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Monday, January 11, 2010

My Kung Foo Is Strong

Do you like the new digs? I've been wanting to change up the look of my blog and website for a while, but well, you know, my DH does all the decorating at my house. I wear men's jeans. And clothes from 2000 and late. 'Nuff said.

So imagine my surprise when the fabulous Lisa Amowitz (her plot map is ah-ma-zing) emailed and offered to make me a shiny new header. See, she is the wickedest awesomest graphic designer. And an amazing author, so follow her blog if you're not already.

Then came the whole template thing.

Oh. My. Holey. Swiss. Cheese.

What a nightmare! No wonder I haven't done it. Hours, people. It took hours. And this template had the comments at the top (something I dislike) and it took me half my life to figure out how to A) find the html code and B) where to move it so it would be at the bottom. But, dude, I persevered!

Something funny: my new template's name is New Moon. It came with fabulous pics of Bella and Edward and Jacob. Tee hee.

But, hey, this massive redesign project saved me from beginning revisions on the final third of my MS. Therefore, my kung foo is strong, and I'm ready to throw down a major can of nunchuckage on said MS.

How's your kung foo? Feeling good about life? Writing? Revisions? Blog makeovers?

Hiiii-yaaa!
at

59 comments:

  1. TessJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:20 AM

    Yay! I get to be the first to say 'love it'! so fresh and cheery with just the right edge :)

    oh, and I'm totally rockin' my kung foo today.

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  2. DL HammonsJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    Pure awesomeness! Thumbs up!

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  3. Bish DenhamJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    Sharper! Easier to read. Way cool, dudette!

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  4. Kerri CuevJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:39 AM

    Coolness! Love it!
    Also kudos to Lisa!

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  5. Susan R. MillsJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:40 AM

    Very nice! Great job.

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  6. Wendy Paine MillerJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:41 AM

    I'm black belt and going strong. I'd love to see what a can of nunchuckage looks like! :D

    Love the new look.
    ~ Wendy

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  7. TanaJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:49 AM

    Looks awesome, your hard work payed off. Too funny about how hard and long it took. I recently put up a website that nearly had me pulling out every last hair. And these things can't be easy because? Trust me, I never want to do another website myself, like ever.

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  8. BK MattinglyJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    I love your new look and I feel your pain...it took me all day to revamp mine, I vow to never do it again. Of course, that's probably not true. :)

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  9. Kristen Torres-ToroJanuary 11, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    Way to persevere! I like it!

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  10. Christina LeeJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:11 AM

    I LOVE it--super cool!!
    I am feeling good too have been writing my newest WIP like MAD and then got a new seed of any idea last night...hi--ya!! Take that!

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  11. Cole GibsenJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Ooooh, shiny!

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  12. UnknownJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Thanks for the shout-out, babe. It was fun and I feel it represents the real you, just like your super-cool haircut!

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  13. Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-MakerJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:30 AM

    Love the new look! Yay Elana and Lisa!!!

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  14. UnknownJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:38 AM

    I like it! Very edgy. Very YA. (I wonder what makes it New Moon-ish, though.)

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  15. Paul GreciJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    I like the new look. Good luck with your revision. I'm splitting my time between writing some character sketches for a new novel and am rewriting another novel.

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  16. Kristi FaithJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:45 AM

    Love the new digs. :0) You are braver and more persistent than I am. I have enough trouble with clicking and dragging. LOL

    But, my kung-foo kicks @$$ :) Working on rewrites and loving the stronger emerging story.

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Love the new digs. I could move in. Seriously. When do you want me and how much is the rent? ;)

    Right now, I feel like my MS has the Kung Fu and is kicking the shiz out of me. Glad to know someone around here is takin' names.

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  18. Valerie GearyJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Me likey. Easier on the eyes. :)

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  19. UnknownJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:55 AM

    I'm more of a Kenpo/Taibo type of person, but I really like your new look!

    I keep talking revisions, but somehow, doing ACTUAL revisions is not really happening.

    (slap on wrist)

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  20. Steena HolmesJanuary 11, 2010 at 8:59 AM

    Absolutely loving it! Looks awesome ;) Lisa spoiled you!

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  21. Catherine DentonJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Fabulous! Such an awesome header and layout.

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:04 AM

    The digs are great. Your pain for persevering appreciated.

    My kung foo factor for the day is 4 of 5.

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  23. Judith MercadoJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:32 AM

    Love your new digs!

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  24. Sarah AhiersJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    it seems like blog makeovers are in the air!

    Don't despair, it took me hours for my new template as well. Sigh

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  25. Melanie HooyengaJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    Ooo, I like it! I want to revamp my look too. Soon, soon...

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  26. ClementineJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    Elana, I LOVE it! I've decided that when I dive into a website (which is on the backburner) I'm going to pay someone to do it for me so I won't be embarrassed. Your blog looks fantastic, girl!

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  27. Tere KirklandJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    Radical!

    (In the 80's sense of the word as well as the literal meaning. Totally.)

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  28. JenJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    This is great, Elana! I love it! Really in your face. Love that. As for my Kung Fu? Well...it's really good on the weekends. Then I have to go back to work. I think that's my kryptonite. Working a job that's soooo not me. But, in the words of Kung Fu Panda: I LOVE KUNG FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

    Happy Monday!
    Jen

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  29. UnknownJanuary 11, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    Love your blog makeover! It rocks!

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  30. cleemckenzieJanuary 11, 2010 at 10:31 AM

    This one works better than the other one that would NOT let me post! Grrr.

    Nice digs you have now.

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  31. Roni LorenJanuary 11, 2010 at 10:32 AM

    Love the new look! I've always found that redecorating the blog is an excellent way to avoid facing my manuscript--hence the reason there are so many bells and whistles in my sidebar, lol.

    And congrats on figuring out the html. That stuff is maddening.

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  32. Robin MJanuary 11, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    Love the new digs! Great Header!

    Yes, I know how long it takes to make changes and do updates. Very time consuming. I didn't get as much done as I wanted to this weekend. Congratulations on kung fooing the html.

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  33. Jamie D.January 11, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    Lovely new deco - nice job! And I feel your pain...I design web sites for a living, and I still can spend hours (literally) trying to decide on just the right *shade* of a color for part of a page, not to mention graphics, a whole template palette, etc. Kudos to you for persevering!

    Good luck with your revisions! :-)

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  34. Kimberly FranklinJanuary 11, 2010 at 11:21 AM

    Ewww...template changes are the Devil! But, your new look is fabulous. Good luck with your WIP and new template!

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  35. MG HigginsJanuary 11, 2010 at 11:22 AM

    Gorgeous! I love the new look.

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  36. EricJanuary 11, 2010 at 11:51 AM

    Great look, Elana. I especially like the flames. And my kung foo probably needs some kickin', but I'm workin' on it.

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  37. AngieJanuary 11, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    Looks fantastic! I know what you mean about the new templates. I think I'll be keeping mine for a loooong while. I hope my kung foo is awesome today, because I'm planning on sending out a submission!

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  38. V. SJanuary 11, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    I love your header and new look!

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  39. LizaJanuary 11, 2010 at 1:29 PM

    Easier to read! Good stuff. Don't feel bad. I went through the the process of dealing with some website that would help me get a reader count...then chickened out and never implemented what I need to because I have to insert code and I'm afraid to do it...visions of frozen blog dance in my brain. I have hope someday to bump into a blogmaster who will show me how easy it is.

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  40. Rebecca KnightJanuary 11, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Ooh, I LOVE it! Lisa rocks, and so do you! ;)

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  41. Elana JohnsonJanuary 11, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    Thanks everyone!

    Eric, good luck with your kung foo. Angie, a submission? Woot!!

    Liza, I'm glad it's easier to read. I wanted dark and light at the same time.

    Sliding, I'm glad you can post now! :)

    Okay, now I'm off to nunchuck it up. And Wendy, I don't know what it looks like either. But I imagine there's a lot of blood...

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  42. Lizzy MasonJanuary 11, 2010 at 2:28 PM

    Dig the new look, Elana!

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  43. Lilliam RiveraJanuary 11, 2010 at 3:35 PM

    Love the new site. Congrats!!

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  44. UnknownJanuary 11, 2010 at 3:53 PM

    Absolutely Love It!

    The Force is Obviously with You (and Lisa too!)

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  45. Jemi FraserJanuary 11, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    Awesomeness! What a great edgy look for you :) Love it!

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  46. Sherrie PetersenJanuary 11, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    Great new look! I like it not being on the black background anymore. It's easier to read. Yay for perseverance!

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  47. lisa and lauraJanuary 11, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Love the new look Elana! Our Kung Fu today? Meh. Currently troubleshooting the Vlog that took us all day to edit. I thought it was supposed to be easier than this???

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  48. storyqueenJanuary 11, 2010 at 5:29 PM

    nunchuchage is my new favorite word.

    Shelley

    (My Kung Foo is weak today...ugh)

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  49. Christine FonsecaJanuary 11, 2010 at 6:40 PM

    Love the new look - and having redesigned my stuff recently I KNOW how long it ll takes! GREAT JOB...

    NOW GET TO YOUR EDITS :D

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  50. ali crossJanuary 11, 2010 at 6:41 PM

    Holy Coolness! LOVE it. Very YOU. Totally. Congrats!

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  51. Corey SchwartzJanuary 11, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Looks AWESOME!

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  52. Sharon K. MayhewJanuary 11, 2010 at 9:33 PM

    Very nice look. I'm sure you are too busy for this, but I gave you an award. You are a "friend" to all writers. I've learned a lot through you and the blogs you are part of. Thanks!

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  53. B.J. AndersonJanuary 11, 2010 at 10:24 PM

    Awesome! I love the new look!

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  54. Christina FarleyJanuary 12, 2010 at 3:27 AM

    You are crazy busy! I love your new header. Fabulous look. I've been thinking and blogging about passion in writing.

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  55. Terri TiffanyJanuary 12, 2010 at 6:12 AM

    Hey you have a great looking blog! I didn't see the old but I love the header! Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit. I'll check more on yours:)

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  56. SouthpawJanuary 12, 2010 at 7:57 AM

    It's wonderful. All bright and shiny and new.

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  57. Heidi WillisJanuary 12, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    There isn't a Twilight thing about it! :) Great job!! Looks like it just fits you!

    I've struggled with hours and hours of blog template tweaking myself. How is possible to lose so much of your life to templates and HTML???

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  58. sanjeetJanuary 12, 2010 at 12:12 PM

    Absolutely Love It!

    Work from home India

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  59. Elizabeth MuellerJanuary 12, 2010 at 3:14 PM

    Love it! My kung fu has changed to pure awesomeness since I decided to shift my balances around! :)

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