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A-Z Reflections, year 4....

A-Z blogging challenge for 2014 has come and gone, seemingly without my realizing it. And, though I fell behind once or twice toward the end, I finished this year's challenge right on time. Really, I can't believe it's already over. I feel like I just finished my post for letter A...


Year 4, for this blogger, was a far cry from the tortured state of despondency that was most of Year 3-- I'll not mention the irony of this year's focus on death being easier to blog about than last year's foray into supernatural creatures, we'll leave that for my therapy sessions *ahem*

As always, A-Z brought with it, not only 26 days of unbridled and far-reaching knowledge (disguised as entertaining and thought-provoking blog-posts), but a chance to connect with new faces while reconnecting with familiar faces--who had perhaps drifted away--from A-Z's past. 

I am always amazed by the ingenuity and inspiration that comes from lumping a couple thousand folks together all with the same creative freedom of doing just as we please....so long as we adhere to the path alphabetical.

Sometimes we struggle, sometimes we succeed...some years are great, some years are soul-crushingly-tough-beyond-measure---but, the one thing about A-Z that doesn't change (or at least hasn't in the 4 years I've played along), there is never a shortage of supporters/cheerleaders who are struggling and succeeding right alongside you. Anybody can do a month of alphabetical blog-posts, any month of the year... A-Z lets us do it all together.

Thank you A-Z for reminding me that, while writing is often a lonely existence, it doesn't mean you have to write alone!


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Comments

  1. martineMay 5, 2014 at 3:18 AM

    Hi, congrats on completing the challenge. I'm sorry I didn't come across you earlier in April, because I love your theme and now it's going to take me ages to read back through all your posts. Love the chapel in the yew tree and the freaky museum in Amsterdam.
    thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 5, 2014 at 3:58 AM

    Now that the challenge is over I feel like I'll have more time to discover blogs that are new to me, like yours! I'm looking forward to coming back and reading your A-Z posts and those of others who I wasn't able to get to in April. There are so many amazing blogs out there and the bloggers behind them are a delight to engage with. Congrats on completely the challenge. It was indeed that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 5, 2014 at 4:00 AM

    These posts are wonderful, so absorbing. Death is something we can all relate to, more than supernatural creatures maybe, mind you I'm over 50 so that might make a difference!
    It's good for so many to come together for such a short month.. I'm convinced April was shorter this year!
    Well done on your 2014 AtoZ's.

    ReplyDelete
  4. J Lenni DornerMay 5, 2014 at 5:36 AM

    Indeed, all of us doing it together IS what makes the hop so special. <3

    Stopping by after the #atozchallenge to check out your reflection post!
    @JLenniDorner

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michelle StanleyMay 5, 2014 at 1:59 PM

    Congratulations on completing the challenge. It was an amazing one that I will never forget. I like your reflection post and agree with the last two lines. Michelle @ http://www.writer-way.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Silvia WritesMay 5, 2014 at 4:32 PM

    Congratulation, and sorry I missed what sounds like an awesome A-Z theme. But the good thing is that I can always come back. Very nice, indeed, that we were able to do the month-long blogging together. Makes the sense of community that much more special, doesn't it?
    Best,
    Silvia @
    SilviaWrites

    ReplyDelete
  7. ErraticElleMay 5, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    I am so bummed I didn't find you during the April Challenge! Your theme sounds awesome. (What does that say about me?) I'll be reading back through your posts. I'm excited to get started. Congratulations on finishing A to Z for a 4th time. That is seriously amazing. Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie

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  8. Stephanie FarisMay 5, 2014 at 9:17 PM

    This was my first year, but it was so great to meet everyone. I'm excited about April 2015 already!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hilary Melton-ButcherMay 6, 2014 at 2:42 AM

    Hi - sounds like your theme is interesting .. I'll be back to read through .. and yes it's fun meeting many new bloggers, who become friends .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  10. J.L. CampbellMay 6, 2014 at 12:09 PM

    So true, while I don't have many friends in my neck of the woods who are writers, I find companionship and support online.

    ReplyDelete
  11. ClickMay 6, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    I know what you mean about the sense of community and spirit of 'we're all in this together'. I notice it during NaNoWriMo as well.

    Congratulations on finishing the challenge. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. cleemckenzieMay 9, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    I loved your 2013 theme as you know. This year was tough for me because I'm basically a sissy about the truly macabre.

    ReplyDelete

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