I woke up on May first feeling as though I was forgetting something.
Something was missing, there was something I had to do...oh wait, no there wasn't. It wasn't April anymore, and I didn't have to do a mad-dash and type out a bunch of words and prayed that somehow would make sense. Sometimes they did, sometimes I probably just thought they did. Happens.
This was my first year doing the A-Z Challenge.
I honestly don't know why I signed up for it. Perhaps mostly to get into posting more regularly and leave behind the sporadic posting schedule. Additionally, networking was definitely appealing to me. I LOVE meeting other people on the same writing journey as myself coupled with wonderful blogs.
The people I have been privileged to interact with as a result of the A-Z Challenge completely blow me away. I'm so impressed by their talent and dedication. Shout outs to just a few of my new favorite blogs:
There are so many more, and I hope to share them with you in the coming days.
Going into it, I knew it was going to be hard-to-impossible for me to post on some days. And turns out, it was. Some days got longer posts than others and some even got guest posts (thanks again to Faith, Anna, Becca, Jess, and Jen!) and there was even one that just got a link to a post. But I managed to come out even in the end.
I'm glad that I picked "writing" as my theme. It helped me organize my thoughts pertaining to writing. It provided some awesome self-reflection time for me, and I was able to evaluate my personal writing beliefs. I discovered that I did have a mental list of "rules" (some firm though some flimsy) though I didn't really know it. Furthermore, I discovered things that I subconsciously believe, which was kind of weird.
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, darling readers. Your comments never fail to inspire me and make me smile. I write for myself and it never ceases to amaze me that people like it! You encourage me to keep going, to never give up on my dreams...so thank you.
Around here, you can expect me to be posting two to three times a week. Well, at least, I'm going to see how that schedule works out through the month of May and then reevaluate. I'm planning on doing writing related posts on Mondays, book (and perhaps movie and music) reviews on Wednesdays and posts about my life on Fridays.
Love you guys. Thanks for empowering me, encouraging me, and never failing to make my day better. I can't wait to put each and every one of your names into the acknowledgements page on my book some day.
How was the A-Z for you? If you didn't do it, do you think you might next year?
Thank you so much for the shout out, Anne! :)
ReplyDeleteI woke up on May 1st feeling like I had to get onto my blog ASAP for the Challenge. It took until Sunday for me to realize it was over.
You can never go wrong with writing as your theme. That's what I did last year for my first ever A to Z. :)
Thank you for all your support, Chrys!
DeleteThanks for the shout out!
ReplyDeleteI just thought to myself how I don't have to blog tomorrow and it was such a weird feeling...
Congrats on getting through your first challenge!
Thank you so much! And right?!
DeleteAnne, thank you so much for mentioning my blog! I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI loved your blogs they were very inspiring. Putting down your blog goals for the world to see is a good way to make them happen. I'll be sure to visit M,W,F.
Congratulations on not just completing the challenge but doing a great job for the month of blogs.
Aw, thank YOU so much!
DeleteCongratulations on completing your first challenge. It was my first too and so much fun. It's wonderful that you're inspired and smiling. I hope to read more about your writing in the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beverly! Right back at you!
DeleteI loved participating in the challenge, but I learned something. The only real way to get followers is to get out there and read and comment as many as you can. People just don't have time to get around to all 1500+ blogs. Most people don't even read the five blogs they're supposed to read every day. I also learned in 2014 that you want to only comment blogs that seem interesting to you. If someone's writing poetry or long political diatribes, for instance, I didn't comment. Otherwise you end up following a blog that you don't want to read.
ReplyDeleteThat is so well put, I definitely learned that lesson as well.
DeleteYou did an excellent job with the challenge! So many good posts.
ReplyDeleteIs this a new blog design? It's so pretty! Love it.
Thank you! And it is, thanks so much! =)
DeleteThough the #A2ZChallenge completed a few days ago, I'm still discovering new blogs as I work my way down the list. I'm glad I found yours! Very impressive blog! I'm going to have to read more of your articles now!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the completing the Challenge!!
--Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Thank you so much, Mee!
DeleteI run for cover every April, but, from my safe little hidey hole, I cheer you folks who are brave enough to do AtoZ.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. :)
Hahaha, smart ;) Thanks, Melissa!
DeleteHey, cool! Thanks for the shout out. And networking is HUGE is this game. I could not have accomplished anything had it not been for the writing community I met through blogging.
ReplyDeleteSo glad we were able to find each other on the blogosphere, as I enjoy your writing voice. It's refreshing.
Of course! Right back at you, thank you so much =)
DeleteIt really is a tough, but fun challenge! Glad you made it through. I enjoy writing about writing too:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer!
DeleteCongrats on finishing the challenge :)! It took me a while to realise that the challenge was over too! We both had similar themes this year, so I'm definitely going to be checking out your posts :). Have a super weekend!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!
ReplyDeleteMary www.JingleJangleJungle.net
Loving your theme :) I think it's really interesting seeing what everyone chose for their themes! It was my first one too. I found it intense but fun. Will hopefully be doing next year's too!
ReplyDeletePopping by on the A to Z Road Trip
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Hello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing your first challenge! I didn't get to visit your blog during April, but I'm popping over today from the Road Trip.
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