IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The 2024 OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://tinyurl.com/w54yupwe

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Time for Reflection on the 2016 Challenge




         Think you're done with the Challenge?   Well, hang on just a minute!  We want to hear what you thought about the 2016 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  Before you take a break from blogging for a while or if you're just going back to blogging business as usual, please take a moment to reflect a bit.   We'd like to hear just 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.

         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 2016 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 13th, 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 9th 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 13th.  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 2016 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!






Sunday, May 1, 2016

Did you SURVIVE the #AtoZChallenge?



Congratulations! You've finished the Challenge! Show it off in style with this awesome badge created by Jeremy @ HOLLYWOOD NUTS!

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It's me, CO-HOST Jeremy @ HOLLYWOOD NUTS, and I have great news, our gear is here. I wanted to let those who are going to make it to show their support and that you have finished the A TO Z CHALLENGE [2016]. To find out more please [CLICK HERE], you will be transported to the store and well there you are.

SHARE/LIKE/COMMENT...

Thank you!

Jeremy [Retro]
Hollywood Nuts

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Stay tuned for Alex J. Cavanaugh's post on the Reflection Post on 5-9-2016


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Keep your eyes open for the Challenge Survey in your email!


Thank you for participating!

The 2016 A to Z Team

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Zip, Zap, Zoom! #atozchallenge




Time to zip this challenge up for another year!  

Did you have fun?   Did you finish like you should have done--making new friends, leaving comments on the blogs of others, posting good content on your own blog?

If you made it this far successfully you are probably zapped.   Maybe it's even time for a nap.  Relax, but don't stop yet.  Rest for a bit if you need but don't quit blogging--agreed?

This Challenge is just a jumping off point for more blogging ahead.    Blogging and more blogging should be stuck in your head.   You heard me; that's what I said.   

Time now to zoom into the future--May, June, July, and on and on.  Now you can post one day a week or whatever you want.  Or every day if that's your desire.  If you're burning to blog don't put out the fire.

Now one more thing before this Challenge is toast.  Don't forget to schedule your A to Z Reflections Post!

Thanks for joining us in A to Z for 2016!

       You can do your Reflections Post at any time, but the list won't open until Monday May 9th and will stay open until May 13th and that's when you can add your link to your post. Watch this blog for further details.

Friday, April 29, 2016

Y - You, Your, You're and You Are "AWESOME"

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I am back again and almost at the end of this A TO Z CHALLENGE... how have you all done this year? It has been great I always seem to make friends and visit some very cool sites, this year was no different.  I being a co/host for a few years now has been great and I always am trying to keep you all on your toes.  Like why is FRANKENBERRY in this post?  Well in my last posts a few days ago, I shared my stuff, my goods and well it's FREE. So I thought I would share me and myself again, hopefully you will like it... share it... comment? It's called "SIX STRINGS" it's a free magazine for your Ipad, E.T.C and it's about everything I love. I made a special A TO Z EDITION of the you can get it here: http://www.jmhdigital.com/

Our GREAT friend Mark Kelly has hand-drawn the letters above for us and helped us design our CHALLENGE T-SHIRT [CLICK ME] that is located at the end of this magazine. So get a looky-loo at it, as it will be available. I hope you all have been enjoying this 2016 Challenge... thanks to all the host, co-hosts, minions and of course you guys.

THANK YOU!
Jeremy [RETRO]

Credits:
Alphabet Letters Designed by Mark Kelly
http://theopenhearth.blogspot.com/

SIX STRINGS: MAGAZINE
Designed by Jeremy Hawkins

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

#atozchallenge -- Starts with X!

Some of my favorite things start with X!
Like what?
The X-Files

Last year, all 26 posts for my A to Z theme were about my love of the show, the characters/actors, and my X-Files memorabilia.


The X-Men

Some of the movies don't have the best scripts, but they are, as my son says, Made of Action.

And, I do love me some Wolverine. 


The XBox

My husband and I have played video games together our whole relationship. Granted, we mostly play Lego XBox games with our son now, but it's still fun. 

What else?
The letter X starts with X!
X is the 24th letter of the alphabet, which means ... we are almost done with the Challenge!

In case no one has said it yet ...

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Come meet Stormy the Weather Gnome, and friends, on his Epic Adventurous Quest Journey to get fixed!


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HUGE THANKS to my amazing Sidekick Team!





Heather M. Gardner's Team: Stormy's Sidekicks!


Suzanne W. Skeels – Suzi’s Ice Box Art
Sarah Foster – The Faux Fountain Pen
L.G. Keltner – Writing Off the Edge
Penny/SENCO Cat Herder – Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace
Diana Gordon – Part-Time Monster
Tamara Narayan – Tamara Narayan, Author
 



Heather M. Gardner
The Waiting is the Hardest Part