My motivation has been on a downward slide for the past few weeks, so I'm hoping to change that by signing up for the A-Z in April Blogging Challenge, hosted by Arlee at Tossing It Out and several others. The idea is to post every day in April except for Sundays, and center each post around a letter of the alphabet.
At first I thought it seemed like way too much, and I remembered that my attempt at blogging every day with NaBloPoMo did not work out well at all, but the more I read about this April event, the more it appealed to me.
Since I am also planning to participate in the Story A Day in May challenge, I thought this would be a great warm-up, and an opportunity to stretch my writing muscles before working on those stories. I like the possibility of being able to explore some characters for use in future stories, or playing with ideas that might lead to something more.
The April challenge sounds fun too because you can also use photos to represent the letters, so there's not as much pressure to write a full post every day.
I also see it as a wonderful opportunity to connect with more bloggers. There are already more than 600 people signed up, so I don't think it will be possible to follow everyone, but I'm sure I'll discover some fantastic blogs I might not have found otherwise.
I hope I don't end up regretting taking on this and the May story challenge back to back, but I am trying to take the nothing ventured, nothing gained approach. I'll either be a more seasoned and experienced writer and blogger by the end of May, or I'll be found hiding in my closet, rocking back and forth in a daze.
Here's hoping for the former. ;)
A story a day- I'll have to check that out. Thanks for following me and commenting on my blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with on the a-z challenge.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a formidable challenge! For the past few months I have been posting nearly every day and believe me (and I am not writing stories!) I am "hiding in a closet, rocking back and forth" lol. My goal is 3 days a week....lately it has been nearly every day and it is TOO much! I know you can handle it though and I look forward to your posts!
ReplyDeleteWow! That sounds like a HUGE (but fun!) challenge. Good luck and enjoy! :D
ReplyDeleteKeep it short and simple and you should do just fine. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteLee
I saw your name at Arlee Bird's Tossing it out and thought I'd pop over, I enjoyed your blog, I did the A to Z last year and it was great fun.
ReplyDeleteI wish you every success and with the blogfest in May,
Have a wonderful week-end.
Yvonne.
I will have to check out the Story a Day. This is also my first time participating in the A-Z challenge. I am looking forward to reading and finding new blogs. I can't wait to see what all everyone comes up with.
ReplyDeleteWe can do it! :)
ReplyDeleteA challenge indeed Julie. Here's something to think about as you write write write: there is nothing to indicate how *much* you are required to write for this challenge, so as Hemingway reminds himself in 'A Moveable Feast' (and Francine Prose reminds us in her book 'Reading Like A Writer'), "Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. *All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know*."
ReplyDeletePost script: I wanted to add this - an entire story can be found in one true sentence...
ReplyDelete@Summer, thanks for stopping by! I'm looking forward to reading your blog during the challenge, I hope we both enjoy April! :)
ReplyDelete@Caren, thanks! LOL I'm sorry to hear you are rocking in the closet. ;) I hope it won't come to that for me but I wouldn't be surprised.
@Samantha, thanks so much, I really appreciate it!
@Yvonne, thank you, I hope the challenge will be fun. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it last year. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments!
@Dafeenah, good luck to you in the challenge as well, I'm looking forward to reading what you come up with. Thanks for your comments!
@bendedspoon, we can! I think it will be fun to cheer each other along. :)
@Cathy, thank you! I love the quotes, thanks so much. For a while I had the Hemingway quote as a wallpaper on my laptop, maybe I will go back to that for inspiration during the challenge. :)
@Arlee, thank you too for your comments! I'm so sorry, I thought I had written a reply to everyone in my previous post, I apologize for missing your comment! Thanks so much for coming by and for your good wishes, and thanks again for hosting this great challenge!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fun ... I agree with Arlee, to keep it short and simple and those posts will be flying right off your fingertips!
ReplyDelete@Joanne, thanks! I hope it will be fun, thanks for the advice!
ReplyDelete@Deirdra, oh, thank you, that's so nice of you! I'm very excited to pick up the award, thanks again! :)
It's going to be fun! :D I'm looking forward to it,too! You'll do just fine. :)
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥
Sounds like there are a lot of people like you needing the motavation to write so I'm glad you have it. You go girl!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth! Thanks, I'm looking forward to it too! :)
ReplyDeleteHi LynnMarie! Thanks so much! :)