Last month was my first time participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I learned about it on March 28 by seeing the badge on an online friend's blog. With only 4 days' notice, I signed up.
The first week I wrote half the posts over the weekend and the other half during the week. This was a nightmare because my weekdays get crazy. After that first week, I learned to write the following weeks' posts over the previous weekends. This prevented me from doing much writing on my current manuscript, but for only one month I figured I could use the break.
It was fun visiting the blogs of many of the other participants. Some of those blogs have very interesting/unique concepts. Wow there are some creative people out there! I'll mention a few here that I enjoyed the most, in no particular order, with their A to Z topic, :
Colin D. Smith - 100 word flash fiction
AJ Blythe Cozies - Inspirational author quotes
Star Trek - SciFi Blog - Star Trek
I swallowed a basketball - Songs that make me happy
Chronicles from the Man Cave - Television shows
Home School Dad - Nouns
Write Away - Mystery writing 101
I gained several new twitter followers and my blog's daily hit count increased quite a bit. My blogger pageviews graph now often looks like a neurotic rollercoaster, up/down/up/down. Time will tell if those hits continue into the future.
I'd prefer the survivor badge be square like the original badge and the daily letter-badges. Not a deal breaker tho.
This challenge took a LOT of time, but it was fun, a nice break, and I'll probably do it again next year if I can. Thanks to the organizers and to everyone who participated.
Now I have to start coming up with my usual blog stories starting next week! Hope to see you all back soon.
Congrats on completing your first A-Z Challenge! I skipped this year but I participated the previous three years. It's definitely work but also a lot of fun. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, a LOT of work, but fun. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for the shout-out Dena, and once again, congratulations on completing! Especially at such short notice--that's a lot of writing in a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteYour flash fiction is awesome, Colin! Thanks [I think] for cluing me in to this challenge. Congrats to you too.
DeleteCongrats on finishing. I'm so glad you had fun with it and meet some new friends. Hope you're back next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope to be back next year but I'm gonna prepare more in advance =)
DeleteI'm loving finding people that I missed during the event through the reflection (especially those who link to OTHER blogs I haven't looked at yet). Glad you joined the challenge!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe challenge was a lot of work, but fun too. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteVisiting for the first time finding you through your reflection. Sorry I missed the fun. Since I am a writer, I start with the (WR) blogs and try and get through those as a way to attack the list. Obviously, I didn't finish the list! This was my 3rd year so in my reflection I have some opinions about what works and what doesn't. I hope it is helpful. I love the whole thing except the blogs that make it difficult to navigate or you can't read for all the 'edgy' stuff! You are already writing, I'm still trying to catch my breath. See you on the blogging trail soon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found me. Thanks for stopping by. Wow, 3rd year! You're either dedicated or crazy =)
DeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on surviving your first challenge! This was my second. I agree about the survivor badge...it is long, but I just cropped it up a bit to fit in my sidebar.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Congrats on your second challenge, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteCongrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!
ReplyDeleteMary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle
See you on the road trip too! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI'm kicking myself for missing your blog during the challenge . Another aspiring author and an attorney. How did I miss you ? I suppose because like an idiot, I didn't prepare my posts in advance this year, which left little time to hop around and find new blogs. I don't have to tell you how challenging it is for a lawyer to get out of court, try and write a novel , post the daily letter and visit new blogs. I fell far behind in every aspect of my life, but like you said, it's only one month so just go for it. Thank you for recommending the mystery writing 101 blogger . I missed that one as well , and am eager to check it out. Congrats on making it to the end.
ReplyDeleteI am number 424 on the reflection post sign up list.
Melissa Sugar
@msugar13
Sugarlaw13@live.com
Http://fictiontoolbox.blogspot.com
Nice to meet another attorney/author! I didn't prepare my posts much in advance either, so I feel your pain. I'm doing the road trip to check out the blogs at a more leisurely pace. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi! Congratulations on finishing the challenge. Yes, it makes it so much easier if you have your posts all done ahead of time. I did most of mine before April and the rest during the challenge. I am on the Road Trip today seeing blogs I didn't find during the challenge. I love all things "legal" I will bookmark you and come back to see your challenge. Hope to see you around.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the roadtrip too. Glad I have the entire year lol
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Loving your theme :) I think it's really interesting seeing what everyone chose for their themes! I'll be coming back at the end of the trip to read your individual posts - I love all things legal!
ReplyDeletePopping by on the A to Z Road Trip
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com