Well, another April has gone past like a whirlwind which means the Challenge is all over. As usual, the range of posts on the Challenge was impressive, as well as the care that many bloggers took with the research and presentation of their material each day. My theme 'What's in a name' was easy to compile and didn't take a lot of time.
I found that there were persons who created lengthy posts, which of course would not have been read by many as not everybody has the time to settle in for a 1,000-word read when they're trying to visit as many people as possible.
As to visits, I realize that many simply posted with no intention of visiting other bloggers. As a co-host, I found myself shortchanging my regular visitors because I spent most of my time visiting persons who did not participate other than to write their daily posts. Sadly, some persons didn't finish.
I had an awesome group of co-hosts who were up to the Challenge and did an excellent job keeping up with their assigned blogs. Special thanks to the following persons.
Keith Channing
Mark Craddock
Bish Denham
Betty Dmochowski Wooton
Jen Garrett
Sheena-Kay Graham
Laura Hernandez
Michelle Wallace
Here's hoping the Challenge was awesome for you? What did you enjoy most about the Challenge?
New on the block - The Insecure Writers Support Group is now on Twitter! Follow @TheIWSG https://twitter.com/TheIWSG Don't miss out on valuable information in the publishing world.
I found that there were persons who created lengthy posts, which of course would not have been read by many as not everybody has the time to settle in for a 1,000-word read when they're trying to visit as many people as possible. As to visits, I realize that many simply posted with no intention of visiting other bloggers. As a co-host, I found myself shortchanging my regular visitors because I spent most of my time visiting persons who did not participate other than to write their daily posts. Sadly, some persons didn't finish.
I had an awesome group of co-hosts who were up to the Challenge and did an excellent job keeping up with their assigned blogs. Special thanks to the following persons.
Keith Channing
Mark Craddock
Bish Denham
Betty Dmochowski Wooton
Jen Garrett
Sheena-Kay Graham
Laura Hernandez
Michelle Wallace
Here's hoping the Challenge was awesome for you? What did you enjoy most about the Challenge?
New on the block - The Insecure Writers Support Group is now on Twitter! Follow @TheIWSG https://twitter.com/TheIWSG Don't miss out on valuable information in the publishing world.
Thanks Joy! I enjoyed working as part of your crew :) I know what you mean about some people just signing up to blog and having no intentions of visiting other blogs. Not sure why then they would have signed up? Just for the discipline or writing every day? And those were usually the long posts with over 1000 words.
ReplyDeleteI would say from those that I visited, I received 20% to 30% returns visits. Interesting, posts that I commented on during the challenge as part of my minion ones, I commented sometimes daily for a week until they moved out of my numbers I was responsible for and in that time I rarely got a visit back.
All in all, a great challenge!
betty
Yes, it's a wonderful Challenge and even more so when people get in the spirit of things.
DeleteGreat reflections, Joy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Challenge! It was the only marathon I'll ever be running :) Thanks so much for your support throughout. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Nicola.
DeleteEnjoy your week as well.
That some stated in their posts they wouldn't be visiting anyone really stunned me. I'd never seen that before.
ReplyDeleteWow! I totally missed that. I don't see the point of that, which is a new concept to me too.
DeleteThank you for pointing out about shortchanging regular visitors because of visits to the 'disengaged' crowd of bloggers. Never occurred to me, an angle to be aware of, though I did systematically return comments to all traceable commenters. Interesting to read what Betty has said above too, I would agree that only about 20% of the bloggers reciprocate, and that has been my experience for all years that I have participated.
ReplyDeleteYou guys did a great job. I always felt bad when I went to a blog that only had one or two comments but I wonder if that blogger was doing visits themselves. Lots didn't reciprocate visits.
ReplyDeleteI pleased we agree on the lengths of posts affecting the number of reads and comments. I'd far rather write 1000 words than 200, but that's going to leave me largely unread. I start with a long piece then get the shears out!I lose a lot in content but gain a lot in readership. Thank you for agreeing with my suggestion that we have an FF category. Flash Fiction is a popular genre on the challenge and needs to be separated from WR.
ReplyDeleteVisit Keith's Ramblings
It is really said when people sign up (maybe to take advantage and get more page visits?) and don't do the Challenge, or when they give up after several letters. I've seen people saying that they won't be returning comments, especially if the blog already has a lot of comments. That's not what the Challenge is about. It's about community.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a job well done, Joy, I hear your frustration about those who didn't visit back. I visited a lot of blogs where that happened at least to me. I think we need to just keep trying to educate those bloggers, but I fear that some will not pay attention. It happens every year though so I've come to expect it.
ReplyDeleteStill, I thought it was another good year.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
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ReplyDeleteThe names you selected were fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do the challenge, but I visited many bloggers who did. In the past I noticed people who stopped and also those who didn't have a lot of comments because they never visited and commented on anyone else's posts.
ReplyDeleteI visited some incredible posts. At one point, I meant to create a ledger so I would remember to come back and visit the blogger again once the challenge was over. I can't find the ledger. That's what my life has evolved to these days. It's a long story, but between trying to sell the house and coping with a very slow, old computer, I didn't visit near as many challengers as I would have liked. Your theme was fascinating and helpful. I've jotted down a few names for future characters.
ReplyDeleteI haven't participated in the A-Z except through the IWSG for many years now because I knew there was no way I could keep up with all the blog visits. Congrats to you for making it through.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked how many reflections posts I've read so far where people are moaning they didn't get many visitors - and then go on to say they didn't visit any other blogs! It works both ways!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Hi. I enjoyed your 'what's in a name' posts. Neat to learn of uncommon names and their meanings. I tried to visit everyone who visited, but worry some got lost in the process. I took on too much this year. Congrats on finishing!
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