I must confess that this was truly challenging! Like with any huge project, I planned ahead of time. I thought of a theme I'd stick by through out the entire month and created a list per alphabet letter on a spiral bound notebook, writing as many words that started with each letter.
example:
A: anaphora, alphabet, allegory, artist
so on so forth till I reached Z.
(sneak a peek at my posts here!)
Next, I went down my list and circled one idea per letter to post about it. I wrote my entire alphabet post in two days a month ahead of time. Why? Because I wanted to enjoy visiting everyone's fabulous blogs and leave comments on as many as I could per day!
Since we aren't posting on Sundays (but for April 1st for 2012) it gives us a fabulous opportunity to catch up on the comment love!
And that's my secret. What's yours?
16 comments:
Well, it's a secret, I can't tell. Actually, I have no idea how I'll do this challenge. I'm a pantser, so I'll probably wait each day to be inspired. EEEEEE! Hope I'll be up for it.
I am also prepared for this year, I did it over Christmas as after spending Chriostmas Day with my daughter I was alone and had plenty of time to do my challenge.
As you say it gives one plenty of time to read others.
Yvonne.
I've already been brainstorming each letter, sticking with my theme for this year. I'll be ready.
I know what posts will be about, but I need to start jotting down specific ideas.
Great minds think alike, as they say! I did that last year, and saved the notebook of those brain-stormed words. It sure will come in handy this year. The other decision I've made that I think is key, is to go with a theme. We've heard that all over the place, and that it's in no way a requirement when participating in the challenge, but it narrows your focus a bit so that picking the exact word for the day at least has a frame. Besides, I did find myself, even with the limited visiting time we all had, returning more often to those with a theme. Of course surprises are good, but it's also nice to read more on a subject from a themed-blog.
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April 2012 Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Twitter: #atozchallenge
I remember some of Elizabeth's refreshing A-Z posts from 2011... and the delightfully colourful font!
I think that pre-planning is the key to survival.
Hi Elizabeth .. mine was theme related - but I wrote each day .. seemed to work.
The challenge was a priority and I visited lots of blogs - got frustrated with the no-shows and the ones I was serious not interested in - though they are part of life and have their many supporters.
Once I'd found my way I was fine .. and am looking forward to this year - without being too overwhelmed by all the entries!
Cheers Hilary
Maybe keeping an A to Z notebook throughout the year is not too bad of an idea for saving plans of all sorts--not just for the A to Z Challenge. I have a number of stored posts in my composition calendar for my blogs--I'll add ideas as they come to me.
Notebooks are nice though and I'm a big fan. Who knows? Maybe in the Video Challenge or even the April Challenge we'll have some kind of notebooks offered as prizes. It's a rumor I heard.
Lee
The closer we get to April the more nervous and excited I feel. Can't wait!
My secret (well, it hasn't been a secret for a while actually. hehe) is that I'm a pantser, and therefore don't plan anything much ;)
I'm looking forward to the challenge, well to challenge me to write!
Very, very nice post…this is what I’m looking for. This has complete details and very useful ideas. Thumbs up to this post.
Em, that's a fantastic idea! I'm going to pants my way through my posts as I schedule them ahead of time! ;)
Yvonne, great! I've just thought of the theme for this year's Challenge, thanks to my 9 year-old the ABCs of Utah project! :D
Alex, cool! I started it out as "Pieces of Me", but thought "Tour de Utah" would be better! ;)
Wolfe, great! Let's get started--time's flying by! :O
Tina, yay! It's going to be fun, won't it?
Mish, I'm planning on that colorful font again this year. Whew! It was a lot of work but lots of fun! :D
Hilary, that's something I've felt myself as well! I just need to take one at a time and limit my time so that I don't feel overwhelmed as well...
Lee, sounds fantabulous! I can't seem to remember where I've placed my last A to Z notebook. *sigh*
Marta, I feel the energy!
Trisha, I'm a pantser, too--but mostly when it comes to novel-writing. LOL...
Christian, thank you! I hope it helps to inspire. *grin*
Flying solo and blindfolded seems to work for me. You can tell me if my clever plan works come April
Now I am really intimidated! Themes?
I did have one idea, but then there are so many things to write about. Here is a theme idea: Using only the books in your library, use titles and authors for the a-to-z blog, or just items in your home--the weird statue from one of your trips, favorite picture, etc.
As usual i am a bit late here anyways joined in to get challenge. This posts is really helpful in getting some ides
All the Best for the Challenge, I joined in best
Philip
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