Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Simplicity Primer website

Okay folks, I'd love to get your input on something.

I sent some info on the Simplicity book to an interested party this week, and I realized I had no place to direct him to get additional information. In other words, I needed a dedicated website. It's not always appropriate to send folks here to this blog because it's not a dedicated site.

Websites are kind of a hassle and not too easy to update, so what I decided to do was create a modified blog. We registered a domain name, and the blog is now live.


What I'd love for everyone to do is check it out and critique it, and let me know what kinds of changes you think it needs. There's no place to leave comments yet (we're working on that -- it's going to be an outside comment source), so just post your feedback here.

The kind of critique I'm looking for is stuff you think is awkwardly phrase or grammatically incorrect. Typos? Let me know. Does something else need to be added? I'd love to hear about it.

I am purposely not linking from the Simplicity site back to here because, as I said, not everyone who reads the book may like my opinions on this blog. But of course I'll link back to the Simplicity site.

Thanks, all!

27 comments:

  1. i love the photos you chose. and the review from your mom--five minutes later and i'm still giggling.

    Birdy

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  2. Overall it's great! It has a good design and flow. The information level is very good and it helped me decide to put this book on my buy list. The only negative I have is the picture you chose for the 'Buy the Book' page. It doesn't strike me as nearly as 'inspirational' as the pictures on the other pages, but maybe that's just me (since I have fences to repair from elk damage!).

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  3. I would take out the "chant to raise consciences" line altogether since its a new age mumbo-jumbo thought - it doesn't seem to fit to me. But it looks good and I will be a frequent visitor.

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  4. Two suggestions for you:

    1)"Making good choices means the opposite will occur." This sentence is awkward and not necessarily true. I suggest: Making good choices is the pathway to simplicity. And simplicity can be your road to happiness. These 2 sentences then relate to your final statement:

    2) "Good luck on your journey." That almost sounds a bit sarcastic (if taken the wrong way, which some people will do.) Therefore I suggest something else: Enjoy the journey.

    Just my 2 pence worth.

    DI of Brighton-by-the-Sea

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  5. One more suggestion:

    On the About the Author page, you wrote: "What has made our lives simple is the choices we've made."

    Wouldn't the sentence sound better thusly? What has made our lives simple ARE the choices we've made. It sounds better to my ear. Does it yours, as well?

    DI of Brighton-on-the-Sea

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  6. I love the website, and I've ordered your book! The only problem I found with the website was the Amazon link didn't work for me.

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  7. I like it. I didn't notice any errors, and I wouldn't change a thing.

    Xa

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  8. Looks good, and I love all the pictures. Can't wait to get the book.
    Kay

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  9. i am buying this book at my first opportunity. i like the photos, but especially the cover..365, a good number-i can learn something new everyday.

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  10. Patrice,
    The link worked perfectly the first time and then when I went back to re-read things, I lost it. The only thing I remember to ask about is: where it says "much much" should there be a comma between them. But since I can't pull it up I'm not sure where that was:) I'll let those who edit, edit and just say I'm really excited for you and can't wait to get my copy! Blessings,
    Mary in Ft Laud.

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  11. I also, like it very much - it's simple! Ordered my very own copy, too.

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  12. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)May 18, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Hi Patrice,

    Nice layout - easy on the eyes and great color pics.
    Would change just one sentance on "About the Author" page. I agree with Di, and it should read the choices you've made 'together.'
    I bet the girls and Hunka-hubby are really, really proud of you just as all of us readers are!
    Good luck and thanks for bringing us along for the ride!

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  13. Amazon link didn't work as of 3:13pm Pacific Time 5/18/11.

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  14. I liked the fact that the colors were the same on both blogs. I liked the new blog very much.
    Two things:
    "Have you ever wondered if it was possible", I think should read "WERE" possible, as in 'wish you were here.'
    Also I think it would be okay to somehow incorporate your faith in small ways such as: "We made it, by God's grace we made it!"
    If I didn't know you already I would want to know if you were a New-Age author or something else. Maybe it's better to be elusive and the mystery will keep your readers reading. I would like to know though, even in subtle words, before I bought a book, but that is just me.
    --K in OK <><

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  15. I love the picture of the rock brick embankment wall! To me, this is the pictorial essence of your message, Make Good Choices!

    On a stable foundation, you can then stack hundreds of other good choices over the years and when you look back at those years of fruition from your labors, you will have earned a firmament that can withstand just about anything forthcoming that you envision for the future.

    The new blog site is beautiful.
    G-d Bless it's success, and it's talented author.
    May it bring you much simcha.


    notutopia

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  16. It's lovely! I can't wait for the book to arrive!

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  17. I thought it was great. My only thought was the same as Greg and Donna's above. I think the "chant to raise consciousness" doesn't seem to fit. It distracted me from the sentence. I can't wait to order your book!!
    MaryB in GA

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  18. With all due respect to those who have objected to this phrase "No one has to move to a farm or CHANT TO RAISE THEIR CONSCIOUSNESS(unless they want to) [emphasis is mine], I don't see what's wrong with it. There are lots of people who think you have to join a cult or seek out a tribal ritual in order to find simplicity. In this sentence Patrice has said that such is not necessary. Makes sense to me as is.

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  19. I love it! I can't wait to buy the book also. I've been reading your blog for awhile now and your book is on my must buy list!

    I see some people have already mentioned it, but the Amazon link didn't work for me either.

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  20. Reviews

    "Damn, I can't put it down. It's really good."
    -- My mom

    ROFLOL!

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  21. Links are your friend. Make everything - EVERYTHING - a clickable link to Amazon or wherever you want people to buy. At no point should anyone be more than one mouse-click away from buying your book; at no point should anyone have to search for a way to buy your book.

    Also, make the banner for the website that you put here on this post, clickable to go to the website, not to the image.

    It's not location, location, location - it's linkage, linkage, linkage.

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  22. That is one of the most attractive and informative websites I have ever visited. I love the photos.
    Great Job of keeping it simple - it really demonstrates what the book (I think) is all about

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  23. I generally don't buy a book unless I can read a sample of it to make sure it's going to be a wise purchase for me. It would be nice if your site included a few sample pages to let the prospective customer get a taste of your style and ideas -- the introduction maybe, or the first page or so of a chapter that starts off with a compelling story.

    Also, I don't know what it takes to set the Amazon page up with a "Look Inside" option, but I'd do that if it were me.

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  24. I posted earlier but I had one more addition. I love your comment: "Make Good Choices."
    When you posted it before on your website it said "Make. Good. Choices." The added period gave a much greater emphasis per word. So, I think it should be added on the new blog, too. I've told my kids for years: 'Make. Wise. Choices.' So far, so good. It's so simple yet so profound! Can't wait for your book!
    --K in OK<><

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  25. Hey, you don't have to post another one but here it is:
    It was a leap of faith that we took, (wordy)
    We took a leap of faith, (simple)
    Forgive too many posts!
    Thanks again,
    --K in OK <><

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  26. Ok, I'm a little late, wasn't near a computer all week.....but I have to ask why you A. Decided on a blog format as opposed to a regular website and B. Why are you responsible for a website and not the publisher???

    Sorry if I missed this explained somewhere, I'm still trying to catch up around here :)

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  27. NatureGirl, the publisher did not offer me an advance for this book. As a result, they are being extraordinarily generous with other benefits and believe me, I am VERY happy with how they're treating me. But for most writers, a website (or in my case, blog-site) for a book is not the responsibility of the publisher, but of the writer (unless you're a BIG name, of course -- and I'm not!).

    I chose a blog format as opposed to a website format for the simple reason that I understand blogs. I have limited time to learn new computer stuff, so I went with my strengths, LOL. Plus -- another advantage of pulling an informational site together myself instead of depending on the publisher -- is it's under my control. I can chose the look, the content, etc, within the guidelines of what's tasteful and appropriate. I have to clear a couple things with the publisher before putting them on the blogsite, such as posting excerpts from the book (which a reader named Kelly suggested and I think is a spiffy idea).

    Hope this helps!

    - Patrice

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