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Patricia Lynne, Young Adult Author

A to Z Reflections

5/4/2014

27 Comments

 
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Another A to Z Challenge has gone by, and I'm going to miss it. I had a lot of comments this year and I want to hug each person who visited (those who visited daily are going to get a long awkward hug.) I also found a lot of blogs, and while I'm not going to miss a gazillion posts every day, I look forward to seeing what they talk about.

I'm also kind of sad. Hops are about the only time I have a jump in comments, so I feel like now the challenge is over, my blog will go back to being ignored. Lately, I've been grappling with feeling left out and alone when it comes to my writing, but that's a post for another day. I did gain blog subscriptions, but no idea how many. I should have looked at the numbers before the start. Ah, hindsight.

​In terms of how the challenge went, I didn't have many bumps. A few blogs had commenting systems that wouldn't let me comment unless I had an account. People, if you want comments, don't force someone to register. It seemed a lot of the blogs after me on the list weren't participating or it seemed I just found all the non-participants. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to report them or let the hosts and their minions deal with it. I didn't see many signatures in my comments, but Weebly doesn't have html for comments so it really didn't matter. Also, everyone put their website/blog into the website field when commenting so I was easily able to visit back.

I don't really have any complaints and I'd call the challenge for me this year a giant success. I'm sad it's over, but also glad. It's always a relief to have the bloggingsphere go back to normal after something like that. Now I've got to figure out what to talk about.

Before I go, I'd like to give a shoutout to a few blogs that I had me coming back daily and begging for more.
  • Aditi entertained with stories inspired by color.
  • Djinnia enthralled with a tale of adventure.
  • Madeline wowed in 100 words or less.
  • Charity took us through Time and Space with Doctor Who.
  • S.K. introduced us to her SK-isms.
  • Colin riveted with 100 flash fiction
  • Twins Tasha and Sophie explored vampires and ghosts as well as writing some steamy drabbles.
  • Anna took us on a ride into the Fae world.
There are many more blogs that I read and commented on, but I don't want to be here all day. ;)

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27 Comments
Sophie Duncan link
5/4/2014 04:48:31 pm

Thanks for the shout out :)

I know what you mean about the drop off of comments, it's a bit sad, but I've made some new contacts this year and renewed some contacts from last year as well. I'm going to try to make the most of those contacts and hopefully that means they can also get something from me. We writers need to stick together and self-help :)

Sophie
<a href="http://sophiesthoughtsandfunmbles.blogspot.co.uk/">Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles</a> - A to Z Ghosts
<a href="http://fantasyboysxxx.blogspot.co.uk/">Fantasy Boys XXX</a> - A to Z Drabblerotic

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LynneInPborough link
5/4/2014 08:00:44 pm

We got here. Good to hear you didn't have too many bumps along the way. Huge thanks for the comments you left on mine. I read most if not all, I forget, of your posts though might not have commented daily. You drew us in and gave much entertainment.
Well done!

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Katie link
5/4/2014 10:41:50 pm

I'm with ya on "feeling left out". I got such a jump in visits during April, and in just the few days since, it's gone back down :( Oh well...such is life.
btw...how in the hell did I miss a Doctor Who themed A to Z??? I have a lot to catch up on!
~Katie

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Elsie link
5/4/2014 10:58:44 pm

Thanks so much for the shout out. :D
I'm in a bit of the same place. I think it's A to Z withdrawals. The flurry of visits felt good and watching the numbers slip is a bit depressing. But through the A to Z challenge, I learned the importance of visiting other blogs and will be back… often :).

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Julie Jordan Scott link
5/4/2014 11:17:20 pm

I know the feeling: my writing/blogging is ignored so why bother?! (Heck, I even felt this way during times during the A to Z Challenge!) I did enjoy getting to know many bloggers better and will hopefully remember to go back and visit and comment. Your flash fiction was so tasty and well crafted and concise. A pleasure in so many ways!

I look forward to continuing to visit. Community is community is community. :-) Thank you for commenting on my blog, too.

Julie Jordan Scott
<a href=http://juliejordanscott.typepad.com> The Bold Writer from A to Z </a>

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Cecilia Clark link
5/4/2014 11:20:13 pm

I too felt sad that I had 100 visitors and now I have none but that's okay because i found some awesome blogs to keep visiting. I hope you have some good writing buddies. I find I need other writers to bounce ideas around with too. congratulations on making it through the challenge.

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Alex J. Cavanaugh link
5/4/2014 11:27:55 pm

I hope you continue to get comments.
Next year, feel free to let us know about any non-participants. We really do try to weed those out.

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Jamie Dement (LadyJai) link
5/4/2014 11:31:01 pm

I also saw an uptick in visits, comments, and subscriptions (though not very much). I feel the same about it being the only time I get many visitors and comments. I feel like it's not worth blogging because hardly anyone comes. But I keep doing it. :)

I loved reading yours. Your posts have always been fun as well as educational! :) I just hate that I couldn't come every day because of the sheer number of participants. over 2000, unbelievable. I just couldn't keep up. And that's probably why I had so few visitors. :P

Keep at it! I'm here to cheer you on!

Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
<a href=http://writebackwards.we3dements.com>Trying to be Positive in Life and Writing</a>
<a href=http://caringforaveteran.wordpress.com>Caring for My Veteran</a>

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Madeline Mora-Summonte link
5/4/2014 11:50:11 pm

Thank you for the mention! :)

I enjoyed "meeting" you during the Challenge, and I'll be back. :)

Madeline @ <a href="http://MadelineMora-Summonte.com/">The Shellshank Redemption</a>

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M.J. Fifield link
5/5/2014 12:53:17 am

I'm glad you consider the challenge a giant success. I missed taking part this year, but it is just so much work and I couldn't commit this time.

I salute you for your commitment and perseverance. And may your readership continue to grow...you certainly deserve it!

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Stephanie Scott link
5/5/2014 01:59:52 am

I like that you linked blogs you liked! I meant to do that but did not get back to editing my post.

I tend to use twitter more than blogs to connect with other writers. Maybe that can be an avenue for you to feel more connected when blog traffic is low. I think because so many people blog, individual blogs get lost in the mix. I feel the same way. I enjoy the buzz during April, then it dies down.

Here's my <a href="http://www.stephaniescott.net/2014/05/reflections-blogging-to-z-2014-and.html">A to Z wrap-up post.</a> I also have an End of Challenge book giveaway going on for either contemporary romance or contemporary YA

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Stephanie Faris link
5/5/2014 06:03:21 am

Begging for more. LOL, I like that! It is tough to comment blogs, since some are using WordPress, some are using Blogger, some are using...who knows what! I always made sure I put the link with my comment in case (like I am below). You never know when you put your website URL up there in a form field whether it will take people to your blog or not! The only time I feel secure enough not to do that is when the person has Blogger or one of those Comment Luv buttons where it shows the link to your most recent blog.

Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com

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Annikka Woods link
5/5/2014 06:11:22 am

I loved visiting you during the A to Z Challenge. You always had such clever little stories. Glad I get the emails about your posts. Thanks for visiting my blog too. :)

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mooderino link
5/5/2014 08:23:07 am

The bump at least means more people are aware of you. Whether they continue to visit depends on a lot of things but at least they know who you are now. Overall a positive thing.

mood

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djinnia
5/6/2014 12:33:01 am

thank you for the lovely shout out!

i know the feeling, but you've got a fan here! will definitely check in when i get a new eme. =D

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S. Katherine Anthony link
5/6/2014 12:59:23 am

I *have* to make time in the next couple week to read your earlier A to Z posts. I loved reading your writing prompts, you're very engaging and on point with them.

I'm sad and glad at the same time too, but enjoyed making the connections with awesome bloggers (like yourself). And hey, you're on my blog feed now so I'll be back for sure!

Thank you for the shout out!!!! :D

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Patricia Lynne link
5/6/2014 06:19:20 am

@Sophie, I made a few new blogging buddies and have some blogs I'm going to be visiting from now on.

@Lynne, I read the majority of yours. If I didn't it was because of a long day and I was too tired to read anyones. You had great posts and I enjoyed them.

@Katie, I have no idea how you missed a Doctor Who theme, but now you know and can enjoy it at your leisure. =D

@Elsie, yeah ,the challenge really teaches you the importance of networking.

@Julie, we all have our why bother moments, but then get a comment that reminds us why. =D

@Cecila, there is the road trip so others can still find your blog. ^_^

@Ninja Captain Alex, next year I'll make a point to notify of non participants.

@Jamie, a decrease in visitors and comments is expected after the challenge ends, but hopefully, we all notice an increase in regulars.

@Madeline, same here. I will be visiting you again.

@M.J., thanks!

@Stephanie S, last year I forgot to link to blogs and almost forgot this year, but had a couple other blogs link and remind me I wanted to. I'm on Twitter.

@Stephanie F, I had a few blog commenters who put the link in the website field and it didn't take me. Not often though.

@Annikka, glad you liked my post. You had good ones too and I'm glad I visited.

@Mood, very true. ^_^

@Djinna, you're welcome, I loved your story.

@S.Katherine, I plan on taking time over the summer to visit blogs on the list. There's so many and I'd like to see what I missed out on during the challenge.

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Colin link
5/6/2014 07:41:33 am

Thanks for the shout-out, Patricia! It was nice to find a fellow 100-word-flash-fiction writer, and I enjoyed your stories. :) I hear you about the comments and followers. On the one hand, I want my blog to have lots of readers because, like anything else I write, I want it to be read. But I also know that I'm not a professional blogger. My blog is an outlet, and a means to communicate with people, but it's not what I do. My novels are more important. I could do a lot more marketing, and participate in many other blog hops to get my URL around. But that would take both time and energy away from novel-writing. It's tough to balance building an audience, making connections, and writing, and I'm sure I haven't achieved it. I've decided, though, not to get sucked in to obsessing over blog followers and numbers. That way leads to insanity... :)

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Jocelyn Rish link
5/6/2014 10:30:59 am

It's always such a weird feeling when it's over. Definitely relieved to have some breathing room, but also a little sad and missing all the interaction. As always, I loved reading your super short tales, and it does give me an odd sense of pride that so many were inspired by my #15tt words. :-)

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Crystal Collier link
5/6/2014 11:58:42 pm

Yay! It was a blast, right? I'm so glad it's over. Whew! I loved seeing what word you selected each day, and lady, I won't ignore you blog now that it's over. Hopefully I'll be back here once a week...the one day I have dedicated to blogging now.

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Patricia Lynne link
5/7/2014 01:52:55 am

@Colin, there is a balance we have to strike with our writing and blogging. Blogging can be a good way to help readers find us, but if we spend too much time on it then the readers don't get books.

@Jocelyn, you find great words and they are fun to write with. I'm glad we know each other.

@Crystal, I'll be visiting you as well. =)

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Alex Hurst | A Fantasy Writer in Kyoto link
5/9/2014 11:31:09 pm

Don't worry! I'm sticking around for the long haul. I got burned out with reading/commenting halfway through the month, but I'm a much better blogger-friend outside of challenge crunches. :) I may not always comment, but I'll definitely be reading!

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Patricia Lynne link
5/13/2014 11:49:01 pm

I tend to be better with reading and commenting during challenges. I want to help spread the love. But that doesn't mean I'm not reading when there's no challenge driving me.

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Anna link
5/11/2014 11:42:11 pm

Aww, thanks for the shout out!

Glad that the challenge was a success for you. I'll be popping by on an off :)

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Patricia Lynne link
5/13/2014 11:49:57 pm

You had a great story and when you said in the AZChat that you weren't sure how to end, I was so worried because I wanted to know what happened. =)

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Anna Tan link
5/18/2014 02:59:11 am

I was really worried too!!
I had so many loose ends I started panicking. Ha.

Entrepreneurial Goddess link
2/4/2015 06:00:40 am

Hello there.
Congratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks for sharing. I'm just stopping by briefly as I try to navigate the twists and turns of the Road Trip…don't forget to wave when you see me drive by. (lol)
<a href="http://entrepreneurialgoddess.blogspot.com">Entrepreneurial Goddess</a>

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