If you're here for my Six Things About FRACTURED, as part of the virtual book tour, it has been postponed until tomorrow. I didn't want to innundate readers with a double post today.
Now, on to the reflection post...
Let me begin with this: it was much easier to have a theme this year than to fly by the seat of my pants as I did during last year’s challenge. My theme was popular culture in the 1980s. Thank you to the hosts and to all the wonderful people who stopped by and commented.
I would like to say I visited the 1700+ blogs listed, but (for me) that would amount to plain madness. Instead, I found a number of blogs that I grew enamored with, and I visited them on a regular basis. They are:
Julie Flanders: Julie took us on a virtual tour of
Medeia Sharif: I actually followed Medeia before the challenge, but really found myself returning to her blog throughout the challenge due to her eclectic posts and wonderful writing. She is amazing, ya know!
Stacy S. Jensen: Stacy treated us to memoirs from A to Z. Wow-wee! can this woman write! I am so looking forward to her memoir—and basically anything else she has in written form. She is talented! And oh-so nice! She’s so good, I’d love for her to critique my memoir I’ve been working on. Hint, hint.
Angela Brown: Angela wrote a portion of an ongoing story, NEVERMORE, that she’s now *jumping for joy* turning into a novel. I was so caught up in the drama that I read every single one of her posts. I am very much looking forward to seeing how things continue with Abby and Basil.
Lynn Proctor:
Nick Wilford: Nick posted about his writing inspiration, using the letters of the alphabet. His writing was not only relatable, but contained that special something that kept me returning for more.
There are so many more wonderful bloggers out there (and I've been following a whole bunch of them even before the Challenge). But having a smaller list of people to visit was much more manageable for me with kids, a job, and the other intricacies of life.
Hopefully, the list of participants on the A to Z Blogging Challenge site will remain in place for quite some time. I would love to hop around to the blogs I only stopped by briefly, or to read those I didn’t get around to at all.
I had a great time with the Challenge. At the same time, I am most grateful it 's over.
I know today is the reflections post, but I'll also be mentioning the themes that most caught my attention on Wednesday. I'm glad you had a great A-Z challenge.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing. And thanks for the great A to Z links. I missed some of those blogs but will go check them out now!
ReplyDeletethank you so much susan for reading and i am thrilled that you found them enjoyable---you know how awesome i think you are---thanks for all of the wonderful encouragement you have given me---next year, i may step out there and go with a theme--you make it look so easy!
ReplyDeleteWorking with a theme really helped me focus, so I'm glad I did it that way. I was way too ambitious though and tried to read far too many blogs. It burned me out quicker than I would have liked and I missed many of my core follower's posts. But I'm back to business as usual now. Congrats on making it through the challenge!
ReplyDeleteHey, since I was such a deadbeat reader during the challenge, it's awesome to get these recommendations. Sounds like you found some great ones!
ReplyDeleteSo of course I'm squeeing here! Thanks for the mention. I've got the first three chapters started so I'm chugging along.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed following your blog and remembering back to the 80's, the fun, the fashion...oh gosh, that fashion lol!!!
I think it's much easier with a theme as well. Congrats for finishing!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I enjoyed the Challenge, but I'm also glad it's over. If feels as though the month flew by in a blur.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing!! I didn't have a theme this time (my first time), and am contemplating having a theme for next time, though I kind of enjoyed the randomness of my posts.
ReplyDeleteI am glad A to Z is over as well, but I'll be back next year. I had a lot of fun and followed several new blogs. Now it's back to...shall I whisper it...work!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your 80s posts, Susan. I think we were the only two to do that theme.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks so much for your kind words, Susan! I really appreciate them and feel the same about you. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I share your sentiment, I loved the Challenge but I'm glad it's over too!
How about a memoir trade? I'm just in my first revisions, so I wouldn't put anyone through that nightmare on my manuscript. Glad you survived. I enjoyed the 80s theme. Lots of fun memories.
ReplyDeleteit was a great challenge, there were so many great blogs. I already have my theme picked out for next year (is that sad?)
ReplyDeleteI loved the challenge (my first time). The best parts... the wonderful posts and meeting new people. Now I'm off to read those 6 things about Fractured.
ReplyDeleteYou were so much more organised that me (I was you last year!). I follow lots of your recommendations already but will check out the others and I enjoyed your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy it is over too! Crazy as I am though, I'm looking forward to next year!
ReplyDelete