#AtoZ Reflections and Five More Writers
![A-to-Z Reflection [2014]](https://janiceheck.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/a-to-z-reflection-2014.jpg)
This is my third year of posting a duly earned A to Z Survivor’s Badge on my blog.
As I writer, I am now faster at completing posts and more focused on my writing theme. I enjoy reading other blogs and seeing the variety of writing styles other writers use. I “liked” a lot of posts and commented on a number of them as well, although I find it hard to comment as much as I would like to. Finally, I have seen my own growth as a writer because of the enforced march to post completion. The team pressure to complete the challenge and win that little green badge is strong! And that’s good.
This is my second post on reflections on the A to Z. My first, A to Z Bonus Wrap-Up: Writers I Met on the A to Z Highway, focused on a major benefit of this challenge for me: meeting new (to me) writer/bloggers. Here are my first five:
1. Amos Carpenter. From writing software and websites to just writing
2. Miss Alister, The Essence of a Thing: Another construction site pumping out noise and dust
3. Tom Benson – Creative A ‘watering hole’ for readers and fellow writers
4. Julie Jordan Scott, Julie Unplugged: Giving You Permission to Be Purely You: Unerased, Raw, Absolutely Right…
5. Jennifer Marshburn, Writings On Writing
I promised to add five more to my original five in my post for this Wednesday. Here they are:
6. Linda May Adams: Soldier, Storyteller
Linda gives us the lowdown on the military adventures (and misadventures) of women soldiers. Linda’s humor had me chuckling on a number of occasions. The military meals she describes seem, well, indigestible. Read about her resourceful alternatives, and be thankful for your home-cooked meals.
7. John Mark Miller, The Artistic Christian: Discussing Modern Art and Culture from a Christian Perspective.
John Mark Miller’s log line says it all. I enjoyed his writing style and his commentary. Here is my favorite post: Vision: The Foundation for Artistic Voice. And here are his Reflections on the A to Z Challenge.
8. Chris White Writes: Just another author writing short stories instead of his novel…
Chris White, to his wife’s dismay, decided to join the A to Z as they were heading out on vacation. 26 posts in April? No problem, especially when you have monsters on your mind. If you need a monster or two for your novel (for the AtoZ, Chris featured 26 under-represented world monsters) hop on over to Chris’ place and snag a couple. Today’s monster, Kakotomirai (May 6), was an easy take-down. But wait, here comes Kakotomirai’s mom! Revenge! You’ll enjoy this blog.
9. Damyanti, Daily (w)rite: A Daily Ritual of Writing
Self-described “compulsive lurker” (always reading blog posts but never commenting), Damyanti changed her ways and discovered the community of bloggers when she started commenting on posts. She is a free-lance writer and an encourager of writers. See her A to Z Reflections post and you will see what I mean. I especially enjoyed her How Do You Make Blogging Friends post from February.
10. Chuck Douros, runwritedig: Run Hard. Dig Deep. Tell the World.
This blog combines three worlds: runners, writers, and gardeners. For the A to Z, Chuck focused on garden pests, common problems, and ridiculous garden myths. For a rusty green thumb-er like me, Chuck’s advice is both usable and valuable. Here’s his post on yellow jackets. It might be helpful for your family this summer.
Click here to see reflections of other A to Zers who have survived the drill of writing 26 posts in 30 days. It is an accomplishment to be noted!
Thanks to all the A to Z organizers for this exceptional annual challenge. See you in 2015.
***
Janice Hall Heck, retired educator, blogger, and nitpicky editor of On the Horizon, a bi-monthly community newsletter for Horizons at Woods Landing, Mays Landing, NJ, is quite possibly a grammar geek.
Oh Heck! Another Writing Quirk, theme for the amazing 2014 A to Z Challenge, suggests ways to improve our writing by avoiding and/or eliminating troublesome bug-a-boos that cramp our writing style.
Look for a list of posts for the #AtoZ, 2014 Challenge (Writing Quirks) here: #AtoZ: Q is for Quirky Index and a Q Post Round-Up
Meow for now. =<^!^>=
Janice Hall Heck 
Hi Janice. Thank you once again for the promo and link – I’m feeling all celebrity!
As you know, you are one of the bloggers I ‘rated’ in my summary post, and you are now finding out that you are on my cleansed list of blogs to follow.
It was suggested by Damyanti that I use my ‘A to Z Challenge’ posts as the basis for a book. At first I dismissed the idea, but now that things have calmed down, I’ve given it a little thought.
I’ve already decided that if a ‘book’ becomes a reality it will be an eBook and it will be FREE. I will be including a list of helpful/interesting blogs. I’ll get back to you, along with the others a bit closer to the time.
The ‘A to Z’ project will not get underway until I’ve published my next thriller, ‘Amsterdam Calling’ in mid-June, but I wanted to mention the idea now, just in case you have any ideas.
Woohoo. That’s great news. Good for you. Get that thriller finished and move on to the A to Z. Can’t wait to see your e-book. And thanks for your loyalty in following and commenting on my blog. If you want a reviewer, I’d be happy to look it over for nit-picky stuff before you e-publish. Oh, I am so excited for you!
Wow, three years now – that’s quite an accomplishment! You certainly do deserve that survivor’s badge! Thanks for the shout-out… seeing that was a great way to start my day!
John, And now I can’t wait for year 4. This A to Z grows on you. And you’re welcome for the shout-out. I didn’t read all of your posts, but I read a bunch of them and liked your style and content. Thanks for dropping by.
Congratulations on crossing that A to Z finishing line!
This was my 4th challenge. I love the A to Z and can’t imagine not doing it!
I enjoy Damyanti’s blog. She writes AMAZING flash fiction. I’ll check out some of the other blogs you mentioned.
Writer In Transit
Hey, your 4th. That’s great. I love the A to Z, too. What fun. And I love meeting so many new people! (like you!)