Other news: My new blog friend, Stephanie Faris, has a cover reveal: 25 Roses. Isn't it lovely? Congratulations, Stephanie!
Here's a little blurb about the book:
Valentine's Day means one thing at Stanton Middle School: students will send each other chocolate roses. Each year, Mia Hartley watches while the same group of students gets roses and everyone else is left out. This year, she decides things will be different. As the student assigned to write names on the cards, Mia purchases 25 roses and writes her own cards, designating them to 25 people she's personally chosen. But she soon learns that playing matchmaker is much more complicated than she thought it would be.
Now for my A-Z Reflections Post:
This was my third year of doing the challenge. Really? You say. Yes, really. I did it on my other blog, Gone Gardening, for the past two years. This was the first time doing it on Mama Diaries, and I honestly didn't know how it would go, with my life being so random. But it worked. The key for me was to have planned posts for every letter in the alphabet, and then allow for some spontaneity if something happened to line up with the letter of the day. I think I achieved a decent balance of past stories and current stories, which made it kind of fun.
I also spent a lot of time blog hopping. I was a minion this year, which meant I had "pet blogs" to keep an eye on, to make sure they were legitimate and participating in the challenge. I visited probably over 100 new bloggers, which was a lot more than last year. It was fun to see their posts and make new friends. I only wish a lot of the bloggers I had visited, had reciprocated and joined my site, or visited me. (Thanks to all my new friends who did!) I did get new followers (especially on Google), which I am very happy about.
Will I do it next year? Probably. I'm not sure if it will be on this blog, or the other. Either way, it's definitely worth doing. As crazy as it is, it's a great way to meet new bloggers and develop a sense of community here in the blogosphere.
This was my third year of doing the challenge. Really? You say. Yes, really. I did it on my other blog, Gone Gardening, for the past two years. This was the first time doing it on Mama Diaries, and I honestly didn't know how it would go, with my life being so random. But it worked. The key for me was to have planned posts for every letter in the alphabet, and then allow for some spontaneity if something happened to line up with the letter of the day. I think I achieved a decent balance of past stories and current stories, which made it kind of fun.
I also spent a lot of time blog hopping. I was a minion this year, which meant I had "pet blogs" to keep an eye on, to make sure they were legitimate and participating in the challenge. I visited probably over 100 new bloggers, which was a lot more than last year. It was fun to see their posts and make new friends. I only wish a lot of the bloggers I had visited, had reciprocated and joined my site, or visited me. (Thanks to all my new friends who did!) I did get new followers (especially on Google), which I am very happy about.
Will I do it next year? Probably. I'm not sure if it will be on this blog, or the other. Either way, it's definitely worth doing. As crazy as it is, it's a great way to meet new bloggers and develop a sense of community here in the blogosphere.
Yay! Thank you for featuring me! SO glad I found you during the challenge and I look forward to reading many more of your blogs. I'll probably do the challenge again next year. It's a great opportunity to meet awesome bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI like your cover, and am looking forward to your book release! Yes, I agree. The challenge is a great way to meet awesome bloggers.
DeleteI love the cover and I wish Stephanie much success! Third year with the challenge. That's great. And you visited over a 100 new blogs. That's commitment.
ReplyDeleteLast year I didn't visit as many, so I wanted to do a little more this year.
DeleteYeah I find that too, not many return the visit to any zoo, call them comment ummm whores haha
ReplyDeleteYes. Something like that. The ones who comment back are the ones we want to be friends with, anyway. They're the ones who make the blog community great.
DeleteIt was fun to see you do it on this blog. You did good the previous two years finding gardens to match the alphabet.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to visit so many new bloggers!
I may do it on the gardening blog next year. I was thinking about featuring plants, but I think seeing various gardens is more fun.
DeleteNothing like the world of blogging to meet new friends!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I wish there was a blogger convention so we could meet in person. Although with a couple thousand people running around, it might be a little hard to find the people who regularly visit.
DeleteCongrats! I didn't even know you had another blog. You're prolific. You definitely did well on reaching out to new blogs!
ReplyDeleteI only post on the other blog once a week. I used to do both blogs seven days a week, but that was just crazy.
DeleteWow! I won! I won! I won!
ReplyDeleteOkay, moving on.... Now that I know how much you did in April. Holy Mole! Did Alex send you his cloning machine???
I meant Holy Moley. Not Holy Mole. Geesh.
DeleteHaha! I could never do what Alex does. And he's almost always the first to comment. The man has super ninja powers!
Delete25 Roses sounds lovely. Gosh, you visited over 100 new bloggers,Sherry, that's a lot of blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was! I did a little every day.
DeleteI enjoyed your A-Z mama stories.
ReplyDeleteLike the cover for 25 Roses.
Glad you liked the stories. And yes, I like the cover of 25 Roses, too.
DeleteCongratulations to Stephanie. The cover looks great. Sherry, thank you for the book win. I'm excited.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! When I get your info, I'll send it to you.
Deletecongrats to Stephanie on her new book!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she's really excited about it.
DeleteGood work :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats :)
Have a wonderful week ahead, Sherry :)
Thank you. You too!
DeleteSherry you did well with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteIt just proves that input=output. You put a lot into the challenge and reaped the benefits!
And as crazy/hectic as it is, I can't imagine not doing this challenge...
I know. I don't think it would feel right sitting out. Congratulations on completing it on your blog!
DeleteCongrats to the winners also to Stephanie on her new book.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection post, I do hope you do it next year.
Yvonne.
I probably will. Unless something unforeseen happens.
DeleteCongrats to Stephanie! You're right, Sherry, the A to Z is good practice. Like those boot camps.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good analogy!
DeleteLOL. Probably. Yup. I'm undecided too about next year as my brain recovers. I loved your posts, and of course, it's always a joy to interact with you.
ReplyDeleteYay Stephanie!
I feel the same way about you, too! You're an awesome blog buddy!
DeleteCongrats to Stephanie! And congrats to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteIt's a happy day, today!
DeleteThat cover is so cute. Your A - Zisms were great. I'm glad you met new people, but please don't forget old friend me.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
There's no way I'd forget you, blog mom! You're awesome!
DeleteI may have to give it a try next year
ReplyDeleteIt's really a fun challenge. It takes some planning, and it gets a little crazy with all the blog hopping, but it's definitely worth the effort.
DeleteHi human, Sherry,
ReplyDeleteYay and congrats to Mason and Robin. Two more of my adoring fans.
Most impressive in regards to Stephanie. I've suddenly seen her commenting all over the place. Even visited shy and humble me and might of got me confused with the dreaded A to Z. Good grief!
Minions and pet blogs. Hey, I do a pet blog about a fictional human.
Hearty congrats on reflecting about the A to Z. Yay, soon be April Fool's Day, 2015!
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny, the cordial host of The Alphabark Challenge, 2014! :)
Penny, you did an awesome job hosting the Alphabark Challenge! And I love your pet blog about your fictional human. You're the most rocking dog I've ever met (next to Schultz, of course). :)
DeleteCongrats on completing another A - Z challenge Sherry. I have a lot of respect for the bloggers who completed this. I may give it a go next year :)
ReplyDeleteYou should. It's crazy, but if you're part of the blog community you have to give it a go at least once!
Deleteyay for a braves game! and those foam fingers never last with a pup around =) (i still have one, high up on a shelf, collecting dust)
ReplyDeleteand i know what you mean about not getting many comments back... maybe its too overwhelming and they dont realize what theyve gotten into... or theyre just lazy =( but yay for those who do and new contacts =)
and thanks for commenting on my cover reveal!
I enjoyed my first Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and I am sure I am doing it next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment in my reflection post.
Hello there. Congratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks also for stopping by my blog. Enjoy the Road Trip.
ReplyDeleteEntrepreneurial Goddess