tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post8568656824491681357..comments2023-08-25T18:09:09.834-07:00Comments on Wrote By Rote: Reflections on the 2016 A to Z ChallengeArlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-49424301371375867362016-06-04T18:31:30.439-07:002016-06-04T18:31:30.439-07:00I follow your blog and have some thoughts after th...I follow your blog and have some thoughts after this year's experience about how important the theme is. I didn't realize it to the same degree until looking at hundreds of other blogs. If you have time, I hope you will look at my reflection too and let me know if you agree with my take on growing readership etc. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-64435415215189589102016-05-15T13:49:51.902-07:002016-05-15T13:49:51.902-07:00Wishing now I had visited more, Arlee, but enjoyed...Wishing now I had visited more, Arlee, but enjoyed the posts I did read. Good idea answering a question, making your post free form. Something I need to consider for next a-z, as I tend to overdo. All the best!!Sharon Himslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-45661693124665362092016-05-13T18:30:15.765-07:002016-05-13T18:30:15.765-07:00Stepheny, we try to educate bloggers, but unfortun...Stepheny, we try to educate bloggers, but unfortunately not all of them pay attention.<br /><br />Arlee Bird<br />A to Z Challenge Co-host<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-42679376349749153262016-05-13T18:03:53.477-07:002016-05-13T18:03:53.477-07:00A huge under taking as the #Challenge grows. In re...A huge under taking as the #Challenge grows. In reading your reflection I was happy to find out that at least 700 participants dropped out. Finding some excellent suggestions in other reflections. This was my 4th year and keep learning, unfortunately from some of the blogs that are awful. You can't read or navigate them. Such a shame after all the work. Love the whole process nonetheless. Thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-29941342777387798432016-05-11T14:08:57.321-07:002016-05-11T14:08:57.321-07:00Debbie, I'm happy with the stats. I don't...Debbie, I'm happy with the stats. I don't think about them much on this blog.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-943554747309126012016-05-11T09:46:05.334-07:002016-05-11T09:46:05.334-07:00I think that's a great theme idea - like you s...I think that's a great theme idea - like you said no research and it's nice to let your blog readers know a bit about you. The stats aren't bad considering you did no promotion!<br />DebbieRandom Musingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298522848171348845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-91283972114790798232016-05-10T07:36:20.510-07:002016-05-10T07:36:20.510-07:00J.L., I really enjoy the theme idea, but maybe I s...J.L., I really enjoy the theme idea, but maybe I should try going themeless again someday--just for the sake of experimentation.<br /><br />Glad you made the rounds as that is such an important aspect of the Challenge and a lot of participants don't do as much visiting as they should.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-54279808277304339712016-05-10T07:34:23.480-07:002016-05-10T07:34:23.480-07:00Mandy, This is merely a secondary blog maintained ...Mandy, This is merely a secondary blog maintained for my own purposes, but I like to share with those who have an interest. Of course I'll participate next year since my main blog is the one with the most traffic and I get plenty of action on that one during April.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-69775466041412943142016-05-10T07:32:18.746-07:002016-05-10T07:32:18.746-07:00Diedre, never too late to comment. I've been ...Diedre, never too late to comment. I've been sometimes surprised by a comment that isn't spam on a post that's 3 years or older. Appreciate your reading nevertheless. Thanks for letting me know.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-10398629892184692972016-05-10T07:30:40.011-07:002016-05-10T07:30:40.011-07:00Hilary, I certainly understand when life calls us ...Hilary, I certainly understand when life calls us away from blogging. I'm sure you'll have something great in store for 2017. Now you have a year to work on it!<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-40726127743166064092016-05-09T10:05:17.575-07:002016-05-09T10:05:17.575-07:00I find that going with a theme keeps me better org...I find that going with a theme keeps me better organized. I didn't see a lot of visitors either, but it didn't deter me from making visits. <br />J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-88039023838900055752016-05-09T09:21:57.171-07:002016-05-09T09:21:57.171-07:00What did you like best about A-Z? It sounds like y...What did you like best about A-Z? It sounds like you maintained status quo so I'm just wondering why you plan on participating next year? <br /><br />It's awesome that your regular readers kept commenting during the challenge. Comments are always so encouraging!Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415510811585368037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-68144445026004285792016-05-09T08:20:45.304-07:002016-05-09T08:20:45.304-07:00By the time I had an opportunity to check out all ...By the time I had an opportunity to check out all your posts it was too late to comment. But I want you to know I did read and enjoyed every one! Terrific job of keeping up with two!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-68441340650471207312016-05-09T01:29:42.998-07:002016-05-09T01:29:42.998-07:00Hi Lee - it's always interesting reading peopl...Hi Lee - it's always interesting reading people's backgrounds or stories ... and I love the Challenge - so am very grateful you started it off ... and it's still going ... having had to withdraw this year -I'm ready for 2017 .. <br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-25502227718425499982016-05-07T21:56:08.640-07:002016-05-07T21:56:08.640-07:00Susan, I know how those family things can interfer...Susan, I know how those family things can interfere with blogging. Almost every April since the first Challenge something has come up where I lose at least a week which puts me way behind. <br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-70266105825960763422016-05-07T17:40:24.341-07:002016-05-07T17:40:24.341-07:00"About me" is a great theme. You have l..."About me" is a great theme. You have led an interesting life, about which bloggers know nothing. I wrote a post about our life in Ireland--had never shared that. <br /><br />Wasn't checking A to Z this year--my MIL (husband's mom, who I had called Mom for 43 years) died in Feb. and we were hugely busy.Susan Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834094675218254410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-61596003315610260492016-05-07T13:45:58.715-07:002016-05-07T13:45:58.715-07:00Ann, I'm sure there are those who have the sec...Ann, I'm sure there are those who have the second thoughts and might regret having signed up. And there are those who actually forget they signed up or don't even know what it was they signed up for. <br /><br />WE all have certain motivations that drive us to blog. Some who only post during A to Z have other blogs on which they post during the rest of the year. You can find all sort of bloggers with all sorts of blogs and that's what makes A to Z such a cool experience.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-45446268733851186032016-05-07T13:42:56.033-07:002016-05-07T13:42:56.033-07:00Barbara, the regular commentors are the most impor...Barbara, the regular commentors are the most important in my eyes. They are like friends who come to visit and you look forward to seeing them.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-86826128669499794532016-05-07T09:12:33.890-07:002016-05-07T09:12:33.890-07:00I always find some great blogs during the challeng...I always find some great blogs during the challenge. Sometimes you have to follow a blog awhile to get a good feel of how much you like it. I noticed one blog from last year only posts during the challenge which makes sense to a degree. The social part is what the challenge is about for me.<br />Thanks for getting it all started. I think some people don't make the challenge because they are all fired up to do it. Then like making plans to go to a show two weeks before, sometimes you wish you had not bought the tickets. That's my take. Take care. Ann Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17759967601352382204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-37657092423871553382016-05-07T07:21:03.624-07:002016-05-07T07:21:03.624-07:00Every year's Challenge I have done some theme ...Every year's Challenge I have done some theme that revolved around me, my life, my memories, people I have known. And yes, it is easier to write. And it is to me, what blogging is about. It was literally about all I could do to visit the list, answer comments and visit commentors blogs this year. I do want to know more about you, as what I do know tells me you have had a fascinating life. I hope to go back through this years posts here one lazy Saturday. :) For me, visits were down overall from last year's Musical Memories theme. BUT, some became regular commentors and best of all, I found more new blogs I was excited to start following than ever before!<br />Barbara, blogging at <a href="http://lifefaithincaneyhead.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Life & Faith in Caneyhead</a>Barbara In Caneyheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06053601327400989802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-13645377074300277612016-05-07T06:15:04.115-07:002016-05-07T06:15:04.115-07:00JoJo, According to reports from the A to Z Team th...JoJo, According to reports from the A to Z Team there were nearly 700 blogs removed from the list for one reason or another--larger than usual, but under the parameters within how the sign-up works is not overly surprising to me. A lot of people just sign up to sign up and we have to find them which is a tedious time consuming process.<br /><br />It is after all a Challenge and a lot of bloggers don't realize what a Challenge it is to manage or they just have to drop out because of life circumstances. I did not encounter an overly large amount of quitters or bloggers who never started, but I guess others who were checking the list found more than I did. I received very few complaints directly from participants about those bad blogs like I have in years past.<br /><br />Thanks for being such a loyal reader, JoJo. I always enjoy reading your comments and responding to them when I am able.<br /><br /> LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889973587380183147.post-68169986792747741872016-05-07T05:13:42.583-07:002016-05-07T05:13:42.583-07:00I was just glad that the blogs I follow finished A...I was just glad that the blogs I follow finished A-Z this time. The past few years I noticed a huge drop off around the letter M or N. I didn't visit or monitor the participants this year....did everyone you visited finish? Were there many bloggers that signed up and didn't do it?JoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165375435543044068noreply@blogger.com