HI, Everyone.
HAPPY MAY 1st! CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the A-Zers... You ALL deserve a round of applause! Do you hear it? IT'S DEFINING!!!!!
I would like to THANK all of you who have made this challenge SO SUCCESSFUL. A special thanks to you for supporting my 26 featured authors... I know it was an added monthly expense, but imaging the HOURS of pleasure you will have from 26 different reads. And the VARIETY. From love stories to ZOMBIE DOGS... AND EVERYTHING in BETWEEN.
I would like to share with you a bit about how, at times, I felt overwhelmed with the challenge. For several weeks I had VERY limited wifi access and this HUGE challenge to write and POST. At times I honestly think I wouldn't be able to do it. BUT for the first time, this pantser actually plotted. Yes, I wrote my post before the actual day they were due. AMAZING for me. For the first two years I did this challenge, I wrote the posts the day before. This year I had to plan around my wifi. It worked.
I stayed ahead throughout and had almost all my intros written by the 22nd. The last two I took a few days off, and yet I still had them done before 26th.
As many of you know I had a difficult and challenging theme. I wanted to help my fellow bloggers introduce their fantastic creations. I am happy to say I pleased my author friends and their admirers. So my point is, when you do something from the heart, you will succeed. Our writing comes from our hearts and souls. I may take time, but we will succeed! So don't give up that writing dream. I certainly won't. With each new day, post, comment, I take another step in my journey. I am proud and honored to have all of you for company. At times we may feel lonely and abandoned, but ALWAYS remember, you have a friend just a step away.

Today I also have an announcement. I was asked by Steven Tremp to help host a fantastic and much needed blog hop about HEALTH! You know I have had several health and fitness posts in the past, well now Steven Tremp, Alex J. Cavanaugh, L. Diane Wolfe, and myself are your hosts on Wednesday, May 29th.
As you know, many writers have very little spare time to take care of themselves. With work, family, and stressed of writing, fitness and eating right is not on the list.... Well I am here to tell you IT SHOULD BE! And this hop will help motivate you. We will offer tips, advice, and inspiration to get you started AND to keep you going. So why not join the hop and add your name to the linky. All you have to do is tell us how you keep in shape. And if you don't ... YET ... now is the time to start.
And my illustrious co-hosts, the Ninja Captain AND L. Diane Wolfe have guest posted on my blog on this actual subject... so we do practice what we preach... LOL.
Now that the temps are rising... so should you ... get out and smell the flowers with a brisk walk. It clears your head and you will feel GREAT!
Why not take a bike ride this weekend? Pack a healthy picnic and after your six to ten mile ride, find a picturesque setting and enjoy.
Have a great weekend everyone!
59 comments:
Yes, at times it was hard to keep up with the A to Z, but to all who managed it Well done. A good idea about the fitness bloghop. already signed.
Yvonne.
So excited for the healthy blog hop.
I will be joining the blog hop but will sign up later. Running late this morning.
And thank you for the post on Secondhand Shoes.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Writing does come from the heart, and when it matters that much, we will find a way.
Your theme was awesome and you rocked each letter!
And happy to be part of the Healthy Bloghop.
You definitely deserve that breather. I didn't comment on all your posts, but it was fun to read them.
I really want to help authors too and sometimes I get overwhelmed with all my blog posts, but I plug on too. You're an inspiration to keep plugging along.
I so wish I could join the blog tour but I already signed up for an author blog tour that day. I've really been thinking about the healthy habits issue and do plan to post about it one of these days.
Thanks for your inspiring words and for completing the A-Z! I try to get out and walk with the dog, and I get another moderate workout with the garden every week. Getting away from the computer is challenging. Happy writing and exercising! ~Tara
Michael, your intros were wonderful. I can't imagine the time it took to compose them.
I'm impressed that you did this for the challenge, Michael. You did an amazing job with them. You must be pooped!
I'm signed up.
Love the idea of Healthy writing for us writers who are constantly told, 'butt in chair!' I am looking forward to running again now that the weather has finally turned nice.
So trying new things can give us surprises sometimes, isn't it? Trying the plotter path came out alright for you and I'm glad for that. You really did an splendid job and left people in awe with your creativity. I was. Good for you, Michael! I'm sure you still have some surprises under the sleeve. :D
Welcome to the world of planning. :) Glad you found it helpful. Congrats on successfully completing the challenge WITHOUT WiFi. I think most people wouldn't have even tried, but you did & you won!
I'm all signed up for the Get Healthy Blogfest & looking forward to it.
I already heard about your blogfest. Great idea! But I'm already booked for that day. :(
Looking forward to reading everyone's posts, though.
Wonderful Michael! You did a brilliant job and I look forward to your blog hop-it sounds amazing~
Congrats on finishing the A-Z 2013!
:D
Your amazing A to Z posts rocked! Thank you for the encouragement, for the introduction, and for all that you do, Michael!
You deserve a gold medal for finishing the challenge with limited WiFi! As for health, everyone needs less sugar and more sleep than they get! :-)
I love how you devoted your A-Z to helping other writers! What a great thing to do. And I love the health idea. Sometimes we forget about that when we're glued to the screen.
You are da man! I can't imagine doing what you did...so much creative and hard work put into high lighting other people. You're tops! And as a beneficiary of your kindness, I can't thank you enough!
I was undecided about this bloghop earlier, but after some thought I've joined - I'm sure I'll come up with something!
This is such a great idea for a hop. I'm going to be on vacation that week so can't join in but I am looking forward to reading the entries later for inspiration. One of my goals for the summer is to get back to healthy habits!
Kudos to you for losing that weight and keeping it off, I know how hard that is. Congrats! :)
I'm so excited to read your tips! Seriously...just can't wait and am even hoping for some yummy healthy recipes!
I started realizing about nine months ago that if I was spending 2-3 hours a day sitting at a computer, I probably should exercise a little more. I'm happy to say that since then I've taken on running and regularly do 5-8ks with my husband.
I hope you had a great time with the challenge though! Wanted to wish you a happy IWSG post day. :)
Quick! Teach me how to ride a bike, and I'll take you up on that challenge. LOL
Congrats on completing A-Z. I like the sound of the Health hop will have to sign up!
I really enjoyed your A to Z theme!
I'm all signed up for the Healthy Hoppity Hop!
Writer In Transit
I love the healthy blog hop idea. I used to work out until I starting writing in all my spare time... Congrats on making it from a-z!Simply Sarah
Hi Michael. Sounds like a great blog hop. Once again, congrats to you for what I considered one of the best of the A-Z challenge. I hope you're relaxing a bit. I'm back to blogging and would love it if you could find a moment to visit one day! Meanwhile, keep those birthday celebrations happening.
Denise
An encouraging article Michael. This year I didn't plan that much but I did a few planned blogs but much was pantzing.
Good health is very important. Especially when you have had problems with it. I'm working on staying healthy and yes, even consistent short walks are good.
Glad y'all are doing this blog hop. :-)
What a great idea for a hop. Sounds like educational fun.
Congratulations on making it to the A-Z finish line. It sounds like you tackled a terrific theme. Even bigger congrats for losing all that weight... and keeping it off. Good for you.
You put your heart and soul into everything you do Michael. It why you are so loved. Well done on completing the challenge with all those barriers.
I hope you are having a great time still.
I'll take a pass on posting for the Health blog hop, but I will hop around and see what everyone has posted.
......dhole
You did an awesome job with the A to Z and I know you're gonna rock the health fest!
Michael, I think exercise is the magic key all writers need to complete their journeys. I signed up for the health blog hop. Thanks for hosting this!
Mary Montague Sikes
Looking forward to this blog hop and I really enjoyed your intros....extremely well done! :)
I'm signed up for the Blog Hop. Sounds like a fun one!
glad to see you've survived the AZ, Mikey, I was about to come over and give you E.A.R. :ppp
Love the new bloghop too, I'm the king of healthy eating :)
Congratulations on finishing the A to Z Challenge! :)
The bloghop sounds great. I'm all signed up for it!
Kudos to you for staying ahead with your A - Z posts like that! Looking forward to the blog hop!
High fives and huge hugs for making it on the A to Z. We did it!
I was getting insecure about some of my posts, especially wondering if I'd be able to finish. I guess that's why its so daunting, but so much fun.
And yes, I am all signed up for the blog hop. :)
A timely reminder I need to return to the gym or get running again, or at the very least, take the poor dogs for a walk! Been a lazy year so far *wearing my shameful face.
Your A to Z was wonderful, Michael!
Great idea with the fitness blog hop!
Best wishes,
Anna
Congratulations to you, too, Michael! It's always exciting to see fellow bloggers' books.
Great idea for a blogfest!
A great mantra to keep in mind- do what you love and you will succeed.
And thanks so much for hosting the get healthy blog hop- I signed up and will be happilly posting and hopping around!
"Move away from the computer" -- sometimes that's all it takes. I've gotten back into my morning workout regimen, and I'm feeling good. No jiggle around the middle going downstairs anymore! Thanks again for your intro to Unseen Things and your dedication to seeing your fellow blogger/writers succeed.
Hi Michael .. that sounds a good blog hop .. I'll spot it later on - I may be away.
You achieved wonders during the Challenge - once I'd realised what you were doing!
Also the fact you've listed out lots of blogger's books will be so helpful to click to buy ...
I have to spend some time reading your introductions - but I know where to come ..
Cheers and congratulations on getting your weight off - I need to sort my life out too ... thankfully not hugely - see you soonn Hilary
Your theme was appreciated and well received, I think. It takes a special knack to tackle a topic like you did, and you nailed it. Pat on the back, Sir. :)
Your A-Z theme was awesome! I'm so glad you were able to get everything done.
I'll be out of the country when the blogfest is going on, but I will certainly be reading everyone's tips! Health is of huge importance to me so I'm excited about this one :)
So glad to see some attention being paid to writer health. Great idea.
Hey Michael! Your blog hop sounds like something I need to pay attention to!
I will go back to Roland's blog and see what I missed.
I've missed you, too. I gave up on the WordPress blog. It's too hard to comment on. However, the wanderer is finished. You can find me at: thewordscrafter.blogspot.com.
come see me :)
i forgot to add...it's The Journey South. bye!
Your intros were spectacular, Michael! Congratulations on a Challenge well met. How you managed with your WiFi issues was nothing short of astounding. I had problems as well. Fortunately, most of my posts were written ahead, but I wasn't able to comment on as many blogs as I'd have liked.
Strangely disturbing to learn about the GET HEALTHY BLOGHOP the day after I cancelled my gym membership. :-|
VR Barkowski
Congratulations on finishing the A-Z. Lol! I'm usually a planner and panster all of my posts-just the opposite :)
The health hop is a fantastic(well-needed) idea!
Congrats on finishing the challenge despite all your obstacles.
Also, I'm super impressed by the amount of weight you lost and kept off. :-)
You've certainly motivated me to be healthy, Michael. You're the perfect choice for the blog hop!
You did a great job of keeping up and thriving during the AZ! I loved your theme this year.
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
oh, BB! You are SO right about doing things from the heart. Writing is such a difficult profession and so scary. But we have to write what's in us and hope for the best!
Your healthy writer campaign is a FAB idea! And SUPER congrats for completing A-Z! You ROCK!!! ((HUGS)) <3 <3 <3
Congratulations on the hop and the healthy lifestyle change! It's always hard to do the challenge, but it sounds like you had an even bigger challenge to overcome without WiFi.
Hi, found you on the reflections list and already a follower! My first year on the A-Z, hopefully not my last, and have signed up for the Get Healthy blog hop :)
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
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