A to Z Is Coming Soon!

 Be watching this blog for upcoming announcements!!!

It's #atozchallenge Road Trip Time!

So, you've finished the A to Z Challenge for the year. Quite an accomplishment! Congratulations!
"But wait," you say. "I don't feel like I've done the Challenge, because even though I did all the entries and responded to all the comments on my blog, I didn't visit anyone else! I can't say I've finished if I didn't visit anyone!"

You know, I think everyone feels that way. This has been a strange year, what with our little friend Covid-19, self-isolation, social distancing and whatever. And, Real Life™ doesn't stop just because the A to Z Challenge is going on, much as I and the rest of the hosts of this Challenge try and stop it. So, what does a good, conscientious April Abecedarian do?

The A to Z Challenge Road Trip, that's what!

That's right! Now is your chance to visit the blogs that you wanted to visit but didn't, the blogs that you might have stopped at and told yourself, "I'd really like to spend more time reading this person's story" but somehow never got the chance to, the blogs that, when looking at the Master List, you said "Hey, that might be a fun blog to visit" and ended up not doing it, et cetera, et cetera. Sound like something you'd like to do?

I knew it would! So, here's what you do: Grab yourself a copy of the Master List*, if you don't already have one. You don't have to sign up for the Road Trip this year, just get in the car (or the space shuttle) using the Master List as your road map, and Happy Motoring! Be sure and comment at any stop you make, and let them know that you're there from the A to Z Challenge Road Trip. Maybe they'll be encouraged and follow you around. There's no time limit on this, you can make as many rest stops as you'd like. Have a great time!

A note from co-host J:

I clicked every link on the Master List in April. If you'd like a cleaned copy of my Master List, here's the link:

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WYqVUL-nv0FEaSYFqLcXexiiAX1eqCJ6hqNTyuqY3RM

Some notes about mine:

1. There aren't as many columns. (I don't care to look at how others comment. I was visiting everyone, period.)
2. I separated my Adult content onto another tab. (With the exception of co-host JR.)
3. You'll see notes of what errors I encountered and such.
• If you feel like your site is mislabeled, hit me up. @JLenniDorner on Twitter is fastest.

There are tabs along the bottom of the spreadsheet, separating my copy of the Master List into three parts.

Remember to use FILE, MAKE A COPY so you can note which blogs you've commented on during the road trip! Change the comment column from "no" to YES! 😎

Hindsight 2020: A to Z Challenge Reflections

We have done it! Another year of the A to Z Challenge flew by. Whew! It was an unusual year, for sure, but we are all extremely happy that you all made it happen!

Here are some numbers:

510 blogs were signed up for the Master List this year. Not our highest number ever, but still a pretty good number for a blogging challenge! We also had a lot of returning bloggers, which was great to see!

92 blogs signed up but didn't post. This always happens, but it is especially understandable this year, when everyone is a little out of sorts, and readjusting to a different routine.

Author/Writing was, once again, our most popular category. We had (at least) 120 authors with us this year!

702 is the number of comments you lovely people left on the main blog this year! That's about 23 comments a day. Thank you for visiting!

If you would like to help us learn more about the experience you had this year, don't forget to fill out the After Survey here!

If you would like to add your blog to the list of Reflections, fill out the Google Form here and view the list of participating blogs here.

On a more personal note: I think this year was the Year of Good Commenters. Maybe because of the lower number of blogs participating, or maybe because everyone is trying to be kinder in these trying times, but the comments I have received and seen were all friendly, and contained substance and encouragement, rather than things like "hi." 

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Had a different experience? Can't wait to read all of your Reflections posts! Sign up here!

Thank you all for participating, for visiting, for posting, for commenting, and for making this year's 2020 Mission a success! Happy Blogging! See you on the Road Trip!