Even though a three veteran of A to Z, I have some concerns going into the month of April. I'm over 20K into my next book and I would like to keep the momentum going but I know I won't have as much time. It's also that time of year when I need to get a lot of yard work going. Between the weather these past few months, there's a bigger mess than usual in the yard. With such a cold March, including snow yesterday, I've started nothing outside. More demands on my time. I want to really give max effort this year and have imposed stress on myself about it.
Last year I didn't get around to all the blogs but I hope to do that this year. But I want to do it at a pace that I can enjoy the experience. My minion duties won't be a burden and I intend to visit all my regular blog buddies and also visit back anyone who visits me. That leads me to some tiny bits of advice.
Make a strategy for your experience. Decide how many blogs you can visit and enjoy. Some days you might not reach your goal but on other days you might do more. You can use Sunday to catch up or use it as a day to step away from the keyboard. If you can manage, don't so all your visits in one session. Visit some and then do something else. Come back to it later if you can.
I'd like to wish Terri Rochenskie good luck with your upcoming release, Love's Sorrow. Beautiful cover, isn't it. Her release date is April 21st.
My last bit of advice it to take a break between now and next Tuesday. This is my last post until April 1st. Are you ready? Any last bits of advice? Do you rest on Sundays or catch up? Do you have a strategy?
22 comments:
No A-Z for me, although I expect I'll be doing some wonderful blog reading in April. Good luck!
I've been overwhelmed the past two years and like you, I'm trying to work on a manuscript at the same time. I'll also be gone a few days before the Challenge begins. Best advice is to pace yourself and know what you really can't do.
Last year was my first A-Z challenge. This year I am doing some pre organizing. Also doing some early visiting so I can get a list of some blogs to follow. Last year I also did Sepia Saturday on Sundays. Don't know if I will do that this year.
Thanks for the advice, Susan! I'm actually much more nervous about making visits and returning all comments than I am about the posts. I'm not sure how I'm going to find the time. And unfortunately, I work on Sundays, so those are definitely not rest days! But, I'm still excited - it'll be fun to visit so many new people!
If you sign up through feedly, it's nice and fast and easy to read blogs. I use the Feedly now for my coupon blogs and LOVE it. And these coupon bloggers post a million times a day with various deals and Feedly helps.
Our yard is a mess.
I'm almost done writing up my posts - still have to proof them, put them in Blogger etc.
I'm trying to come up with a better strategy for visiting blogs and responding to comments on mine, etc than I had last year.
I'm excited about being one of Alex's Ninja Minions! :)
Congrats to Terri on her upcoming release!
A-Z's too much for me. Hope you have a blast!
Good advice. I became extremely overwhelmed last April. This one will be better simply because I won't be writing posts and trying to do everything else mid-month. Learned a lesson about having those posts done before April arrives.
I need to think about how many blogs I will visit and/or scheduling my time so that I take a break from it.
HI, Susan...
Good strategy! I plans to do the same.
Congrats to Terri! All the best!
Susan. I'd like to feature your book The Heir of Furhark for the A-Z... AN cool intro, of course! If that's fine with you please let me know and send cover, blurb, and short synopsis...
Wahoo! I'm so stoked. My method last year was returning all comments and hitting ten completely new, never before visited blogs each day. I wanted to up that this year, but we'll have to see. I mean, I'm in regular communication with a lot more people online than I used to be. Oh, and I have a couple books to promote/edit before deadlines/pen out. =) Why oh why did my time stopper cease working?
Some great tips indeed. I always call it my break month as I just have to pick a letter and go. But getting to all the blogs can be a challenge
Holy crow! You're going to visit all the blogs? That's over a thousand! My hat's off to you, Susan.
I'm looking forward to it. I have about half of my reruns scheduled, each with an introductory paragraph or two.
But I have to get my GMC presentation for the group for our next meeting ready, keep writing, blog, visit blogs, create lessons and prepare for all the organizational stuff for the two environmental field days coming up. 180 kids on the first day. 170 on the second.
I'm afraid I may have bit off more than I can chew. I hope I don't collapse in May!
See you at the meeting?
I love hearing how busy everyone is even though some of it isn't about writing. Thanks so much, Michael. I will get that to you later today.
That's why I'm not doing it this year. I just have too much going on. Next year I will plan my schedule so I can participate again.
Best of luck on A to Z! I thought I'd be able to do it this year. Alas, the timelords aren't allowing for that. I'll be sure to stop by! :)
Good luck on the challenge. I can't keep up with that much blogging, so I opted out. I hope you're able to keep up with your manuscript. I'm hard at work on mine, too.
Only five days to go, yikes!
I'd like to visit as many blogs as I can so I'll definitely need a strategy of some kind, especially as we're probably moving house at some point in April which means internet down time.
Thanks for the tips and good luck!
The good news for me is that I hate yard work...and my husband doesn't! So warm weather just means I can sit on my patio and write. Of course, it's only nice here for about a month before it hits 90 degrees and stays there for six months, so mornings are about all I can stand outside for spring, summer, and early fall.
GOOD LUCK with A-Z and no, Charlie's Scribes cannot accept requests for Q, X and Z (although you did make me guffaw :)
As a co-host, I went full-tilt the entire time, really. I tried to outline how many blogs I'd visit each day, but it ended up being much less organized than that. I'm taking a year off, so maybe next year. Good luck to you in the next month!
The Warrior Muse
GOOD LUCK with your A-Zing!! Enjoy!! Take care
x
Great advice. I have a plan this year too. I won't stick to it, but I have one anyway. See you in April! :-)
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