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Friday, May 1, 2015

Wait! A to Z Is Not Over! Not Quite



The Reflections Tradition

         Oh sure, the alphabet is now behind most of us.  Your letter posts should be finished and now you're ready to start blogging as you normally do--or maybe even take a respite from blogging.  But hold on before you leave this 2015 Challenge completely behind you.  We ask you one more little thing:  Tell us about your A to Z experience.

         The A to Z Reflections Post has become a tradition as most Challenge vets will remember.  We've done this since the first Challenge in 2010.  What we request is that in a post on your own blog you tell us all something about the Challenge that impacted you the most.

         Actually this post can be about any April A to Z related topic and presented in any form that you like.  Your post doesn't have to be long and complicated unless that's what you want to do.  Like the regular A to Z posts the Reflections Post can be whatever you want it to be just as long it's about the April Challenge.

           This is the time for you to register your complaints about anything Challenge related.  Let us know the weaknesses along with your suggestions as to how they can be improved.   We don't mind hearing the negative aspects of A to Z, but we hope you will have some positives to report as well.  Relate your anecdotes about interactions with the A to Z staff or other bloggers.   Offer praise to the outstanding bloggers in this year's Challenge or tell us about particular posts or themes that you think deserve recognition.

          Incidentally, even if you didn't participate in the Challenge itself or didn't finish the A to Z Challenge but have something about it that you think is worth mentioning, you are welcomed to add your own Reflections post as long as you were following some of the A to Z posts.   Do not take this invitation as a license to just get on the list with some random post that has nothing to do with A to Z.   These non-Challenge related post links will be removed from the list.  

          The Reflections Post is your time to tell everyone what's on your mind about the A to Z Challenge.  If you want to brag about your own blog then go ahead.  If you want to brag on something else then that's definitely welcomed.  Good, bad, indifferent or however you feel, tell the rest of us.  Whatever you feel is worth saying, then say it.   Even if it's just your blog stats for April--that's valuable information that might help us get some ideas.  Say what you have to say and we will listen.

We Want Next Year to Be Better

          The Challenge of 2015 was pretty darn good by my estimation, but there's always room for improvement.  That's one reason why we like the Reflections Posts.   We get ideas on what not to do in the future and even better we get some ideas on what we can do to improve future events.

          Many of you have some good ideas that the A to Z Team may have never considered before.  Let's hear those ideas so we can do some brainstorming.   And even if your brain is not brimming with ideas for improvement, just your general thoughts can stimulate some thinking.  Don't think that you have nothing to say because everything any of you say is worth hearing.

          Bottom line is that we want to hear from you.  All of you are important to us and each of you has some valuable input that will be lost if you don't tell us.

"What Do I Do?"

         If this is the question you're asking then let me explain.   Starting anytime between now and Friday May 8th, put together your thoughts in a Reflections Post.   No rules on this as it can be as short or as long as you like and it can be composed in any way that you wish.    Once your Reflections piece has been written then add the "Reflections" badge that you see at the top of this page to your composition.  When you have your Reflections ready to go then post it on your own blog site.

          On Monday May 4th the Reflections Linky List will appear on this blog--The Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.   Add the link of the Reflections post that you have already posted on your site.  ***NOTE:  Add the link that directs to your Reflections Post and not your general blog URL***Please don't do this wrong and expect us to have to go back to fix it!

         You can post anytime between now and next Friday May 8th.  You must post your Reflections to your own blog before you can add it to the list at the A to Z Blog.  Only add your link to the list if you have actually done a Reflections post.  This Linky List will be accessible to all for the rest of the year so it can be advantageous for you to participate.

       Hopefully this is all clear to everyone, but don't hesitate to ask questions in the comment section if there is anything at all you don't understand.  


         Those who have successfully completed the 2015 A to Z Challenge are invited to copy the Survivor badge below and display it on your own blog to show your visitors that you are an A to Z Winner!








      We'll be looking for your Reflections Posts in the week to come!





37 comments:

  1. Another challenge done, it's a good one... to the finishers, Arlee, Co-Hosts, Helpers... etc. Not bad, not bad at all....

    Jeremy [Retro]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  2. Massive thanks to all the organisers! Its been a HOOT

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  3. Truly a positive experience! Thank you A-Z Team!!

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  4. Well done and congratulations to all! Lee, it's been another amazing Challenge!

    I will be reflecting!

    :)

    Heather

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  5. Great badges. Thank you, everyone. It's been a good month. This post has reminded me of something to add to my reflections post - apart from the image! Sue’s Trifles (A to Z)

    Sue’s words and pictures (My new blog)

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  6. Thank you very much for organizing this wonderful challenge.

    Letters from the Land of Cherry Blossoms

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  7. In many ways I think this was the best challenge yet! I'll be making a Reflections post. A great big THANK YOU to you, all the wonderful co-hosts and my many fellow minions!

    ~ We made it!!! ~
    Visit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
    I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
    with the A to Z Challenge

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  8. My reflections post is all done and dusted and posted, I have even drawn a special reflections picture for the occasion.

    Rob Z Tobor

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  9. Already posted mine for Monday, will link up when the list appears.

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  10. I will work on my Reflections post today. As a first time AtoZer, I love this idea! Congrats to everyone! :-)

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  11. I can't get the survivor badge onto my Blogger sidebar. Can anyone help? I selected an 'image' gadget and copied the banner URL, but it doesn't register.

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    Replies
    1. Try saving the image into your computer files and then downloading it when you set up the Image gadget.

      Arlee Bird
      A to Z Challenge Co-host
      Join us on May 4 with your post of Reflections about this year's A to Z.
      Tossing It Out

      Delete
  12. Hello there.
    Ooh...I think I can muster up enough energy for one more AtoZ post...off to reflect now!

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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  13. I'll write my reflections post over the weekend. This was my first challenge so I need a looooong nap before I can collect my thoughts lol

    Thanks for the survivor badge, but when I include it on my blog, it comes out long and skinny, rather than square like the original badges. I liked square better. Any chance of a square survivor badge?

    Thanks

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  14. Thank you to all the organizers. This was my second year and I added a theme; it worked well. In 2014, I had no idea of what I was doing so it was just a 'mish mash'. I just need to discipline myself for 2016 to prepare even more in advance.
    @dino0726 from 
    FictionZeal - Impartial, Straighforward Fiction Book Reviews

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  15. Thanks to all who helped put it together and to all the blogs that participated! It was a great challenge!

    betty

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  16. Thank you to all who visited Intangible Hearts.

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  17. what? its over? nooooooo!!

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  18. Whoops... I posted mine already... I didn't know about the tradition (newbie -.-) lol

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    Replies
    1. Now is fine to post. Just remember to add the link to your post to the Linky List when it appears on Monday May 4th.

      Arlee Bird
      A to Z Challenge Co-host
      Join us on May 4 with your post of Reflections about this year's A to Z.
      Tossing It Out

      Delete
  19. This was my first A to Z but it won't be my last - I will be reflecting on Monday about just how much I enjoyed doing this I haven't felt this energized about blogging in a long time. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  20. This was a good challenge for me. I am glad I did it. Can't wait till next year.

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  21. I had a great challenge and have my reflection post up already. =)

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  22. Nice badge. I'll post it in my sidebar! This was my most fun challenge.

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  23. glad to see a wrap up.
    what a fun A to Z month.

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  24. We will be joining in the reflections. We have enjoyed A to Z 2015, as we did 2014. Thank you to all those who have made it be and helped it become so awesome. Well done!

    sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com

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  25. A-Z challenge finally over! Was a great experience. I'd also prefer a square or even rectangular badge for my blog. Any chance I can get that? Also, how does one create a badge?

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  26. A-Z challenge finally over! Was a great experience. I'd also prefer a square or even rectangular badge for my blog. Any chance I can get that? Also, how does one create a badge?

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  27. Another challenge done. Yah.

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  28. Wow! the month flew by! I just posted my reflections piece.

    Can't wait to start on next year's posts. I have such a funky theme!

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  29. I really enjoyed doing this challenge. It was my first year. Congrats to everyone!

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  30. Hi Lee - well done to all .. helpers, hosts and organisers ... let alone the 1800 bloggers. It's always fun and a great way to meet fellow bloggers ... thanks to you ... cheers Hilary

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