Year 8 of the April A to Z Challenge blog hop and it feels great just to think about it. I did sit on the fence wondering if I should...then I thought, why not? It is the anniversary edition, after all!
Also, I participate for the sheer joy of writing. Planning the posts is half the fun. The other half is to deviate totally from the plan and pantser it through the rest of the month because something or other always comes up to throw a few spanners in the works.
Still, I meticulously plan-that too on paper with different colored pens, laying out the alphabets by day and marking the regular 'series' days so I continue to keep that schedule.
For example, my Wednesday Wisdom series. I plan posts appropriate to that theme by alphabet. Then there's the last Thursday of the month-the Gratitude Circle blog hop.
So, one might say it is relatively easy for me to come up with 26 posts for April, starting with A for 1 April and keeping up with the alphabet series until we reach Z on 30 April. It all fits when you knock off the Sundays - and that's what the A to Z Challenge blog hop is all about. Let's pause for a minute to tip my hat to Mr Arlee Bird, who masterminded this mega blog hop.
To quote him:It all began with my post from Saturday March 27, 2010 when I set forth a challenge to all bloggers for the month of April. Can you post every day except Sundays during this month? And to up the bar, can you blog thematically from A to Z?
Thousands participate every year, and there are some wonderful connections with other bloggers to be made; and if ones' really lucky, some strong friendships.
Other lovely perks of the A to Z Challenge blog hop
- Discovering some amazing new blogs and reading some fantastic posts
- For some, a spike in traffic and comments
- Book deals
- A return of self-confidence in writing abilities
- Free learning about various things-some blogs are truly educative
- Expanding one's community
- Enjoying the blogging community's support
. . . and so on. The joy is endless, especially if you persist through the month.
As usual, the A to Z Challenge theme reveal ceremony is when participants give you a delicious glimpse into what you can expect from them during April.
And I, as usual, have no real plan except to stick to the topics I usually write about.
You know what I mean. To sum up - collecting smiles through positive stuff.
I usually keep up with the posting schedule, but the biggest high for me is planning the posts. I love exploring ideas, jotting down possible topic, and fill my ideas book with loads of possibilities. It is a creative exercise I revel in. And at the end of it, my reward is enough blog post ideas to keep me going for quite some time.
I like to tease anyone who will listen with what I am planning to do during April. I love hearing what they think. For that matter, those who don't want to listen, some times. And let's not forget the fun playing with crayons and sketch pens.
Here's a recap of my earlier theme reveals:
2019 52 blog post ideas
2018 Tips to enjoy the AtoZ Challenge
2017 I just wrote a poem. Mission, Collecting Smiles
2016 I wrote my post in a waiting room. Handwritten. Theme: Living in the moment. Go check it out. Just for fun!
2015 I actually had a specific theme. Letters to my son.
2014 Brainstormed ideas in the post
2013 I gushed over how I was taking part for the first time and listed all the reasons why. This was more of an announcement post; the theme reveal idea was born in 2014
Over the years, I've taxed my limits and others' patience by participating with four blogs and actually acing it. After all, I have six blogs-so why not!
Not so this year, as better sense prevails.
I'll officially participate only on this blog. I will also be posting on Life Hacks for Diabetics and Life Hacks for Happiness. I'll post to the usual schedule on my health blog at Your Med Guide. Yep, crazy-guilty about neglecting my food blog - Cooking With Mi - but have set myself an easy schedule there. So yes, April shall be happily busy.
While my plans are grand, I am not really sure about what I will actually accomplish since I also have work deadlines. I am not worrying about that, though. I'll do what I can do and appreciate whatever I manage to achieve. I suggest you do the same.
The whole point is to enjoy this experience, right? Don't beat yourself up over skipping a day's post or anything else you think you ought to do. Just have fun.
And be safe. Practice social distancing. Our cities are under lock down and we're staying busy indoors. That's the right thing to do.
Yep, and that's my A to Z Challenge blog hop theme reveal for 2020.
What's your April A to Z Challenge theme?
Important links for the April A to Z Challenge blog hop:
Sign up for the theme reveal - form closes on 26 March. Here is the theme reveal list.
Sign up for the A to Z Challenge blog hop here.
Here is the master list of signups.
Visit the A to Z Challenge blog.
The A to Z Challenge blog hop runs from Wednesday 1 April to Thursday 30 April (Sundays excluded)
I hope to see you here! ♥
