Okay, folks! It's been a bit since the final post for the 2015 A-Z Challenge went up, and all of the participants have started to recover from their blogging-induced carpel tunnel. So I wanted to write a bit about how the challenge went for me this year and what I discovered.
First of all, I wrote all of my challenge posts in their entirety ahead of time and scheduled them to go out at the same time each day. Yep. I was "done" with the challenge by March 31st, and you know what? It was super relaxing. It gave me more time to explore the other blogs in the challenge, and didn't leave me scrambling for time and content at the last minute. In past challenge years I've done several entries at a time (maybe a week ahead at most) but never the whole thing in advance. And if I do the challenge again, I will do it the same way...advance planning for the win!
Thirdly, Google+ is super irritating when, apparently, it's the only thing you can use to comment on certain Blogger blogs that have it enabled. I will likely cave and make a G+ profile, but I shouldn't have to have one to comment on a Blogger blog (which is the platform my blog runs on and is freaking owned by Google anyway). If I go to comment on a Wordpress blog, yes, I should have to make an account to comment, but not for a Blogger blog. I get that no one wants to be on Google+, but don't be so desperate, Google. Seriously. Not cool.
Fourthly (is "fourthly a word? It doesn't look like one...weird...), I wished I had more time for reading other blogs, but there's never enough time for that. When I did have time to read, I attempted to hit up 10+ blogs instead of the 3-5 per day recommended, but I always felt bad if I couldn't get to it. I did my best to comment and say hello on each one I visited as well.
Fifthly, each and every comment on my posts made me smile! I loved seeing that someone had liked one of my letter posts, and it's always encouraging to read a kind message. So thank you.
Well, that's about it for me! How'd the A-Z Challenge go for you?
xoxo Sarah
Hi Sarah! Loved your wrap-up and have many of the same feelings - and beefs - as you do. Good to know it isn't always my lack of tech knowledge! Hope I'm not one of the blogger platforms giving you fits because I'd love to check back and converse from time to time; one can't have too many writer friends :-) Congratulations!
ReplyDelete"One can't have too many writer friends"--Exactly! And there were so many posts I read only to get to the comment form and scream.
DeleteCongrats on the pre-planning! I had all but 3 my posts sketched out before April, but discovered I did a lot of tweaking. I want to try to have everything ready to go beforehand next year.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the codes. I was trying to go outside my regular genre and used those codes to find some really amazing new-to-me blogs.
I'm also on blogger. I don't know how to fix the comment thing either. I'd hate to think that I missed out on some new friends and encouraging comments because Google was being difficult.
Kelley’s Dog Blog ~ Meet Me at the Dog Show!
Thanks, Kelley! I totally recommend getting he whole thing planned and at least outlined a bit, if not actually written. It was fun to check our blogs out of our comfort zones...all kinds of interesting topics! And I hope that Google irons out the tech wrinkles for next year!
DeleteI believe when Google rolled out Google+ they envisioned bloggers switching to that profile and platform in droves and that they hoped to phase out the purely blogger sign in. Over the years I've created one for Google+, Discus, Wordpress...and several others just so I wouldn't run into the nightmare you describe. Yet, my blog and the only profile I care about are still straight Blogger.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to have to be creating new sign ins during the challenge. Even if the steps are easy, it's extra steps during a month when time is just too valuable.
Reading the other blog's posts is what makes the challenge fun. Leaving and getting thoughtful comments is like the icing on the cake.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
I don't mind creating the new sign-ins...I have a million ones I use for a million different things. But you hit the nail on the head, Barbara--during the challenge, all we want to do is blog and read and comment, not make new Maybe it'll be better next year. Thank you so much for stopping by! :-)
DeleteJust now getting around to visiting the blogs in the challenge. April was a busy month for me. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!
ReplyDeleteMary
www.JingleJangleJungle.net
Thanks for stopping by, Mary! The challenge is crazy busy, and I don't blame you for taking your time. Enjoy the entries!
DeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge! I hear you about G+ commenting...drove me nuts sometimes and I REFUSED to create another account just to leave a comment (I think 5 online accounts is more than sufficient to get by on)! I'm sorry I didn't get to visit your blog during the crazy month of April so I'm popping over today from the Road Trip.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Thank you for stopping by! I concur...5 is PLENTY! :-P Enjoy the blogs!
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