A to Z: The Final Word

Before I get to the good stuff, let me tell you about the even better stuff. Today's the last day to enter my Robot Haiku Contest. Deadline's at 5pm, Eastern Time.

Letters. That was the final word of my Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.¹

Of course, if that was all I had for you today, this would be a short post. Yet, as many of you know, I'm no good at writing short posts.

I expected this year's A to Z to be tougher than last year's. With a 9-month-old at home and things getting mighty busy at work, I knew I'd have much less time to participate. So, I did what any sane person would do: I chose a theme that took even more time.²

And I fell behind quickly. Starting on D-Day, every single post was written the night before. And I only really had the chance to visit the bloggers who commented on my posts. Still, I got to discover some fun blogs, and loved the small cadre of loyal visitors who kept coming back to The Wheel for more.

I learned a few things during the Challenge, too:

• Some people appreciate being introduced to new things, but in general, people much prefer commenting on things they already know.
• I will always be a perfectionist. And a procrastinator. These things do not go well together.
• Sleep is for the weak.³

Creatively, what I enjoyed most about this year's Challenge was creating the letter graphics from my own photos. My favorites, in no particular order, are the ones ED LUVZ. Here are the whole bunch, in case you want to see 'em all in one place:

(click to embiggen)

A close second was coming up with the title for each letter. Here's a recap of all 26, for easy access:

1. Like the Fonz Always Said (with anagrammed hosts' names)
2. That Buzz in Your Ear
3. A Body Off the Coast (Seven C's Edition)
4. The End of the World
5. The Gad Preceder
6. Stop With the Camera
7. The Most Common Willikers
8. Jesus, Initially
9. The Window to the Soul (I Spy With My Little I Edition)
10. A Way of Walking
11. It's Alright, I Guess
12. The Train in Chicago (Double Hockey Stick Edition)
13. A Kansas Auntie (Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Edition)
14. The Center of Attention
15. A Surprised Utterance
16. A Small Green Orb (P's in a Pod Edition)
17. A British Line
18. The Call of the Pirate
19. The Start of Something (Super-Sized Saturday Edition)
20. Something You Put Balls On (T for 2 Edition)
21. A Ram's Better Half
22. Southbound Geese
23. The P.O.T.U.S. (#43)
24. A Former Flame
25. The Age-Old Question
26. The End of All That Jazz

But the best thing to come out of this Challenge? I began writing nearly every day. And I plan to keep up the pace, too. Just not here.

After over two years' hiatus from my novel, I'm finally back at it. Five chapters to go in the first draft. 87.5% done. I'll get this thing finished yet.

Right after I read some robot haiku. (Hint hint.)


¹ Unless you're of the mind that the footnotes came last, since they appear lower on the page. Then the final word was V. Which I'll pretend meant Victory.
² I didn't realize that when I chose it, of course. I'm a master at self-delusion. You might not think I'm a master, but that's because I'm only good at deluding myself, not you.
³ I'm weak. Sleep is gooood.