Thursday, March 31, 2016

A is for APRIL A-TO-Z CHALLENGE MONTH #AtoZChallenge

What is the April A to Z Challenge?
 
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 4 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.


For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots of coffee and chocolate. For me, the chocolate part keeps me going like an energizer hare (although, between hair touch-ups, a more appropriate analogy might be old grey mare!)

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One of the most fun things a writer can do is to participate in the annual April A to Z Challenge. You will accomplish a valuable goal. And, as a blogger, you encounter a new writing technique.

By blocking your inner editor, you allow thoughts to rise from your subconscious. You have a plethora of information stored in your mind that has been accumulating since before you were aware of thought processes. Allowing thoughts to flow freely onto the page/computer screen is comparable to opening a water faucet. If you stop in mid-stream, starting to write again becomes more difficult. Thoughts that only started to surface may sink and be lost forever.

As long as you don't obstruct the stream of words, more will come.

This means not editing while you are writing the first draft of your blog post, essay, short story, or novel. The story is in your head. Let it flow onto the page.
 
BUT ... BUT ... aren’t you supposed to
Edit! Edit! Edit!
Isn’t writing all about editing!?
Yes, ULTIMATELY.
But you can’t edit what’s in your head. You need to see it on paper!
 
Writing 26 posts for the month of April is a terrific way to begin writing faster, and an excellent method for developing a new habit, one that will serve you well throughout your writing career.
 
If you want to be a writer, you must write . . . regularly.
The best way to do that is to discover
The Fun in Writing
 
Davy Crochet having fun with April A to Z Blogging Challenge
 

 

21 comments:

  1. It takes time to realize that one must resist the desire to edit and pour one's thoughts in words. Uninterrupted.
    Editing can happen a little later.
    What an awesome start to the challenge :D

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    Replies
    1. Great to make it through the first day! Only 25 more to go.

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  2. That's so true. I never edit while writing, but it has happened to me several times that if I stop writing because I'm interrupted, then it may be very difficult to take up the same flow again.
    Isn't the mind of a writer weird? ;-)

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

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    1. It is so frustrating to have a thought that is perfect for the scene, only to lose it before committing it to paper. Worse, I've typed entire blog posts (some for this AtoZ Challenge) only to try deleting a photo and losing the entire article.

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    2. NOOOOOOOOO! That's just horrible :-(

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  3. I'm editing at the same time. I love writing and blogging so I manage to push aside everything else important.

    I’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings during the #AtoZChallenge at Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting, Stephen. I'm heading over to your site now. #AlohaFriday

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  4. You mean I'm not supposed to write four lines and edit five? Two novels later, I can't help myself. I KNOW your words above are prudent. I have decided to FOLLOW you for the month and see what evolves from sitting at your knee while learning. Thank you for all the hard work this blog takes everyday, but during April especially. I love the #Challenge and finding new sites like YOURS. Come see me if you have time.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Stepheny! On my way to your site right now.
      #AlohaFriday to you.

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  5. I would prefer to follow your blog through my e-mail so I am notified when you have published. I can't seem to find that option. I added you to my google, but always forget to check it. Help?

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    Replies
    1. Can you try the "Subscribe to" or "Followers" section in the right column?

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  6. I totally agree. I did the challenge last year as a new blogger and posting daily so soon got me into a great habit. Here I am a year later still posting at least once a day :)
    Debbie

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  7. I'm also doing the A to Z challenge with my writing blog, and I agree. The challenge forces you to dig deep! Not just for creating daily blog posts, but for crawling outside your writing cave and engaging with the blogging community. Plus I learn so many new things in April.

    Robin Rivera from
    WriteOnSisters

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  8. Wow, I haven't gotten that organized yet. #AlohaFriday to you, Debbie.

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  9. I have a very difficult time ignoring the droning voice of my inner editor. But I think you are right, the A-Z challenge as well as Camp NaNoWriMo should help me silence her whining.

    Molly @MyCozyBookNook
    My Cozy Book Nook
    Revising Life after 50

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  10. Davy Crochet... that's cute... XD This should be fun!

    John Holton
    Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    The Sound of One Hand Typing

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  11. What always helps for me is to tell that nagging voice inside is that I always write only for myself, whether it is a blog post or a book.

    Very easy way to shut it up :D


    Have a wonderful A to Z,
    Sylvia van Bruggen

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  12. Loved it! Wishing you good luck in A to Z!

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  13. When I'm working on a first draft it's hard not to edit sometimes, but I'm getting better at ignoring the inner editor and telling her to wait her turn.

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  14. Gail, I am sorry for visiting your page late. I am so short of time running errands that I am worried if I would survive A-Z challenge. This article is a boost to my thoughts. I also have the habit of scribbling my thoughts just as they flow in, mostly on a paper or on my phone. Loved your post.

    @SarahVamshi from
    The Tin Trunk

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