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| Artist's impression of me after receiving negative feedback. |
- I figure I really can only write the way I write. So if you tell me you don't like my writing, then I have no alternative but to curl up into a little ball and cry copious tears of rejection. And then blog the next day the same way I have always blogged.
- If there is something I can change, and I try to change it, there are
alwaysfrequently disasterous consequences. Cases in point:
a) When I bought the domain name kerrisackville.com and nearly lost my entire blog whilst trying to change it over;
b) When I changed my blog layout this past Sunday, and lost my entire commenting system, and spent 72 hours weeping and gnashing my teeth fixing the damn thing. - Inevitably, some of you will like some things that others of you ate, and some of you will hate some things that others of you love. And I will want desperately to please you all, and feel wrenched in two by the cognitive dissonance that comes from wanting to change what I also want to stay the same. If you know what I mean.
- If there is something that you all agree you hate, and it is clear that I have to change it, then I will have to change it. And I hate change. It scares me. Bad things come out of change. (For further clarification, see point 2).
So I am asking for your feedback. What do you like about my blog? What do you dislike? What would you like to change?
You can comment on the layout. The colours. The content. The font. The commenting system. The picture of me looking sexily nonchalant as I sign a book. Anything you want. Be honest. I can take it.
Or I'll curl up into a little ball and cry copious tears of rejection.
Whatever!!!
Hi. Well, I look at it like this. I don't give a rats what your blog looks like, because I only come here for the content...and that's ace! I'm in mobile format majority of the time, so I can't see much other than text anyway. But I am concerned you won't even get this comment. Last time 4 of us commented on the fingernail naming post via mobile, I don't think we were noticed? I say keep on keeping on. You're not going to please everyone as you already acknowledged, so you may as well please yourself. I keep coming back because I find you delightful, and funny and very likeable. You're too nice to spend any time curled up in the corner worrying about what others think. However, I've just tried unsuccessfully 3 times to get past your code verification to post this and I've failed!! :-D
ReplyDeleteKerri, it is what you say in your blog that is enjoyable to read. Sometimes funny and other times very funny indeed, you appear to have a most interesting life. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Sometimes a bit too interesting! Thanks love x
ReplyDeleteI've never commented- I'm a new reader.. but I have been browsing your blog tonight and I have to tell you I LOVE your work! :)
ReplyDeleteAw.... thank you Ashley. So nice to have you here!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI think asking for feedback, no matter what it is you do, shows that you really care about what you do. 10 points!! Having said that, here are my pearls.....
ReplyDeleteYour blog is more about the content than the look, you are smart and funny and you don't write a wall of text (thank you! thank you!) In other words you have nailed the easy reading aspect and as for the look, well isn't that just a matter of taste? Keep up the good work. And thank you.
No, Kerry with a y. Thank YOU x
ReplyDeleteHi, Kerri. Like the new layout. Fresh and clean looking. Lighten your picture up, though. We want to see you ! As for your writing, change nothing. If you do, I will smack you over my knee...... ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou'll smack me over my knee? Oooh!!! Promise????
ReplyDeleteI meant YOUR second book, of course, not you're. I have grammar lapses on Friday's. Oops, Fridays.
ReplyDeleteI was just watching you on TV this morning and said to my husband 'Oh she's SUCH a nice girl'. Clearly I was SO RIGHT. Thanks love. Can't quite believe you don't like PURPLE but forgive you because of your other divine feedback x
ReplyDeleteFurther to my previous post, I must admit when I was "forced" to change the layout of my own blog....http://kitconn.blogspot.com.au/ - not because of my wanting to do so but by the "powers-that-are" or "those who must be obeyed", I, too, suffered some distressing, frustrating and nervous moments...fearful I'd lose the whole thing...lose years of thoughts! The whole catastrophe, as Zorba once said! By the way, "Lee" is the female version of the name...not the other one!
ReplyDeleteOh! You lost your comments? How AWFUL. Are you sure there's no way you can get them back? They must be in the sytem somewhere!
ReplyDeleteLooking at the number of responses you receive, Kerri, I feel you have little to change, if anything, about your blog! Continue being who you are...don't change...and don't change your blog...remember the saying - "Why try to fix it, if it ain't broke?"...or words to that effect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :)
Thanks Lee!!!! Love that advice x
ReplyDeleteObviously I don't handle change either. IT DOES look different,too calm?...but its colour co-ordinated so well...Have a great time at the blogfest!!!! And keep writing
ReplyDeletethese great blogs.
Thanks Alix. Still a work in progress - hopefully I can de-calm it a bit! x
ReplyDeleteAnd as for your chosen colour...to my eyes, it's more of a soft lilac than purple. Purple can sometimes be very harsh...but the lilac tone here is pleasant on the eyes...on mine, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI loathe purple with a passion but I know you write how you speak and that sincerity is at the heart of all your work. You're pant-wettingly funny, talented and candid - and so I can push through the purple for all of that. I was very grateful when you're second book was cornflower blue rather than p****e (can only say it once a day). And it's a terrific read. x
ReplyDeleteI'm confused now (does happen!)...My earlier comment I wrote hasn't appeared, unfortunately. I wrote...(maybe not verbatim...but close enough to)....Stay the way you are, Kerri...don't change your blog...looking at all the comments you receive, it's obvious you're doing something right! It's a bit like that old saying - "Why try to fix it, if it ain't broke?"
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I've found your blog, Kerri...and you will see me again...
Hi Kerri - for some reason I'm compelled to write something only because I've recently been through a great big refresh spurred on by someone whom hated the look of my brand (in a good way....i think.)
ReplyDeleteNormally I would say your story and your journey and your internet representation is your own; actually I will always say that but you did ask for it.... so I will put my two bits in for what it's worth.
1. Go and ask someone whom has the type of blog you want, or website or brand and ask them to consult you in your transformation. That's it - ask one (maybe two - not the entire world wide web) whom you really admire and respect and follow their advice.
2. perhaps 'some' may think your blog design is a little dated, perhaps a little 2004... ie a tad old fashioned
however at the end of the day - you don't judge a book by it's cover - your words and following speak louder than a blog template.
then again don't worry at all - It won't be long before this design will be considered retro and very, very cool!!
LOL. Love the idea of my blog becoming retro. But that's great advice, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love your writing and thats why I read it! Im new-ish to your blog, but love it already.
ReplyDeleteHello! Welcome!
ReplyDeleteLove love love your blog. Was put onto you by Sarah Wilson's post on the problogger conference actually. Can you just hire Sarah's blogmaster designer to clean everything up? Also, you are very pretty, why is your picture at the top tinted black?! It sort of symbolises a dullness rather that the brightness that your blog embodies!! So thats my feedback, but love your writing. LOVE. Keep up the good work, and congratulate yourself for even being brave enough to ask for feedback.
ReplyDeleteI agonized over that pic! I made it darker because I thought it was too bright and in-your-face!!! Thanks so much for your feedback Elise! xx
ReplyDeleteI actually really like your blog and tune in everyday for new posts. I am only new to this blogging thing but have gotten some ideas from your blog, like the two column layout and the side links that you use. Some blogs are way too busy for me and I click off pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteI also like your writing and intend buying your books for myself as an early birthday present (this is my reasoning when I buy anything for myself).
And BTW, I don't think you would be asked to the Problogger conference to present if you had a shitty blog :)
LOL. Well, maybe Problogger just likes me for my sticky-out ear....??? x
ReplyDeleteYour header is great (was it different last week, smaller? didn't like that one). The font is perfect and the layout is nice and simple, in fact I based my blog design on yours! Whatever you do, don't change the content except to post more often. I depend upon it now, you're my inspiration woman!
ReplyDeleteAw.... Thanks Becci! That's so lovely to hear!!!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't have any problems with your blog. You are awesome writer and it is what you write about that matters... not the colours, the font etc. What you write about makes people laugh etc and for the ones that have anxiety you connect with us and remind us that we are not alone. Don't change... and I really hate change also!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks love
ReplyDeleteWhat an unfashionable lot we seem to be. I also could not give much of a fig about look compared to the delightful content. Go forth and blog in grace.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Will do x
ReplyDeleteKerri sweet,
ReplyDeleteDon't change a thing...you bring SO much pleasure to so many people...except when you are shedding copious tears...You have my love and my constant admiration!
Yetta
Love the content of this here ol bloggy!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the presentation, welllllll, to be honest I think it could look more professional.
The header is the first thing people see and if I hadn't read from other people about how good this blog was then I would have clicked off at first site of the header (not cause it's your pretty face but because i don't consider it a 'real' header, can you make it fit the space? and maybe align the writing to go around your face?).
:)
xx
Totally spot on. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteAs long as I can read the words, it's fine. Change whatever you like, just don't put yellow lettering on a white background, or white lettering on an orange background. Now that I think about it, white lettering on any pastel background would be hard to read.
ReplyDeleteEW!!! Yellow!!! I HATE yellow!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is YOUR BLOG - you write and style as YOU WANT. Hell the people with problems don't have to read it! It is not like you are holding them down and twisting their pinky! As long as it is you - I am happy. You are so good at being you but no one is good at trying to be anyone else.
ReplyDeletevery true. But I would like my banner to be nice!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteFor me blogs are all about the writing and I love yours.
ReplyDeletethanks darling x
ReplyDeleteOkay.
ReplyDeleteI love the content... like, I REALLY love the content and you are not allowed to change that at all... as it's my professional opinion as in 'blog design is like what I do to earn pretty shoe monies maaaan' the layout and design needs work. (i love you, don't cry)
And here is where I tell you that I actually wrote out an email to you yesterday and then deleted it because I couldn't be so bold.
so i'll email you.
Does this comment even make sense?
x
Yes. Email me. Yes. xx
ReplyDeleteKerri, I love how you write. I love that you literally make me lol. I love that you connect with me (and your other readers) on Twitter and here in the comments.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments about the header. It needs to go right across the top. The title across the top could perhaps be a bit fancier.
But whatever. I think you are lovely and funny and warm and THAT is why I read your blog
x
MWAH. THank you xxx
ReplyDeleteI LOVE purple too! Mine and my daughter's fave. And yes, I'd love your help with that. How do I make the pic wider?????
ReplyDeleteHave emailed you but I use the online websites http://www.ribbet.com/app/#/home/welcome and http://www.picmonkey.com/ to play around with the pictures then re upload it to blogger. the dimensions of my header is 1100x220 So have a play around with it.
ReplyDeleteI saw this post from WordPress on a new font they use: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/open-sans-how-do-we-love-thee-let-us-count-the-ways/
ReplyDeleteComparing the 2 fonts, the new "Open Sans" font was much more readable than their old sans serif font.
And good luck with the header - it can be tricky to get the right size :)
Thank you!!!! WIll check it out!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a criticism. Your blog lives in the wrong city. Bad blog. Naughty blog!!
ReplyDeleteActually my blog lives in the right city. A certain READER lives in the wrong city. BAD NAUGHTY READER!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind at all what your blog looks like - I read it for your writing only! It's funny, it's insightful, and it's real. So change the appearance never or every day, I won't complain!
ReplyDeleteAw...... THANK YOU xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a problem, some times you're too damn funny & I wet my pants. Awkward.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Now that's the kind of criticism I can live with. Panty shield?
ReplyDeleteOk the header is a bit of a bummer because It doesn't take up all the space I can try to help you with that if needed. I LOVE the background colour because it's purple and purple is my colour and I will fight cadbury for it unless they give me a lifetimes supply of chocolate. Although I'll let you use the colour.
ReplyDeleteYour "What I write about" down the bottom of the right hand side is so long Maybe think about having a drop down list if it is possible.
Other than that it's fine and I would love for you to check out my blog too and give me some harsh criticism on it.
Okay :) You asked for it.
ReplyDeleteNot just on your blog, mind you but I really like the writing justified. Ragged edges on the sides make me stabby. It's one thing that drives me nuts.
Very petty, I know.
2. Whilst I can manage to read your font, it is on the verge of small. Too small and I just don't bother.
Again, very petty I know.
But can I say, Kerri that I comment on a lot of blogs and you are the only one who consistently who acknowledges my comments. That means a lot. It's one reason I keep coming back. Apart from the fabulous writing, of course. Really, the fonts and the displays and the pictures don't really matter that much if your writing is wonderful and if you acknowledge your readers. Which you do.
And the discus thing you guys are all using now rarely works for me. Really, really don't like it.
Yes, I've had huge problems with Disqus too!!! Thanks for the comments. I'll have a play around with the font and see what I come up with xxx
ReplyDeleteI like everything except the header ... and only because it doesn't take up all of the available space :) I am also partial to a serif font ... but that is purely personal preference!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the header. Have to do something about that!!! x
ReplyDelete