Wednesday, March 5, 2014

When IWSG and A to Z Collide




 


                       
It's time for another edition of  Alex J. Cavanaugh'sInsecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit this encouraging group of bloggers. This year, the first Wednesday in April coincides with the letter "B" in the  A to Z Blogging Challenge. Although I won't be participating this year, I'd like to offer some suggestions on how to creatively combine the two.


                                                      


Three year participant Al Penwasser will also not be part of the festivities this year, in order to work on his hilarious new book. However, he mentioned that he might re-post some of his favorite alphabet stories. This reminded me of my three posts for the letter "B," and how they would fit into the IWSG.

In 2011, I wrote about Battling Bulges. As writers, we often need to trim the fat from our stories, before we become overstuffed on adjectives, and run-on sentences.

The following year was all about the Brutality of Bra Shopping. Many readers are in search of an uplifting experience, and it's our job to provide it for them. Though sometimes it's difficult to find the perfect fit, especially when our audience outgrows our material. Somehow that didn't happen in our YA days.

Last spring, my topic for "B" was on Beauty Shop Bullies. This subject provides three options for the IWSG.  Bloggers have their choice of beauty shops, bullies, or both. Though I can't imagine anyone else has encountered an eighty something year old bully at their mother's beauty shop. There are bullies who do try to discourage us from writing, and there are plenty of writers who are insecure about their hair. Although we can all agree that Alex, and Arlee are a cut above the rest.

I look forward to cheering on the wonderful A to Z blogging community. I'll never forget my very first challenge in 2011. It was shortly after I started blogging, and I had no idea what to expect. When I told my mom that I was going to be extremely busy that April, she replied without missing a beat, "I'll try not to die this month." Thankfully, she kept her promise.


49 comments:

  1. Fun suggestions. I've never done A-Z though I admire those who do. It doesn't really fit with our blog.

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  2. Ha! Clever ideas! I have trouble posting once a week, let alone every day, but I did do the A to Z a couple of years ago.

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  3. This is so clever, I love it. Tragically I've never outgrown the YA bras LOL.

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  4. LOL! I'm thinking you inherited your humor from your mom. I'm not participating this year either.

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  5. I'm new to IWSG and pretty much to blogging in general... but I'll have to check out the A to Z challenge! Thanks for the entertaining post about your various topics!

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  6. Can't believe another A to Z is coming up. I'm still too busy with my revision to get back online, but I'll be checking in on people's posts. :)

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  7. I'll try not to die this month. Bwahahahahahahaha. Your mother kills me.

    I am sorry that you won't be A to Zing because I think would enjoy ALL of your posts, but I do get it. Last year was my first run at it and I was exhausted at the end. It is a marathon, not a sprint. And having those posts prepared before it starts... well, that would have helped a lot.

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  8. Thanks Natalie!

    Daisy - I also have trouble posting once a week! Glad you tried A to Z though! Thanks Daisy!

    Julie - I wish that was my problem! Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG, Julie!

    Carol - I know how busy you are. Everyone in my family has a crazy sense of humor!

    Elizabeth - Welcome to the IWSG! I'm glad that you'll be checking out A to Z! It was definitely worth the challenge! Thanks Elizabeth!

    Luanne - it's great to see you! Good luck with the rest of your revisions!

    Robin - I look forward to seeing your A to Z posts, and I hope to re-post some of my favorites during the challenge. It does help to write your stories ahead of time.

    Julie

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  9. I always love visiting your place, Julie. You have a wonderful sense of humour and always make me laugh.
    I'm doing the A to Z again. It will be my 4th challenge... and I'll be looking out for your visits to cheer us on!
    Writer In Transit

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  10. Can't speak for Lee, but I'm definitely not insecure about my hair!

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  11. Michelle - I will definitely be cheering you on! You're a real trooper, and I've always enjoyed your sense of humor too! Thanks Michelle!

    Alex - Great one Alex! I meant it when I said that you and Lee were a cut above the rest!

    Julie

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  12. I am insecure about my hair today, definitely a bad hair day. I hadn't realised the two dates coincided, not being a writer. Hope everyone manages to combine OK.

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  13. I so admire people who do this challenge. I always enjoy reading the posts, but don't think I'll ever have time to do it myself. It seems to be a great way of getting new readers too!

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  14. Jo - I feel your pain, as I've been having a bad hair week! You don't give yourself enough credit. Jo, you write a wonderful blog featuring eloquent anecdotes and delicious recipes; therefore, you are a writer.

    Val - Not only did we gain new readers, but lasting friendships were formed too. I will miss being a part of A to Z this year, and I also admire the loyal participants.

    Julie

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  15. LOL. Loved your B's. Good luck with A-Z. You guys are very brave to tackle this!

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  16. Great post. I laughed at "Trim the fat from our stories." So true.

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  17. Caffe Maggieato - Thanks for your kind words, and good wishes. I'm not brave enough to participate this year.

    Beverly - I had fun writing this! Thanks Beverly!

    Julie

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  18. Your mom is such a giver, Julie. Smiles.

    Brutality of Bra Shopping was my favorite of your b posts, and the one I could most relate to.

    I'm also looking forward to others' (with emphasis on "others'") posts.

    xoRobyn

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  19. Hi, Julie! I'm hoping you might consider joining my bloggers' book club. Details are here: http://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-cephalopod-coffeehouse-blog-list.html

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  20. Now that you mention it, maybe I'll repost a 'B.' I'll have a look at the last three years and see what's what.

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    1. 2012's letter 'B' has been reposted on April 2. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  21. Robyn - Yes, she certainly is! Even worse than shopping for bras were the days when bathing suits weren't returnable, so I had to spend hours trying them on. Of course sales women kept barging in to add to the fun. Thanks Robyn!

    Armchair Squid - Thanks for letting me know about your book club. I'll definitely check it out.

    Al - Anxiously awaiting your brilliant "B" post! Thank YOU Al!

    Julie

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  22. Hair? I don't need no stinkin' hair.

    Seems like every year for the past few Aprils I've had something step in to complicate my month. Hopefully this year I can have a comfortable time at home keeping up with the Challenge.

    Thanks for the shout out for the Challenge.

    Lee
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out

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  23. Sounds like your A-Z was hilarious!

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  24. You've had some fun topics. I'm also sitting out this year as I'll probably be only just back to posting, but look forward to seeing what peeps have up their sleeve.

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  25. Just blogging around and found your blog. So glad to see so many people still blogging. So many deserted blogs these days. Thanks for letting me visit.
    Susan
    http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com
    http://joininandgogreen.blogspot.com

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  26. Lee - After all of your hard work, you deserve to be able to enjoy when you make blogging history in April. I'll always appreciate what you and A to Z have done for me. Oh, and you're right about the hair! Thanks Lee!

    Nick - It's great to hear from you! Glad that you'll officially be back to blogging next month! It will be fun to check in on the A-Zers! Thanks Nick!

    Susan - It's nice to meet you! The best way to find busy bloggers is through A to Z! I hope that you'll check it out. Thanks Susan!

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  27. Hi Julie .. thank goodness for your mother's sense of timing!!! Love it!

    Oh yes - we met via the A-Z .. and look where it's led?! Fun times and great rapport ...

    I'm planned up - not written up .. better get on with it!! Cheers Hilary

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  28. Love It! I sure would like to sit around the kitchen table with you and your mother. I'm not sure which one of you is funnier, but I know we'd have a blast. (Um... does she write poetry...?)

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  29. Hilary - Oh yes, my mom does have great timing! I always have fun with you, and really appreciate how you always go out of your way to be helpful. Looking forward to more of your creative A to Z posts! Thanks Hilary!

    Susan - My mom was never big on poetry, but my grandfather was. How I wish that I would've held on to the wonderful birthday poems he wrote for me every year growing up. My mom would love you Susan, and you're invited anytime!

    Julie

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  30. I love your mom, know that. That was the best line she could have said!

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    1. Libby - I really think that she could be Betty White's little sister! Thanks Libby!

      Julie

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  31. Thanks for your comments. I need to get myself back on track.

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  32. Love your mom's sense of humor. Perfect.

    Here's to April. I'm in again this year and still scratching my head about how I managed to do this to myself again. :-)

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  33. Yvonne - Sounds like you've been very busy, and I don't think you're ever off-track!

    Lee - You will manage. I think you've mastered the trick of keeping your A to Z posts short and sweet! Thanks Lee!

    Julie

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  34. Your mom is awesome. That reply was gold.

    Also, my whimsical writer hair is what actually keeps the bullies at bay. "I'm sorry, but I can't hear your criticisms over the awesomeness of my hair."

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  35. We will miss you in April... But maybe you'll also repost some of the favorites? Just, you know, to give us something to look forward to? Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, and I'm so very very sorry it took me forever to get back to you. Have a wonderful beginning of the week, and see you soon!

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  36. A Beer For The Shower - I have a feeling that this might be Bryan then, as he is always perfectly coiffed in your drawings. Though it might be a trick, and Brandon could just be extremely modest. Now that I think of it, Brandon might be secretly hiding hair treatment formula under his sleep cap. I'm so confused!!! In any event, we all agree that my mom's reply was golden! Thanks B & B!

    Guille - No apologies necessary...I'm just happy that you're here! Have fun doing A to Z, and I will check in on you. I'm sure that I'll repost a few of my silliest ones during the challenge. Thanks for following me, and I look forward to getting to know you better!

    Julie

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    1. Guilie - Oops I meant Guilie! Darn that auto correct!

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  37. I did one of those A-Z challenges once. I think mine was C--I remember putting a picture of the Cheesecake Factory on my blog!

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    1. Stephanie - You can never go wrong with the Cheesecake Factory, though it is hard to choose just one!

      Julie

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  38. A friend of mine told me about it, and I am rather excited to be part of it!

    www.sandynene.com

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  39. I have never tried one of those challenges, they seem hard but I guess once you get into it, it becomes easier.

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  40. Durban - Good luck with the challenge! I'm sure that you'll have fun meeting everyone, and letting your creative juices flow!

    Jenny - It is hard, but the camaraderie makes it all worthwhile!

    Julie

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  41. HA! love your mom's comment! I went back and forth on the a-z for awhile, then decided to go for it again - my 3rd year. I'm trying to write some posts ahead of time, which certainly helps!

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