Monday, May 4, 2015

A to Z Challenge: Reflections on the 2015 Challenge



Overall thoughts?

In the four years I have been doing the A to Z: Challenge it has grown quite a bit! Over 1500 is a lot of bloggers. I'm sure I have only reached a fraction of those bloggers. The visitors, that I know, who have stopped by my blog I have visited. The ones who are on my feed (okay those are mostly the same). I was able to visit a few sites from the A to Z facebook page. Kudos for the page! Also I have been working my way through the sign up list on the A to Z page to visit different blogs. It is a slow process. I will definitely have plenty of blogs to visit during an A to Z; road trip. Has the challenge grown too big?Visiting some of the blogs I found a few people didn't finish the challenge. I can certainly understand that. Those blogs and writers reminded me the challenge is truly a challenge. Is there a blog I should not miss? Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Thoughts on my blog and the challenge

 As a writer of my blog I found the challenge did help me find a balance among topics I had been searching for in my blog. Like always I tried to keep my posts true to what readers may find on my blog the other 11 months of the year. Two of my most successful posts of the challenge also featured photography by me so I was pleased with that. The other two most successful were my Battle of the Bands post but they double dip blog hops.

What I liked the most?

 I was able to stumble across a couple of my old writing friends in the challenge. Probably through my own fault I lost track of what they were doing so it was nice to visit their blogs. One of them is Phillip Veghese Ariel's writings and another is Julie Du Pre's Precious Monsters. I was also a winner of Liz A's Laws of Gravity blogs. Everyone likes to win! Well it has been a great challenge and now another 11 months until the next A to Z; Challenge.




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14 comments:

  1. Shady Del KnightMay 4, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    Good stuff, Mike! I like what you wrote here reminding everybody that the A to Z was a challenge. There's no shame in dropping out along the way but, at the same time, there is great pride and satisfaction in going the distance.

    I discovered your blog, not by means of the A to Z, but through the BOTB gang. I am very happy to meet you and to call you friend and I greatly appreciate your decision to follow me as well.

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  2. Liz A.May 4, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    I did the same--that is, my blog reflected what it's usually like in months that are not April. Congrats on making it to the end.

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  3. Barbara In CaneyheadMay 4, 2015 at 9:02 PM

    There may be a little stuff going on in between. :)

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  4. Dixie@dcreliefMay 5, 2015 at 2:55 PM

    Mike, I definitely enjoyed your A-Z, and you're right about the photography. I think you've a good eye for it! Of all the variety-type blogs, I enjoy yours the most. I like the way you keep us updated on musicians, and other interesting entertainers. Then there's the sports page... you have so much talent. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm looking forward to the remainder of the year, and how this A-Z will showcase what you gleaned!

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  5. MikeMay 5, 2015 at 10:34 PM

    Shady I am glad to have you following me! I enjoy your blog and your comments. I am glad I stumbled into the BOTB gang.

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  6. MikeMay 5, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    Liz thank you! Barbara I hope!

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  7. MikeMay 5, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    Dixie you are way too kind! I am glad that you are enjoying my blog. Hopefully there will be some interesting things to blog about in the future.

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  8. Arlee BirdMay 7, 2015 at 7:27 AM

    Good to hear your thoughts on this year's Challenge. It's really difficult to get to know even a fraction of the participants and there are so many good ones. I'm surprised at those who have said they've been doing the Challenge for 3 or 4 years and I don't ever remember visiting their blogs before. It's a great time during April, but it is a bit overwhelming.

    Thanks for joining again and leaving your Reflections on the experience.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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  9. MikeMay 7, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    Arlee thanks for your comment. Thank you for all you do with the challenge.

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  10. AnonymousMay 9, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    Finding you through your reflection. Sorry I missed you during the challenge. I am just realizing that I can't go back and look at a few of your posts from this reflection, which I would explore. Not sure who to tell that problem too. I have already written my reflection with opinions of what works and doesn't. It was another great experience for me and sounds like you are pleased too Cheers.

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  11. Mary BMay 12, 2015 at 6:31 AM

    Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle

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  12. MikeMay 13, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    Thanks Mary!Stepheny thanks for visiting sorry for the issues.

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  13. B~NatrelleMay 20, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks for visiting me along the way too. Just meandering through today from the Road Trip.

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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  14. Random MusingsMay 20, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    This was my first year and I'm already looking forward to next year! I think it's really interesting seeing what everyone chose for their themes!
    Popping by on the A to Z Road Trip
    Debbie
    www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com

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