But we don’t want you to burn to a crisp!
You probably had a lot of visitors already. You’ve visited a lot of blogs. After two days of a firestorm, you’re probably wondering how you will survive.
First, pace yourself. In one month, it’s unlikely you’ll visit everyone on the list. Don’t kill yourself trying. And don’t let guilt goad you into overload.
Focus on visiting at least five new blogs a day, starting with the one after your own. After that, focus on returning comments. If you have time, explore more of the list.
If you’re still working on your Challenge posts, keep them short and simple.
Remember, you’re doing this to make new friends and have fun. Burn with excitement, but don’t burn out!
I'm really starting to get into it. This is my first time doing this challenge and I'm glad I decided to do so. =)
ReplyDeleteI agree short posts are easier to read and readers can relate and comment on.
ReplyDeleteDay late, dollar short. Looks like a fun exercise, the A to Z'ing in April. I did not catch fire in time, or even know. Next time around!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, as always, Alex.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling a bit overwhelmed and a bit guilty (did i get back to that person? am I replying to messages quickly enough?) but I am enjoying myself. Just doing what I can, no more, no less. It does help to keep the posts short. I have a tendency to overwrite when I'm passionate about a topic.
ReplyDeleteI love that last line, Alex! Burn with excitement - very clever. I'm doing pretty good with the list so far. I've found some great new blogs to follow too. But, I do need to finish up writing the last few posts for the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex!!
Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
Considering yesterday was also IWSG day, I was definitely feeling the burn. Pacing myself today.
ReplyDeleteYay Alex! I am always ready ready to listen when you are advising us. I am on fire :)
ReplyDelete-- love your GREAT books!!!, and looking forward to not overextending, but to enjoying this uncredible blog hop.
xox jean
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Finding this interesting, but so far at looking at other's on the list, 4 out of 5 are doing nothing. Plus I am very new to this blogging, so have started in a small way.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your A to Z but clicking on your name takes me to nothing! Where are you blogging?
DeleteMy list of A to Z participants that I already follow can take 2-3 hours to work through. Throw in new comments on my blog and I am LUCKY if I make to five unknown blogs, but I do TRY. Yeah, can't believe it's only day 3. I kinda feel like I am on fire.
ReplyDeleteSounds advice. I totally overdid it yesterday. Burn - but don't burn out. I like it. Should be our slogan!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
I got to the burn out stage on Monday, felt better yesterday finally finished my list. Don't know how you co-hosts do it. Started early this morning as I am bowling this afternoon That'll make a change. You sure won't be doing much writing this month Alex.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat singed minion.
It's too soon to burn out; pace yourself and ask for help!
ReplyDeleteCatching fire and loving the A to Z Challenge! :-)
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I took a challenge once, and found I burned out before I reached the end. I was so close to crossing that finish line, but the stress became too much. This time, I won't allow that to happen. Thanks for hosting the fun!
ReplyDeleteChamomile tea benefits
Neat cover. No burn out here, but having lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice, and timely too :) Thanks, Alex!
ReplyDeleteMy first time doing the AtoZ challenge and loving it. It's a good thing I read your helpful posts, so am now able to pace myself with blog hopping, returning comments and writing posts. Otherwise, I would be addicted to the wonderful posts I read and not have time to do anything else.
ReplyDeletehttt://www.writer-way.blogspot.com
Thank you for the advice . I really needed it. But at the same time I am having great time with other blogs and their authors.
ReplyDeleteI have had new visitors, but I am having so much fun with this challenge!!! I am glad I decided to take part!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Having a blast!
ReplyDeleteBut pacing myself... and taking it a bit easier than I did in previous years...
Writer In Transit
"Keep on truckin'" is my motto. But then I'm a product of the seventies.
ReplyDeleteI am totally lovin the challenge! Having more fun than I thought possible!
ReplyDeleteI love the challenge that's why I persuaded my doc to let me take part provided I didn't do too much typing. so i limit myself to go on my pc. Actually my shoulders are not too bad as pain goes. I managed to catch up early this morning.
ReplyDeleteHoly WOW, you guys -- we gots a blogging hero up in here! That you are participating at all is amazing, if you are physically challenged in such a way as that it pains you. Mad respect, my blogging buddy. I hope you get lots of fun out of this, and that it causes you as little ache as possible.
DeleteGood advice oh master! I'm especially loving the blogs that are on both the IWSG and the A to Z! I get to do two in one that way!
ReplyDeleteI also like to pick blogs from the comments left ahead of me on any given blog I'm visiting...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great advice, Alex! I'm blogging from vacation land - so currently, I'm just visiting 2-3 and then visiting blogs that have visited mine - when I get back I'll try for five, and then visiting commenters . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm having a great time and learning lots!
ReplyDeleteDo you want to know when we come across "problematic" sites?
Like links that aren't quite right, or like I just visited, where they aren't doing anything about following the letters, though they have the correct letter on the page?
knightsheart.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/sunrise-siren-haiku-a2zchallenge/
knightsheart has some wonderful poetry, and when I asked about the letter match-up, it's the theme of the poem listed in the tags. So it works. Just hard to find or figure out sometimes. An explanation as a preface would be helpful if it isn't totally obvious, I think.
DeleteWrote something I wanted to let everyone know for a long time- http://sayantini-bhattacharya.blogspot.in/2014/04/colours.html
ReplyDeleteI am not burning out. And I have a list I follow already. I will push myself for 5 new ones. But some of the links are just not working...or there hasn't been a post for months or they still require you to use the captcha. Those I just pass on but it is a huge time waster. And I agree with Donna above I find it very annoying to come to a page and have to search for why what they have written fits the letter. Or if I have to search how to leave a comment. Come on people make it easier for us to visit!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't like fire because of scary experiences I had in my past, but I've made an exception for Catch Fire. ;)
ReplyDeleteIts been fun. It has been a bit of a challenge finding blogs like mine but I have and its been great.
ReplyDeleteThe short posts and same format every day has really helped me; got all my posts written and scheduled by April 1. I'm not bragging I'm just saying it's possible! Now off to visit more blogs.
ReplyDelete(side note, I emailed the AtoZ email that my original sign up in January as blog #106 is no longer there and my blog wasn't even on the list *sadface* I re-signed up on April 1 when I tried to find my name. I guess this is an Oh well? I can't think of what happened since I actually wrote the number and saw my name on the original list).
Focused and having fun. This time around more people are coming back and actually commenting. Its nice to get to know the writers and become familiar with the blogger's work.
ReplyDeleteKaty Did
Life's Ride In Between
Haven't gotten a ton of visitors, so trying to visit more blogs to see if it works! I have caught the fire of this challenge!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stoping by my blog!!
My goodness, pacing is so important, and difficult. There's no way I could do this if I hadn't prewritten the entire challenge. Just keeping up (or frantically chasing after) all these amazing posts is enough to do me in--but I wouldn't forgo the wonderful opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from a wise Ninja! I am debating whether I should attach myself, but all this off the cuff poetry is draining. I need a portal to peek into the poetic crystal ball-where are my ruby slippers?!
ReplyDeleteMy challenge is 30 days-so see A-Z bloggers-you can do this! You have Sundays off and can post ahead. Have fun challengers and enjoy all the unique insight and friendships! A-Z rocks! I'll be back next year. I had to test drive the poetic Porsche-just once.
Having a lot of fun so far, but I definitely need to adjust some things for the rest of the month, lol. I was trying to post daily posts, on top of my A-Z posts and yeah, that's a bit much! Next week I'll start focusing more on the A-Z Challenge and just have fun with that :)
ReplyDeleteFinley Jayne
http://finleyjaynesbookshelves.blogspot.com/
Is it too late to sign up? (have asked on twitter but not got a response)
ReplyDeleteI have written every post on the day itself... am enjoying it a lot! My 3rd post is up!
ReplyDeletewww.volatilespirits.com
I think they key is as you said to have fun with it. this is my 3rd year and it's easy to burn out quickly. Now I write super short posts and try to lighten up. It's fun.
ReplyDeleteThe first two days were crazy for me, but I think I'm finding a good rhythm. Meeting a lot of great bloggers and "discovering" some fun places to visit. I'm already looking forward to next year...after a lot of rest, of course.
ReplyDeleteGood advice. You need to pace yourself throughout the month. This is my third year doing the challenge so I wrote most of my posts ahead of time so I could spend a few hours visiting the other blogs.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth @ www.scribblinginthestorageroom.wordpress.com
Excellent advice! This is supposed to be fun!
ReplyDeleteCat
Bummed that I just discovered this yesterday, too late to officially sign up, but will definitely jump into the next one! I'm discovering so many great new blogs & friends. I had to set a time limit on my reading time. Lol
ReplyDeleteyeah, definitely have to pace yourself. It's too much otherwise.
ReplyDeleteEasy does it, ever so slowly. I'm here:
ReplyDeletehttp://imagery77.blogspot.com/2014/04/twisting-and-turning.html
Hank
I've actually written my posts out early this year and have scheduled a bunch of them. Sadly though, as was the case in the other year I did this challlenge, I haven't had many a-z visitors. Only two so far. Ah well...
ReplyDeleteFirst day I did great and saw so many blogs, but past few days and the rest of the week it's been a bit harder due to the day job. The hours aren't that great for blog visiting. Still, I'm doing my best and visiting, commenting and sharing. ^^
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author
What I've been doing is reading my blog subscriptions during breakfast and dinner, then exploring three to five new blogs at night.
ReplyDeleteA-Z Challenge at Father Nature's Corner
I won't visit everyone on the list, but you might!
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Alex, Your last line says it all, and that's what's been keeping you going strong for all these years!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks for the good advice and the release from guilt. God bless, Maria from Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Thoroughly enjoying my first time with the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis is A. Catherine Noon, visiting from my blog for the A-Z Challenge, #327 on the list. Happy blogging!
I only just found out about this challenge yesterday. Even though I can't officially sign up, I'm still posting on my blog as if I am in the challenge. I'm doing a theme. I find a blog that will fit into the theme each day and I write a small blurb about them. Then I post on that blog to let them know I featured their blog in on my blog for the A to Z challenge (unofficially). This allows me to get to know at least 26 writers' blogs, if nothing else. If anyone is interested, here's a link to my blog: http://eannmartin.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteaw, I think that's a lovely idea! I hope you get some visitors. I will def. stop by. I'm a day behind already, but everyone here is so supportive and friendly, you should feel welcomed!
DeleteExcellent advice, Alex.
ReplyDeleteI'm burning for another pound of coffee:) I have a habit of juggling a ton of projects at once (as you know:) and having a blast. The party's just getting started!
ReplyDeleteWriterlySam
A to Z #TeamDamyanti
It's fun running through the list to meet new people. I also love seeing how many people I already know/follow that are participating. This is my first year, but I'm having fun : )
ReplyDeleteI've only just begun and yes I probably am over doing it on the reading. There are so many interesting/entertaining blogs. I'm so very happy to be a part of the 2014 A to Z Challenge.
ReplyDeleteMisty at Dancingintheweeds.com
I have a few issues with keeping up with A-Z and your post has reminded me what it's really about. Thanks Alex,
ReplyDeleteHi Alex .. it is the balance .. and enjoying ourselves but having that opportunity to meet new friends .. and that's what blogging is about .. new friends and learning .. from whichever angle you want to go to .. I love it ..
ReplyDeleteCheers to everyone - Hilary
I was beginning to feel poopy about already being a day behind... till I read this post. Yes, pacing is def. important. But so is having fun, visiting others, and keeping on. I will continue to burn bright, but no longer fear burning out. Thanks for the reminder! I will catch up at some point! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I am 2 days behind but will get caught up
ReplyDeleteoops I can't type tonight :( but mine is posted here http://ussminnow1964.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-z-blogging-challenge-day-3-c.html
DeleteI did a search on "Fear" since my blog is "FearThouNot4" and the next word I will search is "Murder" since I wrote a book called "murder on the Silver Comet Trail." I am several days ahead. I have started writing smaller posts on my blog. I have 12 blogs!
ReplyDelete