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Just a quick observation before I scour what's left of my challenge-fried brain for any decent groups beginning with X.
This challenge has led to some strange things happening to my blog Brits in the USA. The number of daily hits has risen dramatically from about 200 a day to more than 500. I wish the same thing would happen to my salary.
On the downside my rather modest aim of gaining 200 followers looks likely to fail. At the onset these challenges tend to attract a lot of blog hoppers but toward the end of the month, the enthusiasm wanes. And my blog hopping has been erratic to say the least. I know I have missed tons of great blogs. I have been an unreliable follower.
Why do we do this in the first place? Probably because our laptops have stolen our brains and reduced us to stat obsessed automatons a long time ago.
But there's a silver lining. I've gained some fantastic new followers and friends. And, at the final reckoning that's a lot more important than the empty science of stats which warbles away in the darkness like Rain Man counting matches.
You aren't far from your goal of 200. Oh...my laptop stole my brain a long time ago. Before long I'll be needing a self imposed few days of being unplugged before my brain and eyes completely liquify!
ReplyDeleteNot sure there was so much brain for my laptop to steal anyhow, lol
ReplyDeleteI've been having trouble keeping up as well. I have picked up over 30 new followers which is cool. Was hoping for 100 but am in the 80s now.
ReplyDeletethat's impressive JoJo - great stuff. Maybe I can borrow some, lol
ReplyDeleteSurely you're going to choose XTC and that classic 'Making Plans for Nigel'?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the challenge was mostly successful. I admire your acceptance of self-inflicted obligation. I have enough of that sort of thing in my life without adding to it. Anything that smells of more obligation and you can't see me for dust. :)
I know right Sarah - well as it's the only band I can think of anyhow you may not be far off base
ReplyDeleteDavid, I congratulate you on having survived it. I didn't take part this year and a good thing I never. I would never have lasted very long in the challenge. Just think of all those amazing pieces you wrote in that short time. That's pretty Wow!
ReplyDeleteIt was also interesting to get your stat report, regardless.
Have a great weekend!
I think you wrote some really great posts as a result of this challenge, David. You are very close to 200 followers too. The stats and numbers game is kind of crazy anyway. Number of followers doesn't mean a lot, I don't think. So many people sign up to be followers and then you never see them again. At least that is how it has been on my blog. If nothing else, the A to Z challenge makes you a more disciplined writer knowing you have to get something posted every day. I didn't even attempt it knowing I wouldn't have the time to devote to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacqueline - you are too kind. That's true Daisy - it's a hollow numbers game fore sure - yay 192!
ReplyDeleteI'm THIS close to quickly making eight fake blogger profiles so I can have them all follow you to make 200. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou've had some really great posts here due to the music a-z challenge. I'm not surprised you've gained new followers, or that your traffic has gone up.
Now I have a new challenge for you: a-z television shows in 10 days. GO!
I've had a terrible time keeping up with the challenge this year. Last year I loved it and stayed energetic throughout but this year my enthusiasm has really waned. I planned to check out tons of new blogs but it hasn't worked out that way. Had to laugh about the salary, if only! :)
ReplyDeleteThe challenge has been hard for me, too and though I gain new friendships and discovered awesome new blogs, I don't know if next year I'll up to try it again... but I truly like your blog. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteFrom Diary of a Writer in Progress
aw thanks Jen - I'm all for the fake profile thing. Hmm - no deal on the TV shows, tho. For real Julie - I don't think I'll do it next year. thanks so much Gina.
ReplyDeleteI gained a nice number of new followers, though not as many as some. But I console myself that I've met some other bloggers I "clicked" with and want to continue stalking - uh, I mean, hanging out with online. :-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic