The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Reflections Post 2014 #atozchallenge

The A to Z Reflections Post is a post presented on your own blog site giving the A to Z Team, the other Challenge participants, and any other readers your thoughts about this year's April Challenge.

We are looking for feedback about the Challenge. Tell us what you liked and didn't like, what worked and what didn't. If you have suggestions about making future A to Z Challenges better, this is a good time to let us know. You can highlight other bloggers who you felt did an outstanding job or direct us to specific posts that particularly impressed you or that you found to be very helpful.

In other words, we want to know how the A to Z Team did and how the Challenge worked for you. If you'd do it again, tell us why. If you would never consider A to Z again, let us know what would make you feel that way.

Please put up your Reflections post between now and Friday, May 9. AFTER your post has gone live, add the link to the Linky List. Enter the link that goes DIRECTLY to your Reflections post and not your general blog address. The list will be accessible for the remainder of this year. Be sure to grab the badge.

The list is intended for A to Z Reflections posts only. Any links to advertising sites or non-relevant posts will be removed from the list. General links added before you actually post will be removed. And remember that these posts will be directed to a diverse audience of varying ages and sensibilities so please respect others by refraining from posting obscene materials or hurtful attacks upon others. We want a productive interchange of ideas that can lead to positive innovation.

Add your link below AFTER you have posted your reflection post!

Easy Friday #atozchallenge

A Big Thanks!

      Hope everyone is catching up with some rest and relaxation after the conclusion of this fantastic A to Z Challenge of 2014.   It was a good one in my eyes and I wanted to take a moment to thank the incredible crew of co-hosts that we had this year.   So much creative input and active participation from everyone from this blog, to the Facebook page, to the Twitter Chats, and everything else that went on from the A to Z Team.   Be sure to stop by all of their blogs to give your gratitude.

         Here is the A to Z Team with their links:

Arlee Bird: Tossing it Out
Alex J. Cavanaugh: Alex J. Cavanaugh
Stephen Tremp: Author Stephen Tremp
Tina Downey: Life is Good
Damyanti Biswas: Amlokiblogs
Jeremy Hawkins: [Being Retro]
Nicole Ayers: The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim: M. J. Joachim's Writing Tips
Heather M. Gardner: The Waiting is the Hardest Part
AJ Lauer: Naturally Sweet
Pam Margolis: An Unconventional Librarian - 

         Also at the tab at the top labeled "Co-host Helpers and Assistants (2014)" you'll find the list of the folks who provided invaluable assistance in helping monitor the list and spreading goodwill throughout the blogs.  Be sure to visit these bloggers as well to show your appreciation.

Don't Forget Monday!

         Yes, this coming Monday May 5th  we'll open the list for you to add the link that goes directly to your A to Z Reflections Post.  This is the time when you let your thoughts about April be known and to make suggestions to make next year's Challenge better.  Some of these posts are already up and you can put yours up anytime between now and Friday May 9th when the Linky List will close.  Don't forget to add the link to your Reflections Post when the list opens on Monday.  

A Badge for You

        Most of all we want to thank you the participants.   The part you played in April was the real success of A to Z.   If you finished the 2014 A to Z Challenge be sure to grab the survivor badge to add to your own site.   And be watching the A to Z Blog for more post-Challenge news.  April may be over, but there's still more to come for A to Z.

Z-End! #atozchallenge

You did it!!

You have reached the end of the Challenge.

There may have been days when you struggled – keeping up with posts, keeping up with comments… But you made it.

Now it’s time to look back and reflect.

Did you accomplish your goals?

Did you post every day?

Did you make new friends?

Did you enjoy the Challenge?

Join us starting May 5 for the A to Z Challenge Reflections post.

We ask that you reflect on your experience and let us know what you enjoyed, what you could’ve done better, and where we can improve.

The Linky List will open May 5 – please enter your direct link AFTER you have posted your reflections.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Your participation is what makes this Challenge so special.

Y - You're Going to Make It! #atozchallenge

Y ou started off on an adventure

O utside your comfort zone, perhaps

U' ncharted territory

R  eluctant, maybe:What have I gotten myself into?

E  xcited though, of course



G  aining momentum

O  verjoyed with more visitors, and

I  nteresting new blogs to read

N  ew friends and followers

G  oing as fast as you could


T  owards your goal

O  nly onward


M  aking one step at a time

A  lmost done now!

K  nock it out of the park!

E  lation!


I  incredible

T  ime had by all!

If you've made it this far, as I said at "T", you're going all the way.  Be proud.  Stand tall.  Your Survivor Badge will be available tomorrow!

~Tina

X-cessive #blogging during the #AtoZChallenge ?

Now that we're near the end of the challenge, some of us might be exhausted, and with reason. It wasn't easy to do what we've done, otherwise it wouldn't be called a challenge!

You might be planning a blog hiatus, or at the least, more sleep.

X-hausted Copyrighted Susan Utley

Well, while a little more rest might be in order, if you truly want to reap the benefits of the challenge, make sure you make a few blogging changes:

1. Try and stay in touch with the new bloggy friends you made.
2. Blog at least once a week, and more if you can.
3. Pre-schedule at least some of your posts so you have more time to visit.
4. Visit 10 blogs a day, a few of them your regular friends, and some new ones.
5. Consider making guest posts on this AZ blog to promote a cause or your book or product.

So yes, after x-cessive, x-hausting blogging, we recommend more x-hilirating blogging, only at an easier pace. Stay tuned to hear more about the A to Z Post Challenge Road Trip.

A to Z Post Challenge Road Trip.

A to Z Post Challenge Road Trip.

And do not forget to make your Reflections Post-- the linky will be open on 5th May on this blog! Link your Reflections post on this linky, and NOT your blog.

Your posts would help us cohosts learn what to do better next year, and you might learn from each others' experiences!