First, I'd like to share this excellent post about sexism (thanks for bunting this my way Saya!) written by Rae Carson, author of last year's kickass debut fantasy Girl of Fire and Thorns - which I reviewed, glowingly, here. Everything that she talks about experiencing in her article, I experienced during my time in the working world, at three separate work places. And what was more, I didn't realise there was anything wrong with it for the longest time, because this is how young women and girls expect to be treated in our society. Once I did realise that something wasn't right, I felt powerless to change things because I had accepted being treated that way for years - and whenever I did try to stand up for myself, I incurred even more abuse.
I'm not sure even I understood the full extent of the bullying, harassment and abuse I dealt with on a day to day basis until I actually left my day job and worked for myself for a while, and was able to look back with some perspective. So it's sobering to realise that there are people out there - men and women - who believe sexism is a myth. And that women have somehow taken over the world and are being unfair to men. And that discrimination and anti-bullying laws should be scaled back, either to 'boost industry' or because they're no longer needed.
Next, I want to share this wonderful blog where an artist envisions Disney heroines as real people:
Seriously - how awesome is that? Go check out the other images on his blog.
Now for a question: What does everyone think about my website?
Do you think it needs a redesign? I first put it together nearly seven years ago and at the time it was the envy of everyone who looked at it - it was pretty and comprehensive and back then a lot of authors didn't even have a website. In the years since, though, all those writers who were hesitating on the brink of online activity have taken the plunge, and most of them paid web designers to create their sites, which means that the homemade nature of my little site has become startlingly obvious. What do you guys think? Do you like the wonky, homemade look the thing has now? Should I redesign myself? Or should I invest in something a bit more professional? That last one is expensive, so it's not a decision to be taken lightly.
If you think I should spring for a professional's help, do you have any favourite author sites - ones you think are particularly attractive, fun, or easy to navigate - to direct me to so that I can check out their designers?
Finally, since it's a brand new year and we've not talked about it for a bit - does anyone have any suggestions for what my challenge should be if/when the blog reaches 400 followers? It doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon, since we've been hovering around 320 for months now, but it would be nice to have something up there.
Well, that's all the random I've got right now. Have a great weekend - read you later!
6 comments:
That Disney blog is awesome, I love the Ariel picture!
And I really like your website, it is pretty and the homemade look of it makes it unique :)
Amy: Isn't it? I love how he gives them realistic proportions but you'd still know who they are even if it didn't say. And thank you - vote noted :)
The Disney images are very cool! They are so similar to the original cartoons but somehow a lot more realistic.
And I agree with Amy about your website. I think it's nice and unique and there's no need to change it. :)
Isabel: Thanks - that makes me feel a little bit better about it.
Like everyone said, your website is wonderful as it is! But of course, if YOU want to give it a redesign, there's no problem with that either. And don't worry about what other authors' websites look like - they didn't have to put as much hard work in as you did!
Megha: Thanks, hun. I guess the website isn't as dire as I thought!
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