Monday 5 May 2014

Reflections for the A- Z Challenge 2014 ...


First thank you to everyone who ‘kicked me’ over the 500 followers line, which then ‘rapidly’ grew to 517 as I write – much appreciated; I also celebrated 600 posts over the 5 ¼ years I’ve been blogging.
 
The crumbling cliffs at
Beachy Head above
Eastbourne

2nd – thanks so much to the organisers, to Lee for thinking up such a wonderful blog-hop – it’s a challenge, but so worth it; 


... to Alex and his main techie partners who do much (which I appreciate but fully don’t understand the technicalities!); 


... and then all the co-hosts and my Viking chick Tina ... for ‘supervising’ my monitoring of 'my range of blogs' ...

Rock Pipit on the Faroe Islands


3rd I didn’t do the most brilliant job at finding people ... however many came over to me ... and keeping in touch is fantastic ...




This is a fossilised starfish at
Solhofnen, Germany:
in Upper Jurassic limestone
(see Wiki - it's a long way inland)

4th I wrote ‘long posts’ (for me they were nearly all shorter) – but I didn’t want to write about one small aspect, which I’d then need to elaborate on later (which had been my intention) ... 


.... the A-Zs have given me the opportunity to turn them into ebooks, so I kept that model for this year ..



5th Some blogs I could not comment on; G+ could drive me dilly, but we need to get round that somehow, and I do – I have to say one or two wouldn’t let me comment except through G+ - I wasn’t happy, but did anyway if they were friends I wanted to keep in contact with ...


Eurasian Curlew found in the salt
marshes and estuaries around our shores

6th  Comments – there’s some discussion about Blogger and WP re commenting and some people just not being prepared to go across to another platform ... not much we can do ...



7th I appreciated bloggers who put up other blogs for us to look at – that’s a great way to spread the word ....




Ficus seaweed

8th Re people who didn’t want to – because they couldn’t be bothered, I guess – who just decided they weren’t interested and couldn’t be polite enough to say ...

 a) sorry ..  or b) didn’t understand ... or c) didn’t realise the implications and simply can’t do it ... therefore please take me off the list: politeness, thoughtfulness and thankfulness – could be good words for some to learn?!  (Well I'm barking up the wrong tree here ... you're all on the goodies side?!)



St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Cornwall
looking across from the rocky shoreline
at a lowish tide

Re the List – my one thought is could we have a double optin?  i.e. a joining schedule as we do now .. from end January onwards ... with a reconfirmation list in mid March?  Which might eliminate the time-wasters ...

PS if a reminder above the linky list could be put in prompting us not to forget the code - which I did ... I understand that we can't add it in once our blog is submitted to the list ...


To my surprise .. they seem to think that
the fictional village of East Down was
inspired by the village of East Dean and
Eastbourne, Sussex; this could be
inspired by St Michael's Mount too .. 
9th  I had not realised there was an FAQ – I don’t need it .. but if it could be highlighted in a different colour on the A-Z Challenge site ... and all relevant posts refer to it near the top of those posts ... that might help – perhaps ...


10th I entered the theme reveal this year – that was a good decision ...


I didn’t get to pre-schedule my posts ... they started short (mentally), when it came to the writing ... they ended up as I wanted them – the main thing is people seem to enjoy them – if they weren’t appreciated then I’d be very distressed!!


All in all .. this is my 4th year ... and I had a ball – met some new friends, met up with some friends from ages ago – three years or so – great to find them again as they’d left the blogging field for a while ...


At the seaside Eastbourne 1910



My next post will be a few notes to add to the A-Z Aspects of British Coasts series ... to tidy it off ... 





But thank you so much to one and all ... tremendous effort by the organisers lovely seeing new friends and meeting up with old ones too ...  happy Spring going into Summer ... cheers -


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

65 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Happy 600th post!!! Yay!! And huge congrats for finishing another super amazing A-Z! I totally couldn't do this but do enjoy reading everyone else's when I can!

I find G+ very hard to navigate too! Sometime I end up googling the blogger's name and adding blog to get to their blogs! LOL! WP is not so bad but I'm so used to the ease of blogger!!

Anyway! Wishing you a happy May and Monday! Take care
x

LittleCely said...

Over 500 followers, 600 posts... you were and are on fire Hilary!

Your posts were great and I always enjoy reading your comments on my blog.

The challenge wasn't always perfect, There was a time I couldn't get any followers because of technical issues which you brought to my attention so thank you again for that.

I look forward to doing this next year and I'm sure I'll see you around before then =)

LittleCely's Blog

Rhonda Albom said...

I also enjoyed the challenge, although I had trouble visiting everyday. I had no idea that there was an issue between wp and blogger and cross over. I don't even understand why it would be an issue.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on crossing 500 followers.

It would be nice if people who decided not to do it asked to be taken off the list.

Lynn said...

I loved the A to Z challenge when I did it two years ago, but decided then that was all I had in me - Good Things A to Z in 2012. So I enjoyed the yours and do remember that is how we finally connected.

Jo said...

Actually I never found your posts too long Hilary. They were always so interesting.

If I couldn't comment fairly easily, I didn't commdent. I never did find out about Google +.

Mason Canyon said...

Hilary, as always your post were fun to read and informative. I know each time I visit I'm going to come away with new knowledge and a smile on my face. Congratulations on finishing the challenge, crossing the 500 followers mark and the 600 post. Looking forward to many more post from you.

Thoughts in Progress

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Congrats on reaching those milestones. I very much enjoyed learning all about the coast. You reminded me though the ocean seems powerful, the ecosystem is delicate and should be treated kindly.

Stephanie Faris said...

Google Plus drove me batty, too. I finally figured out you could click on "About" and most of the time you could figure out what their blog was from that. Some people contribute to 7 billion blogs, though, so figuring out which one was theirs is nutty. I finally learned to put my own link at the bottom of my comments to make sure people who weren't on Blogger could find me!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congrats on finishing. I must not believe in following rules, because I don't always follow the length requirement of the posts. Your posts were perfect. If they'd been less, we would have missed out.

I guess I didn't read the naysayers. Am now curious.

Great job, Hilary. Loved each one of your posts.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on five hundred followers!
We try to cull the list of non-participants, but there are a lot to go through. Perhaps an email reminder in March might be in order?

Sherry Ellis said...

Congratulations on completing the challenge and getting over 500 followers!

Christine Rains said...

Wow! Over 500 followers and 600 posts! Congratulations. :) The Challenge was fun this year. I enjoyed your posts. I did it as part of a group, and I loved it. It gave me the opportunity to visit more new blogs than I would've otherwise.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Congratulations on your 600th post, and for reaching 500 followers.

I like your idea for a second confirmation list (or something similar that would be less work for the organisers) - it must be very frustrating to work your way down the list and come across blogs that aren't participating.

Stephsco said...

I briefly changed my Blogger profile to G+ and hate it so much I searched online for the trick to switch back. They don't make it easy to switch back. I figured if I couldn't find out how to comment on a Google plus blog then how would others find me?

Also, I think this year had far fewer blogs in the list who didn't participate or that were spam. I found them but just closed out the window if they didn't have a current A to Z post from the previous few days.

Here's my A to Z wrap-up post. I also have an End of Challenge book giveaway going on for either contemporary romance or contemporary YA.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I was fascinated by your posts, Hilary. So much in each one. As a rare blood courier, I have so little free time that this A to Z will probably be my last.

I am so sorry that I was not able to visit as much as I wanted. But your blog deserves even more followers! :-)

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Hilary,

Such a nice reflection! I thoroughly enjoyed your posts! Imaginative, informative, and a bit quirkily.. ALL GOOD THINGS!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Hi Hilary,

Great that you now have over 500 followers. Congratulations!

I agree with your frustrations about the "no-shows". There were many in my section of the Challenge list. Also, I spent lots of time looking for places to comment and never found them. Don't know what that's about.

Always enjoy the lovely photos you share in the blogs.

Mary Montague Sikes

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Congrats Hilary on another successful completion of the challenge. I may do it next year. And wow - 5 years of blogging?? That's amazing :)

Linda said...

Very interesting and nice post. Thank you for sharing.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Old Kitty - good to see you .. and good luck with that house move, let's kick the hassles into touch ...

G+ is just one of those things - I guess I need to spend time on it ..

@ Cely - thanks re the numbers ... the 600 posts came and went during the A-Z ...

Also grateful re your comment and I'm pleased I was able to get across to your blog too ..

Pleasure if I can help in any way -that's what life is about .. I don't understand the technicalities .. but work my way round somehow .. ?!

We'll be in touch before long I'm sure ..

@ Rhonda - I actually have a WP account .. so it clicks in automatically .. but I read on a blog that they wouldn't comment on a Blogger blog - such is life, I guess ...

Your blog is amazing .. with the bells and whistles and ease to get around .. I could do with some tuition ..

@ Diane - many thanks - and yes if we could persuade people to let the organisers know they can't/don't want to participate ..

@ Lynn - yes that was the way I connected with a few new friends in 2012, and 2011, 2013 and now this year .. amazing - I think my theme idea helps ...

Part 2 following ..

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Jo - many thanks and I appreciate the thumbs up .. I try and make them interesting to one and all ..

Occasionally I'll leave someone's blog or lack of - because I couldn't figure it out .. I tried for 10 mins or so occasionally - enough is enough!

@ Mason - I really appreciate your supportive comment - yes, I suspect there'll be a few more posts in the 'years' ahead .. crumbs that is commitment!

@ Susan - milestones are important .. even if I had to go asking to be kicked over that high point ..

I'm glad you pointed that out - the Ocean is powerful, but the ecosystem it inhabits is delicate and we should be looking after all aspects of our world ...

@ Steph - Google Plus drove me nuts - but I suspect we'll all be following along in due course ...

... and who can cope with G+, FB, Tweeting .. and blogging I pass ... I admire them all!!

I failed to put the link at the bottom of my commenting ... on the other hand someone said they went through their comments and took it off?!?!?!?!!?

@ Teresa - I don't follow the rules either .. I sort of follow along, but I usually do something somewhat differently ...

That was the way I felt with the posts ... I'd have missed out too - or not taken the plunge for another A-Z series

There weren't any naysayers as such - but I know the posts should be manageable ... yet if one writes informative unique posts - thankfully people still visit ... despite the length ..

Appreciate that you enjoyed the posts ..

@ Alex - yes I was pleased to be taken screaming and shouting with joy at the pc over the 500 mark!

I know you were doing your best ... and an email may well be the answer ... if you can't do the optin route ...

There was something else .. I'll think of it anon ..and come back to you ...

@ Sherry - many thanks ...

@ Christine .. it took a while to get to 500 and 600 posts .. but the Challenge has helped enormously ... I enjoy what I'm doing ..

@ Annalisa - many thanks re followers and posts ..

Glad you agree with the confirmation list idea .. Alex will sort out I'm sure ..

@ Steph - so good to meet you .. and I did see somewhere how to switch it back I think .. I'll have to mull this one over .. and come back to you ...

I agree .. but it's timewasting to go through the process to find that blog isn't bothering ...

I can't say re numbers .. I guess I never look - as long as my posts interest people and 'they want to comment' that's what makes me realise I'm on the right track ... being unique ...

@ Roland - honestly that means a lot coming from you .. I can quite understand your thoughts .. how you post so often defeats me ...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and appreciative comment ...

@ Michael - appreciate your thoughts too .. it's what I aim for .. all good things with some unique angles along the way ...

@ Monty - many thanks .. I trickled along to the 500 and then shot forward to 517 ...

No shows and can't be bothereds irritate me ... but that's life to a point ...

Glad you enjoy the photos on the blog ... they make a difference to understanding what I'm talking about, I think !

@ Keith .. many thanks and I sure hope you do it next year from Germany? Yup 5 years and moving on ..

Thanks everyone .. so lovely to see you .. I think we're all talking on the same wave length - Hilary

Sue McPeak said...

Congrats Hilary on your very successful AtoZ Challenge. Every post was one of interest with super information and wonderful photos. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and relevant comments to my posts.

As far as G+...wish I'd never started...but am in so deep for photo storage that making the most of what they have to offer is worth the extra effort. The best way to bypass G+ comment issue is to create a SIGNATURE HYPERLINK and use it on every comment you make. The Tutorial is on the AtoZ 2012 FAQ's. Here's mine:
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

Kelly Steel said...

Congratulations on completing the challenge and getting over 500 followers!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on passing the 500 mark and also for completing the A to Z Challenge. No one deserve this more than you Hilary. Well done.
Yvonne.

River Fairchild said...

Your topics and posts are always both informative and fascinating, Hilary. I don't know how you keep up with all of it but yours is a special blog to me - as I know you hold a special place in many other people's hearts as well. Congrats on such an awesome collection!

Lynda Dietz said...

I hadn't caught your blog during the A to Z, but I can see I have some beautiful photos and fun facts to catch up with!

Some of your frustrations echoed mine, but mostly the days when either blogger or wordpress was giving "technical difficulty" warnings.

Liz Brownlee said...

Congrats on your 600th post... I have now got 630 odd followers after this year's challenge, and very happy I am to have them.

As for changing platform... I'm not sure what that means - I have found I can post on most blogs (I am Wordpress) except for the ones with a box, and under the box is 'comment as' and it says 'Google account' as the first option, and only has the other options livejournal, Wordpress, typepad AIM and OpenId. Under that is a blue publish button and beside that, 'preview'. On all other Blogger blogs I can comment using Twitter, or Google - Wordpress never works. It's like Blogger is trying to keep me out!
Yours will let me comment, and I've learned now to go to the comment box first and check which type it is before wasting time reading the blog!
Thank you for being one of the helpers!

Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com (I don't think I got visited this year by any of the helpers!)

J E Oneil said...

The way things are going with commenting systems, for the next challenge we may have to divide the list into Republic of Word Press and the Blogger Kingdoms. And the very distant nation of Google+ that doesn't let outsiders comment ever.

I'm glad I came across your blog (or you came across mine, whichever). Your double confirmation idea is a good one, too.

Inge H. Borg said...

Hilary, no wonder you have so many followers - as you were a true trooper - even visiting "us on the lowly 100" list. Not many others bothered.

Loved all your posts - and will drop in from time to time.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Paula said...

Thank you Hilary for visiting me every single day. I loved your A to Z and I learned so much about the challenge. I wish I could learn more about how Google=+ works. I will make that my goal. Hope we see each other around

Slamdunk said...

Wow! With 500 followers and 5 years I think you have done great things here Hilary. Congrats!

Margie said...

I enjoyed all of your posts Hilary, you did a great job on the challenge.
I learned so much.
Congrats on the 600 posts, wow!

Enjoyed this post as well.
Thank you.

D.G. Hudson said...

A perceptive post, Hilary, and you'd have fun doing anything, I'm sure. I enjoyed the challenge this year but a family crisis curtailed my visiting time, so I concentrated on the posts. I visited as many as I could and followed a few theme series.

You did a great job!

D.G. Hudson said...

Oh, forgot to say Congrats on the milestones! May there be many more.

Michelle Wallace said...

Congratulations on crossing the A to Z finishing line, Hilary!
I enjoyed your eclectic posts which were choc-full of delightful photos/pictures and a wealth of info!
And congrats once again on your 600 posts!

Unknown said...

So hard to find time. This hide and seek game is really getting old! That was my biggest issue. Between work, doing what needed doing at home, trying to visit/revisit commenters from my site and trying to visit new sites, I really got overwhelmed. I did enjoy your posts, especially your photos! So gorgeous!
Congrats on finishing the challenge!

Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
Be Positive in Life and Writing
Caring for My Veteran

Kim Van Sickler said...

I have to say you really did take advantage of the Challenge to cultivate blogging relationships. And I'm happy that my blog is one that you visited. It was obvious you were working your butt off AND enjoying yourself. Kudos on a job well done. (And I agree with you that having a theme makes the Challenge more fun and comprehensive. This is our second year doing it and last year was a wild free-for-all.)

martine said...

Hi Hilary, thanks for your visit. i so agree about G+ I really didn't want o sign up for something else just to comment. What an interesting and informative A to z you did, I really enjoyed it.

klahanie said...

Hi human, Hilary,

Apawlogies for my delay in getting here. The irony is that I've been actively commenting on the A to Z and you know I'm not a big fan of the challenge. Still, in the spirit of being different, I appreciate all you have done on your notable pawstings during the course of April.

Google+ is a nightmare. Not only does it take you on a magical, mystery tour to find a blog, it takes my computer an eternity to load.

Well done, dear Hilary. Thank you for your reflections pawst.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny, the cordial host of The Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

Tara Tyler said...

i always feel like i'm sitting on the floor in front of a fire drinking a warm beverage when i visit your blog =) warm and cozy! lovely summation of the hop - i met you thru it a couple years back and i'm so glad i did!

thanks for commenting on my cover reveal!

btw, i recently switched my profile to G+, did you have any trouble with mine? i might switch back if it's too much trouble.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sue – appreciate your comment ... your Texas family history were a great read, with some lovely photos.

G+ - interesting to note about the photo storage aspect ... and thank you re the note about G+ and commenting ... not quite sure I understand exactly ... I’ve emailed you ..

@ Kelly – many thanks re the Challenge and I’ve trickled along finding lovely followers – who I’m delighted toknow ..

@ Yvonne – many thanks

@ River – really appreciate your thoughts here .. amazing compliment: thank you so much.

@ Lynda – so glad we caught up .. and I hope you enjoy your trawl around, or just joining me as we go forward ..

I didn’t get technical warnings ...but some days things just wouldn’t happen – eg trying to join as a friend connect ... it’s not a severe hassle just a pain!

@ Liz – well done on your 630 followers ... I’m just glad I got kicked over the 500 mark, as I was in the 490s for ages (weeks) .. and the 600 posts was just as they got written!

I don’t have problems commenting usually anywhere – but I noted some bloggers (WP) who were griping and so I mentioned it ...

Interesting you are kept out of Blogger when the comment box shows up .. I use the page out commenting choice ... I can move that up and down as I comment, so I can remember what I’m commenting on!

I’ve emailed you ...

@ Jeanne – interesting thought ... I sincerely hope not! I managed in most instances – and worked my way round (if I wanted to with) G+ ...

Alex has picked up the double optin/reconfirmation email nearer to April 2015 ... so I’m sure something will be set up ..

@ Inge – appreciate your comment ... if the blog is interesting I’ll be there ... and that’s why we blog ... and thanks so much – it’ll be good to see you around ...

@ Paula – you were writing positively about all your frustrations and being a carer 24/7 is incredibly stressful, let alone any other adjective or noun .... I found blogging really helpful through my mother and uncle’s demises ... yet I had an easy time compared to you ... the support and the camaraderieship helps so much ...

I’m glad you’ll be back and I hope to see you too ...

G+ horrifies me ... but we’ll see how we go ...

@ Slamdunk – thanks so much ... I’ve been lucky I think .. I’m not in a race, just building slowly but surely ..

@ Margie – lovely to see you and read your words ...

part 2 following ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ DG – I do make sure I enjoy life especially what gets put into the blog ... I hope your crisis has eased or is better ... I always enjoy your posts – I learn a great deal from my visits .. and the Art theme this year was excellent ...

Thank you re the milestones too ..

@ Michelle – my posts sure are eclectic but at least once a year I settle on an eclectic theme! I’ve found making the posts a mixture allows people to engage on whichever level they’re at ... hopefully not just looking at the photos – but reading and learning a little too! Thanks re the 600 posts ...

@ Jamie – thanks for coming by .. yes it is a time consuming challenge – but such an opportunity to meet new friends – which is certainly why I do the Challenge, as well as the learning curve from all the info bloggers provide us ...

@ Kim – that was one thing I tried to do this year .. I didn’t rattle round, but tried to keep in touch – thank you. I’m glad the first year I settled on an idea and it’s worked out fine .. and I can continue it ...

Well done to you too .. it is a wild ride!

@ Martine – G+ is a pain .. and I joined right at the beginning and then never used it – so have one person I think ... but I can therefore comment if I have to – and if I want to- using that route.

Thanks so much re my A-Z posts ... so pleased you enjoyed my take on our coasts ...

@ Penny .. and Gary .. I know G+ is a pain .. and with not having the most uptodate machines we struggle along ...

Thanks re my posts and the theme .. always good to see you here .. and yes a pawsitive summer and future to you too ...

@ Tara – I’ve emailed you ... and so many thanks for your lovely comment – it’s fascinating how much the Challenge has done for many of us – opened so many doors and given us the opportunity to learn as well as meet friends – thank you!

My email relates to G+ .. I’ll be hearing from you ..

Thank you so much – just very happy you all apparently enjoyed my theme etc .. and it’s just so lovely to be amongst friends ... cheers Hilary

Unknown said...

Thank you as ever for your kind support, very much appreciated, Hilary.

Crystal Collier said...

Now THERE's a comprehensive wrap up. I echo you on many of those points. I especially appreciated the people who put links in their comments so I could find them easily. There were some people who came and commented that I COULDN'T FIND again. I mean, seriously, if you don't have a blogger account, you have to leave some contact info, right? Anyhow, it was a blast!

cleemckenzie said...

And your posts aren't Hi-Goodbye, either. They are so full of interesting information, so you deserve a huge hurrah for that 600+.

I so agree about the Google+. I hate having to go through it to get to the blog. I accidentally set mine up that way and had to figure out how to undo it. Finally, Gary and Penny solved the issue for me and I'm back to being Google+ free.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Such lovely comments. These people love your blog, Hilary, and for good reason. You are a teacher in the best most possible way. Thanks for always teaching me something.

mail4rosey said...

I thought the A-Z challenge was fun to read! Glad you got some new followers...smart folks, I like it over here. :)

Sara said...

Hilary,

As always, you do such a wonderful job with the A-Z challenge. Your posts are fascinating and informative. I always learn something new here and it makes come back again and again. I hope you do consider an e-book. You've taught about all things British more than anyone. And even better you always find the interesting tidbits to put in your posts. Congratulations on meeting this challenge:~)

Denise Covey said...

You're a WINNER Hilary! Thanks for the posts that I got to read. I always go back to read the backlog at my leisure, whatever that is.

Glad you are happy with the new followers. I'm glad to hear a little more about British Coasts in the future.

Denise

Julekha Khatun said...

Beautifully written ......And a BIG congratulations for your 600th post ..truely amazing !

Juliet said...

Good on you Hillary for sustaining such a big project, and for coming up with such interesting posts.

Anonymous said...

Great job on participating not only this year, but also in years past! This was my first year doing the challenge and I did find a few blogs on the list that were time wasters, but overall most blogs I visited were actively involved in the challenge. I did have several issues with commenting throughout the month-both with WP and blogger. Sometimes I think the internet just likes to be difficult :p

Finley Jayne
http://finleyjayne.com/

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you found a lot of good in the challenge. So did I. I'll do it again and again.

Rosalind Adam said...

You are an amazing blogger, Hilary. I do admire your energy. I regret that I've not been able to join in the fun this year but I made the right decision to not take part. Work has been over-whelming. Next year I hope to be back on track. I'm so pleased that you've been able to convert your past A to Zs into e-books, especially as I know how much work goes into preparing them.

Rosalind Adam said...

You are an amazing blogger, Hilary. I do admire your energy. I regret that I've not been able to join in the fun this year but I made the right decision to not take part. Work has been over-whelming. Next year I hope to be back on track. I'm so pleased that you've been able to convert your past A to Zs into e-books, especially as I know how much work goes into preparing them.

Frankie Miller said...

Hi Hilary - congratulations on having reached your 600th post and having 519 followers - you deserve it. You put so much into each blog and never fail to make them interesting.
I found that there were many blogs in the A-Z that weren't participating. It was annoying when I got a series of them, and some didn't have any way of leaving a comment.
On the whole it was great - and exhausting.

I am now following far more blogs than I have followers, but I'm quite happy with this - just hoping I can get around them all!

betty said...

I liked reading your reflections; I agree with them, the comments were worse this time around to leave than two years ago when I last participated. For me, that was the most frustrating part of the challenge. I do like your thoughts of updating the list too before the challenge starts. Congrats on getting over 500 followers :)

betty

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Congratulations on zooming past the 500 mark in followers! Well-deserved.

SENCO Cat Herder said...

Had a wonderful time doing the A to Z Challenge and am now enjoying a more leisurely pace on the A to Z road trip. Just wanted to say I've included your blog on my road trip write up Pempis Palace

Lisa said...

Wow! Congratulations Hilary on the blog and your followers! Great news and must make all your work feel worthwhile... Good comments on the A to Z... I'm going to try next year to write my posts before April so I can respond to comments and visit more blogs!

B~Natrelle said...

Hello there. Many congratulations on completing the challenge and all that you have achieved! Visiting from the A-Z Road Trip.

Entrepreneurial Goddess

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Carole - many thanks ..

@ Crystal - it seems that Lee and Alex have picked up on our main points ... and it can be frustrating, but I always enjoy it and the benefits are huge and I meet some great friends ...

@ Lee - I do put a fair amount into the posts, but that's what I enjoy and don't post too often ..

Isn't G+ such a pain .. I'm glad you managed to 'undo' it .. thank you!

@ Joylene - yes I'm so lucky ... with everyone who comes on and comments and I really enjoy the interaction I get around the blogosphere ..

I teach myself at the same time - that's the key I think .. learn as I go ..

@ Rosey - the A-Z is amazing fun - and thanks for your lovely comment re 'smart folks'! Glad you enjoy being here ..

@ Sara - the ebooks are being looked at and I hope I can develop something really interesting .. I have some ideas ...

Then I can add to the ebook series too ...

@ Denise - yes I and many others succeeded in having a great A-Z ... so satisfying .. and so pleased to read you check on in when you feel like it: that's brilliant news ...

I just was a little bored around the late 400s .. so a gentle 'kick' was given and people responded thankfully - now I'm safely over 500 - which is brilliant news ...

@ Julekha - appreciate your comment and visit .. hope to be visiting you soon .. and thanks re the congratulations on the 600+ posts ...

@ Juliet - I got the theme idea right the first year and that's helped enormously ...

@ Finley - congratulations on your first time doing the A-Z - and I'm glad you found some new blogging friends ... and yes, sadly we'll always have time-wasters, which is frustrating .. but we jump those hoops.

Just glad you thought the journey was so positive though ..

@ Medeia - there's always a lot of good and the Challenge has been such a brilliant way of meeting new friends ..

@ Ros - so many thanks ... you have so much going on in your life - and I'm sure your projects will be successful - and I'm so looking forward to finding out more about them ... especially Richard ... I need to visit you to get the next episode about Richard and the High Court decision ...

Looking forward to you joining us next year - your posts in 2013 were such fun ...

@ Fanny - many thanks it's been very encouraging over the years that all things have totted up!

I'm very grateful for your thoughtful comment ... and it's been a pleasure meeting you for your first A-Z session ...

Exhausting yes - but fun!!

Followers v following always will vary seemingly ... you'll settle in to a routine ..

@ Betty - thanks for commenting - things always change somehow .. I think Lee and Alex and the team will try and solve some of the hassles we encountered this year - but I just enjoy myself ...

@ Susan - yes in the end I did zoom over the 500 followers .. thank you ...

@ SENCO - glad you've joined the Road Trip .. that was a great addition to the A-Z ..

Oooh .. I've just spotted what you said .. I must get on over: thank you!

@ Lisa - thanks so much, really appreciate your thoughts and yes I've been very lucky.

I too must write my posts up early for 2015! I have yet to do that ...

I loved your blog though .. the tour of France - quite delightful ..

@ Entrepreneurial Goddess - thanks for coming by and it's good to see you're doing the Road Trip ...

Cheers and thanks so much to you all - Hilary

Lisa said...

Wow this was such a great read! You getting back to everyone. What a great idea. Think I'll try that soon. Slowly getting back up to speed, slowly being key word!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lisa - sorry this one went over to comment moderation ... still rescued now! I do like to answer everyone's comments ... and still am not sure what the best way of replying to comments on the blog .. or individually - merit in both ..

If it's a serious query - then I try and contact personally and update them that way ... as well as answering here ...

Cheers - thanks for the extra comment though .. your support is much appreciated ...Hilary