With hundreds of themes on WordPress.com, writers have many options to build a space for their work. Author Melissa Matthewson goes minimal, subtly transforming the Paulie theme to create a fresh writer’s website.
Melissa Matthewson lives on a small mountain homestead in the Applegate Valley of southwestern Oregon, spending her days writing, teaching, and running an organic market farm with her family. You’ll find her work across the web, from publications like Guernica and River Teeth to literary journals across WordPress, like Sweet and Bellingham Review.
With a growing archive of essays, Melissa needs an online home to promote her work. At the moment, she’s opted for a simple writer’s website, transforming the Paulie theme to fit her needs. Paulie works well out of the box for traditional blogging, as shown on its demo site. But instead of displaying her most recent posts on the homepage, Melissa has configured her site to show a static front page:
Learn how to add a gallery to your site.
Melissa displays a tiled mosaic gallery of six images on her front page, giving visitors a glimpse of her interests and life beyond writing. Photography, in addition to or instead of text, is a great way to introduce yourself on your front page.
“I prefer to tell stories with pictures at the moment, and save my in-depth writing for my book and essays,” says Melissa. “I like the gallery on the homepage, and would love to continue making high-quality collages for the site. I’m quite obsessed with aesthetics and beauty.”
Melissa’s menu contains links to two other pages, About and Publications, providing readers with the essentials: her bio and recent nonfiction, poetry, and book reviews, as well as a list of her awards and interviews.
Changing your header image is a quick way to refresh your site.
For the site’s body text, Paulie uses Source Code Pro, the monospaced font that Melissa loves.
“I love the fresh look of Paulie — the simplicity of the design,” says Melissa. “The default font, which reminds me of a typewriter, is stylish but readable. I also like the wide header image at the top, which I can rotate every so often as my moods change.”
Melissa’s current look is minimal, but she has the space to expand in the future as she updates her archive of publications and grows her professional presence.
Love this layout? Learn how to set up a static front page.
I liked your layout and philosophy. I also like to tell a story with pictures.
LikeLiked by 17 people
Love it, arty and simple, got my attention straight away. Inspiring!
LikeLiked by 16 people
This was just the type of thing that I was looking for! Thanks, I’m loving it!
LikeLiked by 14 people
A refreshing approach indeed. May it serve your work and purpose in a noble way. And may your work continue to inspire many lives around the world.
LikeLiked by 12 people
I think I will try this idea for my online resume site. It’s clean and crisp and lends well to an online portfolio.
LikeLiked by 10 people
I love your collage of photos (the vintage typewriter, the font you’re using, I remember the time I was struggling to learn how to type!). I’m now an expert on the computer keyboard, making my words speak louder on anything that matters!
LikeLiked by 6 people
I’m really loving this look.
LikeLiked by 9 people
Less is more…..I always say. It works for your message. I like it.
LikeLiked by 7 people
I like the layout. I plan to make my own.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Melissa,
Really good idea to show collage of photos on front page.
LikeLiked by 7 people
This is really helpful. The picture is also great.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Should have read this post sooner. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank You so much for detailed information. Love your layout and ideas.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Cool idea!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Great look. Am new to blogging and was needing some pointing in the right direction on theme ans layouts. Glad to have come upon this.
LikeLiked by 3 people
🍪 Lovel
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very informative post, keep them coming❕😎✔
LikeLiked by 3 people