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Interview 3 Patrick Makes California a Black Hole

December 5, 2005 by Liz

California is recipe patrick3header

A Conversation with Patrick about Blog Design
His Blog: california is a recipe for a black hole
URL: mojoshivers.blogspot.com
Things to note when you visit: what a blogspot template can become

I introduce you to Patrick and his blog to start the design conversation for several reasons: Patrick’s a writer not a designer. He has a good eye, but admits he’s no good at code. He’s a blogger who took a basic template and made it uniquely his own–so much so you have to look to see the blogspot underneath it.

Here are Patrick’s thoughts about his blog and its design.

Patrick, what made you start the blog?

I had been reading two blogs–5ilver.net (now defunct) and sdfsdf.wox.org. I always thought I could do something like that, but I fretted about the daily routine of keeping one up. Finally, after a few weeks off work and without any real reason not to, I decided it was about time. I wrote my first post, and I have been writing ever since. That was September 1st, 2004.

The name obviously had a part in the design. What’s its story?

The name’s actually a line from my favorite song, “Pictures of Success” by my favorite band, Rilo Kiley. It’s always been a favorite phrase of mine. It sums up the mixture of forlorn and wistfulness that I think permeates my life. Also, the inclusion of musical influences is one aspect I knew I wanted to include on my blog.

How did you get to the “look” of your site?

When I first started blogging I started off with a template. As I continued to write, I started tweaking the “look” of my site. I chose a palette of blacks and greys to adhere to the “black hole” theme. The header picture I took myself on a drive home from work, which I then tweaked with to produce the “black hole” effect.

As for links, I decided that, rather than plop down a huge blogroll, I wanted a small selection of blogs I actually read on a regular basis. Once a site stops being updated, or if the address changes, I drop it. I don’t want the huge lists that other sites have. I want everyone to know that the sites I like are a select few and that I can guarantee you that each one on my list of favorite things is worth the effort to visit.

Screenshot of ca is a recipe for a black hole

Why a partner?

I don’t think anyone can be interesting every day of the week. I brought Breanne in because I know she’s a good writer, and she has interesting stories to tell about her life. We both have similar views on what the site should be about and stand for. Also, our lives crisscross so much that it only made sense that I brought her aboard.

More importantly, she makes working on the site fun because I always know she’s right there to tell me what is and isn’t working.

What was your biggest mistake?

I suck at coding. I’ve had many meltdowns trying to “improve” the look of the site.

What change made the greatest improvement?

Getting away from that damn template.

What do you wish you could do for your blog?

I just want to gain more readers and continue to post on this site for many decades to come.

What was the best advice anyone gave you?

The customer is not always right. In fact, a pretty good average is to say they’re wrong about 50% of the time. In most things, especially my writing, I try not to limit myself in terms of what, how, or who I write about.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Breanne and I have a saying whenever we go into writing a deeply personal or uncomfortable topic:

“Ride hard and kill ’em all!”

That’s pretty much the philosophy when it comes to being worried about what people reading might think.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Take a look at this unique site that shows what one guy can do with a blogspot template, some time, some hardwork, and some creativity. Patrick has made it his own. A place that’s unique, memorable and truly representative of the quality of the writing that it promises when you look further. Stop by Tuesday to be part cf the community discussion about works for you and what doesn’t in this unusual blog design. Maybe I can coax Patrick to be there too.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Design, Interviews, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc

Tuesday Design Discussion Night

December 3, 2005 by Liz

muddy teal strip A

Successful bloggers are constantly trading nuances, techniques, and strategies for how they keep their blogs growing. . . . When we find one, it’s hard to keep quiet. We want to know if other folks see the same things we do.

Wasn’t it fun when we had that discussion last week in the comment section of Brian’s sidebar article?

I want to do that again. Don’t you?

So I proclaim Tuesday Night Successful Blog Design Discussion Night.

This week we’ll talk about california is a recipe for a black hole–a quality blog with a unique design. The blog is co-authored by Patrick “Mojo Shivers” and his life-long friend, Breasier.

I tell you now in case you want to take a peek over the weekend. Before you go, you might want to print out the Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs that I’ve just put together. It’s a great tool for evaluating blog ideas wherever you find them. It’s in the next post. If you go, read a story. The writing’s worth reading. And do leave a comment. It’s an experience to get to the comment screen.

I’ll run a mini-interview about it and gather some screen shots for you to see on Monday.

muddy teal strip A

So do come Tuesday night, if you can. If not I’ll end up talking to me–which will lead to my schizoform disorder coming out again, which will mean my dcctor will have to up my medication–and that just isn’t pretty. Oh no, it’s not pretty.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Community, Design, Interviews, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc

2.1 Ellen Talks about Success

November 14, 2005 by Liz

2.1 Meet Ellen

Interview with: Ellen
Her Blog: The Reign of Ellen
URL: thereignofellen.blogspot.com
Location: United States of America
Genre: Family Life /Cartoon Blog
First post: The Reign of Ellen–May 2005 / Sugar in the Raw–May 2003
Her audience: easy-going, funny, non-judgmental readers–moms; dads; college-aged women
Things to note when you visit: the open spirit of community; the royal gallery; the multiple kinds of interactivity; the connection between Ellen and her readers; how the open, friendly design supports the concept; the features and unique ideas

Meet Ellen.

2.1 Meet Ellen

Ellen’s an American blogger, a graphic designer interested in cartooning and music. Her blog is a team effort. Queen Ellen reigns in blogdom, and Jason, her husband and self-proclaimed serf, manages behind the scenes.

Ellen’s interview is important because her blog shows how personality, content, and visual design can be seamlessly integrated into a one-of-kind blog. The closer you look into this blogdom, the more you’ll find corollaries to a sitcom, a game show, and a brought-to-life comic book. I kept getting the feeling that I was watching people on TV.

Though it’s called the Reign of Ellen, Ellen’s not the only royal on this blog. Each king and queen is honored with a portrait and a coronation. Read through an interview–THAT is reader participation. The comments show that folks who hang out here are not only having fun, but that they consider the blog part of their extended family. It’s easy to see why Ellen’s readers come back every night. It’s nice to be with her. She’s the real thing. Just listen.

Ellen, what would you call a successful blog?

When I was starting out in the blog world, I would have said “honesty.”

If you are always being Miss Merry Sunshine, readers are going to get irritated or bored. I still believe honesty is important, but I think stepping it up to the next level requires including your readers in your world. I think that community is key. And I think that you need to like your community.

I know of several well-known blogs that would probably be considered “successful” due to the amount of commenters that they get. But some seem to have gotten to this level by being negative, bitchy, elitest and controversial. They spend half their time yelping, “Well, stop reading my blog then!â€? to anyone who gives a dissenting opinion. Do readers tune in because they are invested in the writer’s blog, or just to lurk in on the many catfights? Is this really success?

I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m not sure what defines a successful blog. Blogging is such a new phenomenon–time will probably weed the successful ones out from the others.

Two weeks ago, Indie said,

. . . I never posted anything that I did not think was up to my standard of quality. In this respect I can call my blog a success.

What three words would you use to describe your blog?

Community, quality, content, honesty, information, authenticity, humor, accuracy, creativity, value, personality . .

Thanks, Ellen!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Business Life, Design, Interviews, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Interviews, Reign-of-Ellen

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