Last minute discussion before the challenge begins!

The A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge of 2013 is about to begin.  Are you ready? Do you have a theme? Are you just gonna wing it and go with whatever? Are any of your posts ready?  I know, I know. There are a million things to worry about when it comes to the challenge. But I want to give you a few hints, tips, and words of advice before the challenge begins.

• Keep Calm and Blog on.  Don't stress it. Go with whatever feels right. Don't freak out if your post is late. Don't freak out and NEVER give up. You can do it. 
• What you give is what you'll get. Comment on other blogs and you will get comments back. Reply to people who comment on your blog, get to know people, have fun, make friends! 
• Turn off Word Verification.  This isn't just a tip but a rule.  People HATE WV and I don't blame them. I hate it too.  It is a pain and unnecessary   Last year you want to know how many spam comment I got during the challenge? None.  Yep, none! 
• Make your blog family friendly, or put up a warning.  And this one is also a rule. If you have adult content on your blog, put up a warning. We have a wide variety of wonderful people participating. And no one deserves to be surprised with something they don't want to see.  
• If there are any problems, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! I will put all contact information below. 
• Know your number. If there is a problem with your link we will need to know where on the list you are.  
• The other reason to know your number: We ask that when visiting other participants, you start with the blogs right beneath yours. 
• We ask that you try and visit at least five blogs a day! (Starting with the five beneath your own on the list). 
• Have a way for people to follow your blog, and put it at the top so it is easily found. The thing I hate the most about visiting awesome blogs, are when they don't leave me any way to follow them.  
• HAVE FUN! Learn something new.  

My theme for this year's A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge? 

Mostly (Medieval) Weapons.

And just for smiles, Remember, if plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 other letters! 


Just in case you didn't get the e-mail, here is what it said: 

Just a reminder that the A to Z Challenge begins Monday, April 1!

On April 1, blog about a topic that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. No posts on Sundays and we finish with Z on April 30.

You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.

We recommend short posts – participants will be trying to visit as many as possible during the Challenge and will likely skip long posts.

Please turn off Word Verification! You won’t receive many comments or return visitors if it’s on. Check your settings, as it may be on without your knowledge. If you are really concerned about spam, set comments to no anonymous or blog owner approval.

Make it easy for people to follow you. Use Google Friends Connect, Feedburner or other RSS Feed, Linky Followers, Networked Blogs, etc., and be sure those widgets are located near the top of your sidebar.

Start with the blog after yours on list. We suggest visiting five blogs a day and you are welcome to visit more!

Make new friends. Visit those who visit you. Return the follows of blogs you enjoy.

Each host has a section of the list and will visit you several times during the month.

We also have minions (assistants) who will help us. It is our goal to make sure all blogs on the list are participating. Ad sites, non-participants, and bad links will be removed as we find them.

Visit the A to Z Blog for updates and daily words of encouragement -http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Bottom line – have fun!

If you have any questions, please ask. If you cannot participate, let me know and we will remove you from the list.

Happy A to Zing!

Your 2013 A to Z Challenge Hosts:

Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/
Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs  http://amloki.blogspot.com/
Alex J. Cavanaugh http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
Tina Downey at Life is Good  http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/
DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude 2.0  http://dlcruisingaltitude.blogspot.com/
Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie  http://izombielover.blogspot.com/
Shannon Lawrence at The Warrior Muse  http://thewarriormuse.blogspot.com/
Matthew MacNish at The QQQE  http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/
Konstanz Silverbow at No Thought 2 Small http://nothoughts2small.blogspot.com/

Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs http://stephentremp.wordpress.com/
Livia Peterson at Leave it to Livia  http://leaveittolivia.blogspot.com/
L. Diane Wolfe at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips  http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/
Nicole at The Madlab Post  http://www.madlabpost.com/