.)<br /><br />Alan, I didn't know you and Dorothy were once an item.Keith Raffelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926077627965529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-3623046598206839162011-02-08T11:05:08.173-05:002011-02-08T11:05:08.173-05:00Jess- I agree that a simple, graphically appealing...Jess- I agree that a simple, graphically appealing website is better than one crowded with information. I recently visited a writer's website that had every square inch of every page jam-packed with links and verbage. I closed it down without looking at anything. "Less is more."Darrell Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08394984700734588887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-67928901169599657592011-02-08T09:47:11.962-05:002011-02-08T09:47:11.962-05:00Alan, Beth, and Sue Ann, I agree that simple and c...Alan, Beth, and Sue Ann, I agree that simple and clean are the best, and sound and automatic video are annoying.<br /><br />Congrats, Sue Ann! You did an awesome job with your previous website (no idea you'd done it yourself), but new and professional is fun.<br /><br />Mario, it's almost like that role was written for you. :) A person can never have too many friends, right? Thanks for visiting!<br /><br />Alan and Dorothy Hammill sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g...Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-28306510839507712342011-02-08T09:26:09.296-05:002011-02-08T09:26:09.296-05:00Hi Jess,
I recently updated my website, too, but n...Hi Jess,<br />I recently updated my website, too, but not as much as you did--just added appearances, my virtual book tour schedule, some photos, etc. (bethgroundwater.com). The basic design of my website has stayed the same from the beginning. It's very simple visually and easy to navigate. I see it as primarily a place for media and readers to get information about me and my books, not as a place to be entertained. I dislike busy websites, especially ones that start playing music or a video as soon as you open them. Yuck!Beth Groundwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13999372882748655834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-29183062164323594352011-02-08T09:25:56.667-05:002011-02-08T09:25:56.667-05:00Easy to navigate, nothing too fancy (not too many ...Easy to navigate, nothing too fancy (not too many moving parts), informative, funny. Something that reflects the author/books.<br /><br />BTW, I always liked Dorothy Hamill.Alan Orloffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03695574442723430347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-24404110919680368152011-02-08T09:25:13.253-05:002011-02-08T09:25:13.253-05:00I'll be your XXX and 666 follower. Big surpris...I'll be your XXX and 666 follower. Big surprise, right? Awesome post. Funny as expected. Thanks.Mario Acevedohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02269656174447760157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-60381397954291400442011-02-08T09:09:17.272-05:002011-02-08T09:09:17.272-05:00Timely discussion, Jess. I was talking to my manag...Timely discussion, Jess. I was talking to my manager yesterday at length about my website. I've been dying for a professional site for several years now, but finances prohibited it so I did my own. This is finally the year I get a professionally done site. Woooo Hoooo!<br /><br />I prefer sites that are clean in appearance. Cluttered or confusing sites make me leave without poking around. Less is more. Concise, clean and with a definite feel for the books displayed and the personality of the author.Sue Ann Jaffarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984054116933714621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-6436531562425312572011-02-08T09:05:25.677-05:002011-02-08T09:05:25.677-05:00XXX is better than 666. *lol*XXX is better than 666. *lol*Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12257833859493584103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-91125172145219411492011-02-08T08:57:11.755-05:002011-02-08T08:57:11.755-05:00The reader forum page is a great idea, Bernie! Lov...The reader forum page is a great idea, Bernie! Love it. I'll ask my website designer how difficult that is. <br /><br />By the way, do I want a XXX follower? ;)Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-67470243639805509312011-02-08T08:53:40.500-05:002011-02-08T08:53:40.500-05:00I agree with Jessie, regular updates are a must.
...I agree with Jessie, regular updates are a must. <br /><br />Perhaps have a forum where people could talk about your books. Then give them a thrill and respond if need be. It would be a good way to get buzz about your books. <br /><br />If you get emails or letters, perhaps post one with your reply. <br /><br />When you are all cleaned up and updated, have a give away. For example a book mark or something for your XXX number follower. <br /><br />Just some thoughts. <br /><br />Good luck!Bernie@OneMixedBaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07734463948343407389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-9136003931263870412011-02-08T08:18:44.211-05:002011-02-08T08:18:44.211-05:00I agree that an updated site is a compelling site....I agree that an updated site is a compelling site. Hopefully, you'll like my new new site, too, the one that goes up in March, AND it'll be dynamic so I can make regular updates.Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-11675548994514905642011-02-08T02:47:49.010-05:002011-02-08T02:47:49.010-05:00Jess, this is an hilarious post! What brungs me ba...Jess, this is an hilarious post! What brungs me back to websites is when they are frequently updated. It doesn't have to be a novel-sized entry, jusy a tidbit...something different. However, I'm one to talk since I rarely update my own or update mt FB status. Always one more thing to aim for the sky for :-) And I think your new site is awesome!<br /><br />JessieJessie Chandlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17963009962065255242noreply@blogger.com