Blogging A-Z 2018 Challenge was my first blogging challenge. I was so pleased with myself when the twenty-sixth day arrived, and there were twenty-six posts! Usually, my attention span to daily tasks that do not impact anyone but myself tends to be short-lived. Therefore, diets and exercise routines easily fall away. This success was a big boost to confidence.
The theme was a perfect fit for me—Food Stories Remembered. The daily blogging confirmed the adage “write what you know”. If I can keep to what I can speak to, there will always be volumes to write. The challenge proved this truth.
I enjoyed exploring other blogs and meeting new writers. Many were very focused on their mission which inspired me to think hard about my blog and where it should/could go. There is so much to learn.
As crazy as it may sound, I can’t wait to do it again. I do have a year or so to come up with a theme with endless possibilities. I am also looking forward to placing a survivor badge on my sidebar widget. Who doesn’t love a well earned trophy?
I’d like to thank everyone who commented and offered kind feedback and musings. I know reading through blogs and thoughtfully responding takes time and effort–a big commodity. Thank you, Everyone. And big hugs of gratitude goes out to the amazing A-Z team who pulled the challenge together. Great work!
Now I need to get back on track with my other projects and responsibilities. My new one is to blog consistently. Happy writing, all.
How did you do during you’re Blogging A-Z Challenge?
Welcome to my Blogging A-Z April 2018 Challenge. My theme is Food Stories Remembered because there is always a story when food is involved. I consider myself a good home cook with a great appetite for hearty food. I have witnessed the creation of favorite recipes in friends’ kitchens and have learned from the best—my mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Recipes may be included. I am remaining uncommitted on this because when I cook, I seldom measure. If you try any of my recipes, you are cooking at your own risk. Grab a glass of wine. Hope you’re hungry!
Antoinette Truglio Martin is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. The memoir is a wimpy patient’s journey through her first year of breast cancer treatment.
Stories Served 
Hi Antoinette,
Well done on finishing the A-Z Challenge. It is a mighty achievement and I know what you mean about not getting things done for yourself. I really only aim for the biggies now, beause it all feels too hard and I usually find something along the road to enjoy. Last weekend, for example, I had to drive my daughter an hour away for a party but had a great chat with the parents and had a wonderful time. I think it’s very much like a quotes by John Lennon…”Life is what we live while making other plans”.
I am looking forward to reading more of your posts as they sound like my sort of thing.
Also, in addition to writing what you know about, I’ve become a convert of seeing writing as a learning process and even a journey of discovery where you can taqke your readers along for the ride. Where you’re not putting yourself out there as the expert, but more as a fellow traveller. I also find that we think we know a subject but once we scratch the surface to truly write about it, we find we know very little and for me, the more I found out about the artists, the more confused I became. It was interesting.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much. Your writing is interesting as well. I am always impressed with those who research madly and pull it all together into a cohesive read.
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Antoinette, I was quite mad. I just remember immersing myself in each artist and reading as much as I could but I was also looking for an angle. I didn’t want to just regurgitate what someone could read on Wikipedia.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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I must say I didn’t read all your posts but I enjoyed the ones that I did read. I also have memories with food but I’m not as clear about them as you.
congrats finishing the a-z challenge.
have a lovely day.
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A huge pat on the back for completing this challenge and I know what you mean when you say you are looking forward to the next 😉 Me too!!!!!
Write what you know well is the key to any bloghop challenge as the flow comes naturally!
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Thanks a bunch.
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Hi, Antoinette – What a wonderful reflection. I am super impressed that you are already looking forward to next year’s Challenge — now that’s hard core! 🙂
I am delighted that the Challenge introduced us. I have now signed up to be a regular follower and can’t wait to read more!
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Thank you SO much. I, too, have enjoy your posts and get your regular postings. You are an inspiration as I am trying to figure out how I can plunge into the next life chapter. Looking forward to reading and scheming more.
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Thanks, Antoinette – As soon as I read your first A – Z post, I was totally hooked on your warm writing style. It took me a while to figure out how to sign up to receive email notifications for your blog (as I seldom use WP Reader). Now that I’ve done that, you can count on me to be a regular visitor!
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Congratulations on your first challenge… I remember my first one, and it was writing similar to yours, but on my Southern foods and memories. When I came upon yours so similar but with the Italian foods, I was hooked. I had one planned also on this, maybe another year. I was hooked after my first one, so I know I’ll be seeing you back in 2019. Thanks for reading my All About Nancy Drew A to Z and all your comments! https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/
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Thanks a bunch. I’ll be reading you.
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If you saw the cobwebs that my blog gathers the rest of the year, you’d think I couldn’t blog every day to save my life. Yet April rolls around and I find myself blogging away making up new posts as I go. It’s not crazy to be impatient for the Challenge. I am every year! (OK, maybe it is a little crazy, but if so I have a feeling we’re a big club. 😉 )
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