Monday, May 3, 2010

Reflections on the April A-Z Challenge



Reflections on the A-Z Blogging Challenge

Most of you know that I took part in the April A-Z blogging challenge. Arlee Bird over at tossing it out http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/ (sorry I have no idea how to make link) started it as a celebration of reaching his goal of 200 followers. Which brings me to his questions about the challenge:

What attracted you to the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge?

I first saw there was a challenge for April when I read a post by my friend Hart Johnson over at Confessions of a Watery Tart. http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/ She indicated that she would be participating. I don't know what made me decide to join, but it could be because Hart is one of the cool kids. Naked kids are the coolest kids.

Maybe it's because I knew that getting in on the challenge would only help me become a better writer/blogger or whatever it is I am. I could have just been a whim, but I rarely decide things in advance. That's the true Aquarius' way.


•Did you feel intimidated by the Challenge? and •Did you ever feel like quitting? What kept you going?


In a word YES. When I first joined I wasn't sure that I should have committed myself to blogging for 26 days in a month. Before I had only blogged about once every three weeks. Now I was getting into blogging almost daily. I wanted to look in the mirror and smack myself so I could see the red mark appear, BUT I don't like to back out of commitments. I don't like to disappoint. It would have really bothered me.

Thankfully the feelings of regret about joining the challenge went away quickly. I threw myself into it with gusto and never turned back.

•What do you think was your biggest contribution to the Challenge?

Hmmm. I suppose I provided a fair amount of entertainment? I know I tried to comment on plenty of blogs and I also tried to be encouraging.

•In finishing this challenge, will you be more apt to try other blogging or writing challenges (e.g.--NaNoWriMo)?

That's a good question. Maybe. I'm not going to say absolutely yes or no. Like I said before I rarely decide things in advance. If I do decide to do another challenge it will be a snap decision I didn't think through. haha!

•Do you feel you did your best in the Challenge? What could you have done better?

I did do my best. I sometimes thought of better ideas a day late. That can't be helped. Perhaps I could have commented on several more blogs, or blogged earlier in the day instead of in the afternoon. All things considered I think I did pretty good. I don't think I get an A+, but I think I at least get a B+.

•What did you learn from the Challenge?

I learned that there is really a fountain of creativity in my head that I just don't let out most of the time. Maybe I think I'm too busy or I spend a lot of time thinking about a story or poem and just never write it down. Most of my ideas get lost in my head. Mostly I learned that creativity doesn't just go away. It waits. One only has to keeping pushing one's self.

•Will you be blogging any more now than you used to?

I will. I enjoyed this month more than I thought I would. Even when it was hard I was always proud to have finished another entry. I like that feeling. I like that there are other bloggers willing to read the jumbled contents of my brain.

Special thanks

First, I'd like to thank Arlee bird for this amazing challenge. Second, I'd like to thank everyone who became a reader and follower over this past month. I really hope that you all will continue to read. Last but not least, I would like to give thanks to my 6 original readers. Without you I wouldn't have blogged at all.

18 comments:

Kierah Jane Reilly said...

Haha! "Naked kids are the coolest kids." I don't want to admit it, but I have to agree with you! Congrats on finishing!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

First Congratulations on finishing the challenge and I would also like to thank you for all the comments you made to my blogs, they are very much appreciated, It was an experienece I glad I took part in, and the wealth of new friends I've made.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Beth Zimmerman said...

I may not be one of the cool kids (definitely not naked) but I enjoyed reading your posts along the way! Congratulations on finishing!

Unknown said...

glad you finished and like your sum of it all

Stephen T. McCarthy said...

MARJORIE ~
You were DEFINITELY entertaining, and I sincerely believe you have talent. Keep at it, Sister, you have "a way with words."

~ "Lonesome Dogg" McMe

Marjorie said...

@ Kierah- Thanks. It's true they are.

@ Yvonne- You're just an amazing woman. You keep doing what you do and I'll keep reading.

@ Beth- Of course you're one of the cool kids! I know The Tart would like me to encourage you to at least go without the restriction of pants. haha!

@ whisper- I liked yours as well. Keep blogging!

@ Stephen- Thanks man. I'll keep checking your blog to d=see if you've been inspired. plus as a fellow resident of "Airheadzona" I like to think I can feel your pain.

Lisa said...

It's been a pleasure getting to know you. I will continue to follow, read and comment. :)

I do know of Dr. Mercola, btw. I think he has a lot of great information and have learned a lot from reading at his website.

Arlee Bird said...

Cool! I'm an Aquarius too, but I don't know that I'm always very spontaneous.

I'm really glad that you found the Challenge. You really took a unique approach to it and your post were always quite different than the others. You do have a way with the written word and did a wonderful job commenting on other blogs. You were definitely an asset to the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge. Thank you for participating. I'll be keeping up with you.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

congrats on finishing. It's great that you thanked your first followers. You have class. I'll be visiting you.

Marjorie said...

@ Lisa- I liked getting to know you too. Dr. Mercols is great isn't he?

@ Lee- Aquarius people are awesome no matter how spontaneous they are or aren't. Thank you so much for you kind words and all the encouragement. This was one heck of an awesome month.

@ Debra- Oh, thank you so much! I appreciate every follower. I never thought I'd have so many.

Anonymous said...

Hi I popped over from Watery Tart :o) Congrats on finishing the challenge. It was a lot of fun.

Natasha said...

You were always a fountain of creativity, but life never really gave you the space to let that express itself. I am so glad you found your voice during the Challenge- I for one looked forward to your pieces every day.
We've known each other for nearly half a decade, but I read more creativity in this one month than I did in all the years before.
Well done!!!

Hart Johnson said...

Yay for spreading the nudity!!!!

Marjorie, I thought you had an AMAZING month. It's actually been a couple years since I've seen your writing outside of personal reflections, and I really want to encourage you to keep up the fiction and poetry.

And you ALL are cool, if you're here...but yes... pants are evil.

Grammy said...

Hi, Marjorie, I know I am late with this, but as they say, "better late than never" eh? I am so glad you wrote and so happy that you finished! Thanks for the visits to my postings. I will be back to see you.
Best regards to you,
Ruby

Jessica Bell said...

I really enjoyed your work through this challenge. I hope you keep it up!

Don’t miss out on my contest!

Marjorie said...

@ Niki- Thank you for stopping over. i hope to see more of you.

@ Natasha- I know. I usualy kept it all bottled up. I was surprised how easy it was to let it out.

@ Tami- I will. It was fun this month. You know i had to forward your agenda of world domination through nudity.

@ Grammy- I'll definately continue to visit you. Thank you visiting me.

@ Alliterative (Jessica right?)- I will. Thanks for your visits and I hope to see more of you.

Ella said...

Congrats on finishing! I didn't find you til the end, but I will visit, more now that I am a follower!

Peggy said...

Marjorie,

I am so glad you finally got up the motivation to begin to use your talents. As your mother, I can say I am very proud! I also noticed that your writing as well as your spelling improved in just one month. Keep it up, you will go far.

Love,
Mom