Time.
I don't know anyone who has as much as they want, do you?
I
think as bloggers, we as a subculture have an especially short amount
of time. Most bloggers, or at least those I'm familiar with, have a
day job, a family, all while we are trying to work on our novels, or
our music, our pieces of art, our humor, our crafts, or whatever our
passion is, yet still attempting to maintain sanity. It ain't easy.
Then,
to all of the above, let's add changing our blogging frequency (for
most) add more visiting, more return/recognition of comments, and
you've got a person stretched pretty thin.
Yet,
most of us are loving it! Why? I think what we all have in common,
regardless of what type of blog we have (and sorry if I didn't
mention your flavor...but these daily posts are supposed to be
short...) is DETERMINATION. Hmm, someone wrote about that at D...
TIME
(whatever we may have) + Determination = Success
If
you've made it this far, you're going to make it all the way! Six
posts left. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
What
I'd really like to know though is what have you learned? How did it
go? Now that it's all over, what advice would you give others?
(Yes, I know it's not over...I'm advertising...we take liberties...)
How has participating changed your blog? You'll get a chance to tell
us during our traditional Reflections Posts. Don't worry
right now about when or where or how...just finish The Challenge.
We'll let you know later what the rest of the scoop is.
48 comments:
Hi Tina .. and great A-Z Hosting Team - thanks for monitoring everything for us - and generally making life as easy as possible.
Time is definitely of the essence to fit everything in .. once again I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenge - I've met some new blogging friends, who I'm sure will be around for time 'immemorial' ...
I haven't been as assiduous as I'd like - but that's the way life goes .. TIME .. we need 48 hours in our days!
Cheers and see you all around in the next 9 days or so .. Hilary
Time and time management are great topics for T. I have been writing ahead and have all my posts lined up! I started a new blog http://suestrifles.wordpress.com about a week before this challenge began and for the purpose of doing challenges. (I found this challenge afterwards!) I have learned a lot about writing, found some interesting bloggers and had a lot of fun. The real question is how my blog will develop after the challenge is over. Sue
Time is the factor, it don't end when you submit your post.....it;s just the beginning, the reading of ones you follow, read new blogs and so on.
The hosts have done an excellent job and all praise must go to them.
Yvonne.
It's been a great ride this far. I hope this keeps me blogging after the challenge.
It's been a revelation but I'll save my insights for my reflection post. I'm still having fun by the way.
What I learned: Last year, I did the A to Z challenge, and my brain shut down at Q. I just couldn't come up with anymore. I didn't have a theme and just wrote ideas as they came to me. I think if you do this method, you have to train in smaller batches prior to April. A week of 5 blog posts where you write them live, a week of 10, etc.
This year, I wrote 3/4s of the posts in advance. I kept them really short and focused on a theme.
One of the challenges for me has been getting and keeping people's interest. A lot of times people will flock to my blog during an event like this, and then completely disappear a few weeks after. In blog world, they don't tell you what you're doing wrong; they just leave (admittedly, I have a pretty good idea, but I can't fix it).
THESE DAYS WITH CHALLENGE ON MY PLate
TIME DOESNT FLY IT VANISHES :)
Hi Tina & Team AtoZ
Funny that - I just did an instant reply to someone and said "I'll write more when I have time..." Because the challenge has really taken up most of it this year. Oh - and getting another book out as soon as the challenge is finished.
I started thinking about why on Sunday - and made a note to start my reflections post while I was reflecting, instead of euphoric at the end. But I am SOOOOO glad I had nearly all of my posts scheduled before we started this year. It makes it possible to visit and revisit those awesome blogs out there - and I'll only get to 600 or so. Don't know how the rest of you do it!
Happy A to Z-ing
Jemima at Jemima's blog
I blogged on exactly this a couple of months ago - take a look!
SO MANY HOURS, SO LITTLE TIME
http://www.misswrite.co.uk/1/post/2012/09/so-many-hours-so-little-time.html
All the best - nearly there with the #AtoZchallenge!
Louise
www.misswrite.co.uk
@misswriteuk
www.facebook.com/louise.gibney.writer
What I have learned is that I love to write and as I visit other blogs I have some confidence that I am prettying good at this writing thing.
Thanks for the fun
Came by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter
http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com/
100 percent busier this year than I was last year - but that's a good thing. ($$$) Some days are trickier than others, but I'm making it through the challenge.
When it is TIME for the Reflection Post, I hope to have TIME to do so. In the mean TIME, I'm working on all the TIME consuming issues you mentioned. TIME to go. I hope Ya'll will ave TIME to stop by...
My Letter 'T'...Only In Texas Towns
Sue CollectInTexasGal
AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee
It did take a lot of time to plan out these posts. First trying to figure out what word than to write about it bust before all that I had to fine TIME to write posts in advanced!
This Challenge is AWESOME!
Mike
Praytogodtoday.blogspot.ca
Well, unlike most of the bloggers I am blessed with some more time on my hands, I am at a different point of time in my life. I can't imagine how some,well,most of do it. Even with me having more time I get bogged down too, so I am totally amazed at how the others create such thoughtful,fun,educating and quality posts :)
I have stumbled upon some enjoyable blogs and so glad to have added them to my reading list :)
Lucy from Lucy's Reality
Time is something that we have less of. T seems to have come very fast !
<a href="http://capturedalive.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/tree-tragedy/>PhenoMenon</a>
I learned long ago that time stretches to accomodate all you need to do. Despite writing a separate daily blog, I manage to comment on about 10 other people's in the challenge. Great exercise, which gives warm fuzzy feelings.
Francene.
A - Z Challenge
http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.co.uk/
Despite the fact that I don't work, I've had a wicked hard time keeping up w/ A-Z this year. I have visited quite a few blogs and followed some new ones, but have only picked up a few new followers and the comments have dropped off dramatically this week.
Yes I definitely wish I had more time in the day and night! Could do with at least another 3-4 hrs in the day. But, it's been fun, responding to comments on my own blog for the A-Z - I always learn so much from them! And also, obviously, many of the blogs have been fantastic and a great learning experience.
Susan Scott's Soul Stuff
I'd love to have more time to visit all of the A2Z blogs. I've visited and commented on lots. I must say tho' that I haven't had as many comments on my own blog as I thought I would. Ah well not long to go now, so good luck to all and see you at the finish line :)
Thank you, A to Z hosts, for continuing so generously in this project.
This morning I tumbled from sleep to the keyboard, so excited to continue with the A to Z challenge following a setback named TRAVEL! (T word, how fitting!) I love the challenge and one of my joys will be going back to where I missed days and updating so those literary grannies will have their days as well.
Oh, how I love words.
Happy A to Z-ing!
Julie Jordan Scott
Our Literary Grannies from A to Z:
T is for Thea Astley
tweet me - @juliejordanscot
Ha! Time has been against me, what with my job. But I actually got a post up on time today! WHOO!
Jessica at Scary-Simple-Smitten
I actually had TIME this morning to write this one early! :)
Love candles? Come check this one out!
- Patricia at Bookish Geek
I'd like to add - Enjoy. I so enjoy reading other blogs and discovering new and different voices and stories.
Participating in a challenge reminds me of college coursework - the posts turn out so much better when composed in advance, best not to wait until the last minute.
I am pleasantly surprised at the new readers I have gained (and am still gaining) through this challenge.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Time can be tough on us, particularly if we aren't quite into what someone is blogging about in the short term. Sometimes there isn't anything to really say, either, which leaves me feeling rude. But I always try to make time around lunch.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
I just don't try to stress about this challenge. I have enough to stress about in my life. I have learned that there are a LOT of varied blogs around the world. I have visited a LOT and always leave a comment. I really haven't increased my comments that much on my own blog but I am only doing this for myself and I have really enjoyed every moment of it!
When my partner in blogging signed us up and then decided we should do a poem a day I thought she was crazy! But now I am so glad that we did it. It's been such a fun journey and exciting to get introduced to other bloggers :)
Finding the time is the hardest part of blogging and still keeping up with the rest of life, like career and family and household chores.
alioffthemark.com
I found some time today, while on leave, to catch up and finish the last 6 posts!
Many thanks to all who've kept us going. You've done a brilliant job this year with a record number of participants.
My dad used to say every New Year's Eve, "Next year I'm getting a calendar with more days on it." The hunt for that "extra time" we all crave. The blog challenge has been great, & I've met some new bloggers whom I will follow long after the challenge is past.
Kathy @ Swagger Writers
Oh, time is all relative! Some people think they have a lot, which is why they're always late, and others think they have none, but spend hours in front of the TV (put me in the second category).
Those folks who truly don't have time and scramble to get everything done, can benefit from knowing that sometimes if you put things off, they resolve on their own with no effort from you. A good lesson to learn. Writer’s Mark
Yes, I am loving this and I have neglected my other love, #ROW80. I did a pity make up for Sunday, but am sure it will see right through my feckless heart. Still, this has been wonderful! Thanks so much!
A great T. I like to think of time travel - something that has always fascinated me. I'm not sure I could write about it, but I love stories that do.
This challenge has certainly taken quite a bit of my time, mainly with letters for which an odor doesn't come to mind right off the bat. Bit I've loved the thoughtfulness, information, lyricality, creativity and just plain fun of the other blogs!
I've been having a blast!
But I haven't had enough time to visit new blogs...
T+D does equal success. There is never enough time.
I've gone back and forth on being stressed for time with this challenge, but I'm glad I'm doing it. I really thought there were days when I couldn't do it, but I did~
I think I've learned that I'm going to have to start planning my posts for next year's challenge next month. haha Believe me, I'm already brainstorming on a few ideas:) lol
Best of the day to all!
There are a lot of things that I think we can do when we know exactly when they will end!
The Challenge has been fun. Today I wrote and scheduled my "Z" post--Yay! This has shown me that I really can post every day if I just try.
This was my first A-Z and I've already decided that next time I will concentrate on a theme that does not encourage me to spend all day researching and writing. Short, sweet but interesting is what i'm looking for next time.
My time has really been screwed up in April. And today was almost like a non-day. Time...
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
I've really enjoyed having the categories this year. It made it easier to theme my posts and stay on topic.
I'm loving this challenge. Time? um.....I have had no time. All my posts have been done between midnight and three in the morning.
How's that for dedication?
Cynthia (The Sock Zone)
Hi, Tina,
Since I started doing the Challenge, April always feels like a blur, but I've learned that time is precious and that I can make better use of it that I currently do.
Well, one thing I have learned is that it definitely is a challenge. I am glad I read the advice on the A to Z site leading up to it. It was very helpful. I am glad I got at least some of my posts ready in advance. I have learned what a diverse group the participants are, but also what a cordial group, generally thoughtful and encouraging. So glad I have participated. Thanks. God bless, Maria from Delight Directed Living
Time is such an amazing thing. I'm loving the time I'm am (still) spending on this blog challenge this year. I'm more "tuned" in to it than I was last year, but that could be because I'm not traveling during it like last year!
YAY!! I've been loving it! Now I don't know what I'll write when it's over. Wondering if I should still post daily, or drop back a bit. My blog is so new, created April 1st. I still have to decide on some things. :)
#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
I once came across the word ubiquitous during my school days. Then I started seeing it everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.
Hi Tina,
Indeed a timely piece on TIME...A very essential one whole life time.
Yes, sometimes i feel its 24 hrs a day is not sufficient. LOL
Yes, No Chance!
We need to catch up with the time.
Good one. few more to go.
Keep inform
Phil
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