Woot! Today my guest post is live on literary agent Nathan Bransford’s blog. Many thanks to Nathan for opening up his blog while he’s away! If you’re wondering what the top seven things every aspiring author’s website must have are, head on over to check it out. Looking to set up your website? I recommend my host, BlueHost, for domain registration and website hosting!
Meanwhile, if you’re coming from Nathan’s, welcome to my website/blog! I tried to make sure I was implementing my own advice before the post went live 😉 . Here on the blog, we discuss writing technique, grammar mechanics and other fun stuff—feel free to jump in!
This month, we’re doing a series on deep POV. We’ve covered defining deep POV and how to get into our character’s heads and tomorrow we’ll start looking at specific techniques for establishing deep POV.
Last month, we discussed creating effective character sympathy, from theory to practice. Last month’s posts are also available as a free PDF guide to creating character sympathy.
Please introduce yourself in the comments, whether it’s your first time here or your fiftieth! I’d love to get to know one another.
Photo credit: typofi
Hey Jordan,
Glad you had that great post over at Nathan’s blog, because it let me to your blog! I’m going to snoop around to learn more about you. I’m an aspiring author, too, a journalist. I’m writing my first book, a travel memoir about backpacking solo through Africa. Great to connect!
Oh, yeah, I thought I recognized your blog! I think I must have found you through Nathan’s blog a couple weeks ago. Did you settle on a title?
Hi Jordan, came over from Nathan’s blog. Really like your site here and will try to come back as often as I can.
Hi Maryann! Thanks! Feel free to subscribe in a reader if you’d like. Looking forward to seeing you around the blog!
Awesome guest post on Nathan’s blog, Jordan! You were SPOT ON on everything there about author web sites. I’m happily reading your blog and look forward to MamaBlogga as well.
One thing I would add to your list of things to do is make sure the content and design fits within your genre of writing. (For example, a dark background and creepy graphics work well for a thriller writer, no so well for romance.)
@Sierra—Absolutely. I drawn to ideas in both mystery/thriller and romantic suspense, so I’ve tended toward the common area between the two.
On the other hand, with the backend I use (WordPress), it takes about one minute to completely change the appearance of my whole website, and I can do it for free. You’re not married to your site layout and design. Change at will!
Hey Jordan! I vaguely remember you. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’ll be sure to keep yours handy. Why exactly are you doing these writing tips, btw? It’s great to know this stuff! I can’t write mystery for the life of me. my contract states that my book is a suspense novel. really? huh! good to know!
Hi Jordan, “Top Seven Things…” provided a nice checklist for those of us wondering how our websites are sizing up. Great job!
Like you, I have a story I hope to publish one day–in my case, a memoir about my son’s rare heart condition, Scimitar Syndrome. In the meantime, my website (NathansPrayer.com) has been a great outlet for my writing addiction, plus I have had the great privilege of connecting with other families who have a personal interest in congenital heart defects.
BTW, I enjoyed your excerpt. Best wishes to you as you pursue your dreams!
Hey Jordan,
Loved your blog at Nathan’s. I’ve just jumped into the blogging world, and haven’t yet gotten a website, but I will certainly have your list next to me when I do. I hope you pop over to my blog.
Congratulations!
Hi Jordan! Popped in from Nathan’s because I loved your guest blog, and found that I really liked your main blog too! I’ll be back again soon, I’m sure.
@Tamara—I started doing writing tips because I’m very opinionated about some grammar issues (the May verb series). And then I was opinionated about some characterization issues. This month’s series came as a request. After another request on Nathan’s comments today, I may have an idea for next month’s series.
@Karen‐Thanks! I’m especially flattered your enjoyed my excerpt. Good luck on your publishing journey!
@CindyLou—Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I’ll be sure to visit your blog.
@Anna—Thanks so much! Looking forward to seeing you around.
Jordan,
Love your blog, absolutely loved your list! Kudos on getting it posted over at Nathan’s.
Thanks, Rachelle!
Great post over at Nathan’s, Jordan. I’ve just recently stumbled upon your blog. Looks like a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to learning lots!
Thanks, Eileen. Look forward to seeing you here, too!
Good stuff. I definitely think people need to separate their personal and professional feeds at some point, so they can blog about their dog’s grooming in one and their signings in the other.
I have to say, I too have now bookmarked your site based on the coolness I found in your post over at Nathan’s. I found it very educational, I discerned a lot missing from my own website (www.raingun.com). While I’m trying to figure out how to implement your suggestions with that, I’ll read your “POV” stuff and other discussions on the subject of writing (which, between reading about queries and agents, and researching historical stuff, I certainly don’t read about enough).
@Iapetus—Yep. Of course, keeping up with all those blogs is daunting!
@Joe—Thanks! We can all stand to work on our craft, eh?