Remember back in the flush and excitement of the New Year? It seemed everyone in the blog world was posting about all their resolutions. So did I. I did two different posts on resolutions, one on my writing for the year, the other for the blog. As we close out the first quarter of the year (!), we have a major bloggy event going on right now. Yes, I’m talking about the A to Z challenge. Since we are now on April 2, and I have not done any posts on this, it would appear that I’m breaking one of my blog-o-lutions: Participate in the fun stuff!
Yes, I’m breaking a blog-o-lution. And it also occurs to me that I still haven’t done the lucky 7 meme or tag or whatever you call it, so now I’m doubly-breaking that rule. But there’s a good reason for that. I know I’ve used Dirty Harry before, and I’m pretty sure I’ve even stated the sentiments following this another time (unless it was from an unfinished post):
It’s good to ‘know your limitations.’ For example, it’s good not to carry something that’s too heavy for you. It’s good not to sing MacArthur Park if you’ve got the vocal range of a cicada with laryngitis. It’s good not to try and prepare a seven-course meal for your fiance’s parents if all you’ve got is an E-Z Bake Oven. But at the same time, pushing our limitations is how we grow. It’s how we stretch our own boundaries, and I do want to stretch and grow. But. But I also know an important part of this whole blogger thing is to enjoy myself. The smart thing to do with A-Z, of course, is to pre-write as much as possible (since there was plenty of warning) and then just polish and post, but I’m not organized. And for me, I just didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as this twice-weekly thing I’ve got going on here. And, of course, it would mess with one of my other blogolutions: Post on a regular schedule. Wait, what could be more regular than posting every day? Well, for me, I’ve established a reasonable (some weeks it just doesn’t happen, true) schedule of twice a week. Going every day fouls that for me, and I’m afraid I’d come out on the other side of April hating the whole blog thing.
So, there you have it. To those of you who have taken on this challenge, I say “Write on!” and “Congratulations!” I think it’s great, and I look forward to your posts. But it just wasn’t for me this year.
12 Responses
I agree with you! It's a great blog challenge, but I don't think it was for me either! And I'm such a slacker with the Lucky 7 thing too. I got tagged several times and just never did anything about it. *hides*
Yup, you got this right. There's nothing wrong in participating in a bloghop. As you have time. And it seems there're so many different ones going on all the time, you'll have plenty of other opportunities. Or not. Totally depends upon you. I've got some blogging friends who never do them. It's all good.
I'm with you, Jeff!
It wasn't for me this year, either. You're right. It's important to know your limitations.
Also, it's strange that you should mention MacArthur Park. I just listened to that a little bit ago, while trying to catch up on blog comments. (Though, it was a different version.) 🙂
I'm with you there… A writer has to know her limitations too… I just think of all those words I could have added to my word count on my novel… Hey thanks for reminding me to get back to it now, bye for now JeffO X
That was a much better version than the one I linked. Though I have to give Harris props for the vocal stretching.
We're sorry you won't be taking part, but I totally understand.
It's good that you knew that this wasn't right for you at this time–it is too easty to join everything, do everything and say yes to everything. We writers have precious writing time as is, and we need to sometimes step in to protect it. 🙂
Love that Dirty Harry. 🙂
Angela
It's a great blog challenge but not for everyone. I'm not doing it but my group blog is, which takes the pressure off a little.
This is my first year doing the challenge – and I'm already tired! And I've got my posts written and scheduled! Keeping up with the commenting is the hardest part! But is IS fun 🙂
I agree. I cheer those who are participating, but each person needs to know his or her limitations. I couldn't handle the blog challenge, either. Too much else going on.
P.S. Love this: "It’s good not to sing MacArthur Park if you’ve got the vocal range of a cicada with laryngitis."
I wanted to do it too but it was just too overwhelming, especially with all the other stuff I've got going on. So I am with you on this one!