April is over!! And with it the Blogchatter’s A to Z blogging challenge. What a month it was!! Assimilating thoughts, writing them down, reading posts of fellow bloggers and tweeting like crazy… Wow!! I still can’t believe I did it all.
I came to know about AtoZ challenge from a blogger friend in mid March. I read about the challenge and found it fascinating. I realized it was time I stepped out of my weekly blogging comfort and challenged myself to write daily.
Finding a theme was the most difficult part. I went over a few interesting themes, but then I thought I should write about the one that was the closest to my heart. And so I chose to write about a woman who is so influenced by her past that she refuses to appreciate her present. However, she realizes this in time and saves her future.
During the last 30 days, I met quite a few bloggers who I didn’t know before, we read each others’ posts daily, commented on them (critiqued and appreciated them all in a respectable manner) and became like a big happy family. Every morning, I would wake up desperate to read new posts and comments on my posts. It was so exhilarating.
My takeaways from this challenge:
- If you believe in yourself, you can do it. There is no challenge greater than your spirit.
- There is a beautiful blogging universe out there. You just have to reach out to them, and they will be there for you!
- Read, read and read other blogs. You come across so many novel ideas.
I have made some amazing friends over the month whom I can’t thank enough. Also, they have taught me a lot:
- Shalini who has read such fascinating books and whose book reviews urge you to leave everything there and then to go grab a copy for yourself. https://www.shalzmojo.in/
- Balaka Basu who portrayed her characters so well that you wanted to meet each one of them. – https://trinalooksback.com/
- Deepa Karthik who is one of the wisest bloggers I have met. Her posts are simple, wise and full of universal truth. – https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/
- Neethu in whom I see my reflection. Her posts are quirky and fun just like her. https://outlawnee.wordpress.com/
- Priya who is a master of all forms of writing. Be it poems, caligrams, sci-fis or murder mysteries. https://priyreflects.com/
- Seema who fascinated me with the description of beautiful old houses of India and her lovely illustrations. https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/
- Aesha who told me about this contest and saw me through it. Her understanding of midlife is practical, fun and deep. https://aeshasmusings.com/
- Akshata who wrote a lovely story about Myra, a strong woman we all aspire to be. https://akswrites.com/
- Anagha who kept us in splits with the funny anecdotes of Mrs. Chitterchatter and her nutty family. https://canvaswithrainbow.com/
- Meha who has observed people from close quarters and shared their storied s through the soul of a dog residing in the colorful Rainbow society. https://oflifeanditsfollies.wordpress.com/
- Dipika who wrote insightful articles on parenting. She understands the problems from the viewpoint of a child and gives practical solutions. http://www.gleefulblogger.com/
- Meena who made us proud of our Indian heritage all over again. https://balconysunrise.wordpress.com/
- Ashwini who wrote about issues many would be only too glad to brush them under the carpet. A true feminist! https://ashwinis-perceptions.blogspot.in/
- Shirley who wrote about medical conditions in depth. https://riseandsoar.com/
- Rashmi who wrote on such a wide array of interesting topics. https://bewildagain.wordpress.com/
- Shilpa who wrote fascinating stories on anything under the sun. https://shilpanairy.wordpress.com/
And many other bloggers, especially Amit from @doc2poet, Mahak from @babyandbeyondin and Rohan from RohanKachalia.com who I read from time to time but couldn’t pursue for lack of time.
Now that the contest is over, I feel this kind of void. My mornings are dull, it feels there is not much to look forward to. However, a few of my blogger friends suggested I should get my story published into an ebook through Blogchatter. I am currently busy with preparing the manuscript.
I know it’s too early to say this, but I think I am already prepared for the next Blogchatter AtoZ blogging challenge, 2019.
Congratulations Anshu for sailing through the challenge with elan. Thank you so much for the mention. And I want to tell you that you really prodded me on to move forth on those last few days. It meant a lot❤️❤️ all the best for the ebook☺️
Thanks a lot, Meha! Good writing should deserve appreciation, and that’s why I felt I should push you. You are a darling! Please make your Bruno and Rainbow society into an ebook too!
Omg anshu.. I have no words to mention. Love is all that i can shower on you.. Hugs and hugs.. Thanks a lot for the mention. I am yet to write my gratitude post. Got a fractured leg and it seems impossible for me to do anything.. Just waiting to get better. I enjoyed the story..nono.. Its not a story.. U had crafted it so well that it became a part of my life. Was very much lively and u did justice to every episode. I would really want u to go ahead with the ebook. U are a wonderful person by heart, by your comments and by your support to fellow bloggers. especially to someone like me who stepped out to write for the first time. Thank you so much anshu.. Hope to meet u in person for sure.
Awww, my eyes are shining bright on reading this. I am so touched with your words. Fractured leg? How on earth did you manage that?? And still managed to finish AtoZ, wow!! You have some spirit, lady!! 🙂 I am so glad to have met you who made me think constantly on how to shape my Tara. I hope to meet you too! That would be wonderful!! Hugs and love to you!! <3
First of all, thanks for the mention dear Anshu. It was indeed a wonderful experience participating in the challenge and I am so glad you wrote the story of Tara. I am going to miss her as it has also become a daily routine for me to read your blog posts with my morning cup of coffee. I am eagerly waiting for your e-book to be very successful too!! I am also looking forward to next year . I will try and attempt a genre outside my comfort zone next year to challenge myself .
I loved your decoding of midlife because I am going through all these stages myself, Aesha! I found it wonderful. And am glad to have met you who makes me aware of new avenues. I have learnt more from you in the past 1 year than all my last 5 years of blogging. Keep writing dear and inspiring me!! 🙂
Thanks for the mention Anshu. It had been a fun journey. I loved your character. Tara is going to stay with me. I am so glad we connected through A2Z.
The feeling is mutual Priya! I am glad too to have met you!! I aspire to write like you.
Aww.. you made my day. Thanks so much
Congratulations on finishing the challenge, and with little preparation.
I agree, one of the benefits of writing a challenge is that you get to read so many great and varied writers.
Good luck with your ebook.
Thanks a lot Cheryl!! 🙂
Thank you so much Anshu for the mention. You made my day. I loved your series of Post. I caught your blog late. I somehow manage 1-2 hours to read/write daily. Its very much challenging to read more and comments on many as working mom and new to blogging world. But your story made me hooked up. Glad to meet you. Keep in touch.
Seriously, taking out time to blog with a full time work and little kid is difficult. Hats off to you!! Yes, let’s keep in touch dear!
I agree with you, Rashmi! This A to Z challenge has been very special for me, not only because it’s my first but also because I got to know such lovely people!! Thanks for being there for me! 🙂
I am glad you share my feelings!! 🙂
There are always kind words for you, dear! <3
Anshu, congrats on getting through the challenge. I’ve never heard of the chatter group before. I need to look at that next year. My reflections of a crazy A to Z Blogging month
Thanks Shirley. Blogchatter must have added you to the Twitter group?
Not as far as I know. I’ve never heard of them before these Reflection posts, but so many people have referred to it, I need to join them next year!
Yes, please do!! 🙂
I always feel kind of empty when the challenge is done. Glad I’m not the only one!
Debbie
🙂 🙂
You have been nominated for the mystery blogger award- http://priyreflects.com/2018/05/09/the-mystery-continues/
Hey Anshu, my apologies for reading it so late.
Thanks dear for mention and kind words.
I was so involved in Tara’s story that at one point, I felt if I could read ur mind and find out whats in store for her! You have a great way with developing the characters and plot. Kudos and a pat on your back.
Thank you for visiting my blog so very religiously all through the challenge.
Glad that we met. Lets keep in touch.
Wish you a great blogging journey ahead dear! Keep scaling new heights and keep us entertained with your writing.
Such lovely words, Anagha! Feels so warm and fuzzy. I had thought that most friendships made during A2Z will not survive post the challenge, I am so happy to have been proven wrong. Together, let’s scale new heights. 🙂
So sweet. No mention is complete without you, neethu. <3
Thank you Neethu! You have constantly supported me throughout the challenge, of course no mention would be complete without your name! 🙂 <3