#atozchallenge: Sunday Summary March 4, 2012

Your A to Z Challenge promo posts are appearing all over the place and now it's getting difficult to keep up with all of them.  I'm sure we'll miss some of them, but please bear with us as we love them all and appreciate every mention that we get.

We tried our best to get to 1000 sign-ups this past week.  With your help we can still make it.   By April 1st I hope to see at least 1500.  Keep encouraging everyone you know to join us.

Don't forget about the A to Z Video contest.  We haven't had any submissions in the past week and we'd love to see a few more before next Sunday's closing date.  The video doesn't have to be professional or anything elaborate, just you and something you want to say about the A to Z April Challenge.

Here are some of the special posts we came across this week:

Jessica at Visions of Other Worlds is in a quandary about how best to approach the Challenge.  She even offers a poll for those who want to help her decide.

I believe the announcement on ReAhkemiH's fullishness in its fool blog was in Portuguese, but her final sentence assured readers that her Challenge entries will be in English.  A to Z is a worldwide event!

Jennifer Wells declared her love of a good challenge and exhorts her readers to sign up for A to Z in April.

Overcrowded Book Shelves blog makes an April Challenge debut in 2012. Can anyone help her with the letter "z"?

Back for her second year, Miriam joins in Jenny Pearson's A to Z Tag questions on her blog An' de walls came tumblin' down.  She found the questions on the blog Wake up, eat, write, sleep where Annalisa Crawford also answered the questions.

Teresa at Jounaling Woman has been posting about the A to Z Challenge with some regularity now including this Open Letter.   Hang in there Teresa--chocolate marshmallow eggs are the best cure-all for all that ails you.

Sarah Allen at No Write No Wrong is back for a second year and she tells how she's ready to go.  She'd like to hit the 200 follower mark and as I write this she needs 74 more to make it. Maybe you can help her out right now by visiting her blog and clicking the "Friend Connect" button.  Maybe you'll get a new follower as well (that's usually the way it works you know).

Julie at Empty Nest Insider recalls how last year's Challenge got her fired up.  She's looking forward to the 2012 Challenge.

Yadin Bromberg is making lemonade:  Main ingredient the A to Z Challenge.  That's the way my blog friend!

Lucy Jane is at her Writing Desk and geared up to go in April.   She's in for a second year.

Theres Just Life has joined the A to Z party and is crazy about the Challenge.

Sylvia at Writing in Wonderland is returning to the Challenge and offers some good reasons why others should be a part of this great blogging event.

Then there was inspirenordic who passed on an award with a "join the A to Z Challenge" stipulation.  We condone bribery in this case.

Kelly at Kelly Said... said that she was accepting the Challenge so said Kelly at Kelly Said...  Now say that quickly three times.

Thank you Jennifer Fischetto for the mention.  Also Cynthia at Read Is the New Black, and Tambo Writes.


Tracy at A2ZMommy gave us a great shout-out in her post.  Thanks, Tracy!


I leave with a video idea offered by Nicole from Madlab Post :

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Tina's Project: Until They Have Faces

When do you get to call yourself a writer? My tagline at Life is Good says, “wanna be writer”. I've had readers leave comments to the effect of, “You are a writer! Don't be so hard on yourself!” It is true that I've been writing my whole life, because it's been an important life goal to write a novel. I have confidence I'll reach that goal one day.  Meanwhile, I'm sharing my first by-line.

I've been blogging for a while now, and am enjoying this world immensely. The community that we build and the support we give each other is incredible. For example, I'm getting the chance to borrow this blog to tell you about this project!

I wrote a piece for a coffee table book called, “Until They Have Faces.” It's a fundraiser for the joint benefit of The Bridge House in Boulder, CO, and BOHO:Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow, which are both organizations that minister to the homeless community. All the work to produce the book was done by volunteers. The photographer took professional portraits of each subject. Lights, camera, smile, the whole thing. He used the setting each was most comfortable with. Some were taken to his studio, others shot “on location” The goal was to give them a face, and a voice as the writers turned interviews into word portraits.

It took a lot more volunteers than just those taking pictures and writing words. The editing, book design, lay-out, proof-reading and other such tasks were also donated to the project by professionals willing to help. I'm honored to be part of such an endeavor.

If you'd like to learn more about this project, you can visit the photographer's blog dedicated to this project: Faces For The Homeless. You can also can learn more at the blog, BOHO: Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow. This particular post I'm sending you to is from November, but I thought it gave the most info in a short read.

I'm very pleased to say that 100% of the sale price of the book goes to BOHO and The Bridge House. I'm thinking these books will sell quickly since Boulder, CO, is a very active community working creatively to serve the homeless population. The book is meant to open eyes and break down stereotypes. I can't wait to see the finished product at the reception/dedication tonight!

Tina @ Life is Good

#atozchallenge: Write What You Love says Guest Lynn Rush

         Our guest today is Lynn Rush who blogs at Catch the Rush.  The 2012 Challenge will be a first for her but she's ready to go.  In this post she explains her strategy.

Hey there, everyone. Lynn Rush here.

I’ve never participated in an A to Z challenge, but I tell ya, it sounds SUPER FUN!

When I saw a blogging/writing friend of mine participate in this last year, I was like, “Holy Cow, how do they think of something to write every day like that?”

That was back when I was posting only four to five days a week, and the thought of adding a couple of days kind of freaked me out.

But deep down, it must have inspired me, because I started posting daily shortly after.  

I’m often asked how I think of topics for blogging seven days a week. The main thing is: Themes.

I have Movie Quotes, This Writer’s Journey, Throwback Thursday, Photos (sunsets, angels, etc) and we occasionally do a Debate This discussion and Cinema Sound Off. The rest of the days I just do whatever comes to mind.

So, when I decided to jump into the A to Z blog adventure, I decided I’d do something with music. Besides movies, music is WAY up there on the scale of things that motivate & inspire me, so what better topic to blog about?

Writing about things I love is fun. I think that’s really important, because if not, then blogging is more like a chore than an exciting, interactive adventure with your readers.

Now, I have to admit, I might sneak in a few non-music related posts since my next novel is releasing May 1^st (I kind of need to mention that, right? LOL) but other than that, I’m stoked to write about music each and every day of this awesome blog event. I’ve even started finding musicians to feature.

X and Z…those will be a bit challenging, but I already have a few ideas! **LOL**

What are some of the things you guys are thinking of writing about during your A to Z adventure?

 


         Lynn Rush's newest book Awaited will be released in May 2012.  For more information be sure to visit Lynn's site.  

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Getting to Know the #atozchallenge Hosts- Damyanti

One of the things I hate doing the most is talking about myself---I never respond to tags in memes. I'm happiest asking questions, not answering them. I'm not the most interesting of people, (nor very lovable, some would say, lol)--I'd rather people read my fiction than my autobiography.

Not that anyone has forced me to be part of this "Introduce the hosts" series...but I thought I must make some changes in my attitude towards talking about myself, so here goes! My responses are going to be...brief.




Name: Damyanti Biswas
Blog: Amlokiblogs
Twitter :@damyantig
Publications: Various Stories

GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS

1. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Gone white water rafting when I couldn't swim.


2. What is your favorite article of clothing? 
My denims 

3. What is your favorite monster? 
Hannibal Lecter

4. If you had to dress up as your favorite literary character, who would it be? 
 Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm way too old though.
 
5. What is your favorite fairy tale, urban legend or nursery rhyme?
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star--those were my first words in English.

 
6. What is a cause near and dear to your heart?  
Taking care of our environment. 
 
7. What's the strangest item you've used as a bookmark?
A toothbrush 

 
8. Name one habit you want to change in yourself: 
 Procrastination


SOME A-to-Z QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite A-to-Z post from 2011?
This  was on of the first posts I visited, and haven't forgotten it--the author got married on that day:

A is for April 1st 
 
2. What brought you to the A-to-Z originally?  Tell us about your first A-to-Z
I signed up at random last year, without much thought. I was the 15th participant. I forgot all about it till I heard some A to Z buzz at the end of March. By then it was too late to withdraw, so I just jumped in.

3. Are you doing a theme?
I wrote flash fiction last year, which I then collected into an e-book, A to Z Stories of Life and Death . This year, I'm doing fiction again, based on prompts from readers.

Please drop me some prompts in the comments on this post (am desperate, cos I need a whole bunch to choose from!). Of course, when I post each prompt during April, I'll link to you and explain why I chose it. You may also mail me the pictures and story prompts at atozstories at gmail dot com.You need not be participating in the A to Z Challenge to challenge me with either a story starter, or a picture, or both. The more the merrier! 

Here's an example of the sort of stories I intend to do: You must not use scissors to cut out hearts

4. Are you writing & scheduling posts in advance?
As co-host, I intend to visit as many blogs as possible this year, so yes, I'll be scheduling at least some of the posts.
 
5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet, and why?  What letter do you like least?
I like A a whole lot. It talks of beginnings. I hate X-- I can never relate to it, and it seems like a big cross-out, a negation of everything. 

 

Getting to Know The Co-hosts: All About Tina

WARNING: I'm not known for short posts or one-word answers.  If you make it through this whole post, I PROMISE that the rest of mine will be very brief.  I was just having too much fun with this one.

10 GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS

1. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?

Hard to say...Depends on whether you're talking about daring on purpose or daring by accident because I'm an idiot rather frequently. I have stories for both categories. The most recent dare-devil (of the non-planned variety) stunt, that I didn't know was daring until I realized my predicament, was when I, in extreme desperation, climbed over what I thought was a one foot rock wall, but instead was an ice cliff, and at the bottom of which was a mostly frozen creek full of boulders and sharp rocks. Obviously I survived, but it was truly frightening. As to what drove me to do such a dumb thing in the first place will have to wait for the post I now realize I need to write. It will fit well into my semi-regular series of embarrassing story posts.

 2. What is your favorite article of clothing?

I'm a uniform girl as I've mentioned before. T-shirt and jeans. Or t-shirt and jeans shorts. In the winter, tank top under long-sleeved v-neck Old Navy shirt. I have seven black tank tops, and six v-necks in (gasp!) actual colors. Ok, one is black, but the others are turquoise, brown, grey, pink, and light blue. If I had to pick just ONE article though, I'd have to say my light blue v-neck. It's the one I reach for first. I also love my “diva” style Old Navy jeans.

3. What is your favorite monster?

The Super 8 Monster. My family loves JJ Abrams. I've seen every episode of Lost, and his Star Trek too many times to count. Super 8 is a fantastic movie, and I love the great surprises. Rent it! I watched it three times in 24 hours. I was also on bed-rest, but “normal” people might do that, too.

4. If you had to dress up as your favorite literary character, who would it be?

Eve Dallas of JD Robb's ...in Death series. These are great murder mysteries that take place starting in 2059, New York City. She's written 36 of these. Each book features a new crime, but over the course of the series, we get to know her co-workers and friends, and the lovers.  Very good sex descriptions, so if you're a PG person, skip those.  They are R.  Eve is tall, lean, kicks-ASS and always gets her perp. I'd wear her tear-drop 6 carat diamond pendant and her long, black, leather coat. (And I suppose jeans and a t-shirt). It would be fun to trade in my short and sturdy for her tall and strong.

5. What is your favorite fairy tale, urban legend or nursery rhyme?

Hoodwinked, based on Little Red Riding Hood is my favorite kids movie ever. We know it by heart, but it never gets old. I mean, where else would you find a snowboarding grandma and a sleazy reporter wolf?  Here's an even better endorsement.  The Engineer aka my husband watches movies once.  "I know what happens."  He's watched this at least 10 times, and if he finds a friend who hasn't seen it, they have to come over and watch it with us.

6. What is a cause near and dear to your heart?

American Lung Association.  "When you can't breathe, nothing else matters."  Both my boys and I have asthma.  Jake's is categorized as severe, and he's had to see pediatric pulmonary specialists all his life.  YellowBoy was diagnosed a month ago.  His has developed over time as a result of really severe "common" allergies.  I got mine after whooping cough (in 2010).

7. What's the strangest item you've used as a bookmark?

When out camping, and reading outdoors, I often get too hot and shed a layer. If I need to put my book down, I put one of the sleeves in the book.

8. Do you have any nicknames?  What are they and how did you earn them?

Yes, lots. Too many to list though, as The Engineer makes new ones each day, and they make no sense. Pizzalatukit, for example. My kids have been calling me Momster while I've been on prednisone. Nasty side-effects and a very appropriate nickname.  My Best calls me T.  So if you get an email from me and I sign it just T., that means I like you and consider you a friend.  (I'll give you some time to go check your emails...let me know when you're back.)

9. Name one habit you want to change in yourself.

I make piles. Piles upon piles of my crap instead of putting it away. My excuse for not putting it away is that there isn't a free spot to put it because of course I fill all my drawers with crap, too. If you could see my dining room table right now...well, you see what I mean. If I were brave enough to post a picture. Which I'm not.

10. Tell us something interesting or shocking about yourself.

I spent 9 years in gymnastics, and am still, at the ripe old age of 46, extremely flexible. I can still do the splits all three ways!  There are practicing gymnasts  who aren't as flexible.  It was my one "talent" when it came to gymnastics.  The rest was pure stubbornness! When I was a teacher and track coach, which was 1988-1996, I could still do aerials (cart-wheels with no hands, pretty sure you could dig one up on YouTube, but I  did it for you, and I'm glad because there were a lot out there that showed poor form.  This video of an aerial is good.)  If you want to read more about me and gymnastics, read these posts. N is for Never Give Up and Careless Words.

SOME A-to-Z QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite A-to-Z post from 2011?

I guess I'd have to say my own U ~ Unveiling post. If you have time to read it, you'll know why the post is a big deal.

2. What brought you to the A-to-Z originally?  Tell us about your first A-to-Z.

I met Rayna of Coffee Rings Everywhere and Snapshots of Bombay through a common, weekly blog party called Alphabe-Thursday. I've been her follower ever since. I noticed at her blog that some guy Alex J. Cavanaugh ALWAYS commented there, and was first 99/100 times. So I checked him out, saw that he was promoting the challenge, and signed up. Of the 1282, my number was somewhere in the 100s. I finished the challenge, and then after the challenge, Shannon, also a co-host this year, and I created the Post-Challenge Challenge of visiting every single one of the 1282 blogs. We had over 200 hundred join us for that. Very exciting to get such a response to our idea.

3. Are you doing a theme?

Yes, I am. Didn't last year, but learned quickly that for me, it's the best way to approach the challenge. I'm half Swedish, so my April is going to be called Postscripts from Sweden. You'll learn 29 Swedish words – they have three extra vowels. Don't worry though, the posts will be written in English ;-)

4. Are you writing & scheduling posts in advance?

Going to try. As a co-host my role is to visit as many bloggers as humanly possible, so having my duckies all row-ed up would be helpful. I'm just not finding a lot of time to do that though. Co-hosting duties are taking up a lot of my blogging time, and I'm LOVING that crazy-busy feeling. Just doesn't leave a lot of time to write.

5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet, and why?  What letter do you like least?

I've never really thought about it until one of the co-hosts (sorry, canNOT remember which one) put that poll up, over there in the sidebar. I voted, but can't remember what I voted for. Do I sound brainless? It's because I am. I'm still on some heavy-duty meds that aren't helping that cause, but only for three more days. Looking forward to having my brain back...I'm really missing it.

I hope I didn't bore you to death. I'm really working on that whole “brevity” advice from DL, another co-host. Just not there yet.  Don't forget, you are welcome, even encouraged, to ask any additional questions you might have in the comments section.  Or feel free to answer the questions yourself!  We'd love to get to know you too!

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge