April flew by though sometimes I thought I might not make it. Like most of you, I took the first few days in May as a mini blog vacation. But for the most part, I'll be back on my MWF schedule starting today. After catching our breath, now is the time to reflect on the past month's experience. Find the list of all those sharing their reflections, check the A to Z Challenge Blog.
The very first thing that stood out to me was the generosity of my fellow bloggers. More than a few used the challenge as a way to highlight some of their blogger friends. I was privileged to have one of my blog posts shared on Robin's blog. One of my books received a perfect introduction from Michael. Pat mentioned me, I think, as the Susan with a slash in her name. Not only did these wonderful people make me smile, they reminded me again that though writing can be a lonely career, I'm not alone as long as I keep in touch with these people.
The challenge also reminded me that people blog about all kinds of interesting topics. My blog is about writing but I love learning about an abundance of subjects. Foreign countries, history, science and a wide variety of topics held my interest as I worked my way through the list.
A number of bloggers highlighted books and thanks to them, I have at least fifteen new books on my Kindle. Without the challenge, I might not have known about those authors or their books. I hope to do a lot of reviews over the next few months.
The sheer number of participants can be intimidating but I did much better this year accepting that I could only do so much without making myself miserable. I still hope to meet some bloggers I didn't get a chance to visit during the challenge when I check out the reflections posts.
Are you 'reflecting' today? Was the challenge what you expected? Can you name one very interesting blog you discovered during the challenge?
Don't forget that Wednesday is the first one for the month of May. That means IWSG where we do a little more fellowship with others around the blogosphere.
24 comments:
I didn't participate in the A-to-Z challenge, but I enjoyed visiting all my blog buddies who did. Very cool how some of your own blog buddies highlighted you during this challenge!
Hi Susan .. glad you enjoyed your 2nd Challenge .. and I agree that highlighting other participants is such a good idea - next year I must do that ...
Your Reflections post seems ideal ... and I was honoured to meet a few new people with their interesting blogs - singling one out .. impossible! But I was pleased to add a few British bloggers to my list
Congratulations - cheers Hilary
Hi Susan. A lovely thoughtful post, and well done, completing the challenge.
I wasn't sure what to expect since I signed up only a few days before the challenge and had never done it before.
I loved it and there were some great blogs and themes out there. But if I have to pick one that sticks out, I really enjoyed MopDog.
It is dedicated to weird cultural posts about Hungary. Because it was so different I really enjoyed it.
LittleCely's Blog
Only do so much without making yourself miserable - that made me chuckle.
Thanks for your hard work at the IWSG site and for being an awesome Minion!
Congrats on finishing the end.
No reflecting for me, just regular daily postings. I passed day 124 in a row and now I'm just gonna keep groovin'.
I agree about how many interesting blogs and bloggers are out there! It blows my mind sometimes to think of all the creative people in the world. :)
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Tons of blogs out there for it indeed, I only did so much as I found many are kinda umm comment whores lol
There is always soooo much to take in during the A to Z. The whole month I was thinking, "I need to actually hunt down all the book themed blogs AFTER April, so I can see what others were posting about." :)
It was a wonderfully generous year. I really enjoyed your posts. I had fun doing the Challenge with a group. Much less stress, and I got to meet a lot of new bloggers.
I enjoyed our posts at the IWSG site. It was a busy month for me, but that kept me involved on some level.
Yes, this is a wonderful community. I am so happy that your wonderful blog was featured in so many different places. I know I was thrilled to have you:)
I tried to spend the bulk of my blogging time in April on visiting blogs having pre-planned my posts. I found some great blogs with really fun themes. You're right there a ton of writers keeping blogs, informal and informative on writing. I've learned a lot about writing craft from reading blogs.
Here's my A to Z wrap-up post. I also have an End of Challenge book giveaway going on for either contemporary romance or contemporary YA.
Hi, Susan.
Thanks so much for the mention! I was my pleasure to highlight your book!
There are SO MANY talented writers out there and we need to know about their works. I just wish I had the time to read all the books I have on my TBR... OVER 250 right now. INSANE. I used to be such an avid reader before writing and blogging. These two aspects take up so much of my time!
Your theme was so interesting. I loved the way you made us think of different areas to focus on with our writing.
I wish I had so much more time visiting new blogs but I came into the challenge at a disadvantage just getting over eye surgery, so my computer time was and is limited. But thankfully I am healing and all seems well.
I plan on catching up with new people during the reflections.... Which of course I still need to write mine. LOL
I only have a few bloggers on my list that do that A-Z thing. But April was a bust for me anyway since I was gone for most of it and near dead for the rest of it. :)
Kudos on finishing the challenge! It's too much for me to take on.
I think the big thing with the challenge is to accept that there's only so much you can do.
Not reflecting because I didn't take part this year. :-)
I didn't participate, but I read a lot of A-Z posts and met new folks anyway. I am so impressed with every who takes the challenge. Congratulations!
Oh! Your post reminds me of one thing I forgot to mention in my reflections post. Like you, this year I didn't beat myself up about what I didn't do, but rather enjoyed what I did do, and the thing I forgot to mention is that by approaching the challenge that way, I'm now not nearly as burned out as I've been after past challenges and feel okay to continue on w/ my regular blogging activities without needing a long break. :)
Finally returning the visit from way back in mid-April!
Congrats on finishing the challenge!
I always love seeing what people decide to post about. I always learn something new with each challenge.
Hope you've caught your breath :)
Sam
Writing Through College
Thoroughly enjoyed it as usual - did not illustrate my posts, just wrote an animal poem a day which made it all a bit less hassled, and wrote poems for it!
Glad you enjoyed it - thank you for being a helper.
I did get about 100 new followers this year which was unexpected.
liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
Creativity is such a diverse concept, which was evident in the amount of bloggers... with so many different themes this year!
You also had an amazing theme this year...
I'm glad my first introduction was thru IWSG. It gave me a chance to see what goes on. I have a new appreciation for challengers.
my reflection and stats post tomorrow with iwsg =)
wow, you got to be on three blogs? awesome!
it was a blast and i'm so glad you visited me so much!
ps - thanks for commenting on my cover reveal!
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