So... what exactly is a Storyteller?

Did you know that a total of ten professional storytellers participated in the A to Z Challenge this year? That's like, nine more than last year. I know, because I am one of them. Also, I compiled a list of their blogs so you can go and check them out for yourself.
The A to Z challenge is all about stories. Written stories. Musical stories. Old stories. New stories. Fantasy stories. Romantic stories. Stories in pictures. Histories. As people of the word, we are all too familiar with the idea of story.
So, what am I doing here exactly with a title like that?

Let me introduce myself first. I am your friendly neighborhood A to Z minion, one of the Seven Ladies of #TeamDamyanti. My name is Csenge, I am originally from Hungary, and I am a professional storyteller. I go to schools, libraries, festivals, museums and other interesting places, and I tell stories for a living. On stage. By heart. From memory. I travel around the world, I collect new tales wherever I go, and I bring them home to my audiences.
(Okay, so maybe I hoard them like a squirrel. So what? Squirrels are cute.)
 I mostly work with folktales, fairy tales, myths, legends and epics (lots of epics). I am crazy about old stories, long stories, heroes, adventures, and imaginary places. I also tell and translate a lot of Hungarian folktales into English for international audiences.
I decided to use my time in the A to Z spotlight to talk about some of these tales, what we can do with them as storytellers, and why they are important. I am going to post every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, and talk about a special topic within storytelling. Today's post was only meant to be an introduction, so without any further ado, I'll announce the next theme right now:

Ladies and Gentlemen, mark your calendars and check your blog feeds, because on Wednesday, May 21st, the A to Z Blog will be taken over by...
TRICKSTERS!!!
from all around the world.

In the meantime, if you are interested in stories, you can check out my latest book, Tales of Superhuman Powers. It is a collection of 55 folktales and legends with superpowers in them - everything from telekinesis to laser eye beams (yeah, really). It started out as a bet to see if I could find at least one traditional story for every superpower on my list. The book includes four categories (physical, mental, elemental, and transitional), and 61 individual powers. It was the most fun I have ever had with research (I mentioned some of the tales in my A to Z posts both this year and last year).
If you ever wanted to be the coolest person in a room full of teenagers, I strongly suggest take a look at some of these stories.

Also, feel free to visit either one of my two blogs:

The Multicolored Diary - Adventures in storytelling. This April I filled it with folktales and fairy tales about colors, from the Azure Lion to Zaffre and Alchemy.

MopDog - The crazy thing about Hungarians... On this blog I post weird and amusing things from Hungarian culture and history. This year's A to Z ran from the Aggressive Piglet all the way to Zanzibar music. Also, the blog features a lot of gifs about puli dogs. You have been warned.

You can follow me on Twitter under the handle @TarkabarkaHolgy

Who's Ready for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip? #atozchallenge

Who's ready for a more leisurely pace than that of April?  I am.  I think of April like Germany's Autobahn. Full speed ahead, look out! Blogger in the fast lane, get OUT OF MY WAY!  This trip, however, is a meandering journey through the list of participants, at your own pace, with your own rules, and very few expectations. Heather, Nicole and I (Tina) invite you to join us!

Tips for the road: you're in charge. Want to visit one new blog a day? Want to visit hundreds of blogs a day? No problem. You're driving. Unless you hitch a ride with a friend, which I think is a good idea. You might want to take turns driving, or playing the tunes. It's really just some friends hanging out and continuing visiting.

Some strategies you might want to try:

Visit all the blogs with your same category

Visit all the blogs whose names intrigue you

Visit all the even (or odd) blogs

Start from where you left off and keep on truckin'...

Whatever you do, don't forget that this trip is a journey, not a destination. Signing up on the linky doesn't mean you're committing to visiting ALL the blogs. All you're saying is, “I ain't done yet.” We'll have some encouraging rah rah posts along the way, and a chance for you to share your best “finds” along the road. Personally, I like those little Mom and Pop cafes that are off the beaten road, and the food is real and so is the atmosphere – so those cool but unknown blogs that need some customers!

Keep track of your finds, give us a holler if you run out of gas or need your tire changed. We're here as your guides – we've journeyed similar roads in the past! Good luck, and drive carefully.

~Tina @ Life is Good

I’m heading up the Road Trip

With A-to-Z Blogs on my mind

And Tina Downey’s with me

Plus Heather G. too, for a gnomy ol’ time.

In our rearview mirrors,

We’d like to see all of you on our Post-Challenge tracks.

The blogging skies couldn’t be any clearer.

So step on your gas pedal and don’t look back.

                                     That is…                                        

Until we tell you to pull over at our rest stops when they’re in sight!

Beep your horns if you’re hitting the road with us to visit those 2014 A-to-Z Challenge blogs that we missed in April!

My playlist for this year’s road trip is topped off with “Speed Demon” by Michael Jackson and “Cruz” by Christina Aguilera as a reminder that we can get our alphabet highway mileage in at whatever pace meets our driving preferences -- and the capacity of our gas tanks. 

~Nicole @ The Madlab Post

Roll down your windows, folks, it's gonna be a beautiful day! There's an empty highway on the horizon and I can't wait to see where it's heading!

I know I missed a TON of amazing blogs during this year's Challenge. We had over 2000 participants, of course I missed some, but now is an opportunity to hit the road and discover all the the blogs still out there, waiting to be found.

I'm in the back seat with Stormy the Weather Gnome. I've got two experienced drivers up front, Tina & Nicole, and they can't wait to get started.

For the Road Trip, Stormy and I are going to try to hit at least 20 blogs a week and tell you about a few of them in each of my posts.

That's the plan anyway, so put on some sunglasses, turn up the radio, set the cruise control, and let's get on the road!

Who's with us?

~Heather @ The Waiting is the Hardest Part

P.S As I was writing my first response comment below, I realized that I left someone out of this post.  I want to give huge props and recognition to him, and an invitation to all of you to visit an amazing blogger, Rob Z Tobor, who writes ...The Slightly Eccentric Diary of Rob Z Tobor...   He has already visited almost all the blogs.  I'm hoping he'll chime in here and let us know exactly how many.  I mean, you have to hit the road somewhere, right?  Chances are he's already visited you ;-)

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!

Woohoo!

We're almost there!

This is just a quick hello, we hope you're (still) having fun, and here's a little earworm for your Saturday. Give yourself a big WOOHOO for making it almost the whole way through the Challenge! We've said it a lot of times, but it bears repeating: we are SO glad you all decided to participate, and that you've stuck with us through this amazing month of A to Z madness.

Enjoy your well-earned day off tomorrow. Rest up and let's finish strong!

Woohoo!
~ the Co-Hosts

V is for Vietnam

Welcome to V day happy challengers! 

I'd like to be slightly serious for a moment and share a book title with you about the Vietnam War.  To be sure, war is not a kid subject but it provides a good opportunity for kids to study the reasons and the effects of war.  The problem is, though, that sometimes the subject matter is too intense for our little ones to handle.

I found a series, mostly aimed at the younger fellows, that brings the serious subject to a level they can understand.

Vietnam: I Pledge Allegiance by Chris Lynch

Few authors write about history and war and this is just the kind of stuff young guys like to read about. Read the blurb from Goodreads.com and see if you don't think your guy might like this:

Four best friends. Four ways to serve their country.

Morris, Rudi, Ivan, and Beck are best friends for life. So when one of the teens is drafted into the Vietnam War, the others sign up, too. Although they each serve in a different branch, they are fighting the war together--and they pledge to do all they can to come home together.

Haunted by dreams of violence and death, Morris makes it his personal mission to watch over his friends--and the best place to do that is in the US Navy. Stationed off the coast of Vietnam on the USS Boston, Morris and his fellow sailors provide crucial support to the troops on the ground.

But the Boston itself isn't safe from attack. And as Morris finds his courage and resolve tested like never before, he keeps coming back to a single thought.

He made a pledge. He must keep them safe.

What do you think? Sounds great right?  The only other author I know of that writes about this topic for the guys is Walter Dean Myers.

What do you think? Have you read anything by Chris Lynch or Walter Dean Myers?

~Pammy Pam, An Unconventional Librarian

Up, Up, and Away #atozchallenge

English: Hot air balloons, San Diego, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 




       So you're thinking that it's time to wind down with the blogging?  April has been grueling for some of you.   Some got stuck a ways back and linger on a letter from earlier in the alphabet.  But you who endured are ready to hang it up and give it a rest...

         Not so fast!  The A to Z jig may be up but now it's up, up, and away with better blogging!

          Do you feel like your blogging and writing has gotten better during the month of April?   I hope so because that's partly what the Challenge is all about.   Did your follower numbers go up?   They should have if you were networking like you should have.    Did your comments go up?  Again it's a matter of networking in the proper way.

          Bottom line is did you learn anything new in April?  About yourself or about blogging?   Or how about all of the great information presented in the participant posts?   There was a real wealth of learning experience to be had on all accounts.

          What's up next?   How about the Reflections Post coming up on Monday May 5th.  If you choose to participate in this event--and I encourage you to do so--on May 5th you can sign up your link to your post reflecting on your A to Z Challenge experience.  

           Tell us about how your April went.  Offer your suggestions for making the next Challenge better or just let us know what's so great about the way it is now.   You can link to your favorite posts on your own blog or those on other blogs.  Tell us about blog discoveries you made during the Challenge.  What you say is up to you.  It's your Reflections Post.

           Later you'll want to be watching this blog to hear about the A to Z Post Challenge Road Trip.   The Blogging from A to Z Challenge doesn't have to end at the beginning of May.  You can stay with the community for the rest of the year.   Stay tuned to this blog for more information.

             In fact you'll want to keep coming back to the A to Z Blog throughout the year for more updates, more useful blogging tips, and more fun.   We will be accepting proposals for guest posts as well.  See the contact page for information on how to reach us.

            Don't feel down because the April Challenge is almost over.   Keep looking up!   There's still more to come.

Related articles

• #atozchallenge: Reflections Post -- Home Again
• U for Upward and Forward in the #atozchallenge
• Very, Very Near to the End... ( #atozchallenge )
• A to Z reflections #atozchallenge

T ~ Take it One Day at a Time/Thank You Tina's Terrific Team!

At this point in the Challenge, it's the last few laps of the loooonnngggg race and your energy may be lagging.

Just take it one day at a time.  "OK, I can write one more post."  Then the next day, "OK, I can write one more post." 

I used to be a distance runner, which was a lot easier in cross-country where you had terrain and interesting things to look at, but in track when all you're doing is going around and around, you're tempted to quit.  Just put one foot in front of the other, and keep at it was my mantra.  I'd also sing Bruce Springsteen songs to myself...but that might not help you, specifically.        

Since we're on T, I'd also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Tina's Terrific Team for all their hard work and for helping me stay sane.  You ladies are TRULY TERRIFIC!                                                                                                                

Andrea @ Maybe It's Just Me

Hilary Melton-Butcher @ Positive letters...inspirational stories...

jenn @ QUIRKY PICKINGS

Jo @ Jo on Food, My Travels, and a Scent of Chocolate

JoJo @ Tahoma Beadworks and Photography

Kate @ Another Clean Slate

~Tina, tired but totally taking it one day at a time   

The Sweet Smell of Survival #atozchallenge

You're past the half-way point and can almost taste it.
Hints of an alphabet blogging victory are near.
Soon, you'll cheer for joy, sharing a proud moment with hundreds of other people from around the world who, like you, challenged themselves to blog everyday for 26 days...and finally made it.

Until that day comes, smell the progress in the air.
It takes a special kind of blogger to stay the course,
with the solace in knowing he or she is almost there.

Some of us have already experienced this sensation that's getting stronger day by day.

Others are curious about what it's like, so they have no plans for going astray.

It's called the sweet smell of survival.

Those who are watching from the sidelines may be curious about such an aroma, that which makes us unstoppable in this way.
Since we started and kept going, we owe it to ourselves to continue, and finish, for then we can reflect on all we've accomplished, come May.

Can YOU smell the nearby victory that the 2014 A-to-Z is cooking?

Will YOU be at the Survivor's Summit, on Wednesday, April 30th (The Final Lap of the 2014 #AtoZChallenge) and Monday, May 5th (The Day of Reflections for the 2014 #AtoZChallenge)?

ROAR into the #atozchallenge !

 When a lion roars in the savannah, it strikes fear into the heart of all that listen to its long drawn out grunts.

But AZers have a different kind of roar. Their roars call to people, help build community, and with each comment they leave in the savannah of blogland, they make new friends, share new joys, acquire new knowledge.

How is the A to Z Challenge treating you? Are you roaring through, or do you sense a flag in energies? Have you made new friends? New followers? Earned comments and appreciation?

If you feel low, go into a room, close all the doors and windows, and roar!

Let all the air and sound and tension rush out of you, and then, when you attack the screen and the list of blogs you need to visit, you'll find renewed energy!

Here's to roaring through the A to Z Challenge!

#atozchallenge - QUICK!!! Stormy has something to tell you!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this special announcement.

This is Stormy the Weather Gnome bringing you some important, real-time, genuine, hot-off-the-presses information.

After today...

...you only have 11 more posts to go!

You guys are doing great!

Don't give up!

You are almost there!

Keep moving forward!

You can do it!

This message was paid for by the

Friends to Elect

Stormy the Weather Gnome.

P post for Pam!

P is for Pam!

Welcome to P day! Naturally I had to choose my letter day to share my thoughts with you, right?  I'm so happy to be here today and I am thrilled to share a special book with you.  The book is called

P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia

What's important about this title is that the main characters are children of color, which children's literature is still sorely lacking.  The author, Williams-Garcia, is an award winning author and one that I'm thrilled to share with you today.  P.S. Be Eleven is the sequel to One Crazy Summer which describes the events of three young sisters who visit their estranged mother in California.  Their mother is part of a radical activist group and leads a life very different from the one they are accustomed to living in Brooklyn with their father and grandmother. 

As if that glimpse into life in the African American community in the 1960s isn't interesting enough, P.S. Be Eleven continues the story as the girls return to Brooklyn with a new found independence. Aside from the usual struggles of being sisters and starting school, family dynamics and change and the girls witness a relative return from Vietnam and the damage that the conflict has inflicted on him.  

I remember being eleven years old. Barely.  It's supposed to be a time of discovery and fun. I can't think of a better book to share with you on my name day!

Have you read any of Williams-Garcia's books? Do you have a book that starts with P?

Pam, An Unconventional Librarian

The A – Z Challenge Obsession

Only 11 more post to originate. 

Outstanding! You’re not overwhelmed.
On that obtuse observation,
Objectively speaking,
The A – Z Challenge obsession
Can never be outdone!

Thanks so much for joining us this year!
Your A – Z Co-Host Team is giving you a standing ovation!

©2014 All Rights Reserved

Photo credit:  Jeremy Hawkins, A - Z Co-Host

Not giving up on the #AtoZChallenge

We're in the third week of the A to Z Challenge, and some of us are, understandably, exhausted. I know I am.

But that does not mean we shall give up.

We shall march on ahead, visit more blogs, comment on new blogs, reply to comments we have received, return those comments.

Well, maybe not all of them all the time, but you get my drift.

Go forth and multiply the comments and blog-friends, and at the end of April, you shall be glad you did it.

Here's to NOT GIVING UP ON THE A TO Z CHALLENGE!

May The Force Be With You! #atozchallenge

It's official.  Today marks Day 13 of 26 for the A-Z Challenge.  We are half-way, and I would venture to guess that if you're still reading this, then you haven't given up, and are in this thing for the duration.

KUDOS to you!  It's not easy.  There's a lot to balance, a lot of blogs to visit, and (we hope) a lot of comments to return because you've been out there spreading The Force of your amazing participation!

So here's my advice for the day.  Use The Force, Luke.  Clear your mind of all distractions.  Focus on your objective.  Let The Force guide you.

Not a Star Wars fan?  That's OK.  We can still be friends.  What I'm talking about is letting the collective energy generated by thousands of bloggers still at this give you energy, and purpose, and stamina, and drive to see it through.  Don't try to go it alone.

If you're feeling like quitting, contact a blogging buddy, a co-host, a minion (boy do we love our minions!) and reach out for help.  Some of you remember Leia's plea, "Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope!" Send a distress signal to a friend.

You CAN do it.  You've made it this far.  It's not J any more, but I'm also quite fond of the movie "Finding Nemo", so even though it doesn't fit alphabetically here, I will also say, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

One day at a time, one post at a time.  The Force, and this community, will be with you.

~Tina, fond of quoting movies, and ready to give you a pep talk if you need one.  See contact tab for my email.

Look at me! Look at me! #atozchallenge

        I hope everyone's raising a lot of "L" today!

---Arlee Bird





The "Look At Me Syndrome"

      There are a lot of things we do to call attention to ourselves.  The clothes we wear, the cars we drive, or the way we might talk loudly on our cell phones when we're in public.   Often we might deny that we're doing something to get others to notice us.  "I'm doing this or wearing this or whatever because I like it--it's something I'm doing to please me".

       Okay, believe that if you want to, but if you're putting it out there for all the world to see there is some desire to show off what you like or what you feel like or whatever it is that the inner you is itching to make known to others.

        This is especially true with blogging.   How many times have you heard a blogger say "I don't care how many followers or comments I have, I'm blogging for myself"?     Thank goodness I don't hear this too often, but it's been often enough to make me roll my eyes in wonderment.   If this is the case why aren't those blogs private?   When you put up a public blog, no matter what you say, there's a part of you that wants someone else to read it.   Each post says "look at me!".

         Even more so this is true for you who have signed up for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  You've got your blog on a list and you're waiting for someone to click your link, visit your blog, and leave you a comment.

   How to Get Noticed

          Feel like you're getting ignored?   Not getting the number of visits you expected during this Challenge?

          Let me lay it straight to you.   That list is a lot of blogs and it's easy not to stand out on the list so don't count on your just being on the list to get you regular visits  There are other ways to boost the numbers that come to your blog and to receive more comments.

•  Post good content -- if you hook your audience with something they like you're more likely to get repeat visits.   If you're not getting those repeat visits then maybe you should reexamine your content and try a different approach.
• Use intriguing titles-- The post starts with the title.  Many times that's the most important thing that draws visitors.  
• Include fascinating images-- Pictures catch the eye before the words do.  Even if your focus is on the writing, a related image can cause the visitor to pause long enough to read what you've written.
• Advertise on social media-- There are many places you can share your blog links with others.  Find the ones that work best for you and let others know when you've put up a new post.
• Link to other blogs in your posts--tell your readers about other blogs that you find to be interesting. You'll help those bloggers and will usually in turn draw some attention back to your own blog.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY!!--Visit other blogs, follow them, and leave a comment.  If you leave a good comment that pertains to what they've written then you will stand out more to that blogger and to visitors on that blog who read the comments.  Leaving a comment will typically result in a reciprocal visit from the blog where you left the comment and can lead to an ongoing blogger relationship that can last long after the A to Z Challenge has ended. 

          Don't try to kid any of us.  If you're on the list and your blog is open to the public, you want to be noticed.  There's nothing wrong with saying, "Look it me!" if there's something worth looking at.

Look At Yvonne Lewis!

        Here's a bit of A to Z Challenge history for you.   When I put out my Challenge to bloggers in 2010 to blog with me from A to Z, the first person to take the challenge was poetry blogger Yvonne Lewis who blogs at Welcome to My World of Verse.   She's been a dear friend ever since.

        She's back again for this year's Challenge so I hope you'll visit her and while you're there join as one of her followers.  She's had some blog problems but hopefully this new one is here to say.  She's got some wonderful A to Z entries again this year.

          And just in time for April Yvonne Lewis has released her third volume of poetry.  The book is Moments of My Life and distribution rights are in the works.    I'm particularly stoked about this release because I'm on the cover!   That's me with Yvonne at the bottom of the cover.  Plus I've written a few words about Yvonne in the book's Introduction.  Wow, it's so cool to be sharing the stage with this poet whom I've admired for so long.  Show Yvonne some support and order her book.  Wouldn't it be cool to see an A to Z blogger in the Top Ten of poetry books on Amazon!

       
 

 


      What is your best method of drawing attention to your blog posts?    What do you see as the biggest mistake that bloggers make that causes them not to be visited often enough?     Besides blogging what are some of the things you do that say "Look at me!"?   

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Keeping up with the Kissing Method #atozchallenge

You don't have to speed up your daily posting frequency to get more followers,
You don't need to use multiple letters to be clever,
Ain't no particular blogging style we favor among participants,
We just want you to finish the challenge with us by following this:

Keep

It

Simply 

Sequential

One letter a day keeps the A-to-Z Challenge minions at bay.
One letter a day keeps your blog on schedule with our 2014 alphabet partay.
It only takes one letter a day....except on Sundays.
Then and only then (on Sundays) will we have off for good behavior and can go out, or stay inside to play!

What are YOUR favorite topics for Letter K that YOU read about while visiting A-to-Z blogs on the list today?

#atozchallenge - Just a little comic relief!

J is for Just a little comic relief!

Hello, Blogging from A to Z April Challenge peeps! It's day 10, or something, and we know everyone can get a little tired by the end of the week. 

Here are a few funnies to help put a smile on your face and get you through the rest of the day! 

Gnome: Doctor, Doctor! I keep seeing pink and green spots in front of my eyes!
Doctor: Good gracious! Have you seen an optician?
Gnome: No, just pink and green spots!
Doctor: I mean, have you ever had your eyes checked?
Gnome: No, they've always been blue! 

 To Gnome me is to love me!

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
A gnome, I can't reach the doorbell! 

 

 

Did you hear about the gnome who joined a nudist colony?

After two weeks he was asked to leave because he kept poking his nose into everybody’s business.

Have a great J day!

Stormy.