Thursday, May 2, 2013

2013 A-Z Blogging Challenge Reflection

My mind feels fat and lazy as I reflect upon the intriguing and entertaining blog-a-thon of April 2013. It wore me out a little.
It was my first time, and I possessed the comensurate level of anxiety as I contemplated 26 posts in 30 days. I usually only blog once a week. To have reached the end, not missed a day, and stuck to my theme was incredibly satisfying.

Before I continue with my extremely abridged highlights/lowlights package, I want to announce VR Barkowski as the winner of the inaugural Square Peg Award, (I just thought of that!) for the best interactor of the challenge. VR was a faithful visitor and a sagacious commentor. For her efforts she has received a free digital copy of Loathe Your Neighbor, (first of only two book plugs). You can find her at http://vrbarkowski.wordpress.com

There was a huge increase in the number of visitors to my site, but not many commentors. I became extremely green when I saw how many comments other bloggers were getting. I think I may be too heavy for many people. I made some new online friends, and was constantly intrigued, challenged and inspired by the posts of my fellow bloggers. I praise God for the amazing diversity of his creatures who, like me, creatively interact with the world through their words. I thank you all for participating and congratulate you for surviving.

I said I was going to promote my book twice. I've been told that it is uncool to ask you to buy Loathe Your Neighbor, so I will just tell you that it would be in your best interests to at least check it out. http://dacairns.weebly.com

12 comments:

  1. Congrats on completing the challenge, I understand how you feel about how some people get more comments, I guess that's life but one can only do your best.
    Well done on your achievement.
    Yvonne.
    A TO Z AMBASSADOR.

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  2. Congratulations. I also received huge amounts of visitors during the month of April but few comments. I guess I just don't understand why people would bother to come and then not comment. But like I have said from the beginning I did not do the challenge to increase my followers. That would have just been icing on the cake.

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  3. Congrats on completing the A-Z. I would rather have commenters than people following me. But, you get what you get. :)

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  4. Congratulations on finishing the A-to-Z, and thank you for LYN, the kind words, and the shout out. I think there is a tendency with the Challenge to visit as many blogs as possible, and comment quality gets lost in the quest for quantity. Your A-to-Z posts were brief but provocative, which could definitely intimidate Challenge participants looking for a quick stop.

    VR Barkowski

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  5. I tried to just be happy that I was getting more comments than usual for my blog, but hard not to glance at others!

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  6. I added your book to my Good Reads list.... it's in my best interest!!! LOL
    Great reflections post.
    Connie
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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  7. Hi, I wouldn't be too discouraged. Your thought-provoking-posts were great but often too much for my overworked brain. I'm exhausted from all the blog hopping, but would I do this again? Of course. There was more to be gained than lost in the A-Z. Meeting new bloggers was one of them. Thanks for being a faithful visitor! I've added your books to my TBR list.

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  8. I know I could have got a lot more comments on my blog if I had just had more time to spend on visiting other blogs. But as it was, I spent most of my leisure time composing my post for each day. Don't want a repeat of that next year. ;)

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  9. It's perfectly ok to plug your book. In fact, I put out a call for guest posters at the A-Z Blog, and you're more than welcome to do a "blog tour" type thingie there, or whatever you wish. It's open to ALL A-Z participants with WHATEVER they want to post. Check it out and let me know if you'd like to be on stage...
    http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2013/05/casting-call-guest-post-at-a-z-blog.html
    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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  10. Nice book plug! I think it's great that you gave a copy away to your top commenter/visitor.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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