For the past many years I've participated in a writing exercise known as The April A-Z Blog Challenge. It started way back in 2010, but my first time participating was 2011. I've participated almost every year since (I missed a year or three in there somewhere) and am going to try again in 2026.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the challenge, it's simple. In theory anyway. You blog every day in the month of April (except Sundays) so 26 days of posting, which conveniently is the exact same number as the letters in our alphabet. One letter per day which makes it fun. I like puzzles and this exercise has always felt a little bit like working a puzzle.
There are literally hundreds of participants, but you choose the category your blog best fits, and then you can read those blogs that appeal to you. There are a lot of people working on books, a lot of sci-fi, gaming, that sort of thing which doesn't particularly interest me, but there are also categories like family, parenting, personal journal, cooking, and travel and those are more my cup of tea.
You're not required to have a theme but I like a theme. It brings structure to the many random thoughts I'm trying to capture and I need that. I've never participated in the theme reveal link up before because I'm usually flying by the seat of my pants, still trying to decide on a theme on March 31st.
Lisa reminded me about the Challenge with her post and theme reveal here, and I decided to commit to one on the spot. I can overthink with the best of them, but had an idea and ran with it.
My plan is to wander through my house and write about 26 seemingly ordinary objects and the stories behind them. Do I have 26 ordinary objects to write about? I think so. I mean I hope so, but you should also know I tend to wing these challenge posts. That strategy has worked for me just fine in the past and I guess we'll know soon enough how it goes this time around.
Hop back here on April 1st to see where we land.
Actually hop back here tomorrow for the regularly scheduled Wednesday Hodgepodge. I'll keep that going alongside the A-Z challenge in April, which is always a lot, but the Hodgepodge is my wheelhouse and it's comfy there.
For more information go here-The April A-Z Blog Challenge...sign ups are March 23-April 4.
Sounds fun! Good luck! I've done a few A-Z posts when I was a homeschooling blog. I know I picked children's books/authors one year, homeschooling through the alphabet was my theme another year covering some bonuses that homeschooing brought to our lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea- can't wait to follow along!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really challenge/goal whatever you want to call it. Looking forward to reading a lot more from you in April!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great challenge, good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're joining in and yes it is a lot. I actually had a theme and a plan in my head last June. Am I all prepped and ready to go? Of course not. It'll be fun they said. Maybe. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting theme. I'm still unsure as to what theme I'll pick.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!
ReplyDeleteYou are so good at blogging. I'm lucky that I do your Wednesday Hodgepodge. :)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I'll think about this. Heading over now to the link you provided with more explanation.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy the A-Z posts in April, but have never had the courage to hop on board and give it a try. I do post something every day but Sunday. Your theme will be fun to follow! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the post. Sounds like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting theme. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Theme Reveal for A to Z Blogging Challenge 2026
I love your theme!!
ReplyDeleteI love your theme! This is just the type of things I love!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of hearing the stories of ordinary objects. Lisa at https://tao-talk.com
ReplyDeleteOh, I want to join the fun, too. I read Lisa's post about her A-Z theme - love it. And I really like your theme, too. Both would be fun to do. But here's where I stumble...do we write a post everyday or can we start writing our posts now, and publish one a day? I would struggle, really, really struggle to get a post written everyday as I overthink and rethink and edit and do it all over again with everything I write. If I can start scribbling some posts ahead of time, I might be able to pull this off. Can't wait to see what you and Lisa put together. I know your posts will be interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou can absolutely write drafts and just have them scheduled to publish on the correct day. I think it helps to work ahead a few days because it catches up with you quick, but sadly I'm typically racing to keep up.
DeleteThank you for confirming that. I am in, then. Is there somewhere we will link up? Or do I need to tell someone I would like to join?
DeleteYou can sign up on the master list between March 23-April 4. You'll find it on the A-Z blog site http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/. People will visit if you sign up, or you can just post on your own.
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea! I almost went for it and then switched over to something else. I'm curious abot what you'll be writing about so will definitely be visiting you in April to read your posts. Good luck with the challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteEsha
Visiting from: https://theskygirlmusings.wordpress.com/2026/03/12/theme-reveal-post-atoz-april-blogging-challenge/
Ooh, that is an interesting theme! I wonder what objects my fictional characters would have an attachment to? Maybe you'll inspire me...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the challenge this year.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” —Jimmy Dean
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge international blog hop
good luck
ReplyDeletehttps://obliqview.blogspot.com/2026/03/a-to-z-challenge-i-took-part-in-to-z.html
I absolutely love your theme and can't wait to see what objects speak to your heart.
ReplyDelete