As I began the A to Z Blog Challenge, I had three goals.
1.
To reach out by reading five new blogs a day and
leave comments.
2.
To become a part of the team, not as a leader,
but a blog supporter and thereby support the efforts of the leaders who gave so
much of themselves before the challenge started.
3.
To continue with my allegorical story, The Child
and The Prophet, which began in 2013 and is a work in progress.
On Friday morning, May 1st, I had a big smile on
my face. I had reached my goals; I was still pressing toward the mark.
I met writers with fiction and non-fictional works, and photographers
with the talent to capture the nuances of scenes that make people think. All these blogs strengthened my endurance and
perseverance muscles, and each blog challenged me to keep pressing toward the mark.
Stretching my writing ability, I:
Used new writing
techniques and wrote my first soliloquy,
Learned the discipline to edit an article by throwing out what
I liked and keeping what was needed,
Disciplined myself to stay under 300 words, constantly refining,
by using new vocabulary, exploring the use of grammar and punctuation to
develop my style, as I pressed toward the mark.
Stress is unavoidable.
Reprioritizing is mandatory. I
learned to minimize stress by reprioritizing, a necessary tool when pressing
toward the mark.
So I leave the challenge with a good taste in my mouth. I
wish each of you bloggers, writers, and photographers the very best. We have done well.
Now, keep pressing toward the mark.
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
Congratulations on completing the challenge this year. You did a great job. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jeffrey and congratulations to you also. It has been a wonderful experience for me, once again. I love the A to Z Challenge.
DeleteShalom,
Patricia
Glad it worked out so well for you and gained from participating in the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I did not get to read so many this year.
All the best.
My Dear Friend,
DeleteI was thankful that you found the time. I know how things can pile up in a writer's life. We get to the point that we're wearing 12 hats instead of two or three. So thanks for just being there.
I too wish you all the best.
Shalom,
Patricia
Congratulations, Patricia, on completing the 2015 A-Z Challenge. You made some really good and clear reflective points here -- meeting new bloggers, growing as a writer. Next year, as a photographer myself, I'd like to visit more photo bloggers.
ReplyDeleteThanks ever so much for the kind and constant support you gave me in my A-Z blogging. It means a lot to me.
Shalom,
Samantha
My Dear Samantha,
DeleteThank you. Each year that I participate, I learn and grow. Yes, it is stressful and reprioritising is something you have to do, but I don't regret that because I am finding out that not all things are urgent.
I enjoyed every photo blog that I visited. We had some talented photographers in the Challenge this year and I would welcome the opportunity to see your work presented in next year's A to Z .
All the best my dear. You're a wonderful person to have as a friend.
Shalom,
Patricia
I just love you, Pat! Whenever I read your writings it goes to my very soul. I think, I smile, I furrow my brow, but I always receive. Thank you for another great adventure from A to Z. If only there were more letters in the alphabet!! Much love to you!
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Deirdre,
DeleteThank you. I like it that you smile. You and I have a lot to smile about. Thank you also for your loyal support. It is so nice knowing that you're in my corner.
Shalom,
Patricia
Pat, I think you definitely met your mark with your A to Z blog! Each day as I reflected on your writing I saw myself stepping into the life of the child you had created in your blog. The child's adventure gave us all things to think about. I loved your new vocabulary! I am so glad , as a reader, that you have met your goal for the last two years. I can not wait to see what year three will bring "around the bend." Great job, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Sister,
DeleteThank you. I am happy that I met my goals in the Challenge. Now, I must keep pressing toward the mark and I too look forward to The Child and her adventures while she travels to the bend.
Shalom,
Patricia
You sound like one determined writer. Congrats on finishing and good luck with your novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I am determined to live out my purpose in life as a writer and a singer. There's is no other way for me.
DeleteI congratulate you also on finishing and I'm quite sure we'll see each other around in the blog world.
Shalom,
Patricia
Congrats on making it through AtoZ. Good luck with your writing, too. You sound very determined. :)
ReplyDeleteIWSG #134 until Alex culls the list again.
Thank you very much, Melissa. I am still recovering from the A to Z but it is a good feeling.
DeleteShalom,
Patricia
Just now finding you through your reflection post. Not sure why I missed you in April as I attack the long list by visiting other writers and those who have a (WR) as a designation. This was my 3rd year so in my reflection I have some opinions about what works and what doesn't....all of which helps me with my writing, editing, and presentation. There are so great examples to consider. You had an ambitious theme. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteHi Stepheny,
DeleteThank you for finding me . I didn't have any classification by my blog name. I don't have a writing blog that talks specifically about writing.
Congratulations to you also. We made it. This year's challenge was absolutely the best.
Shalom,
Patricai
Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!
ReplyDeleteMary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle
Thank you, Mary, and congratulations to you also. I am looking forward to next year also.
DeleteShalom,
Patricia
Hello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge and reaching your goals! You sound as if you still have lots of energy left, while the rest of us are still lagging (that's me anyway) - lol! Thank you for sharing your reflections. Just meandering through from the Road Trip.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Hello,
DeleteThank you so much. To be quite honest with you, my desk is piled over and my email boxes are running over. I'm lagging so I'm taking only a few at time, so that I don't completely lose my momentum.
Congrats to you to and I am planning on getting into your posts starting Monday.
Shalom,
Patricia
Hello! Congratulations on completing the challenge. I am on the A to z Road Trip finding blogs I didn't get to the first time around. I hope you were helped in your efforts to continue writing. I am a Lifestyle Blogger. Mostly I just write about my life! See you on the road
ReplyDeleteHi Paula,
DeleteCongratulations also to you for completing the challenge. We really had a great challenge this year. We'll be seeing one another on the road and I'm looking forward to it.
Shalom,
Patricia
Hi Paula,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations also to you for completing the challenge. We really had a great challenge this year. We'll be seeing one another on the road and I'm looking forward to it.
Shalom,
Patricia
Loving your theme :) I think it's really interesting seeing what everyone chose for their themes! As I scrolled down to get to this post, I spotted the pics of you in your survivor T-shirt - loved them!
ReplyDeletePopping by on the A to Z Road Trip
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com