Get in the locker room! It's half-time!

Alright team, let's huddle up. It's half-time, and that means it's time for our locker-room talk. (I'm an avid football fan and would love to know what the coaches say to the team when they head in there for either a tongue lashing or a rah-rah good job talk...)

We're ½ way there! You're doing an awesome job out there! I've seen some great plays! No fumbles so far, and we're sticking to our game plan. Are there any questions?

“Yeah, coach. I was wondering if I could sit out the third quarter. I'm just so tired!”

*If you need a couple of plays off, that's fine. There's nothing wrong with posting twice in one day to catch up for a rest day of no posting.

“Coach – I've visited a lot of folks who haven't visited back. Should I just stop reaching out and concentrate on those who are being active in this game?”

*That's a tough one. Your call. As far as I'm concerned, the visiting is one of the most exciting parts. You never know what you're going to find. You don't know if your next blogging buddy is right around the bend, five blogs away! I think the navigation buttons that you'll  be able to install will get the fire going again on the visiting.

“Coach – I've got lots of energy left. Where should I spend it?”

*That's an easy one. Visiting! I'm sad to say some folks have only gotten a very few visitors. Sad state of affairs! So if you've still got a lot of spring in your step, then step up your blog-hopping. Wherever you land, they'll be glad you came by.

Ok folks, it's time to head out there again. Keep up the good work, and don't forget our goals. Discipline to blog frequently, and community building through finding new bloggy friends! When this is all over, you'll be glad you stayed in the game.


And now some news!


A to Z Reflections post on May 7th


       On Monday May 7th the Linky list for your Blogging from A to Z Reflections Posts will open.   For those who have blogfests or other plans made already for that day, don't worry the list will be open for the entire week.  We hope all A to Z participants will plan to sign up and present your thoughts about the April Challenge.


        Be watching for more information about the Blogging from A to Z Reflections Post.

The A to Z Navigation Buttons Are Ready!

Many of you have asked for the A to Z Navigation Buttons that we had last year.  Those of you who do not know what I'm talking about can find the buttons at the top of the side bar.  Check them out--they are pretty cool.

Marcus Clearspring who created the popular A to Z Navigation Buttons for last year's Challenge   has done it again.   For those of you who are interested in adding the buttons to your site visit Marcus's site Writing Investigated.

If you don't want to add the buttons to your site or would just like to test them out, there is a special site for the badges at http://a-z.marcusclearspring.com/

Here are a few more words from Marcus:

1) Blogger's new "Dynamic Views" do not show custom widgets. Choose a
theme from a different group, if you have switched to Dynamic Views.

2) Wordpress.com (only .COM) bloggers cannot use custom widgets. They
simply don't allow it. For these people, the page at
http://a-z.marcusclearspring.com
offers the buttons. You can just add an image in your sidebar and
link it to open the above page.

Here are some more Challenge participants who Missed the List:

Kerrie at Here I Am Kaycee has been leaving some wonderful A to Z posts with excellent reminders for all of us.   Stop in for a visit and while you're there click her follower button to help her try to reach her first 100.



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M is for Making Memories

This Letter "M" post is brought to you by Jenny Pearson, co-host for the A to Z Challenge.

How are you doing out there? Enjoying your Alphabet Adventures?

Meeting new bloggers, reading interesting posts, enjoying wonderful pictures, learning a little history along the way - these are just a few of the memory making moments mesmerizing me as I make my way through many magnificent blogs.

How about you - are you making memories along the way?

Today, one of the memories I am making is celebrating a milestone...

I have been a mother for a quarter of a century - my, my, where has the time gone.

Making Magical Memories since 1992

As you are reading this I am taking a stroll down Mainstreet, USA with Courtney - today she is twenty-five!

Her birthday wish is to spend time in the place which has inspired her career and fuels her passion - making more magical memories in the process. 


Do you know where we are? Have you been here too?

I will be sharing a photo montage of the memories we are making in the merry month of May! 

What is your most memorable memory you have ever made?

 Jenny

Pearson Report

L is for Lego, Love and Letting go

This Letter "L" post is brought to you by Jenny Pearson, co-host for the A to Z Challenge.




LEGO - if you haven’t visited Courtney’s Sketchblog you really should.

For the Challenge she is using adorable little Lego figurines as her alphabet inspiration.

Here’s a sampling…

A is for Adventure:

B is for Bike:

drop by Courtney’s Sketchblog and see the rest.


Lego played an important role in Courtney's childhood and our time together. We had Lego-mania nights with great regularity where we would dump two big buckets of Lego on the living room floor, get out two big green Lego sheets and "go for it". Our imaginations were limitless and the fun priceless.

Today, we still dump the buckets over - hence her desire to share a little Lego nostalgia for this Challenge.

_________________________________________

LOVE - one of those words I overuse when talking about my daughter (the Lego girl).

Tomorrow is her birthday, she will be twenty-five - hard to imagine - where does the time go; heck, I still feel twenty-five.

As you read this, we are on a great adventure, visiting her all-time favourite place to celebrate a quarter of a century of knowing each other!

The love I have for her knows no limits. 

_________________________________________

LETTING GO - it is hard enough living my life, making and correcting my mistakes, and finding the path I am to travel as I journey through this singular lifetime.

As a parent it is often hard letting a child flounder; struggling to finding their own way; standing on the sideline as they correct their own mistakes. 

Oddly enough letting go is the ultimate gift a parent gives their child - they will manage and they will soar on their own wings, finding the current that best pulls them to where they are meant to be.

Letting go is good. Letting go is mandatory. Letting go is trusting yourself and your wisdom. 

I can only live one life...mine. As a parent I can only act as a guide, pointing out obvious pitfalls but encouraging the exploration of the unknown, even if I am afraid of it.

Letting go is liberating. It allows me to live my life fully while embracing the wonders of the lives around me. 

I can only ever be a vicarious participant in a life that is not my own.

Now, I ask you:  Are you living your life or someone else's? Are there things you need to let go of?

* * *

And...how is it going with this Challenge - are you enjoying doing your own thing - showcasing what is your passion and joy? Are you letting go here too and having fun? I know I am!!

Enjoy the Challenge; drop by Pearson Report and say HI!

 Jenny

K ~ The Kaleidoscope of our Amazing Race

Are you Amazing Race fans? I am. As much as I am enjoying the journey we're on, I am also feeling a bit overwhelmed this last week, with so many comments to respond to, blogs to visit, technical co-host questions to answer, err...pass off to those who know how to answer technical stuff,and a complete logjam in my inbox. I realized that I'm in the Amazing Race.

In my travels through the list of participants, I've found that we have is a real kaleidoscope of bloggers out there. Lots of styles, colors, vivid writing, and blogs that make you turn your head and say, “Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it that way.” I've seen viewpoints I embrace, and viewpoints and topics that had me exiting stage left as fast as my sturdy Scandinavian legs could carry me. I've read wonderful, mind bending stories in 100 words. I've seen photos and art, watched videos, and experienced poetry so powerful your soul sighs. It's all out there. Waiting for you to visit.

It made me feel a lot less stressed when I could put my finger on it and realize that what's frustrating me isn't hard to overcome. Just like the contestants of that reality show have to overcome hurdles (will you PLEASE turn off word verification? At least for April???), play Where's Waldo to find the next hurdle (finding where to comment on a post is sometimes like a treasure hunt without a map) and get tired, cranky, hungry, and ready for a drink, I do too. In the end, though, we signed up for this, and if we just calm down, pour a drink, put our feet up, and keep going, we're going to finish this race. The blogging world will be clapping for us when we head into that last turn.

Break over. Let's get out there!

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

#atozchallenge J Day

Just hang in there!


You've nearly reached the halfway point.  Soon you'll be on the downhill stretch to the end.  Don't give up because you can do this.  Nice and easy does it.  Keep your posts short, especially if you feel like you're struggling.  You don't have to write a thesis.  Use this post today as a model.


Breathe deep.  Sip some good coffee.  Enjoy some chocolate.


Just hang in there.  You're gonna make it.


Just in Time for J Day:


Michelle Jones at The Family Tales is offering a give-away at her blog.  Head over to her blog and you may be a lucky winner of a  a new customized blog design and/or custom header graphic.  The graphic design will be created by fellow A to Z blogger, Lisa Campbell.   

I is for Inspiration

What was and has been the inspiration for your A to Z posts?  How did you choose a theme vs going on the spur of the moment?

Here is one of my favorite quotes and it helped inspire me to participate (and co-host) in the challenge: 

Anyway: 

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

*The A to Z challenge may be a pain and not go according to plan.

Participate anyway. 

*(I may have added that last one. . . and trust me, there are many more that I could add).

And OK this isn't really what got me in the challenge at all. . . I have Elizabeth Mueller to thank for that! :)

H is for Henry Ford, Help!, Hanging in There and Hoofing along

ere we are at day number 8, hoofing it along toward the halfway point of the A-to-Z Challenge. Hopefully everyone is hanging in there, not feeling hopeless or discouraged.

As Henry Ford said, There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can." If you're starting to doubt yourself, know you CAN make it through the rest of the A-to-Z. If you feel like you need help, just ask for it! One thing you will find is that your fellow A-to-Z'ers are always willing to be supportive. You can ask for help in a post, in the comments below, on Twitter with the hash tag #atozchallenge. Wherever you ask, you are bound to get some support and the encouragement you need to keep powering through.

How are you doing? Enjoying it so far? Have all your letters figured out or flying by the seat of your pants?

May you find your Muse.

Shannon

The Warrior Muse

"H" image courtesy of Ramsha on CLKER.com.

#atozchallenge: Sunday Summary April 8, 2012

Artwork by Ada Z from Collagepodge.com

On Behalf of the A to Z Team:

         Hello-- Arlee Bird here from the A to Z Team.  Over the past many weeks leading up to the Challenge I've been putting together a Sunday Summary in which I've recognized some of the blogs that the A to Z Team had come across during the previous week.  I had every intent of doing another one this Sunday.  Then, something happened.

         As soon as the Challenge started we became overwhelmed, deluged, and inundated, not to mention very busy.  In other words, there is so much going on that none of us had the time to assemble a list of blogs that had mentioned the A to Z.  And add to that the fact that hundreds of you participants had special  A to Z announcement posts prior to the Challenge opening day and had special posts that talked about themes and discussed other Challenge related topics.

         So rather than make up a giant list of links let me extend a huge thank-you for all of the shout outs and promos that so many of you put on your own blogs prior to the opening day. Also thanks for the tremendous back up we got from many of you on Twitter, Facebook, and other places.  The success of this year's Challenge is due to all of you participants and our top notch A to Z Team of dedicated bloggers.

What's Happened So Far:

          We've got some hard working bloggers out there as you have surely noticed.  There are more blog posts than any of us can humanly keep up with, but I'm seeing amazing efforts by most of you.  We all appreciate the comments and we encourage all of you to keep commenting as much as you are able to.  Try to find a few new blogs each day and leave comments.  Don't forget to follow the ones that interest you.  No blog should leave the Challenge with less than 100 followers.

           Some of you may have noticed that the list has seemed like it's gotten smaller.  It did.  The Linky list topped out at 1936 blog sign ups at the Monday night closing.  As of the time I write this the list has gone down to 1851 and it will get still a bit smaller.

            The reason for the shrinking list is that there were some duplicate links and bad links that led nowhere.  Likewise, as we promised from the start, in order to keep this year's list of the time wasting sites (as far as our Challenge is concerned) we have been culling the blatant advertising sites or any other sites that have no intent of actually being a part of the A to Z Challenge and apparently were added only to get the attention this event provides.  We want this Challenge to be fun for the participants and not just a place to get a link noticed while doing nothing pertaining to the A to Z event.

          As links are removed from the list, all numbers below that are moved up.  If you no longer see your blog at its original number on the list, be sure to follow up the list at least 100 numbers and you will probably find it.  If for some reason your blog link has disappeared from the list and you have been a daily participant please let us know and we'll try to help.  The A to Z Team is trying to be very careful to keep the list intact with participants, but cleaned of those who are not participating.

A Cheer for the Team!

        All of the A to Z Team members have their own blogs entered in the Challenge.   The team member blog links can be found in the sidebar about a quarter of a way down the page.  Please show your appreciation to these hard-working team members by click on the links to find each of their blogs to say hello and follow them.  The A to Z Team members have done an incredible job organizing this event and continue to do an incredible job visiting blogs and leaving comments.

          Another thing the Team has been doing is maintaining this A to Z Blog during the Challenge.  We wanted to keep the blog active throughout April, but we had no idea that so many of you would keep things buzzing in the way it is been.  Your comments on this blog have been better than ever and we are about to reach 1200 followers.  If you like the Blogging from A to Z Challenge be sure to become a follower of this blog as it will remain active even after the Challenge of 2012.

          Our A to Z Team deserves a round of applause for the great posts on the A to Z Blog so far and for the posts to come throughout the Challenge.   The A to Z Challenge Blog is your place for Challenge news and announcements.

For Those Who Didn't Make the List On Time:

         The official list is closed but that doesn't mean you still can't participate.  You can do it but off the list.  Actually that's not as bad as it might seem because since the list is so big that after a few days a lot of people stop using it.

         Our advice if you want to be a part of the A to Z is to post the daily letter posts like you're supposed to.   Then leave a comment at a-to-zchallenge.com that you have posted for that day's letter and leave a link to your post.  

       Then, using the list which can be found on the A to Z Blog, visit as many of the participating bloggers as you can, leaving a comment and your link so they can visit you back.  Follow blogs whenever you see one you like and let them know you've followed in case they'd like to follow you back.

       Finally, announce your link on any social media sites you are involved with, such as Facebook or Twitter, etc,  You can also put your link up at the A to Z Facebook page.

       With enough networking, not being on the list won't matter that much.  In other words it's network blogging as usual.

       Good luck and happy to have you join in.  Be sure to send us your link to your blog with a request for us to add it to the Sunday Summary at the A to Z Blog.  If you know other bloggers that would like to participate in this same way let them know--you can forward this same information to them--and we can likewise announce their blogs as unlisted participants.   We had several last year who went on without being listed and they had a great time with it.

Here are of few of our latecomers:

http://www.swindlersonthebridge.blogspot.com/

http://outsideperception.wordpress.com/

       I know there are more, but in all of the chaos of this opening week I've lost track of them.  Please, if you are one of those blogging from A to Z without being on the list, leave your link in the comment section so we can find you.

Now a few final notes:

        Some of you may be lamenting a lack of visitors and comments.  I assure you that if your blog is inviting and interesting the comments will come.   Make sure that your comment section is open and easy to use.  If you have some complex system, visitors may turn around and exit before leaving a comment.  

       But rather than wait for the comments to come, you can speed up the process by visiting others and leaving comments on those blogs.  After all one of the main goals of the A to Z is to network with other bloggers.  Your chances of receiving comments are greatly increased by visiting and commenting on other blogs.

       If you have a very specialized niche or are "not for everybody" you may have to wait for a while for those who are looking for your type of blog to show up.  And if they don't, well that's life in the blog lane I guess.  You may have to rethink what you are doing with your blog and reach out to a different demographic.  It's not often that I can't think of something to say when I visit a blog, but I have dropped in on a few where I didn't know what to say and sometimes just didn't want to say anything.

        There are a lot of different blogs out there with a lot of different topics and blogger personalities.  Some you will love, some will be okay, and some you may disagree with or even loathe.  If you don't like what you see you have the choice to turn around and leave.  The A to Z Team is not responsible for what people write on their blogs and we don't want to be in the business of censorship.

          The last word here is to keep having a good time.  Make friends and become a better blogger.  The A to Z Challenge is intended to be a positive and memorable experience.

          Now back to the business of having fun Blogging from A to Z!




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#atozchallenge: G Is for Great Job So Far!

 
            We're finishing our first week and so far the A to Z Challenge is a gigantic success.  Heads are swirling with blog posts everywhere to read.  It's been like entering a theme park for blogging this week.  The pulls of where to go next are strong, but one thing is guaranteed:  Wherever you go you're going to find something good.

        Hope everyone is having a grand time with this 2012 edition of Blogging from A to Z.  This will be a busy weekend for many of you and blog visits may be down.  Those of you who are able to spend some time blogging this weekend can perhaps take up the slack for those who will be spending time with family and holiday events.  We've got  a wonderful community gathered together here.

         You all are doing a great job so far!

Farm Girl: The Making and Selling of Books

My first published book, Farm Girl, was also the very first release for WiDo Publishing. The book had been put together beforehand, with my son Billy as the editor and my son Don doing layout and design. My plan was to print up a few copies for my mom and for our family members.

WiDo's investor paid for a large print run of 5000 copies. About half of those have sold. The investor was willing to try many things to get sales-- hiring a publicist, sending out copies for contests, paying someone to call bookstores and get orders. The idea was to try a lot of different approaches and eventually something would pay off.

It's been an interesting learning experience, because the entire publishing culture changed from when WiDo first began until now. Most of the things that we tried at first are no longer viable.

Calling bookstores? A waste of valuable time. Farm Girl sells more books on Kindle than on print.

Hiring a publicist? A waste of good money. Book sales happen more through online blog reviews and the calculated use of KDP Select free promotions than through an expensive publicist getting a feature on TV, radio or in the newspaper.

Giving away free copies to teachers in hopes they'd buy more for the classroom? Ha! Teachers are strapped for cash and will gladly take a free book. Period.

From the way books were printed in 2007 to the way they are sold in 2012, Farm Girl has led the way in change for WiDo. The lessons we learned and experience gained from making and selling this first book have been invaluable. And I think that's the real worth of Farm Girl as WiDo's first release.

by KarenG Coming Down the Mountain: A Writer's Blog

E is for ...

Elizabeth! Go figure . . .

And no, I promise you I am not narcissistic.

Something inspiring is more  like it ...
I am surprised of the journey I have  taken so far and am hopeful for what lies ahead.

I grew up in a home  where  the kids bee-lined it to their  bedrooms, screaming, "Dad's home, Dad's home--HIDE!" And we  meant it. We  were scared of him.

As a newly married woman so many years ago, I yearned to reinvent my parenting skills. My relationship with my father now is much different. Better--and we see  eye-to-eye (for the most part). The only reason why I bring up my past is because it amazes  me how far I've  come and that anyone in my position can most definitely  lead a happy and productive  life.

I coped with such atrocious circumstances through my art and writing. I combined the two very often and came up with graphic novel books that I had lost myself in. Of course they  are as cheesy as I'll get out, but through my characters, I learned how to deal with circumstances and even took out some of my aggression on them as I made  them endure situations, but I witnessed their growth as well. I had no idea that a few decades down the road I'd become published.

 I am glad that I had the  strength as a teenager to stick to the thing I loved most and turned it into something dreamers dream of becoming.

If I can do it, so can  you. Yes, you can let your light shine no matter your circumstances!


Would you care to share with us some of your roadblocks, and your action plan to clear them away?

D is for Dreams!

We're a couple of days in to this challenge, and I don't know how things are for you at your blog, but at mine, it's an explosion of activity! I've never had this many comments, and I've met such wonderful new friends!  I'm trying like crazy to keep up with returning comments, but just know that I will make it to your house eventually.  I'm so excited to be in this challenge because I'm using it as a means to my dream.

It's been a dream of mine to write a book. When I say write, I mean writing an entire book, with a plot, that others will enjoy reading.  I've got it started, five chapters, and it's a sci-fi space opera meets good ole tale of corrupt government agencies and the guys trying to bring them to justice.  I know I need to shorten that...just don't really know if it fits a genre that's already out there.  

Why blog, instead of working on the book?  Blogging to me means practicing my instrument. The more you practice, the better you play. Challenges such as this one with deadlines and a bigger audience means I'm trying some new stuff to see if it fits my style, my blog, my readers. I'm counting on you to tell me how I'm doing. So far two commenters have left constructive criticism. Wow. I've been asking for that in the blurb to my comment box for a very long time, and finally some brave bloggers are doing it!

If you'd like to comment and help me with my dream, come on over to Life is Good. Postcards from Sweden is my theme, and you learn a word or two of Swedish everyday.

What's your dream? I'd love to hear it.

Tina @ Life is Good

C is for Confidence!

Confidence!!

It’s the third day of the Challenge. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you still need to write your posts. Perhaps you are now wondering what the heck you signed up for with this Challenge!

Have confidence in your ability to finish.

You can do it!

And C is one of my favorite letters. I wonder why…?

Co-host Ninja Captain Alex is the author of CassaStar and CassaFire and his blog can be found HERE

B is for Books, My Favorite Thing

Lately I've been reading on the Kindle. Sometimes I'll get into the story and think about it when I'm not reading. That's like a real book. Sometimes the Kindle book bores me and I never finish, again like a real book. I tend to get bored much easier with e-books than I do with print books.

I miss browsing the bookstore. Browsing the Kindle store doesn't feel the same. Borders, my favorite sort-of local bookstore, was a favorite destination. There's just something about holding a print book in my hand, I love it! I love the smell, the feel, the anticipation!

I miss the loss of bookstores in my area. But I'm glad there are still options for buying print books online. Besides my personal favorite (Celerytree.com of course!) there are many other places to find great deals on print books. Amazon is awesome of course, because you can find practically any book that's ever been published, often at a cut rate price. Shopping Amazon for used print books is a trip!

I'm not of the school who believes that print books are dead or dying. And given the choice, I'll choose the print book over the ebook reading experience any day.

This B is for Books, preferably in print!

By KarenG Coming Down the Mountain: A Writer's Blog

A is for...All-Aboard

A is for….All Aboard

The day has finally arrived and everyone’s ticket has been punched, but it's not too late to jump on.  You can sign up here until Monday night.  Together we have already swelled to 1526 strong and once this train gets moving there will be no slowing it down.  How awesome is that?!  But there is still room for you!

Our fearless leader Arlee, along with his co-hosts, have slaved for months making sure every T is crossed and I dotted, ensuring each participant is as prepared as they can be for the next 26 days. I don’t know about you, but I’m psyched!  Since I’m not doing a theme and for the most part I’m winging this (some post are already scheduled), I totally expect to be a frazzled mess on May 1^st.

But I’ll be a mess with a satisfied smile on my face.  :)

Who's taking this trip with us?  All-aboard! 

DL

Last Round-up: Are You Ready to Meet the #atozchallenge?

Badge artwork by Ada Zdanowicz

Can you believe it?  The A to Z Challenge of 2012 starts tomorrow!

        Are you set to go?   Do you have your Official A to Z Badge (pictured above) in a prominent place on your blog page to identify you as a participant?    Do you have some of the other A to Z Bling (see "Banners and Badges" tab at top of this page under the header) decorating your page to make it more exciting?

         Do you have any of your posts done yet?  If not that's okay.  It will make for a bigger challenge and don't worry, there are plenty others who will be flying through this thing by the seat of their pants.  The main thing is to have a good time with it.  Show off some creative skills and network with over a thousand other bloggers.  By the end of April you should have added a lot of new followers, made a few new friends, and added some pretty impressive bragging rights to your blogging resume.

         In fact, today why not visit a few of these bloggers we've listed below.  These are some of the fine folks who we found in the past week saying something about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge on their blogs:

We always manage to get some education in the April Challenge.  Charles the Reader will be giving us a lesson in the French language on his blog The Written Word.

Fantasy writer Angeline Trevena will be blogging about "world building" for her April topic.

Another blogger who has announced her theme is Eliza Wynn at Ellie's Couch.  Here's a clue:  It has to do with music.

Why should you want to blog from A to Z in April?  Amy tells why at her blog Amy's Beads.   Sounds like she's going to put some effort into this.

If you're a new blogger the A to Z Challenge is a great way to dive right in to the world of blogging.  That's exactly what's happening at Raising the Curtain.   She can use some support so why don't you hop on over and greet her.

He's back!  Matt Conlon will be joining us again this year with more brew reviews.  Visit Matt at BrewNewb.

At The Write Game C. Lee McKenzie featured Rachel Morgan's winning video entry and offered the sign up list.  That's a lot of list for one blog post!

We've got some decent blog representation from guinea pigs in the Challenge.  Check out George's Guinea Pig World to see what I mean.

Donna M. McDine says to Write What Inspires You.  She's going to be inspired by the alphabet in April as she also joins us in the Challenge.

Speak Coffee To Me is another blog in the Challenge.  Eileen's going to be speaking the alphabet to us in the form of her favorite fantasy and science fiction books.

Shanjeniah offers her topics for the month of April in a nicely organized calendar.

Mimi at Watercolors By Mimi Torchia Boothby included Rachel Morgan's recent winning A to Z video in a recent post.  Mimi calls herself "eccentric".   I'll let you'll readers decide for yourself.

Beth at Beth's Blog and Project 52 Returns! has some big things coming up for April including the A to Z Challenge.  And she's got a theme planned.    We wish her well.

Some bloggers have found the A to Z Challenge to be a time of self-discovery.  This has been the case with Gracie at The Story of a Girl... and in the process she has also decided on her theme for April.

Jaye Robin Brown has announced an interesting sounding A to Z theme.  Check it out at Hanging On To Wonder.

There's a detailed post at Journaling Woman with another part on Wednesday about her plans for the April Challenge and it sounds pretty good.

For the music fans, Mina Lobo at Some Dark Romantic has a theme in store that sounds pretty interesting.

Stuart Nager at Tale Spinning will be returning for a second year with more of his imaginative excursions in creative writing.

Taking a humorous look at bloggers, Michael Offut interviews a "tortured artist" about the A to Z Challenge.

If you're a fan of the 80s then Theresa's Tales of Tribulations and Typing Teen Texts will be the place for you as Theresa Milstein revisits the music of that decade.

Dwelling on deeper topics is Angela Felsted who is proposing some topics that might generate some controversy.  A bit of thinking is something we all need to try now and then.

Fans of Paranormal Romance will have a treat from Christine Rains--Writer as she presents an exclusive new work that will only be available during the A to Z Challenge.

There will be 26 days of fantasy flash fiction offered on the blog of Cherie Reich.   She also added another reminder on her Thursday post.

Jemima Pett tells about how preparing for the A to Z posts has helped her clarify and further develop certain aspects of her current book.  She also announces a special gift she's offering during April.

After much internal debate, Geoff at Geoff's Blogs has decided to try the Challenge once again and hope that he doesn't encounter computer problems like he did last year.   This time around this theme will be about the continent where he lives--Africa.

It sounds like SafireBlade will have some exotic offerings for April as she explores other worlds populated by unique beings.   She'll be looking for our feedback about what she'll be writing.

Sommer Leigh got an A to Z Challenge topic thread going in Nathan Bransford's forum section. There are some interesting exchanges here and I want to thank Sommer for think about this.

Sounds like fun coming our way from Jessica Salyer at Just Following a Dream.  She's going to meet the Challenge with a challenge, but she's going to need your help.

Denise at L'Aussie Writer has a fascinating concept planned for April.  She's put some work into this.  Stop by her blog and read about it.

K.T. Hanna needed a bit of coercion but she did the right thing--or is it the write thing?   Check out K.T.s announcement at The Scribble Muse.

There are some giveaways that will be happening on some of your blogs during April.  One will be from Jessica Bell at The Alliterative Allomorph.  Jessica will be writing about her musical influences during the A to Z Challenge and will be drawing from her comments every two days for some very cool prizes.  Watch her blog for details.  For some clues visit Jessica's Website.

Joining the A to Z  for the 3rd year is Bish Denham who now thinks of  the April Challenge as another sign of Spring.   For more lovely signs of Spring visit her blog at Random Thoughts.

Author Alden explains his theme as he gears up for the A to Z Challenge.

A newer blog is Suddenly Seeking.  Maybe some of you can go over and give Kate a follow and bit of encouragement to get her revved up for April.

K.D. Storm tells an amazing story on her blog A Coffee Drive and Adventure Bound Life.  Talk about making April a Challenge!

Jeremy at Geeky Tendencies ran through the last minute check list that appeared on this blog on Thursday.  Is Jeremy's blog ready for the April Challenge?  Check!  Are you ready?

Pamela at The Death Writer has a pretty ominous blogging topic but she's cheery about it and she's ready to go.   I mean go as in start the Challenge not...oh, never mind.

John Holton is going NATO on his blog in April.  If you're curious check out his post at The Sound of One Hand Typing.

Unfortunately, during the frenzy of preparations we've missed some of your past posts even when  you told us about them.  Thank you Beth at By Word of Beth for the lovely words you wrote for us back in February.

There's nothing creepy about Katie Mills succumbing to the April Challenge.  You can read her story at Creepy Query Girl.

During April it will be more movies, more fun at Spirit Called.

One of the entrants of the A to Z Video Contest, Marta Szemik, provides her personal assessment of what the Challenge will amount to--she's got it right.

The Writing Nut gives a retrospective of her posts from last year and looks forward to the pre-May mayhem and the madness of March.  It's all gonna be fun.

Yadin Bromberg gave us still another special post about the A to Z Challenge with a review of April efficiency.  Listen to this young blogger--he sounds like an old hand already and he's just getting started.

Five great reasons to do the A to Z Challenge are presented by Katietesta at A Common Sea.

Erin at  Utah Children's Writers gives a persuasive pitch for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.

Janis at Freelance Transcriptionist Road (how's that for a blog title) explains some of the special things she has in store for April.

Some others who have announced their intent to join in on the April fun are Ruby Bows, Seaside Simplicity, Jay Noel, The Adventures of Nagzilla, Choice City Native, Sabrina Garie,

          Whew!  What a week!  If you can, try to visit today's featured bloggers and get a head start on the Challenge.

         Starting tomorrow make sure you visit at least a few new blogs and leave comments wherever you go.  Let the blogs you visit at least know you stopped by.  When you find ones that you like, follow those blogs and let them know you've done so.  And you can follow them all if you're so inclined.  Make the best of this big blogging networking party.

10 sure ways to win the #atozchallenge !

That is the best part about the April A to Z Blogging Challenge, we all have a huge shot at winning.

What is a #atozchallenge win?

A win is completing all the 26 posts, receiving lots of comments, visiting as many blogs as humanly possible, and making hordes of friends.

How to do this:

1. Kiss: Keep It (your post) Simple, Short.

2. Get a Theme: Themes make your posts easier for you to write, and for readers to remember and comment on.

3. Post every day: This one is obvious, or you'll be taken off the linky list. I think.

4. Pre-schedule: It is not a crime, but rather a convenience. Feel free to write posts in advance so you concentrate on visits.

5. Check Calendar:  There's a challenge calendar in the sidebar below if you scroll down, follow it so you don't end up posting on S when everyone is on T

6. Turn off: Turning off word verifications increases comments, not spam. I've turned it off for good since last year.

7. Visit blogs: Start with those below you on the linky list so everyone gets love. Aim for at least 10 new blogs a day. I'm aiming for 40, but I need to do my hosting duties.

8. Comment love: Comment unto those who comment unto you, and then loads more.

9. Social Media: Broadcast your posts on all media with the #atozchallenge tag

10. Relax, have fun: It is not just about quantity, it is also about quality.

There, you have a win!

-----Damyanti, A to Z Challenge co-host at Amlokiblogs.