Hello my peeps!! In case you missed it a couple days ago at Story Day, I mentioned some changes I intended to do for my site, including revamping the look and a possible newsletter.
I still plan to do those.
Today is the official announcement (just ’cause I have to make things official and make sure no one is left out of the loop ;)), plus some more details about those things, times when I think it’ll be happening, and other ideas I have. Shall we dive in?
1. The Look
No, I’m not dropping my Northern Lights theme. I love these mysterious thingies with all my heart, and it would just seem wrong to leave them out what with my goal being inspiration and all. (C’mon, the Northern Lights can inspire anybody.) However, I’m considering trying out a different format, especially because WordPress informed me that mine is now “outdated”, apparently. I know several of you like this clean-cut format, but it’s getting a bit difficult for me to work with and the “Blog” tab really needs help. XD Like badly. And the Home page too. Sheesh.
Anywho!! Keep an eye out for that. This is going to be one of my biggest changes, so it probably won’t happen for a while (a few weeks, I’m guessing, if not longer). Let me know if any of you aesthetic people have any tips. *winkwink*
2. The Newsletter
That’s right!! I finally got meself a business email (check it out here: joellestoneauthor@gmail.com), which means I can start releasing a newsletter!! So far this only consists of a few random ideas for content, so this one will probably take the longest to get up and running. I’m guessing that it’ll be monthly, include writing memes, links to new stuff from the blog, writing prompts, short writing tips, a writing quote, favorite writing music, WIP snippets/sneak-peeks, all sorts of stuff!! I still have no idea what I’m going to use to create it, though (again, feel free to comment if you have any recommendations ;)), which is why it could take a while.
3. The Name
Don’t panic – I’m not going to start going by Glarbsteinsteinfurd III (though I’m tempted to). However, The Pen Inspired is waaay overdue for a name change. I’ve been thinking about this for probably a month or two now and have compiled a list! So now I just need y’all to vote on it (or offer your own suggestions). Here’s what I’ve been thinking.
As a side note, this is also going to affect my URL. I’ll send out an email later and write a post giving the new URL, but in case you go to joellestoneauthor.wordpress.com and it says the site was taken down, don’t panic. You probably have the wrong address and can shoot me an email to get the new one. 😉
Which brings me to my next point!
4. General Updates
I’ve decided to make life easier on all of us and update to a paid plan. WordPress has worked well for me and, as I’m nearing the 100 follower mark (ok, still 23 away, but hey!), I’ve decided that these ads (especially since I can’t censor them) are a bother. I’m planning on the Personal Plan, which is only $36 a year (I may be broke, but I think I can afford that XD) and will get rid of ads, not to mention allow me to have subscriber-only content, more memory, and a custom URL. Worth it!
I have no idea how that will affect the site as it is, so you’ll just have to keep that in mind in case things suddenly go wonky. 😛
Aaaand, last but certainly not least:
5. Current Projects & Extras
I have a very solemn announcement to make: I am dropping the Keepers of the Nine WIP. Yes, yes, I know a lot of you have been in on the project and have contributed at least a little bit of encouragement to it, but after a lot of thought and prayer and advice from pros, I decided that it was time to let it rest and take up a project I can finish.
You see, KON is intended to be a nine-book series. And it was my first novel.
Yeah, I could’ve been a little over-ambitious.
The point is is that the plot was complex enough that I didn’t want to squeeze it into less books, but so riddled with holes I couldn’t imagine how I was going to fill up nine whole novels with it. Not to mention that, while I loved it and still love it, I was pretty inexperienced when I started it. It needs so much work that I don’t think it’s worth the time and energy at the moment. So I’m setting it aside, counting it as a practice run, and focusing more on my other WIPs.
For now. I’ll probably come back to it in the future.
“But, Joelle,” you say, “everything in the Extras page is linked to that story! What are you going to do with that?”
Simple: I’m getting rid of it. Not the page, mind you, just the content. I’ll keep Riure’s story up for peeps to cringe at, but the character quiz and collages are going to be replaced by a character quiz and set of graphics from ATOTB. I’m also devising other fun stuff for y’all that may or may not be linked to a WIP (stuff like favorite quotes, links to best writing blogs/vlogs I know of, etc.). So we’ll see how that goes.
And KON is no longer going to be sported on my blog, after renovations. *sad sigh*
But, as angels say quite frequently, “FEAR NOT!” I’ve discovered that I’ve got enough love and passion to go around. I think WIPs are like children – you have your first one, one that you love so much you can’t imagine loving another even close to as much. But then the second and third and fourth come along, and you realize that your love doesn’t falter or get spread thin – it grows and multiplies to encompass your whole flock. And I’ve laid to rest that old burning love for KON (for now) and kindled a bright and furious love for ATOTB that should carry me through it to completion. 🙂
Wrap Up
Phew, I’m done! Congrats if you read through all those long and boring updates. 😛 Let me know what you think in the comments, or if you have any ideas for things you’d like to see in the future!! 😀
Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth. 😉
~Joelle
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