The Parade
Well, it’s not really over. For a blogger, the parade never really
ends. It just changes directions.
I have developed some reflections about this year’s A to Z 2014
Challenge.
This year I vowed that I would:
Keep track of the sites I visited, write the numbers down, note sites
which were ones I would follow.
Curse a bit when finding ones that were inactive.
Say “Really??” upon finding sites that were trying to sell a
product.
Hit the keys with disgust, after reading ones that were downright vulgar and thoughtless.
Doze off with ones that were like reading small tomes.
Shake my head at ones that were hoping for beta readers and editing
help right then and there.
Sigh with pleasure and delight when finding ones who truly expressed a cohesive
thought with simplicity and well-chosen words.
With all that said, I would like to appreciate:
the bloggers who kept their posts brief
and interesting.
The writers who focused on the message to be conveyed.
The writers who knew that run-on paragraphs would put the reader to sleep.
The writers who understood and understand the craft of writing.
Just a few of "My
newly-acquired: boy-I-want-to-follow-these" are:
Not
enough words can appreciate gratitude for the organizers and on-call super
bloggers who either designed, oversaw, and/or monitored the 2,000+
participants. These people are (with hopes that none were excluded, but pretty sure there are...so sorry):
See you 'round the corner!
Huzzah!
Some may wonder why I use color for words. Teacher trick. Helps students track sentences. Also I love color.
Why "huzzah"? I like the word. My apologies for the length of this post.
 |
| Good ol' high school band on parade |
Glad you found some good ones. Yeah, there were a few that read like novels. I skipped those as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
Maybe next year, those bloggers will change and move up in their brevity. I know I did, after the first year.
DeleteI don't like long blog posts either, but if they come by my blog all the time, I take the time to read it. But short is better.
ReplyDeleteHuzzah is a great word indeed. :) Congrats on finishing the challenge! Huzzah to you!
As you did, so did I. Enlarging the font helped (Ctrl +) helped, and searching for the main sentence of each paragraph IF the writer cut up the tomes into multi-paragraphs.
DeleteMy description was they rivalled War and Peace for length. It was so difficult to get through to people (I was a minion) to shorten their posts, they were going to post what they wanted and that was that.
ReplyDeleteWriting is also about writing with concise language. I try to eliminate: the and it is/was + other overused words.
DeleteI cursed at the ones with the stupid arse comment things like Disquis or some other so called fancy crap. The ones with small writing and long arse paragraphs I just said goodbye!
ReplyDeleteThe small printing got to me. Trying to cram more into spaces, I think.
DeleteToday's words are insightful and thought provoking. I'm a five hundred worder, myself. If it has to be more I try hard to tighten the structure.
ReplyDeleteExactly, and that is because you are one enjoyable writer who has much to say, and who does it so very well in "tight structure".
DeleteI couldn't agree more and after finding a couple of good and interesting blogs, I stopped looking. A person only has so much time, after all. D. G. has been a friend for a long time, but I too met Loverofwords this year. We follow each other now and I hope we will be good blogger friends.
ReplyDeleteSome great writers out there, and I feel privileged to have found them, and now follow them.
DeleteI definitely skipped the overly long posts . . . who has the time when there are so many blogs to visit? Ah well, hopefully next year they keep it short. We completed the challenge, huzzah!!! :D
ReplyDeleteIt is hoped that those bloggers will learn from the blogs that kept focused with well chosen words.
DeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge. I have been awed and amazed at the effort so many people (and particularly the organisers/coordinators) devoted to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the 2000+ participants, it was daunting. Altho that was impossible., reading the ones I could handle was rewarding.
DeleteThose organizers were incredible.
The black with white font and super small are the ones I run from
ReplyDeleteSome changes were already needed and I appreciated your comments. The small fonts--blinding.
DeleteHi human, Susan,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly skimmed, um, thoroughly read your pawsting. Yep, a reflection pawst. I was most dismayed by the bloggers who insisted on doing very long, drawn out pawsts. Even though we would never pawticipate in this, we did visit as many as pawsible and left our thoughtful comments.
My human friend, you did well and kudos to you for sticking with the never ending challenge. At least it seems that way. Soon be April Fool's Day, 2015! Help!!!
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny, the cordial host of The Alphabark Challenge, 2014!
Now we are back to as normal as pawsible!
DeleteMichael Crawford. Such an outstanding performer. A real showman. I remember him from years ago as bumbling Frank Spencer in the TV show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.
ReplyDeleteIt's very nice of you to mention the places you visited in your A-Z searches and to thank the organisers.
So many participants I enjoyed! I made it a point to check out my blogger friends regularly! Like you!
DeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge, and thank you for your kind support, very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt is so great to see your name up and running. Are you preparing another book to share with us?
DeleteCongrats on completing the challenge Susan. I would like to participate one of these years. I admire your perseverance!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And best wishes on your future adventures!
Deletesounds like great insights to me!
ReplyDeletethanks, Lynn! It was a great race, and now we can shift down to lower gears.
DeleteYay for finishing the challenge! Glad you had a good run- and accomplished a lot of what you planned!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments! It was a fun run.
DeleteOff to check out your likes!
ReplyDeleteYou will find them very enjoyable.
DeleteYes, finding the good blogs makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteGood writing is always a pleasure.
DeleteGreat reflection post, Susan. The colored sentences, I see that as an added bonus -- so much better for my tired eyes, and you're right, it helps keep track of sentences. Plus, they're fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wonderfully delightful posts this month and always. Congrats!
Your blogs took me on many excursions into your home country of Romania. Thank you for providing the visual treat.
DeleteI can imaging the challenge is....well challenging. I've never done one, but I should probably try next year.
ReplyDeleteR
Your observations would always be welcome at anytime, and the A to Z would be richer for it!
DeleteThere were some wonderful posts that I found. I only wish that my computer worked faster so that I could have visited more sites than I did. Over all though I think this year was an excellent Challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your Reflections and congratulations on making it through April.
Lee
A Few Words
An A to Z Co-host blog
I know a lot of hard work went into this series. It was fun to read the posts!
ReplyDelete"Thecontemplativecat" has been included in Sites To See #368. Be assured that I hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.
ReplyDeletehttp://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/05/sites-to-see-368.html
I am sorry I missed it this year, I am looking forward to going through some of your posts for the challenge, well done for getting to the finish line!
ReplyDeleteI'm just back to wish you a Happy Mother's Day. :)
ReplyDelete