Sunday 1 May 2011

Reflections on the A to Z blogging challenge

I had reservations about meeting the challenge since I’m an enthusiastic starter and not always a stayer but having decided to join I was determined to finish. After all, I normally blog at least once a day – what could be so difficult?

I found it challenging on several levels. Keeping posts short meant curbing my natural verbosity and this I did not always manage! Disabling comment moderation was something I did for a while but had to reinstate because I simply could not see easily when new comments had been made - I like to respond to people who have taken the time to leave a remark. Adopting a theme, as many did, might have been helpful, but I was already following a topic on the ABC Wednesday meme. Trying to keep a balance between fact and fiction, serious and more light-hearted, was something I could have done better.

The most challenging part, however, was trying to visit different participants while also keeping up with the blogs I normally follow. I fell down on this and feel I neglected many.

The most rewarding result was reading bloggers I might normally have missed and I’m only sorry I was not able to visit many more. Would I take the challenge again? Yes, but not just yet!!

Finally, I thank all the organisers of this marathon. It would be interesting to know how many of the original ‘names on the list’ actually started the challenge and also how many started but could not finish, for whatever reason. The bloggers I admire are the ones who work full-time and have a family to bring up – they must be very disciplined! Those days are behind me and my days are pretty much my own – even so, I found time pressing, so goodness knows how they managed. 

20 comments:

  1. I know I would have found it incredibly hard, well done on completing it!

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  2. Good for you! I thought about quitting half-way through because, I, as well, am a stronger starter than finisher. But, knowing my name was on "the list" made me persevere.

    Also, I identify with your struggle to curb the verbosity. Your posts are always highly readable and only now that you've mentioned your verbose inclinations can I truly admire your ability to be concise. It's hard! Good job!

    Well, congrats again and happy May.

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  3. I enjoyed writing the A to Z challenge, and I am going back to read a lot of them today as I was gone. I'm not sure what a Blog Hop is, maybe you could let me know.

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  4. Congratulations on your staying power, Julie.
    I have just clicked on "what is a blog hop?" and am trying to get my brain to absorb the idea. So far, no luck. Obviously, I need more coffee.
    I will be back, to study the "blog hop" idea some more.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  5. I'll be posting my reflections tomorrow. The challenge was (as promised by the word) challenging, but it was also fun. Like you, I met some interesting bloggers. If you wait until tomorrow, you can read http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com/

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  6. I admire your staying power Janice! I read many of your entries with interest so thanks for making the effort! I often learn new things here! I agree with your thoughts on the royal marriage and hope things work out well for them. I think she is most admirable.

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  7. Congrats on completing the challenge and I agree with you that reading other blogs was more of a challenge than posting, at least sometimes during the marathon.

    I enjoyed it and would do it again and am already learning that the Organizers rock so much because I signed up for another event and it's ALREADY confusing to participate in and meet other participants, so Arless's A to Z Challenge is the BEST!....at least, In my opinion.

    The Madlab Post

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  8. Well done! missed you during the challenge but found you on the blog hop. look forward to reading more.

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  9. I know what you mean: I have problems keeping my blog going let alone reading all of them that I'd like. I wish I had an IPad? - That would making reading them easier. I'd probably buy a kindle first. Since it has less distractions. Blogging has twisted my mind inside out, in good ways and ways that I don't know what to think. Interesting about the marathon. I was doing memes for a while but dropped out when I couldn't keep up with reading them all. Have a great week! :^)

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  10. well done - I still haven't finished doing the rounds! I admire you for being able to curb verbosity I couldn't - one of the reasons why I dont blog every day!! keep smiling

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  11. I really enjoyed the challenge and hope to catch up with my old regulars as well as keep up with the new blogs I've found, this month.

    Glad to have met you through the challenge :)

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  12. I agree that it was challenging to keep up! Thanks for stopping by to visit me!

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  13. congrats on finishing! it was a wild ride and with over 1200 participants its been hard to meet everyone

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  14. Congrats on completing the challenge...!
    Sounds like you had fun...

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  15. Oh I like your style :) I am like you, cheerleading in the beginning and sometimes finding it difficult to follow through. For that reason I did not sign up.

    But I did do it AND made it all the way through, A to Z.

    Meeting new and fabulous bloggers was by far the best part.

    ...and verbosity, be thy (and my) name, lol.

    I am now dedicated to making it all the way through the Reflections list and am having a blast. It's a lovely way to spend some time as I scale back from blogging every day :)

    Cheers to you and so very nice to meet you :)

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  16. I wouldn't want to do the challenge again immediately, either--give me some time to rest before plunging in again! :)

    Love your reflections post! Congrats on making it through the Challenge.

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  17. I managed one blog by only posting 100 word Drabbles, that took some discipline! The other much longer, but the theme warranted it. congratulations on your reflections post. Sue

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  18. It really does seem to be the same for all of us...we wish we could have visited more participants. I am going to continue to try. I agree with you I tried to mix the challenge with a meme and THAT was a Challenge.

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  19. You're right about a special nod to the bloggers with full time jobs and who still managed to keep up. Wow! You did a great job of making through the alphabet. Thanks for being a part of the Challenge.


    Don't forget to pick up your Winner's Badge at my site.
    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  20. Congrats on finishing! I did too, but as you said, I also didn't get to visit everyone. You mentioned the comment moderating issue, so I was thinking you might not have noticed the setting where you get an email with the comment every time someone makes one, without having to do moderation. I discovered that about a year after I started blogging ;-) Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you better. Also, Shannon @ The Warrior Muse and I are joining forces in another challenge. We're going to visit and comment at each of the participants, starting with the reflections post. We hope you'll join us!
    Tina @ Life is Good

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