Come to My Senses

[AdamMac]

Hi all,

I had a non-fiction book idea (coinciding with a deportation order) some time ago that pretty much left me sleepless for three days in my excitement. The research now rules my life.
I've inadvertently turned it into a blog - what was meant to be an (as-yet) private project turned kinda public when a friend slipped the url on Facebook and I started getting visitors. So, still unprepared, I have started to turn it into a properly updated blog. My agent doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
http://cometomysenses.com
I'm sure my six-year-old daughter could probably pick out a thousand deficiencies with the layout - I am just starting to learn. However, she probably could not comment on the writing and theme - particularly the central idea outlined in the About page. I have only posted twice and am now in the process of writing the next two weeks of posts - while the blog may be at times spontaneous, I want the content to be well-edited and planned. The next update will be out tomorrow, and then daily thereafter.
The blog is not specifically designed for writers but I think writers would be in a position to appreciate it most.
I would warmly and heartily welcome any comments on the idea and the writing itself. Comments on layout, lack of Facebook buttons, etc., would also be welcome but I very well may be in the process of fixing the problems a reader may bring up.
I will definitely be reviewing blogs here as I throw myself up the learning curve.
Thanks and I owe ya one,
Adam Mac Brown

[veinglory]

If there is meant to be something in the right column it didn't load for me. I am just getting a white space.

[AdamMac]

Thanks for that. I'll work on that next. There should be something in that column but I'm a total neophyte.
I had considered paying somebody to help me set up my blog and my home page but have tried to do it all myself, by reading advice on the internet.
The disadvantage is that it looks like an elementary school design. The advantage is that, once I learn to do something by myself, I'll never forget it.
I'll probably call in some help soon.
Adam

[Morgan Le Fay]

I'm not a blogging expert or anything, but I do follow a few blogs. I checked out your site. The number of posts makes your blog look quite established, which is good, and I like the extra pictures that you add into your posts. I would like to see more color in the header picture, though. The black and white makes it look a little drab. Also, some of your posts are a bit on the long side - most blogs I see rarely have more than 600 words in a post.

Hope this helps!

[AdamMac]

Thanks Morgan.

Both of those comments actually addressed lingering concerns of mine too. I think I agree with you and will change both soon.

Adam

[kolemcrae]

I got into the first post. Then I had to click something. I hate that. Just let me read the entire post on the front page, then I'll scroll down to the next one. Remember, us readers will always start at the top. We wont go find the old post and read backwords.

The writing is clear and enjoyable to read. I find thats rare these days. I'm getting sick of reading the same intros over and over again. You have a fresh voice and style the work well.

The idea is beautiful. It's actually one point of meditation. To ignore everything and focus on a scent or beautiful single sound will clear your mind quicker than anything else.

Also, how the heck do I get your previous job? ;)

[AdamMac]

Thanks Kole. Great advice! I think I have to change WordPress theme templates to implement it though. I'll check and see how it looks.

I also want the first six posts to be read in chronological order. I'll have to figure that out - maybe putting them on a separate page? It doesn't much matter after the first six though.

As for my previous job, I was a newswire correspondent. I basically just went abroad, learned the local languages, read up on local news and started applying to the foreign offices of The Associated Press, Reuters, etc. In the meantime, at the beginning, I worked at local English-language newspapers to give me food money. It was a hundred times easier than applying from North America or the UK. It all took off from there.