The Dreaded Conversation About Word Verification

M.J is back! She's one of Nicole's “friends” that is, administrative assistants. She's a blogging machine and agreed to write the post we dread the most...PLEASE TURN OFF WORD VERIFICATION DURING THE CHALLENGE. I think you'll find her entertaining and encouraging as opposed to how we as co-hosts have come across in the past. Sometimes it just takes a new voice...

by M. J. Joachim  (click to read her bio)

Bang! Bang!

You’re dead!

You spent all that time – wasted time, reading, then writing your comment…

To no avail, I’m afraid.

The jury’s still out – you’re deemed unworthy, scary, even quite possibly –

DEADLY!!!!

Quick! Bar the windows! Lock the doors!

Rampant commenters are on the loose in the A – Z 2013 Challenge!

Check your security! Update your software – only the best virus protectors will do!

Now, go into your blog account and work behind the scenes. That’s right, find each and every security measure you can find and…

ACTIVATE THEM ALL!!!

A – Z Challenge participants will be stopping by in droves, and they want to leave comments on what you shared with the world on your blog!

You simply can’t let it happen! You must stop them at the gate! You must secure your tiny little world in cyberspace and protect your blog from the onslaught!

I mean, if you don’t…

If you don’t…

If you don’t – YOU WILL SURELY BE INVADED BY UNENDING AMOUNTS OF A TO Z TROLLERS, READING YOUR POST AND LEAVING THEIR MARK WHERE THEY HAVE TROD!!!

…and we wouldn’t want that to happen now, would we?

Just post this little ditty instead, and forget I ever said a word!

Thanks!

Best to all and wishing you every success with the A - Z Challenge this year!

M. J. 

Photo credit:  Indoor Firing Session, Sobor, Creative Commons Attribution; Presos Para Sempre, Celso Pinto de Carvalho, Creative Commons Attribution; Captcha Free Blog Badge, Charmaine Clancy.com – permission granted to share and use

©2013 All Rights Reserved

Have You Scheduled Your #atozchallenge Posts Yet?

Sign up to Reveal Your A to Z Theme!

As A to Z Challenge co-hosts, one of the biggest challenges we face is how to keep our own blogs going while taking care of a whole host of behind-the-scenes activity.

Last two years, I've gone with one blog. This year, I'm being brave and have submitted two, Amlokiblogs, and Daily (w)rite. I know of people who have submitted up to five blogs!

Before we know it, April would be here-- we have less than a month left! Where did all that time go? Seems to me we were just announcing the challenge and the co-hosts in January!

So, how many of your AZ posts are done? And how can you get them done in a way that is relatively quick and painless?

The most important thing, imho, is to decide a theme.

This makes it easier to pre-schedule posts.

For those of us doing the challenge, deciding a theme is half the job done, and if you've done this job, you can showcase it too, before the challenge starts: Mina Lobo has announced the "Big Reveal Bloghop" where we all reveal our themes a week before the challenge: March 21st. So go ahead and sign up and get to know/ renew acquaintances with a few other A to Z participants!

If you have all your A to Z posts done and dusted, and I know a lot of you have got just that, stupendous! Just make sure you spread the comment love. As DL Hammons tell us in his post, this is the one good way to make your blog part of the community!

If you haven't got your A to Z posts scheduled yet, what are you waiting for?

The A to Z Challenge Guide to Defining Adult Content

If Disney/Pixar studios called you today and offered to make a film adaptation of your blog, what rating would the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) give the movie? 

Ready. Set. Rate it! 

The answer to this question provides a general idea of whether or not your blog belongs in the Adult Content (AC) category – where participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2013 is concerned. Blogs that have adult content are REQUIRED to add this category to their blog title on the sign-up list. Like any other category, this should be done when first signing up to the challenge, as Damyanti explained in January. All other categories are optional for participants to add to their blog during the signup process.

The guidelines and enforcement procedures for Adult Content categorization, where necessary, stem from our concerns that there is no age limit on who can participate, so long as they have a blog. So with that in mind, we decided that our definition of what constitutes “Adult Content” is based on whether the blog contains material that would be inappropriate for teens.

Adult Content – The A to Z Challenge Co-Host Dictionary Reference:

We define Adult Content as anything that might be something a teenager shouldn’t be viewing. By “Adult,” this means nudity, frequent use of harsh language, gore, sexual content, and overtly violent content. By “Content,” this includes blog posts, images, graphics and any other related material that is on display at your blog.

Adult Content Checklist - Does your blog contain any of the following material? If the answer is YES, then it should be marked as such with the (AC) category code:

• Nudity
• Frequent use of harsh language
• Gore
• Sexually oriented language
• Explicit Violence

Again, does your Blog contain any of the above material? If the answer is YES, then it should be marked as such with the (AC) category code!

As our guidelines are fairly simple to follow, this is not rocket science; it should be easy to figure out whether your blog fits into the Adult Content category. If your blog contains any of the above listed material, you MUST have your blog labeled with (AC) on the signup list. Otherwise, your blog will be flagged and removed.

Our thought right now is also that a few profane words in some blog posts don’t require the blog to be listed in the (AC) category. Those of you who may be one of the many Non-AC blogs, however, are not out of the woods regarding the nature of the content you publish. That said, if you are among the Non-AC bloggers who do happen to have some harsh language here and there, we urge you to at least put a Disclaimer/Warning at the top of your posts with questionable content. The Disclaimers/Warnings can help to protect you if a teen participant happens to come across your blog during the A to Z Challenge.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Co-Host DL Hammons, But Were Afraid To Ask

Not an envious position, following the Blogfather himself – Alex J. Cavanaugh – but I’m always up for a challenge.  Here are my answers to a few of the questions our A to Z followers submitted.

1) You're house in on fire, assuming your kids, pets, and other living things are safe, what do you grab as you head out the door?  All of our important documents are tucked away in a fireproof lockbox, so I won’t worry about that.  What I will grab is our external hard drive, which holds copies of all our family pictures, and my writing.

2) What's your biggest frustration in blogging?  Unless you’ve written a couple of best sellers and are universally appealing, to be done right blogging takes a lot of time, which is something of a precious commodity these days. I get frustrated when I can’t get around to as many other bloggers as I’d like.

3) What's the most awful thing your mother ever forced you to eat?  Liver, and Peas.  I’m getting body shivers just thinking about them. YUCK!

4) Where do you go to "Get away from it all"?" I don’t really have a “man cave” (though I wish I did), and my ultimate getaway – an Alaskan Cruise -- isn’t really cheap, so I’ll just say my writing.  When I’m in the middle of a story there’s no place I’d rather be.

5) What reason did you have to sign up for the A to Z and what did you expect to gain from entering?  Two reasons. First, the exposure. Second, I decided last year to make it uncomfortable in my comfort zone, and this fit the bill.

6) Where do you hail from?  I’m a military brat, so technically I have no hometown.  I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii but our family was constantly on the move (mostly east coast) up until my high school years.  I went to high school in North Carolina and college at LSU.

7) Have you ever wanted to be a rock star?  In my youth I entered more than a few air guitar contests…so that would be a YES.

8) Cake or pie? I’m torn between German Chocolate CAKE and Pecan PIE.

9) How often do you comment on other blogs? My own personal code is if another blogger comments on my posts fairly consistently, then I’ll add them to my Google Reader and read their blogs faithfully.  That doesn’t mean I’ll comment on every blog post though.  If someone were to post a review of a book I have absolutely no interest in, I won’t comment just to comment.

10) Which is your favorite fictional character and why?  Sherlock Holmes…the iconic example of a 

flawed hero who breeds awe and sympathy.

11) If you were a contestant on the CBS show "Amazon Race" and could pick ANY movie character to be your partner, who would it be and why?  John McClain from the DIE HARD movies.  Yippee Ki-yae!

12) What is the most Underrated letter of the Alphabet?  Actually, there are two of them.  D & L :)

13) Describe the last Halloween costume you wore. You know what they say about pictures.

14) Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?  I’m not “smarter” than anyone, but sometimes I happen to know the right answer.

15) Name an item that you have too much of.  Rejection letters.

16) What items could you typically have in your pockets?  My keys, a flash drive, and a pen

 knife.

If I left out a question/answer you’d really like to know, just leave it in the comments below.  And if you get a chance, drop by my permanent home at Cruising Altitude 2.0.

Getting to Know Your Hosts - Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh

I’m Alex J. Cavanaugh
Founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Author of Amazon Best Sellers CassaStar and CassaFire
Guitar player extraordinaire
Clones may or may not be involved

And these are my goofy answers!

“Would you ever join a team that was headed off to colonize Mars?”

Would I still have access to the Internet and NetFlix?

“You're house in on fire, assuming your kids, pets, and other living things are safe, what do you grab as you head out the door?”

My guitars. Dear Lord man, you don’t let a Gibson Les Paul burn!

"What rock star would you be?"

John Petrucci from Dream Theater – the man can shred.

"Where do you hail from?"

Well, if I’m hailing a taxi, it would be from the curb. I don’t want to get run over.

"Where do you go to "Get away from it all"?"

My office/man-cave. I have a big screen TV, music, computer, and I’m surrounded by guitars. Add a fridge and a bathroom and I’d never leave.

"Would you rather have your own personal sailing ship or spaceship? What would you name your ship?"

If I had my own spaceship, it would need stealth so I’d have the element of surprise. Therefore, I’d name it the Spanish Inquisition – because nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
(And bonus points if you can name the show!)

“Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse? Why do you think so? Exactly how prepared are you?”

I’ve watched every zombie movie ever made, I’m all about the cardio, and I’ve mastered the double-tap. Game players and movie buffs are the only ones equipped to handle it.

"Name an item that you have too much of."

It’s either movies, music, or guitars. No wait, can never have too many of any of those!

And one serious answer…

"How do you comment - if someone posts 5,6,7 times a week .. once - or 3 times .. then each time or once or twice .. then each time I can't keep up .. but hate not supporting everyone ..."

I suggest clones – they really help.
If someone posts daily, they won’t hate you for skipping one now and then. Even I can’t visit every blogger buddy every single day. (The clones need days off as well, you know!) Those who post more than seven times a week know that some will skip their posts. If you miss a few, it will be all right. That’s why I only post three times a week except during the Challenge. I don’t want to overtax my followers.
Or my poor clones!


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

Spam: Keeping Your Blog Clean for #atozchallenge

no spam! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         We've all undoubtedly gotten the spam comments on our blog posts.   If you haven't then consider yourself lucky or one who has a very tight rein on incoming comments with your spam filters.  Just a word to a few of you (mainly those on WordPress it seems), if you receive absolutely no spam on your posts then good, but you might want to check your spam folders to make sure legitimate comments aren't trapped there as well.  If your controls are set too rigidly, your system may be blocking actual blog comments.  I can't tell you much about this--I only know it happens sometimes since I often end up in WordPress spam folders.

       The real spam is a nuisance, however, and is unfortunately something we have to deal with.  If there are any of you still in doubt about what spam comments are think of the content.  Does the comment have anything to do with what you've said in your blog post.  If not, or if it kind of parrots something you said, but still seems peculiarly worded or just an example of poor grammar you are probably dealing with spam.

        Also, spam often comes from "anonymous".   Ah, yes--that ever present who's-it sender that starts the conversation with a red flag.  On Blogger--and I would assume this is the case on most blogging platforms--we have the option of screening out anonymous comments by switching to "Registered Users" in the Settings section of the blog.  I've done this with most of my blogs and it has helped tremendously to eliminate the spam.   Sadly, I won't get some of those gems that come from real readers who wish to remain anonymous, but it's the price I have to pay to keep a cleaner comment section.

      Of course the spammers can evade this block by actually using a Blogger account.  If you don't know the sender it's a good idea to check the Blogger profile to see who the sender is.  It's usually pretty obvious if the sender is a commercial account who is merely spamming you to get you to click on a link or go to their site.  The bottom line is don't do it unless it's truly something that you'd like to know more about.

      That brings us to links.  You want to take care which links you click on.  This is especially true if a link that sounds very commercial ends the comment or if the comment is filled with peculiar looking links.  And in case you don't know this already, do not open any of those suspicious looking links or you may end up with malware infecting your computer.

        However, don't confuse signature links with links of ill intent.   If what appears to be a legitimate user with an actual good comment that relates to what you have written leaves a link in the signature, it's most likely a safe link that makes it convenient to find the commenter.

        Examples of a good link:  Shannon at The Warrior Muse   or Lee  A Faraway View

        An example of the potentially evil or spam link accompanied by irrelevant comment:

My family always say that I am killing my time here at web, but I know I am getting knowledge all the time by reading thes fastidious content.
my webpage ... rominahotcom         

          If it looks stupid and suspicious, it's probably because it is exactly that.  Don't click on these links and delete the comment from your comment section so others don't click on them.

           Just a note about spam you may not see.  Do you check your spam folders now and then to clean out the spam and make sure there are not legitimate comments trapped in there?   Periodically (at least once a week) you should check to see if you have any spam comments or comments awaiting moderation.   If you haven't ever done this, you might be amazed by what you may find there.  Especially if you are allowing anonymous comments.  You can find the spam folders under "Comments" on your Blogger template page and I guess this would be similar on other blogging formats.

          So, now you might want to get an early start on spring cleaning and get ready for the April Challenge. You'll be getting a lot of new comments to sort through, but you want to be sure to separate the good from the bad.

          Happy Safe Blogging!

Related articles

• Mark Only Spam as Spam
• Day 322: Read Your Blog Spam Lately?
• Blog Spam and the Collateral Damage of Howard Owens

Think Beyond Your Blog's Genre

The A to Z Challenge provides participants the opportunity to find new blogs. We can discover bloggers who share our interests, live in our own city or state, or share our profession. It’s a chance to find like-minded souls and validate our likes and interests.

Sometimes though, it benefits us to step out of our box and discover something new. It challenges us mentally and helps us to grow as a person.

Coming from the position of a writer and author, I know our group tends to gravitate toward each other online. We benefit from the tips and support. Unfortunately, what happens is we end up following mostly writers and authors. The platform building campaigns are fun, but they don’t acquire what we really seek - our target audience.

We need to think beyond the boundaries of our blog topics. There are people who enjoy what we blog about even if they don’t post on the subject. Let’s take gamers for example. You post about RPG and computer games and follow others who also post about games. But who else likes games? Fantasy buffs perhaps? That would include fantasy writers, readers, and movie hounds.

Most of us have more than one hobby. The A to Z is a chance to find others that share our interests. Like to take photos? There are many photo bloggers out there. Travel? Lots of travel blogs. Whatever our interests, there is sure to be a group of bloggers who also enjoy those things. Even if that’s not the focus of your blog, you’ll still share some common ground.

Networking means stepping out and meeting new people. Every person you meet could be an opportunity. Not just to further yourself, but to grow as a human being and possibly help someone else grow.

Take a chance this year. Visit a variety of bloggers. You just might be surprised who you meet.


By L. Diane Wolfe, a.k.a. Spunk On A Stick

Suit Up! Bring Some STYLE to your Challenge!

If you are looking for a bit of flair for your challenge?

26 letters rolling around your head with matching dates for the challenge?

Well look no further if you would like to use our snazzy post letters and our A to Z Challenge [2013] Desktop you are just one click away from that. Look above you see the "Banners/Badges" page if you go there you will see a couple things that you can use. Not only will you look cool, but you will better help us co-host keep track of the participants just by you showing your support.

Or this desktop, last year I found it much easier to not have to flip back and forth to find the right dates it was all in one place... So be cool, look cool and guess what you are... COOL!

And if you want to be cool and wear some cool stuff including "Alex J Cavanaugh's Ninja Army" shirt... you can check out my art/designs at my NEATORAMA shop...

 [RETRO NEVER LOOKS SO GOOD]

Jeremy [Retro]

Let's Go Crazy!

#atozchallenge Is an International Event!

   


Spill Beans and the A to Z

At the end of every year, I have a tradition of writing down what significantly helped make me a better person that year. One of the bullets on this year's list read: "Participating in the A to Z Challenge". I learned how to make myself write, whether I was in the mood or not, but most importantly, I met an incredible group of encouraging and supporting bloggers who were genuinely interested in all I had to say from a perspective of someone from another corner of the globe. If only those in power were as accepting, open-minded and loving as our blogger family!

In a world that's controlled by the media and how they'd like us to think, gaps are made even wider and most of us are misrepresented. Because of this, my theme for this April will be the A to Z of Iraqi Culture. I'd like to use this year's A to Z Blogging Challenge as a tool to shorten the gaps. Build bridges. Reach out. Speak!

Last year, the A to Z Challenge taught me that we are much more alike than we are different. I hope this year's will teach me to celebrate the differences.

http://spill-beans.blogspot.com/

Ghadeer

United Arab Emirates

Blogging Basics: Formulating a Post

Last time, we discussed how to make hyperlink signatures in order to lead others directly to your blog and streamline the process of blog visiting. This week, we'll address the nitty gritty of putting together a post that will draw readers and keep them.

Our previous five pointers were: 1. Choose your link, 2. Choose your signature, 3. Make your hyperlink, 4. Add your signature, and 5. Post it following your comment.

When I talk about putting together/formulating a post, I know very well you all know how to write a post. However, there are things that can make it so people are more likely to stick around and read your entire post, rather than just skipping along after a quick glance. And why do we write blog posts? Ostensibly so someone will read them, right?

Before I hit the five pointers, I want to give you a disclaimer: Not every rule has to be followed. When I give out these Blogging Basics tips, I don't expect you to do everything to the letter of what I'm saying. All I'm doing is passing along things I have learned along the way, that may help you, and that you may or may not find meets with your personal preferences. Do I follow all the rules? Not necessarily...

Without further ado, the basics of formulating a post:

1. Choose a catchy title. Those of you who are also writers know this one already, but, surprisingly, it is often forgotten with blogging. Try to choose a quick, clever title that will catch the attention of those scanning through new posts to read. Make sure it is an honest title, though. Don't say the post is about one thing then switch it on the reader. They won't appreciate it.

2. Keep it brief. We're writing blog posts, not magazine articles, and attention spans online aren't as long as they may be elsewhere. There are always exceptions to this rule (I'm sure my posts are longer than the "standard"), but overall, try to keep it somewhat brief.

3. Provide quality content. On the flip side of the "keep it brief" pointer, don't make it so brief that you're not actually saying anything. Find the balance you're comfortable with and go from there. Don't post just to post. Post because you have something to say, something others want to read.

4. Use photos/images. This is especially true if your post is longer. Images break up the text and give the eye a rest. They may also draw the eye to the blog post, which benefits you. Do make sure it is an image you are allowed to use. Look for Creative Commons photos or use your own!

5. Make it yours. Add your own flair. Your personality will show through in what you're writing, and that may ultimately be what gains you readers. It's the other half of providing quality content. Content + personality makes for a winning combination. If you're writing about things that interest you, you'll find this happens on its own.

These are just a few pointers that may help you with writing a post people will enjoy reading, and one that will hopefully draw readers to that post. Feel free to share your own pointers in the comments. Tell us what draws you to a post and what drives you away.

What is your top pointer when it comes to writing a blog post people will want to read? What Blogging Basics topics would you like to see covered in this series?

May you find your Muse.

Shannon
The Warrior Muse

Getting to Know Your A to Z Challenge Co-Hosts - L. Diane Wolfe

L. Diane Wolfe, a.k.a., “Spunk On A Stick.”

"Favorite childhood memory" (Tina)

My father was a rock hound and a carpenter. He had a shop where he worked and his rocks were lined up on shelves. Sunday mornings, I’d go out and spend time with him. He’d have a fire going in the old stove and I’d sit there and polish his rocks while he worked on his next project. It was very peaceful.

"Which is your favorite fictional character and why?" (Mayflow3r)

Ruth, the White Dragon from Anne McCaffrey’s books. Ruth was the only white dragon and smaller than the rest, but smarter than the other dragons. I guess because I’m a bit of a runt myself, I’ve always identified with Ruth.

"Describe the last Halloween costume you wore." (Nicole)

It’s been a long time, but I went as Brandon Lee’s character from The Crow.

"Name a movie you watched that exceeded your expectations." (Nicole)

Argo. My husband didn’t even tell me what it was about until we arrived at the theatre. It’s not my type of movie, but I knew he really wanted to see it. I loved it - thought it was incredibly intense.

"Name an item that you have too much of." (Nicole)

Bath and Body Works products! At least 25 different scents, all with matching spray, lotion, and body wash. My husband says he really should’ve purchased stock in the company.

"True or False: Frequently cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis. (Defend your choice.)" (Mina Lobo)

False. I’ve cracked my knuckles since I was a kid, and the only place I really have arthritis now is my toes.

"How old were you when you realized your passion for writing?" (Magical Mystical MiMi)

I was 13 and it was when I read The White Dragon for the first time.

"Coke or Pepsi?" (Mina Lobo)

Coke! Although we usually have RC products in our house.

"What is your "Thing". i.e. do you have a non-professional hobby or a particularly acute preference for something that you feel defines a large part of who you are?" (Matt Conlon)

I’m a professional speaker, author, and photographer, so I suppose none of those count. My thing would have to be roller coasters then. I’m a thrill junkie. Bring on the drops and the loops!

"When writing, do you prefer to compose your first-draft by hand, on your computer, or using Morse Code?" (Mina Lobo)

I write everything by hand first and then transfer to the computer. Last year I got the Dragon Naturally Speaking software, so instead of typing that first draft into the computer, I speak it, which is wonderful!

L. Diane Wolfe
Professional Speaker & Author
Blog - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
Website - Spunk On A Stick
Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, “How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now,” covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of the entire process from idea to market. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties her goal-setting and leadership seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and assists writers through her author services.

Silvia Villalobos: Why is it Important to Set Aside Blocks of Time for Writing

Please welcome today's A-Z Participant expert, Sylvia Villalobos.  Her topic is timely and important for all who are participating in The Challenge, as well as for writers of all genres in general.   I hope her advice helps you like it helped me.

You can find her here:

Name: Silvia Villalobos -- first time A-Z participant - way to go!

Blog: Silvia Writes
Stories published: “An Affair of the Heart” at Fiction365, and “Games” at Red Fez. 

Why is it important to set aside blocks of time for writing

I’m having trouble, sometimes, keeping a writing schedule -- for blog entries or stories. The A-Z challenge is a perfect motivator. Great to keep me on that chair, coming up with something new every day.    

After long breaks from writing, most of what I write centers on what’s already there, old stuff. Not bad, but it doesn’t stimulate my imagination. I add a few words to a WIP or a blog draft, cut and paste, maybe even change a name or two, but that’s not real writing, is it?

When I'm lucky, and inspiration strikes, writing is that process where I let my thoughts guide my fingers on the keyboard, create new sentences and paragraphs, do not move from that chair until I produce something new. Hopefully a whole lot of something new. Editing comes later, but if I don't put something down, I don't have anything to edit. 

Here’s what writing everyday does for me:

1. It improves my writing. The more I write, the easier it gets.
2. Memories clarify themselves -- the more I write, the better I seem to remember things.
3. Keeps the creative part of the brain engaged.
4. I don’t have to endure remorse for not having created anything new.
5. I have a schedule and discipline -- instill that writing discipline.
6. Helps me be more observant. The more I write, the better I connect with the world around me.
7. Master techniques such as description, dialogue, and exposition.
8.  I get comfortable with writing.
9.  Practice, practice, practice.
10. Feels good.

What about you?

Now can the process of everyday writing become counterproductive? Sure, it could turn into a mess if I just type away for fear of not coming up with anything new. I also need to take time off to look for inspiration. That happens when I travel or read a lot. But back to setting aside blocks of time for writing. When two writing friends mentioned the A-Z challenge I thought, that is exactly what I need. What better way to keep motivated? Can't think of one, nor can I think of a better event than the A-Z Blogging Challenge. 
I'm ready. :)

Sylvia, I'm glad you shared your advice with us. The part about not just adding to the work I've already done really spoke to me, as did the discipline of daily writing. I wish you all the best in this year's challenge!

~Tina

A to Z Tips - The Advantage of a Theme

If you’re participating in the Challenge, you are probably already planning your posts. That is good – plan and write as many as possible before the Challenge begins so you have more time to visit other bloggers in April. And it’s easier to do that if you have a theme for the month.

If you intend to wing it, nothing wrong with that. The first year of the Challenge, I didn’t have a theme. Of course this meant some days I was scrounging for something that matched the letter. (For Q, I blogged about Q*Bert and the crappy 1983 movie, Q – not good!)

A theme will give you direction. If you select movies, you can go with the movie titles. With music - band or song titles. With sports - players or teams. By narrowing the focus, it’s actually easier, because then you won’t be overwhelmed.

A theme also lets visitors know what to expect. They will be more apt to return, especially if they like your theme. If you can, include a line or two at the beginning of each post that states your theme for the month.

It’s good research. Select a topic you want to know more about – you’ll learn something as you search. Perhaps it’s something you need to research for your next book or for school. Kill two birds with one stone.

Does the theme have to match your blog exactly? No, it can be anything you want. If it’s something that interests you, chances are you’ve already talked about it on your blog. Brainstorm some different themes and pick one. If it fits your style, then do it.

If you need some ideas to get you started, I recently listed some fun, geeky themes at Allison’s blog, Geek Banter.

Have fun with it. Just think - your blog is a theme park for one whole month. Make it fun!

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

Getting to know your co-hosts ~ Konstanz Silverbow

ABOUT ME

Name: Konstanz Silverbow
Blogs: Nothought2small, and Writeaway
Publications: So far, none. But I did just submit my first manuscript to Shadow Mountain! 
Other Places to Find Me: Facebook (author page), Facebook (blog), Twitter, Goodreads, 

10 GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS

1. When writing, do you prefer to compose your first-draft by hand, on your computer, or using Morse Code?

  A mix really.  I start by hand, somewhere in the middle I begin typing, and along the way I write down ideas I have for other stories. 

2. If you could sing any song with the artist who wrote/performed it, what would it be and with whom?

 Secrets’ by OneRepublic but more importantly, Ryan Tedder.  (He is the lead singer for OneRepublic and also composed the music and lyrics for the song)

3. Who inspired you to write in the very beginning?

 I wasn’t really “inspired”  by someone to start writing.  What really started it was an experience I had.  It is a really funny story and one day I was telling my two best friends about it.  We were all laughing and I realized that it kinda sounded like something you would read in a book or see in a movie.  So I sat down and attempted to write it out.  I failed miserably.  After that one of my friends told me that her mom and eight other women had just started a writing group and I was invited to come. 

4. Favorite childhood memory? 
Spending time with my siblings. We grew up close because we were all home-schooled and own a family business. We did everything together. That doesn't happen often anymore with everyone grown up, some of them have their own families now, and one brother lives in Australia. 

5. What is your "Thing". i.e. do you have a non-professional hobby or a particularly acute preference for something that you feel defines a large part of who you are?

 Almost all of my hobbies, I make money from.  The one that I have not is Dragon and Sword collecting.  I LOVE dragons, I LOVE swords.  (Does that count as a hobby?)

6.What items could you typically have in your pockets?

 My phone, a hair tie, and loose change.

7.What is the most unusual thing you have ever given as a gift?

 I love this question.  Usually people ask what is the most unusual thing you have been given.  So, most unusual thing I have given?  An old mining Stock Certificate.

8. What makes you cry? (Emotional reasons. Onions don't count.)

Answer:  Movies, books, people.  I am a sympathetic crier.  I am over emotional so a lot of things make me cry.

9.Where do you go to "Get away from it all"?

 Novels.  I read and listen to music. 

10.What makes life worth living?

 The Small moments when it seems like everything is falling apart and one person changes it all with the simplest of things.  A simple gesture, a small compliment, a smile.

Another random fact just because, I love sarcasm.  Oh yeah, and I LOVE being an A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge Co-host! 

~Konstanz Silverbow
Nothought2small

#atozchallenge news -- Here's Who's Been Helping Out

         Oops!  What day is it?   I guess I totally lost track of time!

Here are some great bloggers who have been helping promote the April Challenge:


Jen from We're Living a Full Life put in a push for A-to-Z'ing in April.

I encourage you out there to follow Angela from Whole Foods Living.  She's coming back for a another year, but still doesn't have as many followers as she should have.  You might get some good eating advice while you're there.

With the help of Jimi Hendrix, Bill at Images By Bil paid homage to the April Challenge.  Go over and check out his cool artwork--Jimi Hendrix is the subject of one of them.

An outstanding promo post was delivered by Jolie at Precious Monsters.   She covers a lot of bases in this post so please go to it, read it, and then tweet it, send it to friends, and spread it around.  Jolie is one our A to Z staffers.

Our own A to Z co-host Nicole Ayers offered some excellent Challenge advice in a guest post at Write Non-fiction Now!     Especially if you're still trying to come up with an idea for April posts or are afraid to sign up because you can't think of a theme, check this out.

She may be a newcomer to the Challenge, but Shirlene from Just Good Stories promoted the A to Z like a vet.   Go to her blog and help fuel her enthusiasm.

Thank you Colin D. Smith for the mention and the fascinating Challenge analysis.  That should be of some help to bloggers looking for Challenge advice.

Then there's Dennis at LimeBird Writers (now that's a group I can fly with).  He's got his April plans all mapped out as evidenced in his post about the Challenge.


Thanks all!

Oodles of Ideas for Finding Your A-Z Words

Did you know that if you're participating in the 2013 A-Z Challenge, or have participated in any of the past challenges, we'd love to showcase your ideas here at The A-Z Blog? Today's brilliant ideas are brought to you by M.J Joachim who blogs at Lots of Crochet Stitches and FOUR others.  Here's how to find them all: Follow M.J in one stop-shopping!  (I'm not a shopper...I like one stop...)

On your mark!

Ready!

Set!

Go!

And they’re off, all participating in this year’s Scavenger Hunt for Alphabet Words! 

Here are a few clues, to help you on your way!

Online Alphabet Word References

There are oodles of places to find A – Z word lists online. I discovered this last year by Googling, “words that begin with x.”  Wish I’d found this out much earlier in the Challenge, I must say!

The Phrontistery

Scrabble Word Finder

Crossword Solver

Your Dictionary Word Finder

CollinsDictionaries

You can also get a little more specific and look up things like “scientific terms beginning with letter _” or “recipes beginning with letter _.”

Another easy thing to do is type (define:word – whatever the word may be) into Mr. Google’s search engine URL. You can also do this for synonyms, antonyms and homonyms, btw. It will search for sites to help you. Then you can click on the link and open up a virtual Pandora’s Box, containing words with links to new words, with links to new words…and so on, and so on and so on…

Bring it on Home

It takes a keen observer, and it might be an unexpected chance to clean out your garage, but most people have numerous things they’ve collected over the years, many named with at least one letter of the alphabet, some containing multiple words – things like books, movies, records and food & product labels. This sounds like an opportunity, if ever there was one!

Out and About

I might be stating the obvious by mentioning the library here, but what about all those other places you go like restaurants, museums, amusement parks, theaters, retail shops etc. etc. etc.? If you spend any length of time there, you’re bound to find at least a few bits of jargon for posts that might be puzzling you.

Don’t forget the great outdoors, when looking for words to write your posts! Start naming all those trees, plants and shrubs. Break down the animals by species, habits, diets and food chain levels. Not enough for you? How many shades of gray do you see when it rains? Is the sunset pink, orange or mauve? Does the wind shriek, lament or whisper?

It’s a challenge, but it’s not hard…

Not if you know where to look, that is!

Wow, that was some really great advice! Now we have no excuses for Q, Z, X or whatever may be stumping us on a particular day. We appreciate you sharing this with us!
~ Tina (contact me, see contact tab, if you have ideas you'd like to share at this blog)

Photo credit:  Scrabble Game in Progress, thebarrowboy, Creative Commons Attribution; Interior Mall of America, Mono P, Creative Commons Attribution; Animal Diversity, GNU Free Documentation License

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