Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Writing Wednesday: To Blog or Not to Blog

I enjoy blogging, and I enjoy supporting my fellow authors with reviews, cover reveals, interviews, etc. This is not about whether blogging is a good thing.

Blogging is a good thing.

This is specifically about the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.
What is the A to Z Challenge, you ask? As it goes into it's sixth year, it's hard to imaging bloggers haven't heard of it, but then again... the internet is a pretty big place.

From the A to Z website: 

    " Most of the time if you subtract Sundays from April, you then have 26 days--one day for each letter of the alphabet.  When April 1st lands on a Sunday you begin on that day which will be the only Sunday you would post during that month's challenge. 



        Using this premise, you would start beginning April First with a topic themed on something with the letterA, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until you finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.  It doesn't even have to be a word--it can be a proper noun, the letter used as a symbol, or the letter itself.  The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day."

I've participated in the Challenge a few times in the past, like the first few years when I was new to blogging and didn't have a day job to speak of, and it was challenging and a lot of fun. I met some incredible bloggers along the way and increased visibility of my own blog. But...

It's stressful. Having to blog EVERY DAY for a month. I feel like I just went through that with the Candy Hearts series, and reviewing and posting reviews for every book in the series. THAT was a challenge. Like another day job almost. Blogging is supposed to be fun, right?

To blog or not to blog for the month of April? Let's rephrase that... to blog ALPHABETICALLY EVERY DAY or not to blog... that is certainly a question. Here's the official schedule, if anyone is interested in participating:

Up for the challenge? Here's the spot to sign up for the seventh annual April Challenge:


As I write this, there are already 1,179 blogs participating. So many that they've instituted categories to help you find like minded bloggers to visit (you're encouraged to visit and comment on at least 5 blogs a day. It's a great way to find new bloggers you like, and new followers for yourself.)

I'm still trying to decide. I have a few weeks to make up my mind.

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4 comments:

  1. Tena StetlerMarch 16, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    Ok, I admit I've never heard of the challenge. It sure sounds daunting. Like you I believe I will give it some thought, but that might just tip my already full plate into oblivion.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the info on the challenge.

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    1. Katie O'SullivanMarch 16, 2016 at 11:06 AM

      I've done it a few times in the past, and it was so much easier the Year I had a theme and scheduled all my posts (most of them at least) way ahead. I actually could enjoy the daily visiting of other blogs I liked and found a few new ones to follow. The posts are better if they're short anyway :-)

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  2. Elizabeth SeckmanMarch 16, 2016 at 11:37 AM

    Blogging is a good thing!

    I'm doing the challenge from a group blog to make the work a bit easier. I failed last year when life got busy, and it's even busier this year, so I went with plan B.

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  3. UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 5:55 PM

    That does sound like a lot of work. With a day job and other social responsibilities, I don't think I could do it. Or, I'd have to give up writing time. That seems like a no-win! I blog weekly on Saturdays, and I think I'll stick with that! Good luck if you go for the challenge!

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