It’s May 31st, and I’ve made it through the Blog-A-Day Challenge on Blog Book Tours. I’ve earned bragging rights: I only missed one day, because I was down in Woodstock taking care of my granddaughters and didn’t get back till midnight. But since there are 31 days in May, I figure I’ve still blogged for an entire month – after all, most months have only 30 days.
This daily blogging has done wonders for my writing chops. It’s been like what jazz musicians used to refer to as “woodshedding” – just holing up alone and honing your craft. It’s also paid unexpected dividends in terms of things I’ve done less of.
THANKS TO THE BLOG-A-DAY CHALLENGE, I’VE DONE LESS:
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Eating – I even skipped lunch yesterday, and that’s unheard of!
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Drinking – my wine consumption has decreased considerably (not that it was a problem, but wine has lots of calories).
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Television watching – my favorite shows are on summer reruns, and I’d rather spend evenings blogging.
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Computer solitaire – Spider no longer has such addictive allure.
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Shopping – fewer trips to the malls and less spending. Here at my computer, I don’t need fancy clothes.
Thanks to Dani for being such a demanding taskmistress, and congratulations to my cronies in the Blog-A-Day Challenge who’ve also made it through. We all deserve to celebrate today, especially since it’s Sunday, a day of rest. I’ll probably spend the afternoon in the garden – after I check Facebook and Twitter.
Yesterday I worked on my static pages: I added “A Message from Julie” and the first chapters of both my novels. Check them out – I’d love your feedback.
Blog-A-Day folks, what has this challenge done for you?
Julie Lomoe: The Creative Crone 
Yep – you made it through with flying colors! 🙂
It’s a great exercise, is it not? And I agree, it does wonders for your writing, and also your discipline regarding your craft. Nice job!
The Old Silly from Free Spirit Blog
Thanks, Marvin – and thanks for all your encouraging comments throughout the month. I just put your link on my blogroll – finally.
I think we all need to pat each other on the back! 🙂
My blog content has improved and my traffic has increased considerably. But I’ll be glad not to post EVERY day….maybe just every other. I still want to blog a lot, though.
Elizabeth
http://tinyurl.com/djchek
Discipline? If you saw my office you would know there’s no discipline here. However, I did enjoy myself, and I discovered that something I thought I could not do was possible — pick a subject and start writing without thinking it to death first. And sometimes, it was even decent quality with a little accidental humor thrown in. So for me, I’d say it was discovery more than discipline.
Will be dropping back often, Julie. Happy writing.
Patricia
http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com
Thanks, Patricia! I’ve been enjoying your blog too. As to thinking things to death before writing, I’ve never been able to do that – often I don’t know what I think till I write.
Are you thinking about guests yet? I’ll invite you to my blog if you’ll invite me to yours. I don’t see myself doing a full tour till September, but this would be a good way to practice and build up our stats.
Thumbs up to you Julie. I didn’t notice I have developed such good habits as yours. But I did notice google search of my book has come up with more listings. And I sure learned a lot from all the buddies.
In Quest of Theta Magic
Thanks, Enid. I’ve noticed my stats on Google are going up too.
Congrats!
I liked being forced to blog every day. It’s a writing exercise — one that makes me a better writer and thinker. And I learned the benefit of not only reading other blogs, but commenting on the posts.
I started reading your book last night! Since I usually read 3 or 4 books at a time, skipping from one to another, it might take me a while to finish… but yay for starting! I’m liking it so far!
I agree – this blogging has definitely helped my writing.
Re: my book, I’m starting a page titled “Blurb My Book” where I’ll have reviews from other writers and links to their sites. If you write me a rave, I’ll put you in there.
Congratualtions to you! Having done the blog-a-day with the last class, I know how good that glow of accomplishment feels.
Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Jane. I didn’t blog yesterday, and already I’m feeling withdrawal pangs.
Excellent — now just keep the momentum going! I have enjoyed getting to know the folks on the challenge. I’m going to reorganize my blog links when I get back from my month in Britain, but I will have a new blogroll of writers that you’ll be included among. Thanks — it’s good to know more local writers!
Thanks and Bon Voyage!
It’s gotten me to think outside the box of my book and explore other areas of my passion. I’ve also learned my way around more of the Blogger site.
Yes, it’s a challenge, isn’t it! Thanks for your comment.