Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A to Z Challenge: How to Blog Like It's Not a Chore

One very important bit of information before I launch into my post: tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY! Yes, I'll be turning the big 3-7. Yes, I'm getting old(er). No, I don't care!

As much as I love blogging, sometimes it can be a bit of a chore. I'm not in the mood; I've got nothing to say; I just want to have that glass of wine at the end of the day (although let's be honest -- I'm going to have it anyway, blogging or not).

With the A to Z Challenge coming up starting April 1, here are some of my tips to lighten the blogging load.

1. Keep it short, keep it short, keep it short! You don't need to write an essay.

2. Stick to one point. Blog posts that address one issue are easiest for people to read and comment.

3. If you can't think of anything to say - just have fun! You don't always need to be serious, and your readers will likely appreciate a little bit of levity.

3. Don't over think it. It's a blog post, not a peace treaty.

4. Drink some wine. Or eat some chocolate. That will make anything fun!

5. If you really don't feel like blogging - don't. No kittens will die. The world won't end. Take a break if you need it and get recharged.

There you have it! Want to sign up for the A-Z Challenge and have some fun? Visit Arlee's blog to give it a go - we're over 550 people now, I do believe.

I'm off to start the birthday festivities! See you on the other side.

82 comments:

  1. Phew! I was worried about kittens dying if I didn't post. ;)

    I hope you have a fantastic birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY, TALLI!

    Wow, there are some amazing Aries people in our blogging world. Mine is next month... At the end, I'm a bull.... that's why I'm a writer.lol.

    HERE'S TOASTING YOU, TALLI! I wish I could clink glasses with you in person.

    ENJOY!

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some great tips Talli. I will not be joining the challenge as although it sounds fun it really does not fit with the theme behind either of my blogs.
    Bruge looked lovely, somewhere I fancy taking a trip to sometime. Happy Birthday for tomorrow, I hope you are having a day off. xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. On the other hand - if you put too much time into your blogging - your kittens may die.
    Always sound advice, thank you Talli.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday! Hope you start celebrating today. Great tips on over-all blogging. And I love #3! So true!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy early birthday, Talli! :)

    Great advice for blog posts; I am guilty of having left blogs before because the posts were all too long and I didn't have time/energy/desire to read what would amount to a four page essay to be able to leave a thoughtful comment.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So, it's a thing then? Writers and bloggers are supposed to be born in March or something? Huh. You live you learn.

    Now, what about puppies? Do puppies die if I don't blog? And is there anything sugar-free, fat-free, alcohol-free that makes blogging fun? (Ok, scratch that.)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy early Birthday!!!

    And I'm a huge fan of short blog posts. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Birthday Talli! I'm already signed up for the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday Talli!!!!!! Hope you have a great one!

    (Are you SURE no kittens will die? Promise?)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Have a wonderful birthday Talli, you still got along way to catch up to me....lol

    Have a good day.
    Yvonne,

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved your post. Your words are so very true, keep it short, keep it short and yes, blogging should be fun while drinking wine and eating chocolate. Now that is my kind of blogging. lol
    Happy Birthday. Have a great day celebrating!
    Smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Birthday girl.

    Thanks for all the advice on the A-Z Challenge. I signed up a while ago but I have no idea what I’ll blog about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day. Great tips by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy Birthday! Take the day to do something fun. By the way, I ordered the paperback of your book The Hating Game and it just arrived a few days ago; I finished reading it in two days! I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Birthday. I've found that we too are like wine. I think we get better with age. Trust me, I have pictures from back in the day. You do not want to see those.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh to be 37 again, it would give me more writing years! ;0

    Enjoy your day. I have learned to ease up on my blog writing. It started to frazzle my brain every day. I am enjoying the relaxed style I have adopted.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh geez. I'm glad no kittens have died in the 3 weeks I've taken off blogging!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy Birthday tomorrow Talli! I just turned 34, so I'm not far behind ya.

    I love the idea of being a little drunk. That's how I would write all my posts if I could.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Birthday, Talli! No matter how old you get, there's always someone older than you! (In this case, me :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I do believe we are now nearly at 600!

    Great tips here. I used to blog like it was a job, until I realized I can have fun on the job. I'll take brandy with some amoretto, thank you.

    Happy Birthday! You're still just a kid.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out
    Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge

    ReplyDelete
  22. you do the red I'll have a glass of champers for you. Happy birthday and I really like the last rule.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This looks like fun.

    Hope you have a fabulous birthday tomorrow.x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the tips! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope you have an amazing day!! *birthday hug*

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy birthday Talli! I hope you have an excellent day surounded by the people you love.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Happy birthday! I hope you indulge in 37 cupcakes, maybe not all today but soon! Tomorrow is my husband's birthday, we are going to party like it's 1999.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great advice! Happy Birthday! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love it. Short and to the point. Thanks for bringing it up. WIth all those blogs to read, long posts just ain't gonna cut it.

    Have a fantastic birthday!! I turn 38 later this year, so for a few moths we will be the same age. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy Birthday, Talli!!
    Good luck to everyone doing the blog challenge, I admire you all.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy Birthday!!!! My hubby turns 36 on Monday!! I am doing the A-Z Challenge too....my approach is to write about whatever word pops into my head first that starts with the designated letter!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy birthday Talli - prepare yourself for the Flannel of a Lifetime (although it may need to wait until we can afford it, times is hard...)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Happy birthday Talli - you are still soooo young!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for the tips, and the comments about my book. I need more help, please check my blog. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great tips!
    Happy Birthday!!! (in advance)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy birthday Oh young one. And thank you for okaying my wine consumption but I think for the A-Z I am switching to martini's :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy birthday! 37, you're just hitting the prime years.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy birthday, Talli! Have fun celebrating!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I agree on all the points, particularly number 4.

    By the way, you're not getting older, only wiser. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'd hate for kittens to die. I got up to J done and X. I need to get cracking on the rest. Took me until this past weekend to come up with a theme.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Happy birthday! And thanks for the tips!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Happy, happy HAPPEEEE Birthday tomorrow, Talli! Have a great one, and may this year be the best ever (and how could it not, with your book doing so well??)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy birthday! 37 years young!

    I love taking time off from blogging to get other things done but I always feel guilty about it, like it's my absolute duty to blog. But I get over it.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Happy birthday! You're on my A-Z list, so I guess I'm practicing now. Thanks for the good blogging tips.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Best advice ever.
    No kittens will die, how true. Your advice is really refreshing for a change.
    Oh, and have a wonderful birthday celebrations. You earned it.
    Nahno ∗ McLein

    ReplyDelete
  45. But the kittens WILL die! Won't someone think of the kittens??

    I totes agree with you. When I don't feel like blogging at all, I try to reward myself for doing it. Wine usually plays a part. :P

    ReplyDelete
  46. Happy birthday for tomorrow!
    You are cute as a marshmallow!
    You make such lovely points here!
    Happy birthday for tomorrow!!

    Hip hip hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  47. #4 and #1 in that order are my favourites. My A-Z posts will be mega short. And some are a little silly ;) I'm looking forward to it :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Happy Birthday! Thanks for the tips regarding the challenge. Or take it as blogging in general.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Happy birthday, and I love your pointers. Totally agree!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Whew. I'm glad no kitties will be at risk!

    Mine are going to be short, light, and hopefully fun.

    Happy Birthday :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Happy Birthday from 1 Aries to another! :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Yay for the kittens & yay for your birthday! Enjoy and have fun!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  53. "It's a blog post, not a peace treaty." SO true. And Happy Birthday! Hope you get to celebrate all day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oooo...I need to practice #3. Actually I should practice all of them more. Thanks! Good tips.

    ReplyDelete
  55. You say that about the kittens, but you don't have the best record when it comes to protecting our furry friends. In fact, I know you've set some of them up to be punched in the face.

    !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! have an amazing day. Great tips too!
    Lx

    ReplyDelete
  57. Happy Birthday .. as it is today .. hope you're being right royally treated - have lots of levity and joy .. and yes - A:Z will be fun ..

    Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  58. Since it's already Thursday, I can say this now...happy birthday!

    I really love your tips, Talli. There are definitely times when my brain just won't come up with a topic. Have fun with the A-Z Challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Happy Birthday you Gorgeous Aries Writer,
    Great tips. Writers often get too verbose, long after their point is made and readers will be scurrying around trying to read as many posts as possible.
    Enyoy that glass (or perhaps more on your B/D) of wine.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Great tips. I'm in! And Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Happy Birthday!!!!!! happy A-Z!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Happy Birthday!
    Have a wonderful year :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. Great reminders, Talli, and...

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it's fabulous! This means Astrologically, you're a Tiger, eh? I have two Tigers in my family and am very fond of them.

    ReplyDelete
  64. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Talli!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Woot, glad I caught your birthday--hope you have a wonderful one! :)

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thanks for the advice and HAPPY B-DAY!!!! BTW as someone who hit the big 37 about four months ago...it isn't all that bad LMAO! Hope you are living it up :)

    ReplyDelete
  67. I don't have a problem with writing the blog posts but I do struggle to fit in time to go around and read other people's blogs which is a shame because I enjoy reading what other people have to say. I wished you happy bithday on the day on Facebook and Twitter but happy belated birthday from me on here :)

    ReplyDelete
  68. Since I haven't been asleep yet........ Happy Birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hope you had a fabulous birthday and looking forward to the A to Z challenge ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  70. hope you had a great day - I'm sure you did!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Thanks for this Talli. As an A-Z hopeful it's good to read these things. I'm happy that no kittens will die should I fail to blog and also to read the reiterated -Keep it short!

    See you there :)

    ReplyDelete
  72. Good tips :D I'm looking forward to the A-Z challenge this year :D It's gonna be awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  73. A belated happy birthday!

    I've decided to cut back my blogging to three or four times a week.

    ReplyDelete
  74. These are great tips!
    I especially need reminding that it's a blog post and not a peace treaty as I tend to overthink!

    Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hi, It's already April 1st here in OZ and I'm stopping by as part of the A-Z challenge! I didn't know quite where to leave a comment so I do hope you have a chance to see this one. I love the look of your blog and am now following.

    My day 1 post is here;
    http://sooozsaysstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/az-challengeday-1april-1st-2011-for.html

    ReplyDelete

Coffee and wine for all!