Theme Reveal Day! What's Your A-Z Challenge Theme?

I feel like I'm at the play-off game, or the championship game even, and they've got the inflatable tunnel set up, the smoke going, the crowd roaring, the beer flowing, the fans waving and the game is about to start. I LOVE FOOTBALL. My kids don't understand why they have to turn off their XBOX NOW so that I can watch that “stupid hoopla introduction run down the tunnel stuff” instead of them finishing a level. Well, it's because I WANT TO SEE IT.

Today feels almost like that. We're getting so close to the start of the biggest blogging event of the year, and today, we're sorta announcing the players' positions. We know the players, since we do have that ever growing list, but we don't quite know what they've got planned.

THAT'S WHY IT'S REVEAL YOUR THEME DAY! It's the awesome idea of Mina Lobo, one of the members of "Team Damyanti", and co-hosted by David Macaulay.  Of course, since I am Miss Hop-on-the-Nearest-Blog-Hop Train, here I am, already aboard.

My theme for the 2013 A to Z Challenge is “Adventures in America” : these are the continuing sagas of a Swedish immigrant during her first year as an American. She boldly went where she'd never gone before...please come along on her journey.

Each day I'll have a story from my first year in America (Summer 1974-1975) and most likely some embarrassing picture. The Nutritionist (my mother for you new folks) is also the Momarazzi, and there is plenty of documentation of my life...

As I started writing these, I started thinking about how I would have felt moving my kids across the world in the middle of their childhood...so I might add some “if I were my mother” stuff in as well...that should keep her and The Swede reading!

As a special lead in to the series, The Swede, my Dad, will be writing three prequel posts to introduce himself and my mom and tell their love story, giving the set-up for why we're a trans-Atlantic family, and why we even moved here in the first place. Don't miss 3/27, 3/28, and 3/29 when he's my guest author.

~Tina

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh Cover Reveal!

One of the first books I bought for my Kindle was Alex's CassaStar, the first in his trilogy. He writes the same genre I do (space opera) and we have a lot of common interests, so it was a no-brainer to support my buddy, read a good book, and help him advertise it. (This is one of the advantages we've talked about that happen when you join big blog-hops and meet new people – and wouldn't you know – we've got one coming up!  Hit the tab above to learn more about the upcoming A-Z Challenge in April and then join us!  Resistance is futile...) His sequel is called CassaFire and was even more heart-stoppingly exciting than the first one...don't worry, you have time to read them both before the third one comes out because...

Today we are having what's called a “cover reveal” party. Alex's Ninja Army, and others willing to join the fun for a good cause, are all posting about his latest book, revealing for the first time what the cover will look like, and the blurb about the book. So here you go!  

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013

Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure

Print ISBN 9781939844002

E-book ISBN 9781939844019

 Haven't read the first two in the trilogy? Those are links in the first paragraph taking you right to them.  You're welcome.

~Tina

Introducing Tina's Terrific Team!

Good morning all!

Today I'm THRILLED to introduce to you: Tina's Terrific Team!

My team of helpers, administrative assistants, basically capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, while maintaining their own blogs in the A-Z Challenge AND taking whatever I throw at them in order to free me up to visit more participant are...drumroll...

AJ Lauer of  Naturally Sweet

Andrea of  Maybe it's Just Me

                     I Like it On the Table      

Hilary Melton-Butcher of  Positive Letters...Inspirational Stories...

Jolie Du Pre of Precious Monsters

JoJo of Tahoma Beadworks and Photography

PV Ariel, aka Philip of philipscom

Now I command you to go visit their blogs and congratulate them on being chosen, and follow them, because they are terrific, entertaining bloggers...oh wait. I can't boss my readers around...just my Terrific Team.

Let's try this. I'd be really honored if you'd take the time to visit these folks who are going to be giving so much time and effort to making The Challenge run smoothly. I know I'll be a better co-host with their help.

We all need a little help from time to time, right? I'm grateful I've got these wonderful folks as friends and helpers.

Speaking of wonderful, helpful folks, The amazing digital artist Jeremy “Retro-Z”, co-host, is just awesome and designed their special badge.  Pay him a visit, too.  He does freelance digital art...so if you need something...he's you're guy!

~Tina

Calling for Volunteers

Wanna help us out? We're seeking minions to help do some of the behind the scenes grunt work with us. You'd get a special badge emailed to you so that no non-minion could have one. Perhaps you object to the word minion. Of course, we'd never call you that in public. It would be a secret between the team and you priceless minions. You'd get the prestigious title of “volunteer administrative assistants” in public.  (You'd be listed as an assistant on the A-Z Blog and that would probably bring you more traffic.)

Are you game? Here's how it works. Each team member wants their own number of volunteers, and will choose their volunteers in their own way. No, even though it sounds like it, it's not a popularity contest. 

What it really boils down to is what we've been trying to show bloggers about this challenge, and about blogging itself. It's a community and friend building activity.  For example, I have a lot of blogger buddies I know well and trust. I know they'd follow the guidelines, I know they'd follow through. I know who to pick if they volunteer.  Consider it a perk of being an active part of the blogging and A-Z community.

So! If you want to be a minion/volunteer/list checker, etc. Here's what you do. Leave a comment saying you volunteer.   We'll let you know by private email who we've picked, and then once all is settled, we'll put your names up as minions, I mean volunteers!

Questions? Stick 'em in your comments.

~ Tina

P.S We left out most of the details on purpose...but if you go check the comment chain at the A-Z Blog for today's (identical) post...you'll get a lot of your questions answered,

Sign-Up For the Blogging From A-Z Challenge, April 2013

READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SIGNING UP.  THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES MADE DUE TO YOUR FEEDBACK FROM LAST YEAR AND YOU HAVE ONE SHOT TO FOLLOW THE NEW DIRECTIONS.  THE LIST WILL SIMPLY BE TOO LONG FOR US TO FIX THE MISTAKES THAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T READ ABOUT THE CODES.  DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?  SORRY FOR SHOUTING, JUST IT'S BEEN A ZOO...AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS OUT.

Are you a blogger? Do you want to build your blog audience, find new blogs to follow? This opportunity is your best chance!

Today we begin the sign-ups for the Blogging From A-Z  Challenge April 2013!

As a quick summary in case you've been offline for four years... this challenge was started by Arlee Bird of Tossing it Out. He was celebrating a milestone on his blog, and thought that this challenge might be a fun way to do so. This is the fourth year, and the hundred or so participant list from 2010 grows by leaps and bound each year. Last year over 1700 participated!


Rules are simple. On April 1^st, post about something that starts with the letter A. On the 2^nd, something on B, and so on. You get Sundays off^t. Whatever style blog you have, this is a challenge you can do! Some freestyle it (like I did my first year) some go with a theme (a lot of folks did that, and I tried that last year - much easier, so I'm theme-ing it again this year). Whatever your style, you'll fit in fine. So sign-up on the linky below, grab the badge from my side-bar, check out the other co-hosts and follow them (also in sidebar) and start planning! April will be here before you know it!

One more thing, don't freak out about having to visit everyone. All we ask is that you visit five new blogs a day, starting with the one after yours on the list. Five! That's totally doable, and by the end of the month, you'll have met at least 150 new blogs!  Of course, the more you visit, the more traffic you'll get, so challenge yourself.  Set a goal of what you can reasonably do and then go for it!

I'm not going to go into more details here, because The Challenge has its own blog chock-full of info. Lots of tabs. Answers to all your questions. It's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you follow Blogging From A-Z Challenge April 2013! and read all the posts. Following by email is a sure way not to miss a thing!

Between now and April we will have tips and hints, introductions to your co-hosts, and lots of other good stuff to get you ready for the marathon in April! 

Due to feed back from previous years' participants, this year you have the OPTION of adding a category to your blog from the following list.  LET ME STRESS OPTION.  For example, I'm a writer, but I don't write about writing, I just write.  At Life is Good you'll find poems, embarrassing stories, Swedish lessons (that was last year's challenge), memoirs, fiction, fictional poetry..it's me practicing writing.  You never know what you're going to get...

That's also how I like to approach visiting new blogs.  Where in the world will I land?  However, that's me, not you.  This challenge is all about you doing your thing on your blog.  we offer guidelines.  The only hard and fast rule is that if your blog contains adult content code (AC) then you are REQUIRED to categorize yourself as such.

IF you're going to pick a category, choose wisely.  Once it's up there, there's no changing it.  Put it in CAPITAL LETTERS, IN PARENTHESES just like in this list. Or go nude, like a good Swede.  No category.  See who shows up...

1. WRITING :(WR)
2. BOOKS:(BO)
3. FILM :(FM)
4. PHOTOGRAPHY:(PH)
5. GARDENING:(GR)
6. CRAFT:(CR)
7. ART:(AR)
8. MUSIC:(MU)
9. CULINARY :(CU)

10. LIFESTYLE:(LI)
11. FASHION:(FA)

12. PERSONAL:(PR)
13. SOCIAL MEDIA:(SO)
14. GAMING:(GA)
15. EDUCATION :(ED)
16. POLITICS:(PO)
17. HISTORY:(HI)

18. SCIENCE :(SC)

19. HUMOR:(HU)

20. TRAVEL:(TR)
21. MISCELLANEOUS: (MI)

22. ADULT CONTENT:(AC)

So without further ado, I give you the sign-up list!  wHICH IS NOW FOUND UNDER THE TAB ABOVE LABELED AS SUCH.

Announcing the Official Blogging A-Z Co-Hosts!

I'm so excited about gearing up for this year's challenge!  It's the best blogging fun around, and the best way to expand your followers and find new blogs!  The people who participate (and lead) are a whole bunch of wonderful folks.  Yes, they're letting me play again.  Must have "played nicely with others" enough last year...


        So without further ado, say hello to The 2013 A to Z Team:

The A to Z Team 2013!

Arlee Bird      Tossing It Out                           @ArleeBird
Damyanti Biswas      Amlokiblogs                    @damyantig
Alex J. Cavanaugh      Alex J. Cavanaugh        @alexjcavanaugh 
Tina Downey     Life is Good                          @TinaLifeisGood
DL Hammons         Cruising Altitude 2.0             @DL_H
Jeremy Hawkins       Retro-Zombie                  @iZombieJMH
Shannon Lawrence        The Warrior Muse         @thewarriormuse
Matthew MacNish       The QQQE                      @MatthewMacNish
Konstanz Silverbow       No Thought 2 Small      @KonstanzS
Stephen Tremp        Breakthrough Blogs            @StephenTremp
Livia Peterson       Leave it to Livia                  @LiviaGPeterson
L. Diane Wolfe        Spunk on a Stick                 @SpunkOnAStick 
Nicole  Ayers      The Madlab Post                      @madlabpost

Who Are the New Team Members?

         Livia Peterson started her blog Leave It To Livia last May, heading full force into the blogging world to make her presence known in many ways including landing a place on the A to Z Team.  Her blogging niche includes movies, entertainment, and, of course, writing.  She's ready to take the blog world by storm so be sure to head on over to her blog and become friends with her now.  We think you'll like Livia.

         L. Diane Wolfe was already in the blogging circle that I fell into nearly four years ago and I feel honored to be a part of her blog circle of friends.  Diane is an expert on writing, public speaking, marketing, and promotion.  In other words, she's a valuable contact to have.  You can find her at Spunk on a Stick.  If you're not following her blog, then now's the time to head on over and do so.

        Nicole Ayers from The Madlab Post is probably a very familiar name to A to Z'ers by now.  In fact you may be wondering, "Isn't she already on the A to Z Team?"   Nicole has been responsible for our Friday posts over the past several months as she sat in as an unofficial Team Member.  Now it's official--Nicole is part of the Team.  If you are looking for some inspiration about A to Z themes you may want to check out some her previous Friday posts on that topic.  And be sure to follow her blog if you aren't doing so already.

Follow The Leaders

      The links to all of the Team blogs can be found in the list above.  If there are any that you are not yet following then hop on over to their blogs and click the "Follow" button.   You will want to check in with all of these bloggers on a regular basis for the latest A to Z Challenge news and for helpful tips about the Challenge and blogging in general.

Where's the linky?  Where do I sign up?  What do I do now?  Patience, my young padawan, patience.  The list opens 1/30.  It will be at the main A-Z Blog, and there's room for everyone.  We will not leave you in the dark, and you don't have to camp out for tickets.  Just hit the linky starting 1/30.  There is no advantage to being early on the list (except bragging rights, which of course I'm into...) but we divide the list to make sure everyone gets lots of visits, and then after the challenge is over, many of us keep going until we've been to see everyone.

OK, so what can I do until 1/30????  Pick a theme for your posts (if you want), start writing posts and scheduling them early (we'll have a tutorial about that coming soon) and SPREAD THE WORD!

P.S Yes, that's really me.  Now on Twitter. Yes, that was also me who when it first came out said, NEVER...but I also said that about facebook... I was the last to join, so you can say I gave in to peer pressure. Or that I hate being left out, or that it was time, or...yeah, the peep pressure thing is most accurate. I've read some of the tutorials...downloaded the app, set my notification, tried tweeting, but don't know if anyone got it...so I'm learning Windows 8 and Twitter at the same time.  I will admit,  I'm now following Bruce Springsteen.  Can't wait to hear from The Boss!

~Tina

P.S At the main blog is an announcement similar to this one (because I stole parts - not the other way around) that has a contact us page.  If you write to the info@ email, it comes to me, so feel free to just write me at my regular address you'll find in the sidebar!  Ask away - I'm ready to help you navigate this adventure!

Digging Up The Dirt: What Do You Want to Know?

Today I'm asking for your help. Even if you're not going to be in the April 2013 A-Z Blogging Challenge, you can still contribute greatly, and the entire team of co-hosts will be grateful for your creative, goofy, or pin-em-to-the-wall input, if that's the case.

We are putting together this year's “Get To Know Your Co-Hosts” questionnaire, and need your help with questions. What would you like to know about us? What have you been wondering about me? If we get enough questions, each co-host will choose which to answer, so we'll have some variety.  For what you already know about me, see the "About Me" tab above.

Please do me the huge favor of heading over to the A-Z Blog today if you'd like samples of what our questions and answers were last year. You can also see what questions have already been contributed.

Or, if you're ready and short on time, leave your question in my comments here. Either way, we sure appreciate your help.

~ Tina

Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest

Today's it's time for another blogfest. I'm glad, because I can't seem to get myself in gear unless there's a party...

We are to talk about bloggers we miss, and then also bloggers we WOULD miss if they disappeared. Our community is a growing and changing one, I myself have been disappearing lately...damn depression.

I MISS YOU DEARLY

Jane of Aging Mommy

Jane became a mom after 40, quit a lucrative career, and stayed home to raise her adorable daughter, Mirabelle. Jane was funny, honest, hopeful, encouraging, not afraid to share her insecurities or failures, and was a wonderful buddy. I have a folder full of our email correspondence. 

Then she did the sensible thing and quit blogging so that she could spend more time raising that wonderful miracle than WRITING about raising her. I admire that. But I miss my friend. Jane – I hope all is well with you and your family.

I can't link you because she's really and truly gone.

Polly of 5^th Sister

You can still visit her blog, she hasn't shut it down, but she hasn't posted at 5th Sister since May. I miss her so much. Polly is an amazing writer and poet, and incredibly talented at haiku, stringing together multiple small poems into one, cohesive, blow-you-away wallop of a write.

I loved her Monday Musings that gave us some insight into her daily life, and I loved her willingness to share her faith openly, even in the midst of great struggle. Polly – please come back! You have lots of fans waiting for you! Big hugs.

DAMN I'D MISS YOU IF YOU LEFT

Brian Miller of WaystationOne

Brian has been my supporter and friend since I first started blogging. I don't think there's a post of mine he hasn't commented on, and it's usually a race to see if he'll get there before Alex...

I appreciate Brian not just for that, though. He's a supporter of so many bloggers of all levels and styles- there are few places I visit where he hasn't gone before me with his upbeat comments and his trademark “smiles”. He has an amazing heart and counsels troubled kids, loves his family and and is willing to share about them, and his talent is incomparable. How he manages to get a piece up every single day with all that he does amazes me. Don't ever stop being you, dear friend!

The other bloggers I'd sorely miss are my A-Z Team. They have helped me survive what has probably been the hardest year of my life. They pick up the slack, they encourage me, and keep me going. Since we're limited to three in each category, I'm sending you to the A-Z Blog where you'll find them all in the sidebar. Of course, there over there in my sidebar, too. Just wanted you to visit our headquarters....

This blogfest is brought to you by these wonderful folks:

Andrew of Strange Pegs 

Matthew of The QQQE  

Alex, the Ninja Captain himself, of Alex J. Cavanaugh 

Don't forget to visit them, too!

OFFICIAL Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Blog Announcement

Hello dear bloggy friends! Today is a special day in Blogland. Today is the first OFFICIAL announcement of the Blogging A-Z Challenge co-hosts! Who will it be? To whom will we turn with questions? What's all this about anyway? No worries. You haven't missed the boat. You haven't lost your invite. You haven't been dropped from my Christmas card list (I just no longer send them). In fact, THIS is your official invitation to the official challenge which I am officially co-hosting.

Your other co-hosts for this adventure are:

Arlee Bird     Tossing It Out                 

Alex J. Cavanaugh   Alex J. Cavanaugh  

Stephen Tremp   Break Through Blogs   

Tina Downey (that's me!)  Life is Good    

D.L. Hammons       Cruising Altitude 2.O         

Jeremy  Hawkins        Retro-Zombie             

Shannon Lawrence  The Warrior Muse  

Matthew MacNish (Rush)     The QQQE     

Elizabeth Mueller    Author Elizabeth Mueller          

Jenny Pearson      Pearson Report     

Konstanz Silverbow    No Thought 2 Small    
Damyanti   Writing on Writing: Amlokiblogs

We are going to be working tirelessly to get you ready for this challenge.  Not quite ready to do an ironman triathlon?  Not sure if you can swim the English Channel?  Never climbed a 14-er? (For you non-Colorado types, that means hiking to the top of a mountain that measures more than 14,000 feet) Not a even a marathon runner? This challenge is for you. The only requirement is that you TRY to post once a day, on the letter of the alphabet for the day, throughout April. That's it. No penalties if you don't finish, but take a look at the benefits, if you participate:

Your blog will have more traffic

You'll learn from your fellow challenge mates

You'll find new blogs that entertain and encourage you

I can't guarantee more followers, but last year, at final count at the end of April, I'd gained 27.  When all the post-challenge Challenge visiting was done, I'd gained  a total of 72.  SEVENTY-TWO!  That's not a dyslexic number thing.  It's true!

If you're a seasoned blogger, there are benefits for you, too. You'll have the golden chance to encourage others and help them navigate their blogging career by sharing your triumphs (and tragedies, if you dare).

Sound good to you? The linky list opens on January 30^th at the OFFICIAL (that's the word of the day, by the way) Blogging From A to Z April Challenge Blog.

Through the coming months, we'll be sharing tips and ideas and working hard to get you all excited for April. Feel free to contact any of us with questions or concerns. That's what we're getting paid the big bucks for. Well, not really, I'm exaggerating as I tend to do. Hyperbole is a favorite literary device of mine...
 I'm excited to be a co-host on this adventure.  Never promised that I was a blogging expert.  I'm just a girl who likes to write.


P.S Got a good question in the comments: Is it OK to join if you're not a writer?  Of course!  One part of what made last year so much fun was that when I was out visiting, I never knew what kind of blog I was headed to!  If you blog, you can join this challenge.  So to the artists, musicians, table-scapers, scrapbookers, as well as you whose blog defies categorization -  hop aboard!  We're an equal opportunity bunch.