It could have been worse — this could have been the soda you have been waiting 30 days to drink!
This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge.
Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor.
Yes, it could have been worse.
Too, it could have been better. But take it as it is.
With this being Day 30 of the writing challenge set up by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese, I figured it would be good to look back at it.
It could have been worse — I could have been told that this was the last Guinness I would ever be able to drink!
After all, when one can sit down and write 30 straight days of a blog with pre-determined themes, I figure that’s a total win. There were times when I had a very hard time with the themes. Sometimes I pressed, but I always seemed to find something. It challenged me as a writer and I appreciate that.
The one thing I thought was great about this was challenging writers. Some of the themes were really out there and one had to think about things a bit. Sometimes I went for humor. Other times it was serious. But I always tried to find a way to do something.
It was also a hoot reading the posts from everyone else taking part in the challenge. Unfortunately, not everybody posted each day, but many did. And because of that, I found several new bloggers who I plan on visiting on a regular basis.
In reality, I’m not sure I’ll re-visit everyone. Maybe. Who can tell. I guess it all depends on where the Internet takes me, no?
Not everything was great.
One reason I got into this challenge was to find new cachers. Another reason was I hoped that also meant there would be more new people seeing my work and, hopefully, a few new readers. Though I didn’t succeed in doing so every day of the challenge, I always made an effort to comment on other people’s blogs. There was a pretty good group of bloggers who did the same, but there were some who didn’t. Looking back, I know there are several people I rarely saw comment anywhere else, let alone here.
It could have been worse — I could have been told hot dogs had become illegal!
To me, that’s disappointing.
Not because I just wanted more comments, but because I don’t think one gets the full feel of the challenge if they just post on their blog and let it run. One thing about not visiting and commenting on other people’s blogs is that those people might not visit yours.
I didn’t skip many blog posts. But I didn’t always comment for various reasons. And, I’m sure, there are people who stopped my blog and thought the same thing. I’m fine with that, too.
Such is the life of a blog challenge.
In the end, I hope others got out of it as much as I did. I had the chance to see many different bloggers and styles.
In the end, I’m glad I stumbled upon Nicky and Mike’s blog and discovered this challenge. And, I’m happy I dived in and decided to go for it and do it. I can’t say I’m disappointed it’s coming to an end though!
I look forward to reading several of the bloggers beyond this challenge to see how they shape their blogs beyond this challenge and I hope I’ve made some new blogging pals along the way.
After all, it could have been worse. Much worse.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
I’m really glad you enjoyed the experience P.J. And I know not everyone commented on every post, but in truth, I can understand that. There was at least one occasion when I had to work very late and knew I wouldn’t be able to visit everyone, so I opted not to leave any comments for anyone just to make sure nobody felt slighted. But I know that there were several who really made an effort to leave a comment on every post, you included, and I really appreciate that. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to reading your future posts!
Nicky recently posted..It Couldn’t Have Been More Perfect
It was, indeed, an interesting and fun experience. I wasn’t worried about people commenting on every one, but it’s a shame when people didn’t comment here and there. With the blog world, let’s be honest — if you visit a blog enough, comment and don’t get anything back, people usually abandon ship. I love finding new bloggers, but if they don’t seem to have any interest in seeing more about their readers, then I usually move on.
This has been a great experience for all the reasons you mentioned. I tried to get around to at least read everyone’s posts. There were occasions that I did not leave a comment, and that does not mean I didn’t enjoy it, I may have just not had anything worthy to add. I appreciate all the comments left by all you visited. It is motivational to see that people enjoy and appreciate what we do.
This did definitely challenge me as a writer as well. I do wonder how this might affect or change aspects of my blog. I can say for sure it was a learning experience. It was good to meet you (and Earl). I’ll have to read more about him later. Time for some rest!
Me, too, Linda. I didn’t get to every post. It would have been near impossible. And I didn’t always comment, but tried to when I could. But challenges like this are a great way to see other bloggers and styles!
As for the writing — agreed — totally challenged me. And I liked that aspect. Made me really think!
P.J., I’m really glad you participated in this challenge so I could find you. You are a talented and funny guy. At first, I commented on everyone’s blog, but as it took time, I later cut it down to people who commented on mine. One other thing, it’s much easier if people link their name to their blog. And it’s really a lot easier if people don’t use those damn “captcha codes”. I have subscribed to you via email, so I’m going to be around. Keep the coffee on!
Linda Medrano recently posted..It Could Have Been Worse – Day 30
Thanks so much and I’m glad I now have found your blog, too! I need to add you to my blogroll (it’s the best way for me to keep up on blogs!) and I will, indeed, be checking on yours!
I agree on the link — but one problem is that some of the commenting systems don’t allow it. The new Disqus thing seems to take that away. Some of the Blogger.com people have it so one can’t do it. I like it better that way, too. Click through and to another site!
I’m so glad I found you, P.J. I agree with everything you said. Writing everyday was extremely challenging. There were times I thought I wouldn’t be able to write anything at all. On those days, I had to dig deep and eventually wrote something. Most often, I published my posts late and ended up last on the link list.
I tried to visit everyone but wasn’t successful all the time. I’m going to swing by the blogs that I missed and read some of their 30-day posts during the week. My biggest problem is remembering where I’ve been. : )
I’ve also subscribed to your site via email. To quote Ahnald, “I’ll be back.”
Lauren recently posted..It could have been worse if there were 31
Thanks, Lauren. I enjoy reading your blog as well. And, as I noted in another comment … I don’t know if any of us got around and commented on everything. And it’s understandable. Thirty days with so many people…so many posts! I just wish more people had checked out other blogs. I know several who I didn’t see comment almost anywhere and that’s a shame because I think they lost out on a major point to these challenges!
I will be adding you to my blogroll so I can keep up with you as well!
Some people just don’t comment. Not even in response to comments left on their blogs. Kinda odd, isn’t it. To me, and I can see to you too, that’s just what blogging is all about. It’s not a one way thing…it’s a two way thing. I look forward to visiting your blog in the future and leaving you comments. I enjoyed your posts during this challenge.
nonamedufus recently posted..Sunday Funnies/Canada Day
I am totally with you. I have found blogging to be a community. It’s not just about writing. It’s about reading. Commenting. Seeing what other say.
I am looking forward, too, to following you. Thanks for stopping by so much!
I agree with what you said. When I first started blogging, I didn’t know anything about it, but I soon learned that commenting and responding to other’s comments was the way to go, if you want to make friends.
I’ve subscribed and will be back too 🙂
Absolutely! It is such an amazing part to blogging. And some great bloggers can be found by doing so!
Congratulations on surviving all 30 days. It’s been enjoyable to follow.
Michael D’Agostino recently posted..My 3-Step Method for Feeling Better in Any Situation
Surviving is a great word to use! Thanks!