...and Relax.
Despite life throwing in a few curve balls for good measure during April, I really enjoyed writing my Addicted to Beads Series and chatting with everyone here, and on their own blogs.
Preparation
After last year I swore I'd prewrite my A to Z in advance so I could concentrate on Blog Hopping, I didn't (see aforementioned comment about curve balls) but I did manage to write a handful of posts at the end of March before we actually started, well slightly less than one handful, so, er, there were a lot of gaps I had left to fill in!
Themes
The Challenge, I've discovered, really is much easier with a theme. Even if you have left a lot of gaps to be filled in as you go along! Ideas felt more cohesive and I think I achieved what I set out to, in that no prior jewellery knowledge was needed for any post, but I hopefully kept some surprises back for all my regular readers too.
Also special mention has to go to MopDog's theme - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary - the title alone would be enough, but it's entertaining reading, as are the comments...
Blog Hopping
I didn't get as much blog hopping done as I'd have liked to, a lot less than last year, but those curve balls had to hit something out of whack somewhere along the way... I think it averaged out at about 2-3 new blogs per day but I got in a lot more repeat visits on some blogs and it came more in waves when time presented itself as an opportunity to be grabbed... some days I managed 0.
The beauty of the A to Z is that you can always go back and surf the list or nip back to that amazing blog you found at the beginning that got briefly washed away in the outgoing tide of the Challenge... it will come back if you go and look for it!
If you only read one more A to Z Challenge Blog from start to finish...
I enjoyed many blogs over the course of last month and I do intend to visit more, but the one blog that I read religiously every day was by Reflex Reactions.
Ida wrote her A to Z on Care for the Carers, which was her personal journey on caring for her Mum at the end of her life. Beautifully written and it hit the spot for every letter, most days it made me cry, as good writing sometimes should, but it somehow always managed to leave me feeling hopeful too.
New Blogs and Books to read
One of the aspects I loved about last year's challenge (my first) was the new authors I discovered, many books read during the challenge as a result, and several blogs I've kept in touch with throughout the year.
This year didn't disappoint either on that score, several books read and queued to read later, and a whole host of blogs I'd like to keep in touch with as a result, plus I'm sure I'm going to dip into the main list again when I catch my breath.
During the course of talking about the challenge this year, a friend has been encouraged to start a blog, she's only a few posts in (it's good but she wants to build up some momentum before I tell you about her) and, great news, she already plans to join in with the 2016 A to Z Challenge!
In Summary
Thoroughly enjoyed the Challenge this year, more so than last, and I think that in turn was a lot to do with all the lovely conversations I had on Curling Stones in the comments and ditto on other blogs.
I don't have any suggestions for improvements as the only suggestion I had last year had already been resolved - so from me to the A to Z team - it's keep doing what you're doing!
In a similar vein, to my own readers, visitors and passersby...
What did you enjoy about my series?
Is there anything you like to see improved/changed/repeated for next year?
Here's a quick reference link to all my A to Z posts below - ignore, enjoy, revisit or just marvel that it all got finished!What did you enjoy about my series?
Is there anything you like to see improved/changed/repeated for next year?
Addicted to Beads by Mars
A is for Addiction
B is for my Beadmaker Bead
C is for Cores
D is for Dealers
E is for Elfbeads Earth Bead Set
F is for Fantasy Necklace
G is for Glass
H is for Harm Reduction
I is for Inner Glow
J is for Joy
K is for Karma
L is for Love Hurts
M is for Money
N is for Navy Galaxy
O is for Orange
P is for Paraphernalia
Q is for Quitting
R is for Red
S is for Swamp
T is for Turtle
U is for Unblogged Beads
V is for Velociraptor
W is for Wrist Shots
X is for X Ray
Y is for Yellow Gold
Z is for Zodiac Birthstone Stars
