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I know it's only February but I'm already kind of anxious about the 2014 Blogging from A-Z April Challenge.
I've participated in the challenge for the last two years and both of those years, my theme revolved around quotes - motivational quotes and ones by Stephen King about writing and reading. Working in my own thoughts on the quotes and writing the whole thing up into 26 posts was work but it was worth it - you all seemed to enjoy them, I got lots of comments and new Followers. The whole thing was a blast.
But this year, I'm thinking of doing something different, not related to quotes (gasp!) of any kind. It's not anything earth shattering, and I bet similar themes have been done over the years, but I'm excited about it…which means, of course, that doubts are creeping in. Do I have the creativity, the time, the energy to pull it off? Will you all find the new idea as entertaining as the quotes? Will new visitors to the blog want to return, based only on the A-Z posts?
I guess the only way to know for sure is to give it a try, to throw myself into the challenges - the new theme, the A-Z itself, being a Minion in Captain Alex's Ninja Army - and see what shakes out. Gulp!
Love that attitude! Good luck with everything. Have a theme and start pre-posting and keep it simple. A to Z will be a cinch.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen. I don't know how people participate without a theme. I'm not that brave! :)
DeleteDon't give in to doubt, I'm sure you'll do a great job - especially as you're thinking about it now, so you're giving yourself plenty of time.
ReplyDeleteI just hope I don't think about it TOO long - the deadline looms! :)
DeleteI bet you can do it! There is a pressure to make each year more amazing, as I struggled to find a theme for this year. I bet we both rock the house.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy to have you as a Minion!
I don't know how you're going to top last year's theme…but I'm sure you will. :)
DeleteMinion reporting for duty, sir yes sir!
I think you can do it. In fact, I know you will!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the support, Dana!
DeleteI've done A to Z three years running, and I've never really had a theme. This year, however, I thought I'd give it a try. Who knows how it'll go.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could ever pull it off without a theme. I would feel too much pressure. Good luck with doing something different this year! :)
DeleteA to Z stresses me out as well. I'm going with a music thread this year. I have no idea how well it'll be received but I know I'll enjoy it. I'm sure you'll do great!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds interesting! I know I'll be stopping by. :)
DeleteI'm sure your idea will work out great! I've never done A-Z myself, and I marvel at writers who do. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
ReplyDeleteWhy not give it a try? For all my anxiety, it really is a lot of fun. :)
DeleteThank you for Following us here at TSR!
I'm sure you'll do great with whatever topic you choose. I had huge ideas for A to Z this year at the close of last year's challenge, but now . . . I'm not sure if I should participate. I'm on the fence. On Jan. 1st, I thought 'no' and now I see all the excitement, and I think 'maybe' . . . while at the same time, I'm thinking, "am I nuts? I have a novel to finish and a writing book that's grabbing my mind, and, and . . ." that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteIf I A to Z this year, somehow it will have to incorporate my current projects . . . and I'm not sure how to do that.
Incorporating your current projects somehow would be great! Could you write A-Z posts that somehow relate to writing tips as part of your writing book idea? Or how about a topic that's covered in your novel - the setting, the job of one of the characters, etc.?
DeleteI'm sure you can do it and I'm sure it will be great. I think I'm probably not going to AtoZ this year, but I'll be cheering from the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteWell, you still have time to decide for sure. You could make your A-Z posts relate somehow to all your recent publishing successes. :)
DeleteAnd cheering is greatly appreciated!
This year will be my first A to Z challenge and I am feeling stressed about it too. Maybe we can cheer each other on! :)
ReplyDeleteAlready cheering from here! And don't let the stress stop you from participating. It really is a lot of fun.
DeleteThanks for joining us here at TSR! :)
You can't fail if you don't try, eh? It's going to be epic. I had a theme all picked out by the end of last year, and then publishing happened. Now I'm totally stuck between my theme, and something else, and I can't decide what I should do. Help! Universe, I need an answer here!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your posts. =)
Hmm, can you combine your two theme ideas? Which idea excites you more?
DeleteAnd I'm looking forward to your posts! Especially if there will be cheese…. :)
Good luck with the challenge. It's my 1st year participating as well as being one of Alex J. Cavanaugh's minions for it. :)
ReplyDeleteHello, fellow Ninja Minion! :)
DeleteThis will be my third year doing the Challenge and my first helping out. Looking forward to it all!
I've participated every year, but am just not sure if I can manage this year. I may take the month to regroup, as there is no point blogging at ALL that month if you aren't doing the A to Z... or maybe I will find a silly theme. Depends if I think I can get the visiting in, which is the biggest piece of the commitment.
ReplyDeleteYou still have some time to decide. Visiting other blogs is definitely a huge part of A-Z - maybe a way to break that down into smaller chunks would work better for you?
DeleteI remember enjoying your quotes last year, and look forward to seeing what you come up with this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my post today. I too didn't see much chemistry between Harry and Ginny. I would've loved to see Harry with Luna instead.
Thank you!
DeleteAnd Luna was a great character. I had also liked Cho for Harry.
I liked Cho too, though I felt that Cho's heart was with Cedric.
DeleteI didn't like how the film re-wrote the story and made up Cho being disloyal to Dumbledore's Army instead of showing her and Harry ending things simply because she wasn't ready to move on yet.
Yeah, I think her heart was with Cedric, too. And I didn't catch that difference in the movie vs the book!
DeleteI've had a different theme for each year so far that I've done it and I'm still trying to decide if I can participate this year. I know I'm going to feel so sad if I don't though.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about feeling sad - I skipped NaNo one year and really missed it.
DeleteSounds intriguing. I did enjoy your quotes post and I'm pretty sure I 'found' you during A to Z and I'm sure I'll like your theme this year too.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think I "found" you during the last A-Z, too! You had that countdown clock for retirement and were planning your full time writing career…. :)
Deletelove your quotes & advice! i kno you'll do a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara!
DeleteI'm sure your theme will be great! I still haven't decided upon mine, which.. definitely has me nervous since I'm one of those co-host types this year. Ack! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteAJ @ Naturally Sweet
An April A-Z Co-host
We still have time to decide for sure…right? :)
DeleteGood luck with the A-Z challenge, and have fun being a minion!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry! I hope I do a good job Minion-ing. :)
DeleteOh! Good luck with your A-Z! It will be fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda. I know it will. :)
DeleteFunny. My Sunday's (this coming) post is about A to Z too. I'm sure your theme will be just as good. And have fun minioning. (Can I turn that into a verb?)
ReplyDeleteGreat minds…. :)
DeleteAnd I've been using "minion-ing" as a verb, so why not?
Oh, it'll be great, Madeline. And we'll be all, "Dang. How does she DO this?" And you'll be all, "Aw, shucks. It was nothing." :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you've got!
You have too much faith in me. :)
DeleteI've already been thinking about my A-Z as well. I participated last year, but on a different blog, so this year's plan is very different. I'm sure your theme will be great!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this year's plan! :)
DeleteEnjoy A-Z! I participated the last two years, but am not sure if I'll have the time to do it again this year. Having a theme though is definitely the way to go, and if you prepare a bit before hand, I'm sure it'll be great! :)
ReplyDeleteI find preparation to be key. I hope you decide to participate this year - your theme last year was so much fun. :)
DeletePreparation is definitely key. The one year I participated (way back in 2010 or 2011, I think), I had all of my posts scheduled a month ahead of time. That way I could visit everybody else's blogs during the fest.
ReplyDeleteVisiting other blogs is such a huge - and fun! - part of the Challenge, and I have even more of them to visit this time around since I'm one of Alex's Ninja Minions. :)
DeleteParticipating in A-Z last year was a blast and I discovered your blog in the midst of it of all- a very cool perk of the challenge. I'm sure whatever you plan to do this year will be fantastic and I plan to be here checking it out! I'm going to do A-Z this year but on a different blog. Not sure what to expect so it's all exciting and a little scary (makes it fun, hehe). Looking forward to April! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Delete