From Tracie: From The NaBloPoMo Finish Line

Saturday, November 30, 2013

From The NaBloPoMo Finish Line

It is the last day of November, and here I am writing my last NaBloPoMo post. We should have a huge celebration for finishing this task. For someone who procrastinates when it comes to doing something for myself, usually doesn't try things because I'm pretty sure I will fail, and has never made it two straight weeks publishing a post every day, meeting this goal is a huge thing. I imagine it feels something like running a marathon, minus the searing pain in your side, sore legs, and desperate need for water.

NaBloPoMo November 2013

What did I learn during NaBloPoMo? More posts doesn't equal more traffic, or at least, not more interaction. I think my blog does better when I give people a day in between posts to stop by and comment. Keeping up with an every day posting challenge is hard for me as a writer, but it is also hard for my readers. This is especially true during the last week of November when most people in the US are busy with family and holiday plans. I think if I am going to do NaBloPoMo in the future, I would do it on a different month than November, even though that is the traditional month.

It also makes it hard for me to read other people's blogs. I usually spend the same amount of time on blogging each day, so most of my reading and commenting happens on days when I don't publish a new post. I've been missing reading all of you for the last month.

The biggest thing I learned was that I CAN publish a post every day. I also learned that I need to write faster if I want to keep up with that kind of schedule.

What did I write about during NaBloPoMo? The usual stuff. I didn't really branch out as much as I thought I would, or do a bunch of picture or quote posts (except for Thanksgiving and that great coffee picture). It was my normal blend of memories, snippets from my day, thoughts about books, writing about important causes and charities, and occasional participation in fiction writing challenges.

My top five favorite 2013 NaBloPoMo Posts:
  1. Umbrellas Are A Conspiracy And A Lie - A classic Thomas and Tracie conversation. Plus, I learned in the comment section that I am not the only person who eschews umbrellas.
  2. I Narrowly Escaped Being Killed By Quicksand - I risked my life to bring you a picture of a terrifying Build Your Own Quicksand Pit. It might just be a perfect Christmas gift for that annoying kid in your life.
  3. Sarah And The Chain Letters - It is a moment that sits in a drawer in my mind, frozen in time like a perfect snapshot, ready to be pulled out anytime someone mentions chain letters.
  4. It Is All Sweet Until The Candy Won't Crush - I realized that Candy Crush whining is a lot like bragging. This is also the first post I've written that was chosen for syndication on BlogHer.
  5. 5 Things I Want You To Know About Frozen - I really loved this movie so much. I'm listening to the soundtrack as I type this.
The biggest thing about NaBloPoMo is finishing it. So here is a big high five for all of you NaBloPoMo-ers (because I'm a dork who gives high fives).
We did it.

*NaBloPoMo is finished. 30 posts - 30 days.

14 comments:

  1. Yes, you did it! I do better with posting three times a week. It does give people more time to read/comment, and more time to visit others. However, it's a great accomplishment too, to finish 30 posts!

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    1. Thank you! It was definitely a huge undertaking for me. I will be mostly going back to my 3 posts a week schedule for December. So much more time to breathe (and visit other blogs, too).

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    1. It is so so so good!! I can't wait to hear what you think of it.

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  3. Whoop whoop you go girl.. Like you I have trouble posting every day.. Odd when it used to be so easy for me.. I have been doing some deep digging lately. That could explain my lack of visitors.. ahem lol

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    1. Deep digging does seem to come with that side effect. Or, even if the visitors are still there, they are quieter in the comment section. I see that a lot. Your posts are awesome though, and I love that you are writing about the deep stuff.

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  4. Congratulations Tracie!!! What an accomplishment!!! I do love your reflections as well. You're right about all of those and some of them I just never thought of quite that way or for those reasons but yes! so true. Congratulations again!!! Sooooo amazing!!!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad my reflections spoke to you, and made you think about blogging in a different way. That is a high compliment.

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  5. Go you! I don't think I could do it...so I am super proud you were able to!

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    1. Thanks! It isn't something I want to do again soon...but next year the bug might bite me again.

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  6. That is HUGE Tracie!!! You DID IT!!! I am so impressed with all that hard work in publishing a post every day! I agree, it would totally take away my reading and sharing and connecting time too. I don't think I will ever do it simply because I can't imagine even my most loyal readers following me EVERY darn day! It's just too hard to keep up...

    HIGH FIVE and CHEERS for SUCCESS in a very challenging endeavor!! GO YOU! XO

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    1. Thank you SO much! I think it was overwhelming for some people. But I will be going back to my normal 3-4 posts a week again now, so we can all feel like it is a bit of a vacation.

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  7. Yay congratulations!!! I know I failed halfway through but I'm proud of having done the NaBloPoMo thing even that much. I wrote some great things that I'd been wanting to write for a long time. NaBloPoMo was great for throwing the 'rules' out for my blogging. It also got me re-involved in commenting and reading blogs, which was the whole reason I fell in love with blogging in the first place!

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  8. Congrats you did it! It's a huge undertaking. I am glad to hear your perspective about traffic and interaction and posting everyday. I struggle so much with frequent posting and catching up with my favorites because of my full time (plus) day job. So it is comforting to know that posting every day doesn't necessarily increase traffic and interaction. Still, posting every day seems like a fun way to push yourself creatively.

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