Tuesday, May 8, 2012

My A to Z Reflections Post


Reflection time . . .  let's see . . . I did try to get my A to Z Challenge posts in on time, but I had a couple setbacks and on a few days, I ended up posting them late at night or I think one was the next day.

You see, when I write my manuscripts, I'm a panster who plots with a tiny outline…I dub myself with a new title … Planster. Anyway, I figured I could do this “planstering” with the A to Z Challenge.
Uh, no. It became very difficult to post everyday (save for Sundays) and there were times I just didn’t know what to write, even though I’d had a subject right in front of me. I mean, sometimes I shared things I love--Adam Levine and Maroon 5. Other times I talked about stuff that I thought others might find interesting--great white sharks and killer whales.
And then there were the days where I was like, “What the flip do I have to say that others will even want to read about?”

I have four boys. I’d call myself a soccer mom, but none of them play soccer. Basketball, baseball, and football are their sports. I’m constantly running, which I LOVE, so don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t trade those extra-inning games or butt-numbing-bleacher moments at all. I cherish these memories and adore my sons. They come first, which is why my A to Z Challenge may have faltered a tad. It's my fault for not prepping WAY AHEAD for the Challenge, and not just with some small outline.
Which brings me to two things I learned:
Theme = the way to go
Schedule posts = a must

             I met some killer people through this challenge, which was a total bonus:
  • Andrea from The Enchanted Writer – She’s seriously my favorite that I found on this challenge. Or she may have found me? I don’t know, but whatever the case, this girl rocks. I seriously want to be blogger bff’s with her. That’s how cool she is. 
  • Mina Burrows - Her BLOG is awesome and full of paranormal stuff, which is one of my fav things ever. 
  • Mina Lobo from Some Dark Romantic – her Challenge had a kickass theme: Dark Romance of Music. Honestly, she had some great posts and brought back some wonderful music memories.
Trustee blogs to follow, recommended by moi, besides the ones I mentioned above …
  • Angela from Live to Write…Edit when Necessary - She's one of my top blogs to visit on a continual basis. First of all, she's super nice. Her blog is fun and has tons of useful info for writers. Go have a look-see.
  • Dani from Entertaining Interests - She's a zombie fan freakazoid. Want to safe-proof your house from the dead or end of the world? She's got a step-by-step plan. Her blog is awesome!
  • Kimberlee from Groundwire – She’s one of my critique partners and an all around incredible human being. Her agented book is out on submission, and I can’t wait until it’s picked up!!! Wait until you read her novel. Ama-zing.
  • Laura from Laura B Writer - She's another one of my can’t-live-without-her-advice critique partners. And her blog is so helpful in the marketing aspect. If you want your blog critiqued, go check out her blog for details.
So... will I do the challenge next year? If I plan out my themes and schedule my posts, then absolutely. I think the Challenge is extremely useful, if done right. Which would require ME to make it work for, well, me. And there, folks, lies the key to making this whole thing work.

26 comments:

  1. wow four boys!!---i enjoyed your refection thoughts!

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  2. Jackie... omg... I read what you said about me and I am tearing up a little... Thank you!! *hugs* I am so glad I found your blog, I think I found it through through the incredibly awesome Laura at Stranger Than Writing. I would love to help out however I can or read more of your manuscripts/ wip, feel free to email me at theenchantedwriter(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Aw. Well, it's all true. :D
      And thanks for the offer. I'll shoot you an email later.

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    2. I'm gonna hold you to that :)

      Andrea

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  3. I have loved this challenge this year after I failed last year, horribly.

    (oh, so I don't forget, love the PLANSTER)

    My secret this year was my theme: Women Writers in Literary History - and I came out even more passionate on the subject.... so much so that I am continuing to write brief bios on incredibly cool, sadly little known women.

    I am also a non-soccer-Mom. All three of my children tried and hated it, much to the chagrin of their father. We do theater and music. It works for us!

    Great to meet you, even though A to Z is over. Perhaps now we will actually have time to connect! :~)

    Julie Jordan Scott
    Fellow A to Z Challenge Writer
    twitter: @juliejordanscot
    A to Z Recap Post
    On a Mission to Spread Word-Love Throughout the World

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    1. I'll be checking out your site! That subject sounds amazing.
      Thanks for stopping by my blog, Julie!

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  4. Four boys! Life must be pretty exciting around your house! :)

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    1. When I say there's never a dull moment, it's true. LOL They keep us on our toes. :D

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  5. Four boys! Aye-aye-aye!

    I enjoyed reading your challenge posts!

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  6. First - thank you, so much, for your kind mention; the stuff I'm into isn't for a bunch of folks, so when I connect w/people on music, it's almost like a little slice of heaven on earth, for me.

    Second - woman, with one son I tore my hair out during this challenge. With *four* I seriously doubt I'd have made it through. Seriously. Congrats for plowing through and completing the challenge!

    Third - I found that having a theme definitely helped me to focus, and being able to schedule posts was great. And I really believe folks have to write about what turns *them* on, versus trying to figure out what might turn others on. For one thing, it's a crapshoot trying to anticipate what others want, and for another the authentic enthusiasm for your subject has to come through and will charm folks more than anything else. That's what I feel to be true, anyway. No, not everyone's gonna dig it, but not everyone has to, eh? :-)

    Some Dark Romantic

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    1. You're welcome! :D

      Thanks. It was tough, but I made it work. LOL

      Great advice and so true!

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  7. Thanks for the shout out Jackie. You totally made my day :)

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  8. So flattered to be mentioned by you since you're an amazing writer, and friend.

    Doing my best to make it to my blog list even though I don't have time to do my own posts. : )

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  9. planster. that's perfect for inbetweeners.

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  10. Great reflection thoughts! Glad to get to know you through the challenge.

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  11. Lovely reflections post---and thanks for the links to those you liked---am familiar with some of them, will check out the others!

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    1. Thank you! And no problem about the links. I'm sure you'll love 'em like I do. :)

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  12. I'm a bit of a plantser, too! LOL. And you're amazing doing the A-Z with everything going on... Man, chaos. You were a braver person than I! ;)

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  13. Yes, Hi! I agree with your recommendations about having a theme AND scheduling your posts. It makes it way easier.
    Thanks for your comments

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Comments make me happy. So do photos of Adam Levine... <3