A Challenge Report from Jenny Pearson

         Jenny Pearson from Pearson Report was a first-timer in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge in 2011, but I can assure you that won't be her last time.   She'll be back!

A-Z Challenge Aftermath and Interview

AHH…so this is what life looks like after the April A-Z Challenge!

Blue SkyWarmthDelicate Floral FragrancesBirds Chirping

Hey...is it Spring?

WOW! Where did the time go…

The following interview will summarize my experience with this writing challenge and the impact it has had on my existence.

HRH: So, Jenny...what made you want to enter a writing challenge in the first place?

JP: Well, ever the glutton for punishment I figured what the heck let’s see how much more I can pile on my already over burdened shoulders before I break.

HRH: Really, that’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?

JP: Look who's talking about drama! But, generally speaking, it's how I do things. You’ve heard the saying, “If you want something done, give it to the busiest person.” Well, as busy as I was I just wanted to give this a try and see what happened.
Besides, I love being challenged. 

HRH: Well, I see from reading your posts, for this challenge, that you seemed to have a theme going on?

JP: Bright little light aren’t you?

I started off with every intention of enlightening my 55 Followers about my work world; but I soon realized even I didn’t find it that exciting and trying to fill twenty-six letters with my career would be a stretch at best, and torturous for my 55 loyal, devoted, amazing and awesome Followers.

HRH: You seem a bit stuck on the number of Followers you have.

JP: Look, you may not know this, being all cooped up in a castle and all, but Followers are the cornerstone that hold this whole blogging world together. So, yeah, I’m stoked that I’ve got 55 Followers. 
You know, when I started this A-Z Challenge on April 2nd, I had 26  Followers - yeah, that’s right 26, don’t look so stunned.

HRH: WOW! Gee...that’s pretty amazing. You’ve gained 29 new Followers...WOW!

JP: You’re not very good at this interviewing thing...haven’t you ever talked with someone that had fantastic stuff happen to them. Like, am I the first person you’ve ever interviewed?

HRH: Ah...well...kinda’...they don’t let me out much, you know, to mingle with the commoners, so it’s a little hard to know exactly what to talk about.
But, I think it’s really cool that you have doubled your Followers because of this challenge.

JP: It true, getting this kind of exposure with like minded bloggers, all wanting to be seen and read, is pretty gratifying. The folks that put this together are an impressive bunch as well. 

HRH: And who might these folks be?

JP: Your getting better at this, feeling more comfortable with the questions, eh? 
Here, I’ll give you the list of the hosts and maybe you can work it into your article.

Arlee Bird's Tossing It Out 
Jeffrey Beesler's World of the Scribe 
Alex J. Cavanaugh Alex J. Cavanaugh 
Jen Daiker's Unedited 
Candace Ganger's The Misadventures in Candyland 
Karen J Gowen Coming Down the Mountain 
Talli Roland Talli Roland 
Stephen Tremp's Breakthrough Blogs 

HRH: Pretty impressive list - I’ll have to check them out, during tea!

JP: You do that...and tell them Jenny sent you! Oh, and while you’re at it check out the very long list of excellent bloggers that entered this challenge.

HRH: Have you been to visit all of them?

JP: I’ve been too busy walking on water! What, do I look like a miracle worker to you? Really, give your head a shake there were over 1200 blogs on the list. 
Okay, okay...truth is I am making my way through the list and because I finish what I start I will get to all of them come hell or high water.

HRH: So, what do you think is next, now that this is over?

JP: You know that tall drink of water I was talking to you about, back in March...the one with that fast car? Well, I’m going to take him for a spin!

HRH: Be careful, there are lots of roadblocks out there and you may have to take a detour en route to where ever it is you are going.

JP: That’s half the fun, not knowing what’s around the next bend.

HRH: Thanks Jenny, for sharing your feelings with us about this challenge. Is there anything else you wish to say to the millions of readers that will see this article?

JP: If you already Follow - thanks. 

But, if you are one of the folks that leaves a COMMENT you are truly the icing on my cake! You are the SWEET stuff - the YUMMY part of this whole experience. 
You - dear commenter make this all worthwhile!

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY! HUG YOURSELF AND BE HAPPY.

I KNOW I AM!

Cheers, Jenny

          Thanks Jenny and we look forward to another great Challenge in 2012.  I know you're ready.

What's This A-Z Blogging Challenge I Keep Hearing About? a guest spot from author Elizabeth Mueller

         Today we're happy to have the multi-talented Elizabeth Mueller join us to answer a few questions and offer a few tips about doing a Challenge like Blogging from A to Z.   After last year's Challenge Elizabeth created the whimsical "I Survived the 2011 A-Z Blogging Challenge Award" which we see on so many sites.  Then she proceeded to visit all of the challenge participants to tell them about it.  Wow! Talk about dedication.        

So, what's with this A-Z Blogging Challenge I keep hearing about?

It's where you post something every day of the week starting with the first assigned letter--there will be 26 posts, one for every letter of the alphabet but for weekends.

What you say--26 posts in one month? Are you nuts?

Well, the first time I ever heard of this challenge, I was overwhelmed and declined. The second time, which was this past April, I decided to accept.

I'd have to says it was one of the most funnest experiences I've ever had in the blogging world.

How, you ask?

Well, first of all, I learned a very important skill and it is this: how to write short, but catchy posts. I've earned 3 important things in this challenge: more friends, skills in writing condensive versions, and speed!

Is posting 26 days in a month worth all that?

YES!

Joining this challenge was like being a part of a huge family. Everyone greeted my blog with such warmth and happiness, it lured me to visit everyone's. I was so touched by the camaraderie, I couldn't resist the idea of creating a badge for everyone!

So now my question to you is, are you game?

-- 

Elizabeth Mueller award winning author

YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell

Ca

n Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?

smashwords

Amazon Kindle & paperback

signed copy 

             Thank you Elizabeth for that persuasive pitch.  If I weren't already planning to do the Challenge, I would be after reading that!

                                

Related articles

• Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Blog (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• Coming Soon: Your A to Z Stories (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• Preparing Ahead for April (a-to-zchallenge.com)

Some Words from a Grateful Blogger: Karen Walker

        Today we have some honest thoughts about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge of 2011 from Karen Walker whose blog is author karen walker...following the whispers.  Karen's a wonderful lady who is always on a quest for truth, a topic that she usually talks about each Tuesday.    Her reflections post doesn't ignore the negative, but tells us that the good outweighs the bad.

Sunday/Monday Musings - Back to normal

Thank you Elizabeth Mueller

Elizabeth Mueller at: http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/
created this award for all the a-z participants.
Isn't it lovely?

The a-z challenge is over. For those of you who may not know what this was, it was a challenge to blog 26 days out of the 30 in April using each letter of the alphabet. Lee, whose brainchild this was, has asked the participants to summarize their thoughts and feelings about it. That fits in with my getting back to normal post today, so here goes.

I had reached a point where I didn't want to blog every day - it was too time consuming and took way too much energy away from other things, like writing my novel. But I felt my blog had reached a kind of plateau. I was right. I had become complacent.

To be a successful blogger, you must continually reach out to new bloggers. That means clicking on blogs you find listed on blogs you regularly visit and things like that.

The a-z challenge made it easier to do that, because they were all listed in the linky tool provided. I simply had to go down the list. Unfortunately, there were 1200+ participants, which meant lengthy times at the computer to get to all of them before the challenge was over. That was the downside. Also, there were many links that weren't viable and many people who signed up, but didn't participate.

However, the upside far outweighs the downside. My blog went from 189 followers to 358, just about doubling. Comments increased exponentially as well. I don't think that could have happened without participation in this challenge. So, I am very grateful.

Would I do it again? Depends on what's going on in my life at the time. I enjoyed it. Do I want to keep blogging every day? Probably not. Unless I pre-write and pre-post, which is what I did for the challenge and it is the only way I could have managed it.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit and leave comments. I have met so many wonderful new bloggers. I only hope we all find a way to stay connected. I have added a bunch of new blogs to my blogroll. How to keep up? That is the question.

So, for today, I am grateful things are back to normal and I can blog any ole time I want.

Blessings,
Karen

         As with any challenge worth accepting you have to consider the good and the bad.   It's not all wine and chocolates.  Sometimes you get some sardines and Brussels sprouts.  Personally, I happen to like sardines and Brussels sprouts so it's not so bad.  Thank you, Karen, for this honest look at the A to Z Challenge.   We're thankful to have blogging friends like you to open our eyes to the truth every now and then.

Related articles

• Coming Soon: Your A to Z Stories (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• The Fun Factor of the A to Z Challenge (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• Show Your Support! (a-to-zchallenge.com)