It has been a busy month and by far my favourite "business" has been fullfilling the A to Z challenge. Planning to take time out each day to write "something" was a real treat. It was also a learning experience that taught me "I can do this". (and I don't want to think about all the time over the years spent thinking "I don't have time"). I did some planning ahead of time, and I am fortunate that my blog has a bit of a theme, and therefore allowed me some structure in my planning. And I learned that my mother is addicted to "editing"...I love that she emailed me the changes she wanted me to make itemized by line, by post.
As a new blogger, I would recommend that challenge experience to anyone. The main reason is that it forces you to post and then creates a habit of going out and checking out other blogs, where you learn even more about blogging, sending you back to your own blog to tweak things or to try something new the next time you write an entry. Reading other blogs and following new blogs has been a big part of the pleasure of the last month. I am nowhere near through all of the participants, but I am still working on it! Thank you all for sharing part of yourselves with us readers!
When I began the challenge, I hoped to increase my "readership" and add some followers, and I did. I doubled my number of followers and greatly increased my readership. (I hate to admit that I am a bit of an addict when it comes to checking stats). Given that before I started writing this blog, no one had really read anything I had written since University, 20 years ago. Well, other than daycare publications and the skating club newsletter. Reading feedback from followers and more accomplished fellow bloggers, and hearing feedback from the folks I see who have read what I write is thrilling. I just hope you are not all going to go away now that the challenge is over. (and yes, I did dream the other night that I opened my blog one morning to find that there were only 5 followers left... the joy of stress).
I am very thankful for the start this challenge has given me as a blogger. Looking forward to many more posts and new blogs to follow.
And a big big thank you to the hosts of this challenge! I can say that I have learned something from each of you through the course of the month.
Alex J Cavanaugh
Arlee Bird
Jen Daiker
Jeffrey Beesler
Karen G
Talli Roland
The Misadventrues in Candyland
Stephen Tremp
Happy Blogging! (er packing!)
When I began the challenge, I hoped to increase my "readership" and add some followers, and I did. I doubled my number of followers and greatly increased my readership. (I hate to admit that I am a bit of an addict when it comes to checking stats). Given that before I started writing this blog, no one had really read anything I had written since University, 20 years ago. Well, other than daycare publications and the skating club newsletter. Reading feedback from followers and more accomplished fellow bloggers, and hearing feedback from the folks I see who have read what I write is thrilling. I just hope you are not all going to go away now that the challenge is over. (and yes, I did dream the other night that I opened my blog one morning to find that there were only 5 followers left... the joy of stress).
I am very thankful for the start this challenge has given me as a blogger. Looking forward to many more posts and new blogs to follow.
And a big big thank you to the hosts of this challenge! I can say that I have learned something from each of you through the course of the month.
Alex J Cavanaugh
Arlee Bird
Jen Daiker
Jeffrey Beesler
Karen G
Talli Roland
The Misadventrues in Candyland
Stephen Tremp
Happy Blogging! (er packing!)
It's a good feeling to finish something you've started. I like that your mother edits your writing - I've fulfilled that role for my husband, children and one or two grandchildren through the years. It's fun but eats into the writing time;-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing! My blog was very new, too, when the challenge started. This was a great way to help me get started!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection! Yes, it's kinda sad to end it but it was a great experience to learn from. Awesome blog By the way:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reflection post. I too am hoping the new friends I have made will keep coming by and of course I will do my best to visit them often.
ReplyDeleteI am sad it has ended but happy at the same time that I did not miss one post and it was sort of exhausting:)
Congrats on gaining new followers and on completing the challenge. Your reflections post was nice to read, so much so that I plan on visiting again. That skating club sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe Madlab Post
It's been a great month and I have found some great new blogs to follow. I am making the most of the reflections posts to find a few more. I found it a great experience and would definitely participate again next year.
ReplyDeleteNow following :)
congrats on making it through to the end, and for increasing your followers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging
A great blog, Kim. I have been enjoying your writing and wish you continued success with your blog. I hope we can dip into the lunch box and break bread when you swing out east.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this Challenge is ideal to anyone new to blogging, but it's great for veterans as well. A to Z is a great way to bring all bloggers together. Glad that you decided to be among them and congratulations on making it all the way through the alphabet.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Welcome to Blogland! What a wonderful way to cement your place by taking on this challenge so soon after beginning! I haven't been at this very long, just over a year (once I got serious about it) and I too got so much out of the experience! Since I didn't make it around to everyone during April, 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!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good