Monday, May 7, 2012

My Gratitude Cup Runneth...



When I first heard of the A to Z Challenge, I thought what a creative way to entice people to check out other blogs.  I knew I wasn't going to have a problem writing a post daily because I'd been doing that very thing every day since December 6th of last year.  The theme was a bit tricky to decide on, but I finally went with a double-header theme where I covered a new word each day that most people (including myself) had never heard of and a bit of a "teaser" about a children's book.  My gratitude cup was empty starting the challenge, but I hoped to fill it while visiting other blogs and meeting new blogger friends along the way.





We were challenged to visit at least five new blogs per day but I wanted to do more.  So I started with the first blog on the list and began to fill my cup with wonderful tales of family histories, or creative works of art and illustration, or just the different views my soon to be new friends wanted to share with me.  By the end of the month and 600 blogs later, I am amazed with the talent and creativity I found in the blogosphere.  I fully intend to visit the other 1100+ participates over the next couple of months until I have said hello to as many bloggers as possible!  My gratitude cup was filling up but there was more in store for me...

For myself, I can proudly say I completed the challenge.  It was fun and I am eagerly awaiting next year!  As writers and bloggers, we all have this need to feel like someone is interested in what we have to say.  Challenges like the A to Z one allows people to gain new readers (I picked up over 100 in less than a month!) while sending a little encouragement to others as well.  Blogging daily gave me the ability to fine tune my messages while strengthening my writing voice on a willing audience.  And as far as how my gratitude cup runneth...take a guess!





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17 comments:

  1. Julie Rowan-ZochMay 7, 2012 at 9:31 AM

    And we PB-Junkies profited from all the wonderful book suggestions too!

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    1. Donna L MartinMay 7, 2012 at 10:38 AM

      Ahhhh...lol...thanks Julie for your kind words! I'm thinking about starting some "specialities" in addition to my daily blog posts. Things like Teaser Tuesdays where I would give you a "teaser" about a children's book...or Weird Wednesdays where I would talk about something unusual or strange that I had come across...what do you think? Would anyone be interested? I think I will post a blog about THAT tomorrow and ask my followers if they would want to read something like that? ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. UnknownMay 7, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    It's been a great experience hasn't it? Well done on finishing it!

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    1. Donna L MartinMay 7, 2012 at 10:40 AM

      Thanks, Susan! As I mentioned in my post, since I write every day anyway, I didn't feel THAT would be a difficult challenge so I created a harder one for myself with the "double-header" thing I had going on...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. jpMay 7, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    It was reading your blog that made me aware of the A to Z Challenge. The A to Z Challenge gave me a chance to pause, take stock and meet a lot of very nice people. It also introduced me to other bloggers in similar situations who gave some great advice.

    But it comes full circle because as good as advice may be, only encouragement gives the strength to go on and only belief stokes the fire.

    You inspire both.

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    1. Donna L MartinMay 7, 2012 at 1:16 PM

      Awww, JP, you touch my heart with your kind words. I have mentioned before we have had some similiar circumstances in our past...maybe that is why we have kindred spirits? There will be many people to cross your path in the future...some kind and others not so much...it's up to YOU to keep your heart open to those that will lift you up and ignore those who seek to dampen your spirit...you are a strong Jedi Warrior...USE THE FORCE...lol

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    Now to hop over to all those new followers. You'll have your hands full. So glad it was a success for you. Even though I don't always comment, I love your posts and I am one of your new followers.

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveMay 7, 2012 at 10:27 PM

      Hi Clar! I usually accomplish whatever I set my mind to do and I REALLY would like to say that I have visited all 1700 A to Z Challenge participants. Some of the blogs have very few visitors or followers and I want to let them know that at least ONE person cares that they have something to say...;0)...just like you brighten my day with your kind words...so we spread the love around!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  5. Karen Jones GowenMay 7, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    What a very nice reflection post! I'm glad it made your cup full :)

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveMay 7, 2012 at 10:32 PM

      Hi Karen and welcome to my blog! People who are committed to blogging truly are some of the best people in the world! So talented and creative with their posts...it was such a joy to read so many wonderful posts and I now have become a new follower to quite a few last month...including just signing up for YOUR posts as well...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Jarm Del BoccioMay 7, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    I've enjoyed your new word/picture book duo during the Challenge, Donna...congrats on finishing well!

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveMay 7, 2012 at 11:19 PM

      Thanks, Jarm! I'm thinking about adding a little "spice" to my regular blog posts...check out tomorrow's post to see what I mean...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  7. patientdreamerMay 8, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    OOohh spice aye! like it! Will look forward to tomorrow then. Congratualtions of finishing the A-Z Challenge Donna. Knew you could do it, and there were some very interesting things I learned. Life Jarm I to liked the little teaser Pb's you shared.

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    1. Donna L MartinMay 8, 2012 at 8:13 AM

      Hi Diane! I'm the ever changing, ever evolving, little blogging writer...lol...you be the judge! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  8. Hilary Melton-ButcherMay 8, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    Hi Donna .. great news you finished the Challenge - but sounds like once your mind is made up - that's it .. delighted to read your new words .. and again I need to come back and reread .. so much going on - it's a struggle to take it all in .. the main thing is the connecting ..

    Good for you and see you around some more .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveMay 8, 2012 at 1:32 PM

      Hi Hilary! Yeah, I'm pretty happy that I finished the challenge...especially since I didn't pre-plan or line up the month's worth of posting days in advance like some people did...all of mine were thought of, created, and posted the night before or the morning of each day...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  9. Donna L MartinMay 13, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Hi EvalinaMaria and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words and I see that you too completed the challenge...congratulations! We have had sunny days and high temperatures but since I am somewhat allergic to the sun and heat, I wouldn't mind visiting YOUR lovely part of the world right about now...;0)

    Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

    ReplyDelete

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