Wednesday, May 6, 2015

#AtoZChallenge A to Z Reflections & the May #IWSG & the BBC Blogfest!

Boy, I sure got lots to talk about in this post.

Let's get right to it.


The 2015 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was awesome. It was busy and crazy and time-consuming and rewarding and just plain awesome.

I only came up with my theme shortly before it began even though I knew well in advance I'd be doing the Challenge. I always say that I work better under pressure.

Truly, The X-Files theme fell into my lap with the announcement of a six-part mini series. I consider myself lucky that I had 'almost' enough stuff to show you guys for the whole month. :)

As a Co-Host I spent a lot of time looking at other people's blogs. I saw some really amazing ones with fantastic themes. I wasn't smart enough to jot them all down, but I did write down a few.

Of course ... my three amazing Stormy Sidekicks!

Sarah Foster from The Faux Fountain Pen! - Her theme: **My theme for this year’s A to Z Challenge is THE NAME GAME. Everything you’d want to know about naming characters.**

Jennifer L. Hawes from The Writing Game! Her theme: Greetings from Hannibal, MO, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown, my theme for this year's AtoZ Challenge.

Diana Gordon from Part Time Monster! Her theme: We’ll be talking about Lady Monsters all month long.

All the incredible co-hosts!
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jeremy @ Hollywood Nuts
Nicole Ayers @ The Madlab Post
Author Stephen Tremp
AJ Lauer
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Matthew MacNish @ The QQQE
Zalka Csenge VirĂ¡g @ The Multicolored Diary
S. L. Hennessy @ Pensuasion
C. Lee McKenzie @ The Write Game
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
Susan Gourley @ Susan Says
John Holton @The Sound of One Hand Typing
Lisa Buie-Collard, Author


And these blogs!

Katie @ TheCyborgMom
Gene’O @ Sourcerer
Chuck Allen
Kelly @ Saucy Dryad
Tim S. Brannan @ The Other Side  
Victim to Charm 
J.H. Moncrieff  
Nick Wilford @ Scattergun Scribblings


There were more. I know there were more. When I run across them again, I will certainly share them.

THANK YOU again for coming to visit Stormy, BOB the Alien, and me for the Challenge!

***


Alex J. Cavanaugh: Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

His awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG will be Eva Solar, Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!

My first book is supposed to be re-released on May 20th and I don't have my edits back yet.

Sales have come to a crashing halt.

Upcoming advertising for the books is slower than molasses.

My MUSE is MIA!

I'm losin' it!

But...

...I know its only temporary.

Right?

***


The BBC Blogfest!

Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest!
Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh and Heather M. Gardner. 

Yes, Blood, Boobs, and Carnage!
Alex used that phrase last year to describe an upcoming movie release. It amused many people, including ME. (Okay, mostly me)  So, naturally we decided to make it a blogfest.
What falls into that category? Here’s a few examples – Conan the Barbarian, Breaking Bad, Fast and Furious, The Watchmen, etc.
Here’s the details, short and simple:
On May 18, 2015, post about a movie, television show, book, or all three that falls into the category of Blood, Boobs, and Carnage. (Or just Blood and Carnage or other mixture.) It can be any genre that fits the bill – fantasy, science fiction, action, adventure, western, thriller, etc. Post the badge and visit other participants.

Have you signed up? I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Go HERE!!!

26 comments:

  1. I'm glad you found the A-Z Challenge awesome! I thought about trying it but realized it'd make me crazier than I already am, and that's not a good thing.

    And your muse just stepped out for a coffee break. Tis all. ;)

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  2. You really helped hold the Challenge team together this year, Heather.
    Deep breaths. You'll get the edits back in time. If not, we'll send Bob the Alien after your publisher.

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  3. Congratulations on the upcoming book release!! You sound just like a nervous, excited first time mom. ;)
    Stopping in from Life & Faith in Caneyhead.

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  4. Congrats on finishing A-Z and for helping out so much with the challenge. Wow! Not sure I would be able to hold everything together. And I hope you get the edits back in time. And May 20th is such a special day (my bday) I know it will all work out for you.

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  5. You and Jay Noel need to form a club. He's down, too. Being an author is a roller-coaster ride for sure. Hang in there. And congrats on finishing AtoZ. :)

    IWSG #134 until Alex culls the list again.

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  6. I did sign up for the blogfest though I'm crazy busy. I'm still a little upset with you. Thanks to your theme, I'm not rewatching The X-Files and I really don't have time for it. Hope your sales bounce back. This field is so frustrating.

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  7. Yay for co-hosting! It was inspiring to be a part of the team this year, and I had incentive to visit more blogs than ever! :) Also, I can't wait for the BB&C blogfest! :)

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

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  8. I loved you theme this challenge, and I'm SO looking forward to the BBC blogfest!

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  9. Know how you feel, it does get overwhelming at times, so much to do, can only battle on.

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  10. You were an awesome co-host!!! And thanks for the shout out!
    I sure know how it feels to have an MIA muse! Maybe we can trap them at the party...

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  11. Once again you were a super co-host, Heather - I have a tiny blog but you always stop by to leave a comment and that makes me feel really warm inside :) Plus you and Stormy write such good posts during the Challenge that are fun to read! Hope May brings you all the very best because you deserve it - Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

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  12. I loved your theme, and you were so enthusiastic--you gave me an amazing boost right when I needed it. Thank you for choosing my blog as one of the ones that you loved! That makes my day. :)

    And don't worry, your muse will return. I suspect you just need a break.

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  13. Congratulations on co-hosting and finishing the A to Z challenge. What an amazing atmosphere you've created here. I'd like to wish you all the best with the book - You've got my support!

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  14. Being a co-host WITH writing in the Challenge means that you are a Super Woman! Thanks for all your work.

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  15. Good luck with the re-release. Your writing world sounds crazy busy. Glad you had fun with AtoZ. Yay for more X Files.

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  16. Thanks for the shout out Heather! I really enjoyed your A to Z this year...I'm currently doing a Sons of Anarchy watch, but I'm thinking I can start an X-Files rewatch sometime soon...maybe after all my regular season shows end and I'm bored for the summer. God forbid I read a book or something ;) See you around lady!
    Katie @TheCyborgMom

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  17. Blood, boobs and carnage sounds like the world news on the telly.

    I am probably one of the few people in the world that has never watched the x-files. However, I owned a bird that was given to me after its owner passed. It went crazy when the theme to x-files or a particular soap opera played.

    Sounds like the start of a story. ;=)

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  18. May those edits come soon and may you edit faster than you ever have before.

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  19. Join Sarah's bloghop and coax your muse out of hiding. Make sure you have a box to trap him/her in. Then never let your muse get out again. =|

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  20. Thanks Heather for visiting my challenge reading many of my letters in one day,
    Much appreciated.
    Hope your edits return sooner than later and many all go well with them.
    Yvonne.

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  21. Only temporary--yes! Resurgence ahead.

    Great job with the A to Z! Thanks for everything you put into it. You were amazing!

    Thank you for all that you do, Heather!

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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  22. Hi Heather - thanks for all you do for the A-Z .. I know Tina loved working with you .. and I'm certain she'll be as proud as punch for us all once again this year. Stormy will have fun as we gather ourselves for our Stormy Road Trip ... good luck with the edits, good luck with the BBC blogfest ... and your muse will appear ... cheers Hilary

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  23. Heather, I loved your X-Files theme and feel in love with Stormy! :) I just signed up for the Blood, Boobs and Carnage blogfest. How long has it been going on? Sounds fun!
    I know what you mean about your muse being MIA: I sooooo know what you mean, unfortunately. I'm trying to get mine back too...
    Have a great weekend.
    Michele at Angels Bark

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  24. I enjoyed the X-Files theme, which is odd because I never watched the show. Maybe I'll go back and Netflix it.

    And in answer to your question...right!

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  25. Just now getting around to visiting the blogs in the challenge. April was a busy month for me. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary
    www.JingleJangleJungle.net

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  26. Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks for your hard work as co-host too. I didn't get to visit your blog during the crazy month of April so I'm popping over today from the Road Trip/Reflections linky.

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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