As a writer, we're instructed to build our network and social media presence long before we're ever published. You can read instructions books on how to do and receive lots of advice from more those more experienced than us. But if you're looking for an easy, invigorating and fun way to build your presence online, than A to Z is for you.
The challenge is easy to follow. Simply blog for the entire month of April except for Sundays. April 1st use a word or subject beginning with the letter A. On April 2nd, used letter B and so forth. You can blog about whatever you wish though most participants will chose a theme. You can also label your blog with any of the convenient headings to make sure you draw interest from like-minded bloggers. More instructions and the signup list are available on the blogs of all those working behind the scenes to make this massive undertaking work.
A to Z Blogging Challenge the home base
Arlee Bird @Tossing It Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jeremy @ Hollywood Nuts
Nicole Ayers @ The Madlab Post
Author Stephen Tremp
Heather M. Gardner
AJ @ Naturally Sweet
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Matthew MacNish @ QQQE
Zalka Csenge Virag @ The Multicolored Diary
S.L. Hennessy @ Pensuasion
C. Lee McKenzie @ The Write Game
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
Susan Gourley @ Susan Says
John Holton @ The Sound of One Hand Typing
Lisa Buie-Collard, Author
There is lots of advice on how to make the A to Z more fun than work. And you don't have to make up your mind on the first day of signups. You have lots of time to think about how you would do it and if it will fit into your schedule. Any of the administrators of the Challenge will gladly answer questions or give advice as will previous year's participants.
Are you game for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year? Feeling like offering some advice if you're a veteran? Are you following the blogs listed above?
Susan Gourley is a multi-published writer of science fiction romance and epic fantasy. She blogs at Susan Says and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.
It's a great way to connect with bloggers from all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge is fantastic! I'll be doing it with the Untethered Realms group again this year. My advice: start writing and prescheduling posts early. As early as now!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed UR's theme last year. I think I visited them every day.
DeleteSo many have already signed up and it's zero dark AM where I am. This will be an interesting year for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI like that, zero dark AM. It's snowy and cold outside here but I'm warm in Starbucks.
DeleteI might start doing the posts now and if I finish before April, will actually do it this year.
ReplyDeleteYes! Go for it, Debra.
DeleteAll signed up and ready to go
ReplyDeletePat, you were probably ready in October. My stomach still isn't recovered from your post today.
DeleteGood luck to all of the participants.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this a few different places and am trying to decide if I want to participate. It seems like it could be fun, but also like it could end up a giant old distraction. I'll be hosting another blog-party the first few days, which complicates things (only, just a little.. it could simply present an additional challenge to the story!)
ReplyDeleteHmm...
You never know until you try.
DeleteThis will be my 2nd year and it will be fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, you came back for round two.
DeleteI just signed up for my second year of the challenge. Last year, I struggled through it. Hopefully this year I will the task easier. lol
ReplyDeleteI struggled my first year too but organization helped me thereafter.
DeleteHooray! Excited for a second year of this.
ReplyDeleteYippee for coming back the second year.
DeleteI almost had an idea for this year. I don't think I'm up for that much work though. I will likely take a blog break, again.
ReplyDeleteI know you'll visit around though and be with us in spirit.
DeleteOh no! I was so hoping that this obsession with the alphabet would have ended last year. Sadly, it seems I'm wrong. Another month of the blogging world being hijacked. Yikes and arggghhhhh!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, good luck to all participating. Susan Says sounds good. I shall thrill you with one of my eagerly anticipated visits.
Gary, the official anti-A to Z spokesman! :)
Thanks for visiting my blog, Gary, and giving one of your treasured comments. Maybe if you're going to the the A to Z spokesman, you should do a Z to A anti challenge.
DeleteI'm following 4 of those blogs, but I'll be sure to check out ALL of them soon :-)
ReplyDeleteSigned up and dreaming ahead. Survived last year with some forward planning, so maybe...
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to participating with IWSG admins. I'll be on the road heading from Bucerias to BC, so it should be fun to see how our travels influence my letter choices.
ReplyDeleteI'm pre-posting... it's the best way to go!
ReplyDeleteThe sign-up list is already at no.#340.
Let the fun begin!
I have looking forward to this Challenge since May 1st 2014. ;) I have my theme down. I'm about 3/4 done with the posts and I'll start scheduling them on my blog in March. :D
ReplyDelete