Only two weeks left until April 1st. There's been lots of advice from veterans of the challenge and I'm here to day to offer two more bits for any and all to use or ignore.
How's this statement? Prepared to be unprepared for what happens. There are going to be days where something happens and you just can't keep up with visiting new blogs or returning comments. All of us will have days where we're flooded with other responsibilities such a family, the day job, or even the business of spring chores.
Yes, I'm going out on a limb here and predicting that winter will end. Where I live, we're getting a late start on spring cleanup and I have a sizable property to take care of. It will take me at least an entire day just to pick up all the branches that have fallen off the trees in my back acres. As soon as the snow drifts melt, I'm going to get on that.
Unexpected things are going to happen so don't stress about it. Make up for it on another day. Everyone is going to understand if you're more active on the challenge some days than others. And don't compare yourself to others. You'll visit some blogs that have dozens of comments when you get there or someone will mention that they're visiting a hundred blogs a day. Work at your own pace. It's not a competition.
One of my Dragon Soldiers, Sabina Leybold, asked as a joke on our weekly #azchat on Twitter if it was cheating to have guests during A to Z. Only if being smart is cheating! Having guests could save you lots of time. So far I only have one, but that could expand.
For you veterans, what unexpected event has disrupted your A to Z in past years? Has winter put back your usual spring chores? Are you having guests during April? Have you joined us at all on the Twitter chats every Thursday, 1-2 pm and 8-9 pm?
April Blogging from A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge
Hi Susan - certainly don't stress about the A-Z .. do what you can .. and as you say unexpected things are bound to happen - days out, family days .. etc etc ... I have lots of ex hip stuff to deal with .. ie starting again once the hip has completely settled. So am glad I don't have branches across the acres to sort out .. and won't Spring be wonderful .. good luck everyone - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteMy husband calls my replacement knew my bionic knee so I guess we
Delete'll have to call your hip a bionic hip. You have really come through it like a trooper.
Thanks for the encouragement Susan re being prepared for the unexpected in connection with the A-Z! - yes there can be a sense of dread of lack of time ... may your spring cleaning go well in between everything else!
ReplyDeleteThe outdoors cleaning up will provide some good breaks from the computer during April. Thanks for visiting, Susan.
DeleteOh, yes. I've participated for three years prior and definitely have had interruptions cause me to have to miss out all together of a day or maybe even two on visiting. Last year was the hardest, as our server crashed at work at the end of Jan and we were still working on re-entering data and working every Saturday! But, like you said there will be those days when you can take your time and visit till your heart is content.
ReplyDeleteOuch. That's a lot of Saturdays to work. And computer work at that. Must have been rough.
DeleteDon't burn out trying to keep a pace you can't sustain. (And I really don't recommend a hundred blogs a day. It's exhausting - trust me!)
ReplyDeleteI know work will derail me a few days and one weekend is already out the window. I'll just do the best I can.
You'll still more than most of us. I have one weekend out the window too. It's near the end when I might need the break anyway.
DeleteGreat points.
ReplyDeleteI try not to stress about it. I figure with the amount of time zones involved, whenever I get the post up, someone will read it.
Heather
Oh, that's a good point about the time zones. Didn't even think about that.
DeleteGuests during A to Z? Great idea. That could be awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat unexpected event has disrupted your A to Z in past years? During my first A to Z, I experienced a "blog malfunction" on the day of letter X... my last three posts, X Y & Z, went up a day after the official ending of the challenge... I was so disappointed... but I DID complete the challenge.
I think I kind of remember that blog malfunction.
DeleteSome great points about not stressing. Computer problems would be the worst interruption.
ReplyDeleteOne big stress I could have is my posts not go out when they're scheduled to. Hopefully that doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteI always double check my times I have for them to go up. I've messed that up many times.
DeleteDo the best you can do and that's all you can do. That's my motto. I'm thankful for what I accomplish and don't stress the rest.
ReplyDeleteYou gave good advice in expecting the unexpected during the challenge and not to stress about it :) Its supposed to be fun (and crazy at the same time, LOL :) Right now we are on mandatory overtime that just started this past week; supposed to end before April 1st. I hope that it does because otherwise, that would be not in my plans with dealing with A/Z this year :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Overtime can sure pay well but it does disrupt plans. Hope it ends before April.
DeleteOnce I decide to do A to Z (which is every year as it happens) I go ahead and schedule all my posts. All I have to do in April is read others posts. Works a charm.
ReplyDelete