A-Z April 2013 Challenge Reflections

A-Z April 2013 Challenge Reflections

I am proud to be able to say that I completed the 2013 A-Z April Challenge.  This is the 2nd time I participated.
Writing everyday is certainly a challenge.
But, taking on the challenge has taught me that the less often I write, the harder it is to get back on the writing wagon.  And the more I write, the more I want to write.
The first year, being a newbie and all, the challenge was a personal one.  My main focus was getting to the finish line.
Although I did make an attempt to visit other blogs that first year, it was not a priority.
This year, being a seasoned veteran and all, I knew I would be able to complete the A-Z part.
So, I made more of a commitment to not only visit others, but actually let my presence be known by leaving comments.
At first, when I would visit another blog, one of the things I found myself doing, was making a snap decision about the post I was reading based on a clever title, the first few enticing sentences, or whether the blogger and I were like minded.
I quickly learned, though, this was not a good decision.
Because once I changed my approach to not look at the “About Me” page first and read a post in its entirety,  I discovered that each of the participants were part of a wonderfully diverse, funny, interesting and caring, blogging community.
This was, by far, the more rewarding part of this challenge.
Although I didn’t nearly make it all the way through the 2013 sign up list, as a continued challenge for myself, I intend to continue to visit new blogs each day until I do.

I want to thank the hosts, co-hosts, and ambassadors who put the challenge together, made it easy to participate and above all nudged and encouraged along the way.