A to Z Writing Exercises in Review

If you didn't get a chance to hit all my writing exercises for the A to Z Challenge, I have them all here.

"A" is for Active Voice

"B is for Blog Tips

"C" is for Creative Writing

"D" is for Disease

"E" is for Editor(s)

"F" is for Favorite Foods 

"G" is for Genre

"H" is for Healthy

"I" is for Interesting

"J" is for Jokes  

"K" is for Know

"L" is for Limerick 

"M" is for Monster 

"N" is for Name

"O" is for Out loud Editing

"P" is for Poke 'Em in the Eye - Blogs that Get Attention! 

"Q" is for Curly Q’s

"R" is for Rejection

"S" is for Short Words

 

"T" is for Title

"U" is for Unidentified

 

"V" is for Verbs

"W" is for Writer's Block and Webbing

"X" is for Xing into Podcasting!

"Y" is for Yourself 

"Z" is for Zzz...Writing Sounds

A to Z Blogging Challenge -- Reflection Post

My reflections:

1. BLOGGING, A NEW WORLD -- This was like a door opening to a new world. I learned a lot about blogging itself (why people blog, what they blog about, etiquette, tips), which was one of my goals. I was very excited to find other writing blogs and writers that are kindred spirits!

Here is my favorite blogging tip (by Sue at Traverselife):
How to Make a Hyperlink Signature in Blogger


2. ON POSTING -- I was never stressed about posting because I did most of my posts in advance (in draft). I had a great time coming up with writing exercises, researching supporting information, and writing responses to the exercises.

3. ON VISITING -- I was stressed about visiting 1200+ blogs. I did visit them all, but did not explore each one in depth. I came back to ones that I found interesting.
Here are some of my favorites:

Lucy Adams                                                  Write With Pictures              
Pocketful of Playdough                                   Melissa T. Liban Illustrations
Encouragement for Christian Writers              Style is Not Just a Black Suit       
...then she writes                                          Writercize


4. ON "FOLLOWING" -- Since I am a new to blogging, I wasn't sure about the whole "Following" thing.
I decided to follow blogs if:

     a. I liked the content and wanted to be a regular visitor.
     b. I posted a comment on the blog (due to interesting question or funny post).
     c. I liked what the blogger had to say and wanted to encourage him/her. 

5. ON COMMENTS -- I loved the interaction through comments (on my blog and on others). My only complaint is that if you leave a comment on someone's blog, you have to return to it later to see if they responded.  Is there a widget out there or something that addresses this problem?

All, if you have any feedback on my blog, I'd love to hear it. Blessings! Dawn

"S" is for Short Words

A to Z Blogging Challenge: "S" is for Short Words


You hear people say all the time, "I wish I wasn't short." Well, in writing, short is best! 

Audrey Owen has a fantastic website called Writer's Helper. In her article Writing Tips, she lists some great suggestions that I hope you will check out. For today, though, I'm only focusing on three short sentences from her Tip #5 -- Use strong verbs and nouns.  

They are:

"Short words are usually best. They have more punch. They hit the gut hard."

Notice that only one word has more that one syllable. Powerful!


Writing Exercise: Write for 10 minutes using short words. If you need a writing prompt, use "short". Do you have a powerful "short" sentence to share in Comment Section?  My response is below.

Short Sue
By Dawn M. Hamsher

Short Sue was so short that she sewed her own shirts. 
And sadly she hemmed even short mini skirts.
For shoes, she was glad with a child's pair, size three.
And little kid shorts -- they came down to her knee.

But on the inside, Short Sue was spunk that was pure.
No boy ever hit her  -- that's one thing for sure.
All fire, was Short Sue that she'd land 'em a punch.
The kid have no chance, he'd just lay in a bunch.

Short Sue was not sad to be listed as short. 
In fact, if called so, she would often retort,
"I might be small, but in lines I can zip.
I pay less for my food and less for a tip."

"A" is for Active Voice

A to Z Blogging Challenge: "A" is for Active Voice

Writing Exercise: 
Read Active Voice Versus Passive Voice by Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty. Write two sentences in Active Voice. Then change them to Passive Voice. Share in the Comments Section.  


My two Active and Passive Voice sentence examples:

Active: The dog scratched at a flea.  Passive: A flea is scratched at by the dog.
Active: Sal cut the pickle in half.       Passive: The pickle was cut in half by Sal. 

Take it further --
For fun & practice, re-write these popular 80's rock song titles in Passive Voice.

Active Voice                                                Passive Voice                                        

Grammar Girl's Example:
I Heard It through the Grapevine --                It was heard by me through the grapevine

Another One Bites the Dust -- 
Everbody Wants to Rule the World --
The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades --
Girls Just Want To Have Fun --
I Think We're Alone Now --
She Drives Me Crazy --
Take Me Home tonight -- 
Take My Breath Away --
We Close Our Eyes --
We Got the Beat --