My What and Why of the A to Z Challenge

2016 A through Z Blogger’s Challenge

What is the A to Z Challenge?

Thousands of bloggers from various walks of life with multiple areas of interest, come together during the month of April and challenge themselves to blog. The blogging is done 6 days a week on various topics. The unifying theme is that the posts must all be on the same alphabetic letter, going from the letter “A” on April 1^st and ending with “Z” on April 30^th. Bloggers are challenged to not only post, but to read the posts of others, and leave comments. This challenge started around 2010, and is the brainchild of Arlee Bird, author of the Tossing it Out blog. You can learn more by checking out Arlee’s blog. Thanks to the organizers, also called ninja minions, because without their help, who knows what would happen. You can find their names and websites/blogs, along with a more official description of the A to Z Challenge here.

About my 2016 Challenge Theme: Creative Block Hacks

One of the toughest issues facing creative people, is creative blocks. The theme of my 2016 A through Z Blogger’s Challenge is Creative Block Hacks, inspirational ideas to play with to get you through those dull spots in your creative output. As I am both a writer and artist, my ideas will span the two art forms, sometimes focusing on one and others both.

Think of hacks as quick fixes, remedies, rituals or exercises. However you view hacks, you’ll find an A to Z blog of mind-expanding ideas and new ways of thinking of old ones, all designed to enhance your creative output.

As you might have guessed, I know a little something about this topic. I struggle with creative blocks. My most recent art-making block lasted almost a decade! Figuring I don’t have infinite decades to skip over, I wanted to arm myself with ways of maneuvering through future blocks.. I get blogging blocks and writing blocks too. I know my way is to work sporadically but, I prefer it when I’m productive. Don’t you?

So, I'm taking the plunge with so many other brave souls, into the challenge, which I think of as a blogging marathon.

Stay tuned!