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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A as in Arlee & All




 Attention!

       The time has come.  Already the first posts of the 2015 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge have been flooding the internet as bloggers from India and other parts of that side of the globe have been publishing their posts for the letter "A".   As many of you are reading this now, more bloggers from other time zones have published their blog posts.   I've seen some quality work so far which gives me high hopes for this year.   As of today I'm giving the bloggers of A to Z at big A+ grade for the work that's being turned in.

Action!

        Even if you don't have your post up or prepared you can still gear into action and start writing.  Listen all you bloggers, you are also writers (even if you don't think of yourself as such) and you can write off the cuff, spur of the moment improvisational pieces.   A to Z is a test of your blogging abilities and I have no doubt that you've got what it takes to start and finish this Challenge.  Give it all you've got and let's see this thing through!

All of Us!

        We are the mighty A to Z Community and we've got unity, comradery, and a spirit of support for each other.  Now in it's 6th year, A to Z has shown how we bloggers can help each other out when help is needed.  We are all in this together.  Visit as many blogs as you can and comment often.  This is a good investment of your time and as you continue blogging onward into the future you will see how your actions in April will pay off in the coming months and even years.

Ask Arlee!

       All of the co-hosts have been doing their "About Me" posts so here is mine.

        With a lifelong interest in writing, I discovered blogging in 2009 and realized it is a great way to get ones writing out before the public without having to submit it all over the place to face numerous rejections and maybe never get published.  It's been a wonderful writing adventure for me so far.

        After a couple months of being mostly unnoticed on my blog, I started catching on to the social networking game and the not-so-secret secret of getting blog followers.  This discovery led to my starting the first Blogging from A to Z April Challenge in 2010.   It worked and now here we are with six fantastic years and thousands of adherents, fans, and followers.  A to Z has gained an admirable reputation and we've had some of the best bloggers in the world joining us since its inception.

        I currently blog at:

        Tossing It Out

        Wrote By Rote

        A Faraway View

        A Few Words

        I have all of these blogs operational for A to Z in April.   I hope you will take time to visit them.


>>Some questions asked by A to Z community members:

Susan Scott from the Garden of Eden Blog asks "Do you remember your dreams?"  Much of the time I do remember my dreams.  I've been interested in dreams since childhood and have at times kept a dream diary.   Now I write about dreams and dreaming at my blog A Faraway View.  Be sure to visit Susan's blog as well as she also will be writing about dreams as her A to Z theme for April.

Barbara In Caneyhead asks: 
"What is your favorite pastime other than writing/reading/blogging?"   For many years I worked in touring theatrical productions as a manager, actor, and juggler.  I'm still very interested in show business even though I've stepped away from that life for now.  I continue to have a passion for travel and take long road trips whenever I can.  I love traveling the roads of the United States.

Loni Townsend asks:
"You are one insane guy... four blogs for the A-to-Z challenge?? Okay, here's my question for you: How do you find time to do it all?"   In order to take on the four blogs for the Challenge I plan ahead as much as possible.   Short posts are also vital.  I highly recommend that everyone keep their posts short for A to Z if they can.  In fact, I've grown to be rather a fan of shorter posts all the time.  Oh, I still get wordy at times, but don't most of us?

Nicole asks:
"What I'd like you to blab about is:
How did you propose?"   Actually I don't exactly remember the how of it.   Since we were both older and had gone through previous marriages I think we just kind of came to a mutual agreement that incorporated logic and, of course, love.   My wife and I have now been married for going on 18 years.
"Aside from blogging, what do you do for fun?"   I enjoy movies and music.  And my wife and I like to dine out.
"If you could only have one condiment for an entire year, what would you pick?"  That's so difficult since I'm a condiment crazy guy.  One of my absolute favorites though is Tabasco sauce.  That could take the place of a lot of other things for me.

Dixie@dcrelief asks:
"Oh, and a question? What finally made me say yes to the challenge?? I don't know, this is 'ask Arlee' today... right?!!"   Well yes, it is "Ask Arlee" day, but I can only guess why you said yes to the Challenge.  My guess is that you needed A to Z in order to Challenge your abilities, you wanted to be part of a great community of bloggers, and you find me utterly irresistible.   Isn't that why every one does this A to Z Challenge?

Advance!

     And now, my thanks to all of you for stopping by and being a part of A to Z.  Also, a magnanimously huge thanks to my great team of co-hosts as listed in the sidebar and all of our individual teams of helpers who you can find listed in the tab at the top of the page.  These are the people who really keep A to Z advancing onward and I'd be lost in this Challenge without them by my side.  Be sure to visit all of them and express some gratitude.

     Now let's get busy wrapping up our blog posts and visiting all the wonderful bloggers out there.  Don't forget to leave comments!











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90 comments:

Pearson Report said...

A is for Awesome Arlee - what a great way to start the A to Z!
Great questions and answers.

I wish everyone a super fun A to Z Challenge.

Sent with smiles, Jenny
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@PearsonReport

Nicole said...

Thanks for leading us all into April on a high note :)

Yeah Tabasco sauce is fitting as a replacement for lots of other condiments and yes you must be irresistable, having gotten me to do many things for the madness that is the A to Z Challenge! Lol

- Nicole
#atozchallenge Co-Host
www.madlabpost. com

Malavikka Sridharan said...

Thank you for inspiring us :)

Do drop into www.malavikka.blogspot.com

D.G. Hudson said...

You're the boss, AR-Lee when it comes to the A to Z, and it's helped me produce some collections of posts I'd probably not have otherwise. Thanks for creating a motivating blog challenge and staying with it!

Pooja Priyamvada said...

What a bright and happy encouraging post for a cheerful beginning.

Stitching Noni said...

What a great post! A great way to start off the April challenge :o)
Hugs xx

Anonymous said...

A is for amazing post on Day 1! Thanks Arlee for the encouragement and great to be here for the very first time. Even better to know more about you :)

Anonymous said...

An Absolutely Animating Article from Arlee. Appreciated!
Miriam (A-to-Zing on writing historical fiction)

Click said...

What a great post to kick off the challenge. :-)

I especially liked your answer to the 'how did you propose?' question. I'm still waiting on my proposal from my husband. We just kind of came to a mutual agreement that we should get married at some point. It always makes me smile when I see I'm not the only one who did it that way.

Cait @ Click's Clan

Aparna said...

Amazing post for day 1 :)

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

It was fun watching the A to Z posts pop up during the day from the other side of the world. Can't believe it's already here!


Anna @ herding cats & burning soup

Rachel Pattinson said...

What a great post to kick off the challenge! I can't wait to get stuck in!

Preethi Venugopala said...


My post for A to begin the challenge.
http://tulipsandme.blogspot.in/2015/04/absence-is-to-love-what-wind-is-to-fire.html

Diana L. said...

will there be a specific link up each day so we can link the day's post?

Rob Z Tobor said...

Well Mr B there are a lot of A's about today. . . . . Good luck

Elodie said...

Great post to get started :) Looking forward to discovering more blog and bloggers throughout this month :)

Susan Scott said...

Thanks Arlee for this great post! Thanks also for mentioning me! I'm about to pop over to your dreams one, which I read briefly and it is FANTASTIC!

Rajlakshmi said...

A to Z challenge is an amazing time to read and meet new bloggers :D 4 blogs!! wow I am having a tough time with 2 :)

Rachel said...

Great post and I am ready to meet some new bloggers! My post is here" http://rachelwritesthings.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-to-z-challenge-is-for-anna-french-kiss.html

Denise said...

Now that I have all my posts ready for this year, I found a spreadsheet on my computer with A to Z ideas I made up last year. Guess I have a head start on 2016. Off to find some new bloggers.

Arlee Bird said...

No, but you can leave links up at the A to Z Facebook page.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Sabrina A. Fish said...

I started blogging because it was a fun way to learn more about the business side of being a writer. I continue because of the amazing friends I've made along the way. I love reading your posts on any of your blogs Arlee! Happy A to Z!

Unknown said...

I am so glad I joined this challenge, I have been feeling uninspired for some time and now i am inspired again, thank you! Here is my A is for ATTRACTION http://www.kellymartinspeaks.co.uk/2015/04/a-is-for-attraction.html

Robyn Proctor said...

Great way to start the month off! I'm looking forward to discovering new blogs :)

Jo said...

Mine went out at 1 a.m. Arlee. Thanks for dreaming up this Challenge, I have enjoyed it for 4 years now. I had forgotten the hyperlink signature until I saw a reminder this morning. JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great to read more about you. Four blogs is definitely an added challenge! I admire your dedication to writing and categorizing your thoughts, dreams, and words. Thanks for starting the challenge.
Play off the Page

Anonymous said...

NIce to connect. Looking forward to the challenge.

Anonymous said...

Ive got goosebumps!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Arlee, Arlee, Arlee. Woot! We're off and blogging.

Mark Koopmans said...

Haha! What better way to begin than with Ask with Arlee :)

This is going to be my first completed A-Z (I'm calling it!!)

Good luck with your FOUR !!!

The Vinyl Edition said...

OK, well that's the first post done and dusted. Very excited about the challenge, and i hope to see an improvement in the way i go about my writing tasks over the month, in terms of organisation, efficiency, etc. Gook luck everybody!

Anonymous said...

Did anyone ask, what does Arlee stand for? Is it Early as in early bird or Our Lee as in belonging to the challenge? Sue A to Z ing at Sue’s Trifles

Unknown said...

yay! I just did my first post for this challenge!
I hope I/we can do this all the way through!

good luck everybody! :>

Heather M. Gardner said...

YAY!
Love being a part of this Challenge and blog community, Arlee!
You've created a wonderful way for us all to communicate!
Thank you,
Heather

AJ Lauer said...

You know... I'm actually not very big on condiments.. Other than pickles. Mmm pickles.
Thanks again for having us all on the team, Lee! So glad to do it for another year!
~AJ Lauer
an A-Z Cohost
@ayjaylauer on Twitter

Eunice said...

Started today and A is for agony! I'm doing NaJoWriMo as well as the two challenges dovetail nicely.

Debbie D. said...

Thank you for starting this great blogging initiative, Arlee! Wow - 4 blogs - that's amazing to have all of them posting daily.Kudos to you! I'll try to check them all out.

Unknown said...

Neat way to start the challenge! :)

Yamini Meduri said...

Fourth year of participation...!!!

www.dilmainhainpyar.blogspot.com

Birgit said...

Great post and the hard thing is keeping it short since I tend to be a talker:) Liked knowing a little more about you too

Sunday Visitor said...

Fabulous Post.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And we're glad you launched that first Challenge!

Michelle Wallace said...

Thank you Mr. A to Z AKA Arlee Bird, for starting this wonderful challenge!
Away we go---------

Jennifer Hawes said...

It fun to write off the cuff, but I like being prepared too;) Dreams fascinate me. I incorporate them into my writing all the time!

Arlee Bird said...

Glad you've stayed with us, Jo!

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

You'd better finish this one!

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

No one asked but I have explained it in other posts. The pseudonym "Arlee" came from the shortened version of Robert Lee or R. Lee as I started signing things when I was in college. "Bird" came about because "Arlee" reminded me of "early" and I had a great idea for a bird logo that I used back in the 80's when I started an entertainment production company. I clung to the moniker when I started blogging and now that is who I have become.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

Thanks, Heather, for the amazing co-host you've been. What would I do without all of you!

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

Pickles? Pregnancy? That's what I've heard--I'm just saying.

Thanks so much for all you've been doing to make A to Z a big success again this year!

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

Glad you've been by my side ever since! This Challenge has become a great team effort with an amazing array of bloggers every year!

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

So glad you're back again this year. Thanks for being a part of my Ambassador team.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

nashvillecats2 said...

I was the first to sign up for the A to Z back in 2010, I "Met" Alex that year also. Meeting Arlee in LA was a day I shall never forget. He was the perfect host.
I enjoyed your "A" an excellent start to the challenge.

catherinemjohnson.com said...

I'm definitely write off the cuff. Looking forward to participating for the first time. I always enjoy reading posts from this challenge. I really should have written my number down though. It's going to take me all day to find it ;)

Stephen Tremp said...

Thank you Arlee for starting it all!

Al Penwasser said...

Thanks for all that you do. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you. Hey, that rhymes. Whoopdi doo.

Arlee Bird said...

You're pretty irresistible yourself, Nicole. Your intelligent writing and clear thinking has been a great asset to this A to Z Team. You've been a great ally to have on my side.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

betty said...

Lots of wonderful A's featured here! Should be an awesome challenge!

betty

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Great inspiration here today!
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp's Troops with the
A to Z Challenge

Unknown said...

First year! Started the day NOT even knowing about this challenge. So with that, I began to write and it seemed fit for A to be for Ambition! I'm nervous but I know I can do it.

Faith @ Livewagbark.com

Julie Jordan Scott said...

It is always great to be here - to activate, advance and align with the remarkable bloggers on such a wide variety of topics. Thank you, Arlee, for being an inspiration for all these years and now, beyond as well.

Julie Jordan Scott
Inspired by Literary Grannies - A is for Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Namrata said...

Thanks a lot for this motivation. Exactly the sort we seek in our busy schedule. This is my first post on A-Z challenge. A for Acceptance. A fiction.
http://bluesomeheart.blogspot.in/2015/04/acceptance.html

Indywrites said...

I read 4 blogs and fainted!! here i am thinking you have a job too!! God bless and thanks for the a to z!!

Anonymous said...

Arlee, the fearless creator of the challenge! =)

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Unknown said...

Thanks for the inspiration and motivation. This is my first year and I'm enjoying it already :)

A Hopeless Romantic said...

Gee! 4 Blogs, I am having tough time managing two.
Thank you for having me on board for the challenge. I am participating for the first time
A is for Arcadian smile ~ A Poesy Discourse

Unknown said...

Nice to know a bit more about you Arlee:-) Thanks for the kick -off. Good luck all:-)

Kathleen Jennette said...

Lots of energy here! Great start this year too. Fun.

As I See It Daily

Unknown said...

This is great, my first time. Is there a particular place to post so all can see?

Lisa said...

Tabasco sauce huh... My hubby might agree with you there! I LOVE your dream blog. And four blogs?!!! Eyes popping out now. I couldn't do that right now. I too, love to travel. In case you hadn't guessed that already! Lisa, co-host AtoZ2015, @ lisabuiecollard.com

Carolyn Twede Frank said...

Thanks for helping with this.

Arlee Bird said...

You've been there from the start! Thanks for so much encouragement in your kind words and support.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Lynn Proctor said...

Looks like a great start-I am in awe of a juggler!!

JazzFeathers said...

Well, Arlee, if I weren't all punped up already, your speech would have done the job ;-)

J.L. Campbell said...

Can't believe it's April! Well done, Arlee and thanks for the encouragement.
I'm sure you and your team with rock.

Anonymous said...

way to start the challenge!

Unknown said...

I am very excited to be part of this challenge! This is my first year so I hope to do well and connect with more bloggers. I chose A for Acorns at http://owladventure.com/2015/04/01/atozchallenge-owls-a-to-z-adventure/ Thanks, Arlee! This is so awesome! ����

Empty Nester said...

I love the challenge! I usually participate via my older blog, Empty Nest but am trying it with my new one this year- Grinding My Grits. I'm looking forward to reading and reading and reading and meeting new folks!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Arlee -- I only missed the very first year of A to Z. This is my 5th year doing the challenge, and it's something that I really look forward to all year. Thanks for starting it up!

Anonymous said...

Here's to another terrific April.

B~Natrelle said...

Hello there. Just want to thank Arlee and his co-hosts for this space. This is my second year taking part. I prepared well in advance and scheduled my posts ahead of time so they'll post automatically if I don't have time to blog on a particular day. I appreciate the motivation and energy...especially as the signup list keeps growing! Enjoy the challenge everyone!

Entrepreneurial Goddess

Patricia said...

Always a fun challenge. I don't have a theme this year...just winging it, but I will be here every day. Thank you and your team for all the hard work making this such an awesome hop.

Sangita Kalarickal said...

Thanks, Arlee for your work! I've always enjoyed participating in this challenge. Real fun!

Lisa said...

hello Arlee, the A-Z is the rope that bloggers hold on to, thank you

Arlee Bird said...

You can post daily links at the A to Z Facebook page or in the comments you leave at the blogs you visit.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

I'm essentially retired. If I were still working my old job I might not be doing any blogs.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

You were one of my most frequent visitors last year at my dream blog.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Arlee Bird said...

And thank you for your continued participation, Julia.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Dr Genevive Angela said...

Thanks Arlee, this is my third year and I am glad to be part of this challenge, thanks for all the motivation, appreciate you !

Dixie@dcrelief said...

Perfect answer, as I do find you... "utterly irresistible," sir. (wink-wink-smile)

Laura Roberts @ Buttontapper Press said...

Wow, Arlee, I never realized you were so prolific with 4 blogs in the mix! And here I thought I was being audacious with 2 blogs in the challenge this year. ;D