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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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#IWSG Peeps. . .Why Tackle the Alphabet in April?

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Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh


The question is optional! 
April 5 Question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?
The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG will be Christopher D. Votey, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Fundy Blue, and Chrys Fey!
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I can’t even remember how or why I started doing the A to Z Challenge. What attracted me to it was all of the fascinating themes people chose. I learned so much that I had to repeat the experience for several years in a row. Not only did I learn from others, but I learned a lot about the theme I chose. I’m missing it this year, but I hope to be back in 2018. 
As to the second part of this question, I’d say the results were that I connected with a lot people who in turn connected me with others. 
Learning new things and connecting with others are two reasons I keep coming back for a month of alphabetizing.

How’s everyone doing on the Insecure front these days? Are you doing the A to Z Challenge 2017? Why? Why not?

Comments

  4. I have never participated in the A-Z challenge, but I have always loved visiting the posts of others who are participating. So many interesting posts. I always learn a lot and I find new blogs all the time.
    ~Jess

  5. This is my 5th year in a row. I love the challenge of writing every day (well almost) and working on a theme. Finding new blogs and reading on diverse themes is what I like about A to Z Challenge.

  7. I love the A to Z challenge.
    I do it for networking, to meet people and other authors, to learn new things about the world…
    It takes loads of time, though.

  8. I agree with you completely. Learning new things and connecting with people is a great motivator to keep participating. I enjoyed my A to Z in 2014 and then my life intruded and I had to bow out from my blogging for practically the next two years. This year sneaked right up on me, but I'm hoping to participate next year just for the fun of being in the midst of things. My son, Noah, has a daily music blog called A Song A Day and is now doing the challenge for the third year, based on how much fun I had during my year. He really enjoys it!

  9. My current insecurity is all about taking on too much, but at least it's exciting stuff. I haven't done the A – Z yet, but I do enjoy the variety of posts.

  11. I decided at the last minute to jump in and, with stuff going on at work, I'm going to find myself exhausted

  13. I'm doing a lighter version of A to Z and not visiting as many blogs as in years past. Still enjoying the event the best and having fun with it.

  15. I am doing the challenge this year, though initially I decided not to. My philosophy with posting on my blog is to really explore what something is. But AtoZ generally requires a short post. I don't like doing short posts.

    Having decided not to do it this year, I volunteered to co-host IWSG. But then I have a book coming out in June (hopefully), and I felt it was foolish of me not to use AtoZ as a marketing tool, to give people a taste of what I'm trying to do. So, here I am.

  16. Hi, Lee…

    So nice to drop in. I feel like it's been a lifetime. I loved your theme last year and really enjoyed it. I opted out this year, too. After four years in a row, I just couldn't keep up with it. I did the challenge as A CHALLENGE. When everyone wrote their posts MONTHS in advance, I did mine the day before they were to post. NOW that is a challenge. AS Tara said, blogging has changed and we just don't have the endless hours to be hopping from site to site. I ADORE my blogger friends, but keeping up with almost a thousand is impossible. So I have my select peeps I visit and who visit me and that is enough. No time really for new blogger friends especially when I miss my close friends so much. I loved it the first two years … it was another time.

  17. i totally did it to connect with other bloggers – the first year, i had no theme. but being the organized person i am, i went nuts for the next five years or so.

    but times change. not doing it this year. i don't feel i could do it justice by visiting as i have in the past. plus it's changed – blogging is fading and so the challenge has changed with the times… i'm curious to see how it goes!

    Tara Tyler Talks

    • I haven't read the new rules. Guess I should find out if it's something I'd like to do in 2018. I'm hearing that some people don't like the change.

  20. I love the challenge for how it connects me to new people. This year, my health and energy isn't that great so no idea how well I'll do, but I'm trying.

  22. The challenge means new connections for sure. When you're not participating it's nice to cruise around and really read the posts. When you're in it, there's only time for a quick skim and move on. Sadly.

  23. The Challenge was always a good way to connect with new people and learn new things. I'm skipping it this year, mostly because of all the time it takes!

  25. I never participated in A-Z, but you make a good point. One can learn a lot during that one month. I'm thinking about next year.

  29. Even though I am not participating in the A to Z this year, I would say the networking is one of the major advantages to participate.
    Wishing you all the best in the challenge.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat

  31. Connecting with great people is the highlight of A to Z, I think. I'm not able to participate this year but will hopefully join in the marathon again next year. I hope you are enjoying the Spring time, Lee. Take good care.

  38. Like Chrys, before IWSG, my blog was barely visible. Thanks to some of you following it, I don't feel as lonely. I have not tried A to Z yet. I'm worried about having enough time to fit all the work in as it is. Good luck with all you do, Lee!

    • It's a wild time for people like us who are building networks to show our work to best advantage. I had no idea I'd be doing this when I first said, "I'm going to write a book."

  39. I first participated in A to Z because I wanted to connect with more bloggers. And I did. It worked like a charm. 🙂 Before the Challenge, and before joining IWSG, my blog was barely visible.

  40. Hi Lee – the A-Z really opened my eyes to the blogging world, and to the range of authors out there … I've loved it. Yes it is hard work and I've learnt to do my posts in advance, so I can participate better – but I don't like the social media aspect this year … and almost certainly won't do it next year … but I've made some great friends … you and 'our pond pudding'! Cheers Hilary

  42. I've done it twice (the 2nd and 3rd years) and found it to be a ton of fun. Very time consuming too, and my Aprils of late have been too books to participate. 🙁

  44. I succeeded once, failed once at the A-Z challenge. I'm not trying it this year because one thing I did learn was to be prepared ahead of time and I didn't have time for that this year.

  45. I found it exhausting but a great network experience, and yes, some of those themes are so creative and informative. I just haven't been able to join in for the past few years. Maybe next year (she said, every year). X

  46. Glad you found it so helpful. I've never had time for it and it doesn't fit with my blog. I'm hoping to start connecting with new people through this group though and am going to work at it more, starting this month.

    • You've had a few years of hard life events, Natalie. The A to Z would be at the bottom of my list if I'd been you. Besides, your great blog captures a lot of attention from readers and writers.

  47. I have not done it for several years, mostly because when I prioritize the things in my life, it doesn't show up as a priority where I'd have to let go of something else in order to do it. It was lovely when I did participate for all the reasons you mention, but the time factor makes it hard for me to choose to participate.

  50. I loved A to Z but find it works best if I write the posts in March and save time to visit in April. Both of those months are too busy this year, so I decided to take a break from A to Z this go-round.