Author websites

There's probably several people here on hubpages talking about why an author should have a website of their own, but I'm not them. I'd rather point out the benefits of detailed character profiles and even offer a few pointers in designing the characters that can be so easily described in words.

My own author website has been online since 2007 with no downtime (I know, it sounds like an ad, but bear with me) considering the records of other hosts and their trouble with high traffic sites, that's pretty good. On the downside, I haven't really had much traffic that wanted to talk to me. There's been a few, but not many. Some were even rude about my characters or website. Well, that goes unfortunately with the territory. This is why I usually insist on constructive criticism. If someone's unwilling to explain why they don't like something, I simply ignore their opinion or at the least, set it aside for later and listen to the ones that elaborate on their thoughts and opinions.

As some of you have noticed, I'm multi-talented. I sew, draw, build websites, write and a few other little things. Here's the thing: as an artist, my most unappreciated drawings have become my most popular characters. As a seamstress, I've been able to create physical, touchable versions of my characters that make wonderful aids in description. As a webmistress, I've been able to post both and describe them in even greater detail than in my stories.

Okay, you're saying, "but I can't draw or sew, so how does this apply to me?" Well, let me offer a word of advice: the web is one big encyclopedia. With enough dedication, anyone can learn to draw and sew. Ask me, and I'll help you learn as well. As I say in my profile: I learned to sew at the age of 3. By the age of 5, I was drafting my own patterns for Barbie - no easy task, I can tell you. Her fashion figure proportions frequently caused trouble.

While on the subject of sewing, I can say that there's plenty of sites with free patterns for dollmaking. Here's a fun little secret: I taught my third grade teacher to sew. If you really want a nifty little history lesson on me, my first essay was on how to do the ladder stitch - a critical stitch for closing a seam on a doll or stuffed animal after stuffing.

Just as there are plenty of sites offering help on sewing, there's plenty of sites for help on drawing. Youtube could probably cover both very easily with videos. Now, I know there's some that aren't really self-motivated, if that's the case, I'm a capable teacher. My drawings might not be up to professional levels, but they do get the point across. My dolls, as you might have seen by the hub gallery I posted, take those not so professional quality drawings and transform them into more realistic characters. From those, I can create descriptions, personalities, profiles and all the little details that help in character development - the behind-the-scenes stuff that normally wouldn't go into a book.

All those little notes, profiles, and details are so easily posted on a website to help further reader understanding. Through the website, it's easy to encourage readers to interact with you as an author. Readers are wonderful bundles of ideas - once you have the story going.

The other little thing about my little dolls, is the fact that it's so easy to re-create the characters' weapons to scale with the doll. For some, a craft stick, some glue and a bit of cardstock and paint create a sword, spear, and axe. A toothpick and some thread create a bow and arrows. A bit of felt creates a sheathe or quiver. Just one more detail that may or may not be well drawn, but more easily physically created for the sake of describing, adding to a profile or whatever.

Now, I know what some of the guy authors might say, "but sewing's a girl thing!" I could counter saying, "explain the soldiers on the battlefield - they have to sew up holes in shirts, put buttons back on and things like that to keep their uniforms in good repair." Just because you're a guy, don't think sewing is only for girls. In this case, it's a useful tool for writing effective descriptions. How can you describe something you cannot see? Some people can, I know, but there are those that cannot. Then there's the idea that character appearance should be left up to the reader. That's fine, if you want to leave a big hole in the story, I think.

Okay, back on subject, if you think about it, organizing all those little notes on character personality and development onto a website means it's always available and you always know where it is - as long as you know your own web address. Having it public on a site means viewers can offer ideas and even thoughts toward making them better if they want. This isn't the good old days when all an author could get was fanmail after their book is published - instead, authors can interact more closely with readers and really have a much stronger understanding of their target audience. A website, or even a blog can help the author achieve this.