Reflections of the 2015 Blogging Challenge
Writing in the challenge this year was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed my theme “People I’d Like You to Meet” and felt good about most of my posts, quality wise.
What I Learned = having a theme was very helpful. It provided direction, focus, and purpose. I plan to explore this with my blog. While I’m not sure I want a defined “theme”, I do think I should outline and plan my posts. It is getting harder and harder to write something of quality off the top of my head with any regularity.
What I Did Right = using the scheduled posting option was key. I generally had three or four posts done ahead so I didn’t feel panicked each day about getting my posting done. But I didn’t have the whole month done ahead of time so I felt like I was writing current and not “cheating”. I hope to use this strategy more for my regular posting. I always wanted this blog to be a bit like a newspaper column – time to act like it and have postings ready to go on set days.
What I Didn’t Do = I didn’t keep up with my end of the bargain of visiting other blogs. I just couldn’t seem to get any rhythm of doing that and I feel like I let the others down. But I hope to take place in the Post A to Z Road Trip (well, there was one last year, hope they do it this year) where one goes and visits all the blogs you didn’t get to during the challenge.
Feedback to the organizers = I have no idea how you keep up with all of these bloggers and still write. I know there are a team of you and I appreciate what you do. The list seems daunting and I’m not sure of what we really accomplish – except for me it is the discipline of writing. Kudos on pulling it off once again, I do look forward to next year.
I had all 26 posts written ahead so was able to do the visiting. I did write Sunday posts a few days ahead, where I referenced how the a-z was going and did the regular stuff I do on my blog.
Congrats on finishing.
sandy at Bridge and Beyond
Sometimes I have no idea how we keep up with it as well.
Enjoyed meeting the people in your life. Awesome you found someone for every letter!
I'll be taking the road trip as well.
Very good reflection. I really enjoyed your theme. I too think it is a good idea to have a theme. Makes things easier.
It was a challenge keeping up. This was my first year as a co-host and I felt the pressure. Hearing how bloggers like you feel about the challenge makes it worth the work.
I did my posts mostly before hand and scheduled, and went round the blogs each day for 3 hours at least in the evening. Have to admit I did change some of the posts I did and add stuff and rewrite, that's the trouble with doing it beforehand, you get to see the problems with it when you go back! Hope you have more time next year. Have to admit that I find it very difficult to see your words white on purple, it's a real strain. (I am old!) Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com (this is my blog – don't use where Blogger takes you, it's not the right address!)
Visiting from A/Z; didn't have thhe chance to visit everyone during the challenge, so I'm trying to read everyone's reflection posts. Sounded like you had a good theme! I do agree that having a theme does help one think about what to write from A/Z. I did write my posts beforehand, but I wanted to take time to visit lots of blogs during the challenge, which in retrospect I'm glad I did write them beforehand because got mandatory overtime at work for most of April; so if I had to fit that in plus the challenge and writing, it would have been sleepless nights 🙂
Congrats on fisnighing!
betty
Hello there.
Congratulations on completing the challenge!
I had a theme for this my second year, but I did have to write and pre-schedule my posts otherwise I might not have gotten to the end. Visiting and commenting does consume a vast amount of time. I set aside time each day/every other day to visit and comment starting with the blogs immediately below me in the signup list. I also made sure to visit anyone who left a comment at my blog. Don't forget, you have almost a year to visit/comment until the next challenge starts! (lol)
Entrepreneurial Goddess
I love your theme and can't figure out how I missed visiting. The list is so large I start with fellow writers (WR) and try to work my way along. I might steal your idea for next year, People you would like others to meet and know. Brilliant! I will come back and see who I missed. Fun isn't it….congrats on finishing.
Congrats on finishing! Sounds like you had an excellent theme, I'm sorry I missed it. My networking dropped off in the second half of the Challenge as by that point I was writing each post on the day it was due up! It's definitely a double edged sword, with creating posts and commenting – hard to juggle it all, but there's the rest of the year to do the road trip!
Hi there. Love the purple blog! Congratulations on making it all the way to Z. I totally agree with you about the scheduling of posts. I think I'd better start writing next year's posts ASAP! LOL
Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year!
Mary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle
Aw, thank you for the shout-out for the hosts! And yes there will be a road trip 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the challenge!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary
MopDog
Thanks for stopping by Sandy, I might try that approach next year.
Thanks Alex – I can always count on you to stop by!
Thanks Karen – I enjoyed my theme too.
Thank you fro co-hosting Susan – that's a big job in addition to participating with your own blog!
Thanks Liz for the feedback. I can't spend 3 hours in the evenings, but I may try to write more ahead and focus on visiting for an hour a day. I did decide to update my style and changed my colors a bit. We'll see if people like it better.
Thanks for stopping by, I'm planning to participate in the road trip so hopefully I'll get by everyone!
Thanks for stopping by Nick!
Discipline of writing is a worthwhile accomplishment.
Thanks for being a part of the Challenge and letting us know your thoughts about it.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
I love your theme and hate that I missed your blog during the challenge. I will make up for it and begin visitng regularly now. Great reflection post and I also hope there is an A to Z road trip