Saturday, October 1, 2016

Traipsing through the National Parks while I Build a Website by Rolynn Anderson

By the time you read this, I’ll be in Moab, Utah (near Arches and Canyonlands).  Warning: I might have trouble getting on line today, but I will respond to your comments as soon as I have internet access.

My husband and I visited Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Arches, Canyonlands; later, we’ll check out Monument Valley, Zion, and the Grand Canyon.  Jaw-dropping, spectacular sites.   Enjoying the scenery is our prime objective; finding a new setting for a novel is another.  A third goal: get my new website up and running.  My old iWeb format isn’t supported anymore, so I’m having Kris Lynn build a WIX website for me, which will include a blog.  I write medium dark suspense/mystery spiked with romance, and I’m discovering that dichotomy is difficult to convey on a website.  My brand: show a hero and heroine on the precipice, confounded by some underbelly of humanity-not too bloody or procedural-with a look toward the HEA, enhanced by a conflict/mystery in a romantic relationship.  The task feels as big as Bryce Canyon, filled with hoodoos (which are bad people turned to stone...so says the native legend).




So I’ve developed a new website. http://www.rolynnanderson.com  I hope you’ll take a look at it and critique it, including the mechanics (the memes flipping through, ease of navigation), content of the pages, and overall concepts/tone/color.  I took a look at other romantic suspense author websites to inform my design decisions, but for the most part, what you’re seeing is the creation of my web artist and me.  Thoughts?  I welcome them!


Now, back I go to visiting natural monuments.  Happy October, everyone!  


12 comments:

Diane Burton said...

Enjoy your vacation--working vacation--Rolynn. I love southern Utah (Bryce & Zion N.P.s) One of these days, we'll get north and see Arches, et al. Your website looks good. The slideshow at the top seemed to move too fast. Or maybe it's me. Easy to navigate. A job well done.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Thanks, Diane. I'll work on the slideshow...good feedback. We take a jeep tour in Monument Valley today...looking forward to it!

Jannine Gallant said...

I like your website looks great. Very professional. We camped in Moab years ago. My husband did all those insane bike rides where you could die if you hit a rock wrong... I'm not that crazy. Arches is gorgeous, and I've done most of the other parks, too. A truly impressive part of the country! Have fun!

Leah St. James said...

Hope you're having a wonderful time, Rolynn! I've never been farther west than the Mississippi (I know...I'm deprived), but maybe some day I'll get to visit. In the meantime, I love looking at stunning photos like yours. :-) Love the new website! I like the links right at the top on the right for your social media and newsletter--very convenient. Love the slider with your books. (I might borrow that idea!) Really nice job.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Jannine, Moab is the BIGGEST bike-rider mecca I've ever encountered. I can see why your husband loved it...and got a little nervous. Thanks for the kudos on my website. Took forever! But worth it.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Leah, you've just got to see these places. Definitely a bucket list for all Americans...and the folks from other countries are definitely here as well. Thanks for your comments on the website...glad you like my slider. I got the idea from Sandra Brown's website. These are memes I had my builder design. I can use them in other places besides the slider. Yay!

Brenda Whiteside said...

Great area you're visiting. It's been a few years, but I remember we loved it. Your new website is nice! I'd like to do the same thing and veer away from the heavy romance angle since I now kill off people and have men reading my books.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Thanks for the compliments on the website, Brenda. My website builder was the one who said to me: "A big part of your brand is the variety of settings in your suspense/romance stories.' This site capitalizes on that aspect more than the other one did. We learn as we go!

Andrea Downing said...

You're traipsing in my footprints from a couple of years back, Rolynn, though I'm disappointed to see you're not making it up to Capitol Reef, one of my favorites. And the new website looks great, so relax and enjoy yourself. InD'Tale conference next...

Margo Hoornstra said...

Enjoy those sites. We were going that way this year when life intervened. Next year now. Website looks good, even on a phone. My only connection to the world until we get home from the north woods of Michigan in a few days.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Andi, dang it...no one told me about Capital Reef...and now I've heard of Dead Horse Canyon (Canyonlands), which we missed...and today after a breathtaking day in Monument Valley, someone told us Valley of the Gods is not to be missed. Sigh! Glad you like the site! Wish I could see you at InD'Tale!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Margo, a few years ago, they closed Grand Canyon (budget thing) just before we got to the gate. Lots of things intervene, for sure. So glad you tested my site on the phone...my old one was not phone friendly!