Saturday, May 9, 2015

Reflecting on A-to-Z Challenge




The month of April flew by!  I made it!  I was able to post everyday with the correct letter of the alphabet except for the letter Z which was a day late.  *sigh*  Thanks to everyone who is involved with the Challenge.  You do a fabulous job!  Also thanks to everyone who stopped by and read my blog and to those who commented.  I appreciate you.  Knowing you have an audience and reading comments is so motivating.

This was my second year participating in the A to Z Challenge.  After last year's challenge, I had grand plans on proceeding with blogging in general and how to accomplish this year's challenge in a more efficient and product way.  Then life switched gears on me and interrupted my best laid plans.

My work changed and I no longer had as much time or brain power left over as I learned new job related content.  I considered dropping out of the challenge before it even began.  However, I mustered up whatever gumption I had and jumped in with both feet.

I love reading the blogs of people that I would never come across if I didn't have the A to Z Challenge. I enjoy reading about different topics, themes, and  just life & culture in general from around the US and the world. I've made some new blogging friends and have found some blogs that I will continue to follow throughout the year.   I regret not having the time to respond to every comment that was made on my blog.  I also regret not reading as many blogs as I did last year.

I did suggest to a friend and blogger that she try the challenge this year.  She took the challenge and did an awesome job.  I enjoyed reading her blogs on the authentic life.  Her blog can be found here. 

I definitely will try to do the Challenge again next year.  Third try is the charm, right ?  This didn't work out for me this year, but my goal and plan will be to begin writing my posts early so I will have more time to read more blogs and respond.  I  also want to be able to blog on a regular basis.  Instead of setting a higher goal of blogging 3 times a week (like last year),  I will shoot for something weekly.

 One of my frustrations this year was to be able to leave a link to my blog when I commented on other blogs.  Last year I remember seeing an A-to Z Challenge blog post that explained how to do that and I was able to do it last year.  This year for some reason it didn't work  for me.  Perhaps the blogger platform changed in some way.  If anyone knows how to do that I would love to read the instructions again and try it out.

If you are reading this and did not participate this year in the A to Z Challenge -  my advice is to take the plunge next year.  You can do it!


 




10 comments:

Darla M Sands said...

I'm not very good with technology, but generally just copy and past to insert my link. And I agree with your comments. This has been fun. I'm glad to have found you through the A to Z reflections list. My group's blog entry can be found at http://writersretreatblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/writers-reflections-on-a-to-z-blog.html featuring writing topics and a few flash fiction pieces while my personal one is all over the board, heavy on gardening topics, and can be found here: http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/2015/05/reflections-upon-a-to-z-blogging.html. You certainly need not visit both (~grin~) but figured I'd cover the bases. Best wishes and happy blogging!

betty said...

Great reflection post! I think it is easier to have the posts written and ready to go by April 1st; does make it easier to go visiting blogs :)

Good too that you are interested in doing the challenge again next year!

betyt

Anonymous said...

Have found your blog through your reflection post. I am still working my way through blogs, like yours, that I missed in April. I take my hat off to you...working and creating a blog. I have time to research, write and put in a queue ahead of the start date, and it makes life a lot easier. I am rethinking what I want to do with my blog now, and it sounds like you are thinking too. I love the challenge, and glad we could share 2015 creating our work for others.

Mary B said...

Just now getting around to visiting the blogs in the challenge. April was a busy month for me. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

Mary
www.JingleJangleJungle.net

Random Musings said...

Loving your reflections post :)
Popping by on the A to Z Road Trip
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com

B~Natrelle said...
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B~Natrelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
B~Natrelle said...

Hello there.
Congratulations on completing the challenge! Just popping over today from the road trip.
I tried to leave you some instructions on adding your signature, but blogger kept turning the example into a clickable link and you then wouldn't be able to see the actual code to use (that's what happened in my previous comments and I had to delete them!) so I've compiled a document with step-by-step instructions that you can view: How To Add Your Signature
Hope it helps!

Barbara @ Entrepreneurial Goddess

MS said...

Thanks everyone!

Mary

Wendy said...

Finally passing through on the Road Trip. Congratulations on completing the challenge again. This was my first year but I'm already planning for 2016.
Wendy
Wendy’s Waffle