Eek! It’s mid-March already. The A-Z Blogging Challenge for 2018 starts in a couple of weeks and I:
- Haven’t signed up yet.
- Haven’t come up with a theme.
I like this challenge because it:
- Is a definite challenge to blog on the regular like this.
- Makes the challenge even more of one by having to tie each post to a specific letter of the alphabet.
- Invariably leads me to other A-Z participants who are an inspiration and joy to read and discover.
- Makes me fall in love with ye olde blogge again, every damn time.
Here is what we are looking at, for this year:
Last year, I did well (in my inflated opinion) with a theme, for the first time. 2017 was my 3rd year participating, and the first with a definite theme in mind. Having a theme (Preparing for a Badass Retirement) was actually helpful as I could plan ahead a bit as to what I was going to blog about, for each letter of the alphabet as it came up during the challenge.
Because I had to figure out if it would even work, to make each letter be the start of a word related to my theme.
In advance.
So I could think about it, and jot down ideas and stuff.
As I am typing these very words I am pondering why I just can’t come up with 26 unrelated yet alphabetically driven post subjects ahead of time. You know, like REAL bloggers do? I believe it’s called an editorial calendar. Or so I’ve heard. Ahem!
I am pretty sure I AM going to sign up again. I’d hate to break the streak I’ve got going. Although I am theme-less, so far. And will probably stay that way.
Prior to 2017, I’ve freewheeled it. Yep. Just used the letter of the day and blasted out whatever was rolling around my monkey mind at the time, that tied into the letter. Twenty six days of a stream-of-alphabetized-consciousness. Hoo doggie. Doesn’t that sound a treat?
This year it looks like the Freewheelin’ Widow Badass will ride again! Oh goody, you are saying to yourself, remembering the drivel of previous offerings. Not that you actually remember because none of them were memorable, so there’s that tender mercy at least.
Come back in April and come back often! Around Chez Badass at A-Z Challenge Time, you never know what you are gonna get.
(Or, you could sign up for email notification of new posts! Check out the subscription box on the right sidebar of ye olde blogge. That way I show up at your house instead. Not at all as creepy as I just made it sound!)
Rock on,
The WB
Looking forward to reading your daily posts, Deb. If you’re still exploring Tarot, is that a theme that would interest you?
I should have said – next week’s Profound Journey post is an a-z of what I’m learning about tarot. But it’s just a single post, not a theme and certainly there’s lots more ground to cover than I’ll be talking about.
Oh baby! Karen, I am looking so forward to your next post!!! I might want to riff on some of what your post covers this during the month of April. But like I said, I don’t feel I’m at the place yet where I could carry this topic for a whole month.
Thanks Karen. Yes, still exploring tarot but don’t think I could “talk” about it for an entire month.
I’ve been thinking about the A-Z Blogging Challenge ever since you wrote this post, Deb. Lots of back and forthing but I’ve decided I’m going to do it! Wahoo! I’ve got a theme I’m happy with and can sustain. Any other advice for me from an experienced A-Z Challenge blogger?
By the way, also decided that I’m not writing the Tarot post this week. I started then realized I didn’t know enough. I just bought a great book – 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card – so I’m going to work with that for a while before I write. This week’s post instead is “A Curious Skeptic in the Land of Woo-Woo.” Lots of fun to write.
Cool, Karen! Welcome aboard! Looking forward to your posts 😃. I probably don’t do it right as I write my posts the day or night of. Sometimes I get a day ahead and it’s nice to have breathing space. Having a theme helped me plan and research ahead of time and even partially write a few posts well in advance of publication. Not at all my normal spur of the moment style!!!😜
Good luck! (You should be giving me advice, I think)
Hey Deb,
Where the heck do I go to sign up for the blogging challenge? I’ve been on the A to Z blogging challenge site many, many times and I see that I can sign up for my theme reveal (which I want to do), but I’m not supposed to do that until I sign up for the main challenge. I can’t find out where to do that ANYWHERE. I’ve been on their Facebook page which tells me the same thing – do the theme reveal after signing up for the main challenge.
Geesh!
It can be hard to find Karen! On post made March 5 (Master List Sign Ups), below the 2 badges, it says Click here. Click on the word “here” and it will take you to the sign up page.
Oh, Girl! I am so tempted to do this with you. I’m not sure I can handle a theme though, especially the last 4 weeks of the semester when my grading load gets heavy. I’ll read for sure though! You write on, sister!
Thanks Reticula! A theme is good because it gives you focus. A theme is bad because about midway thru the alphabet you are so damn tired of writing about the same shit every day when there is other stuff going on that you’d love to spout off about…or maybe that’s just me?? I’d love it if you could join me in the challenge, as I love to read what you write. But I of all people understand when your schedule means you’re checking into the Crazytown hotel for a (hopefully) short stay.
This was a laugh-out-loud funny post 😆 If this is what I can expect from Freewheelin’ Badass, it’s going to be a blast.
… no pressure 🤪
OMG! The. Pressures. I. Can’t. Even. 😜
🤣
I used a theme last year and found it helpful. I probably won’t participate this year, but I’m looking forward to your posts since that’s how I found your blog last year!
And I yours, Akilah. Been enjoying your Slice of Life Challenge posts!
Thank you!
Oh emm geee…. I just (quite literally, although I detest the use of the word on the norm) laughed out LOUD (here, all by myself at my desk, eating a bowl of cottage cheese and avocado) more than once as I read this post. Oh, I’m following you all right… and reading you, woman! No one makes me laugh out loud with her command of the English language. I’m in.
Dana
Waiter, drink please!
http://danamartinwriting.com/2018/03/theme-reveal-a-z-blogging-challenge/
Hi Dana! Nice to meet you and I’m off to discover your blog shortly.
I’m not always funny – sometimes I’m ranty and mostly I’m boring, as you’ll soon find out.
And sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one that thinks I am funny, so I sure do appreciate the external validation.
My blog is mostly therapy (for an audience of one – me) but it sure is nice to bring a smile to readers.
Thanks!
Deb
I found you via The Englishist and see that Joanne is here, too. I feel like I’m missing out on something good by not knowing about you. HI! I’m Ally and I’m not doing the A To Z Challenge this year, but look forward to reading what you have to say.
Welcome Ally! Looking forward to checking out your blog. I love to get to know new readers this way. And thanks for the lovely comment!
Thanks very much, Deb. You’re a life/challenge saver 🙂
Pingback: Theme Reveal With a Twist #AtoZChallenge - THE WIDOW BADASS BLOG