Find out more HERE. This is the perfect week to combine two hops into a single post: Reflections on the #atozChallenge for 2016 and Memories for the May #InkRipples. |
The idea people: Katie, Kai, and Mary |
The idea of #InkRipples is to toss a word, idea, image, whatever into the inkwell and see what kind of ripples it makes. We provide the topics and will be blogging about them on the first Monday of the month. You can spread your own ripples by blogging about the topic any day of the month that fits your schedule.
Memories is the topic for May’s #InkRipples. And what better memory than the newly concluded #atozChallenge. Here are some of my favorite memories from this year’s AtoZ. And they’re alphabetical. Once I’ve mastered a theme, I stick with it.
I loved Alex Cavanaugh’s Origins of Science Fiction Terms. Some of these terms have been around for quite a long time. The X Gun (X-Beam Projector) 1937!
Bish Denham’s Shakespearean Insults and Compliments had me in stitches and sometimes scratching my head. “WARTHOGS bow to the pond scum of your passage way.” That’s a compliment BTW.
Mvh. Janus Kramer Møller, Wikimedia Commons |
Damhyanti Biswas posted about a remarkable project called Project Why. Such amazing and touching stories about helping kids out of poverty and giving them a chance to succeed.
Pat Garcia took us on a beautiful journey with a Child and a Prophet in her blog, Everything Must Change.
I felt as if I’d traveled to some of the most gorgeous places in India after visiting kalapanaawrites every day.
Writing in the Crosshairs never failed to make me either laugh or think or both at the same time. Roland, Freud and Twain were unbeatable conversationalists.
Yvonne Ventresca kept me sane with excellent ideas for being productive while writing.
There are more, but I’ll have to post about them another time or this will be one long post.
Quote for the Week: “Storytelling is the best way we have of coming up with new ideas.” Richard Branson. This was quoted in Forbes.
Pat Garcia says
I have never heard of inkRipples but I like the name and the meanings that pop up in my mind. So, I'm going to join this Ripple.
Thanks for also for mentioning my blog and I hope you have recovered from the challenge. I have finally got my feet on the ground again.
Shalom,
Patricia
Dianna says
So many wonderful blogs I didn't even get to! Thanks for the round up 🙂
klahanie says
Hey superstar celebrity author, Lee, the one without the weird straw hat and sunglasses,
Great post! Thanks for sharing! Giggle, giggle, I follow your blog because of the amazing alphabet challenge! You follow my blog or I shall go sob in a darkened room!
Righty ho, frivolity off to one side….
Here we go, eleven months of reflection posts. How do you do it? Seriously, almost seriously, somewhat seriously, seriously, good of you to note those special bloggers who particularly stuck in your mind. Does make you wonder what happens to those who don't get caught up in the hypnotic state caused by a bizarre fascination of the alphabet with 26 letters. Heck, more hippety hops, more blog fests, book tours and no more, I say, no more bloggers just doing their own individual thing on their site…
Well done on combining two hops. I combined two hops and came up with the strangest tasted beer, ever and then some!
Enough, enough, Gary! Lee, my kind friend, well done on committing yourself to the A to Z. I'm proud to know you and I know you're one heck of a decent lady.
I'll stop rambling now. Have a peaceful, positive rest of your weekend.
As ever, your starstruckest fan,
Gary 🙂 !!!!
DMS says
I learned so much visiting different A-Z posts! The themes are always so varied and interesting. I only wish I had had more time each day to visit more stops. 🙂
~Jess
lorilmaclaughlin.com says
I enjoyed your A to Z posts and learned a lot about Cuba. And now I have more great A to Zs to read. I followed Alex's, but haven't seen the others. Road trip!
Mark Noce says
Lol, that's an awesome compliment…I think:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
So many left me scratching my head.
Guilie Castillo says
How lovely of you to showcase these A2Z series, C. Lee! Aside from Damyanti's, I don't think I visited any of the others—but I sure will now 🙂
Guilie @ Life In Dogs
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you supported Damyanti. Her posts were special and important.
emaginette says
Looks like you really got around, Lee. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
Once I was started, I had a hard time pulling back.
Joylene Nowell Butler says
A sense of humour is a wonderful trait in any writer, even us dark thriller types. Appreciate the giggles. That is quite the quote. LOL. Yes, may your scum be eradicated quickly, at the hands of someone else, I hope. Off to see if Bish can help me understand why I find that so funny. Happy Deathday, Mr. Shakespeare.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm thinking about that Happy Deathday and imagining Hallmark picking it up!
Crystal Collier says
I did catch a couple posts during the month, but I missed most of it. Sad, sad times. I've seen the Inkwell meme around, but as with all things, I hover on the fringe for a while before jumping in. Have to gauge my energy. But we all do that, right? Loved seeing your new book around the blogosphere! It looks epic.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Gauging energy is very important.
Julie Flanders says
I hadn't heard of the Ink Ripples hop before. What a great idea! I might have to give that a try.
You can't go wrong with Shakespearean insults LOL. Now you have me wanting to go check all these blogs out. So many great themes.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I have to go back to Bish's place and save a few insults for special occasions.
Libby Heily Author says
I have a mug of Shakespearian insults. It's a great way to wake up in the morning. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
King of insults, he was. And the fun part is now they don't sound insulting, just odd.
Medeia Sharif says
I also remember certain posts. They stand out to me because of pictures, things I liked, gut reactions, and the novelty of a topic.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You never know what is going to make you connect. When a connection happens, it's great, isn't it?
Lexa Cain says
The year I did the A-Z, I enjoyed meeting new people and reading fun blogs. But I have to say that within a few months, all the new people were gone and I was back to my loyal, supportive group. Kinda sad but truthfully, there are only so many people you have time for on social media. (Except for Alex, who is Superman! Faster than a caffeine-guzzling speed-reader, more powerful than a Captcha security test, and able to read 300 blogs in a single day.)
C. Lee McKenzie says
That happens, I'm afraid. I guess some are bloggers for the long term and some are not. When someone sticks with you, that's so much fun and it expands your connection on this medium. Guess you're sticking with me and visa versa.
Alexa from Summer Snowflakes says
That… is quite the compliment, LOL. Now I wonder how it would be received if I tried it on someone….
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
My advice–which I hate giving, but will in this case–is stand back and be prepared to run. 🙂
Mary Aalgaard says
Your Cuba theme was one of my favorites. I wanted to visit Cuba before the challenge, now I really want to visit this once off-limits place.
I wrote my review of Sign of the Green Dragon and posted it today. Thanks for selecting me to be one of your early readers. I really enjoyed it!
The review is here: http://playoffthepage.com/2016/05/sign-of-the-green-dragon-cover-reveal-and-review/
C. Lee McKenzie says
I do hope you go and enjoy such a wonderful country. Thanks so much for reading Sign of the Green Dragon and reviewing it. That means a lot.
Juneta Key says
Nice wrap up.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Juneta.
Bish Denham says
Thanks for the mention, Lee! A nice wrap up to be sure.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm trying to figure out how I can possibly work some of those compliments and insults into a story. Stay tuned!
Mason Canyon says
Great post for the A to Z wrap up. I love the mix of humor, informative and entertaining posts such as your posts on Cuba.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yahoo! Mason Canyon. Made it again. Thanks for the help along the way!
Michele Truhlik says
What a great way to wrap up the A-Z. I visited some of those blogs and am interested in visiting the ones I haven't yet. Thanks for suggesting them.
Really enjoyed your Cuba posts.
The Ink Ripples hop sounds interesting…
Michele at Angels Bark
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can never applaud all the bloggers I visit. I hate to leave anyone out, but I can't cover everyone who has contributed so many wonderful posts. I will do one more Reflections post to catch a few more.
D Biswas says
Thanks for linking to my posts in yours! Those kids deserve all the support they can get, and I hope everyone who read my posts considers donating just a little to their cause.
http://www.damyantiwrites.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
You did a great job promoting the project and making it visible to the world.
Elizabeth says
That is a fun way to do a reflection post 🙂 I also like the #InkRipples thing, I might need to look into that.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Please do. It's simple and interesting.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Thanks for the mention, Lee! I enjoyed learning about Cuba through your blog.
Yvonne V
C. Lee McKenzie says
I loved the relaxing and very clear posts you made. You are always so organized.
Lynda R Young says
Love the way you combined the two blog hops
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's called survival strategy. 🙂
Tyrean Martinson says
Congrats for finishing the A to Z and still going strong!!!
🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Not at strong as I would like to be, but semi-strong. Thanks, Tyrean.
Elephant's Child says
Huge congratulations to all of the A-Z survivors (and participants). Life got in my way (as it does) but I thoroughly enjoyed the ones I read.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Life always happens while we're out trying to find out its meaning.
Kelly Steel says
I loved your A-Z posts! And learned a lot!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Kelly! Thanks so much. Glad to have you here.
Sherry Ellis says
Although I did not catch all of your post from the A-Z challenge, I really enjoyed them, and learning more about Cuba.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you could drop in and read some posts. That's appreciated.
Chrys Fey says
So pond scum is good? Gotcha. 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think it's good as long it's wet! Do not deal with dry pond scum. Ever.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Glad A to Z went well for you, and these other bloggers! Thanks for the links. It's a fun idea. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
You never know what you're getting into, but it's always fun.
Karen Lange says
I love the Ink Ripples idea! May have to look into that. Nice to hear about a few A to Z posts that inspire you. 🙂 There were so many wonderful posts.
C. Lee McKenzie says
This year was my best so far. Maybe I'm just getting the hang of it.
Katie L. Carroll says
Fun recap. Lots of good links to check out later.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hope you can do that!
Kathleen Valentine says
I was just so dazzled by the variety of blogs that I want to keep up with quite a lot of them. Your posts about Cuba were wonderful as I've always loved their music and much about that culture. Thank you.
@Kathleen01930
Blog
C. Lee McKenzie says
So glad my posts were interesting. I had a great time going back through that trip again and doing the posts.
Jemi Fraser says
So many great blogs – and fun ideas for the AtoZ journey!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I tell myself I'm insane and yet each year I jump in. Insane and insaner.
Suzanne Furness says
Glad to hear there were so many great themes and posts around for A-Z.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Always amazing to explore this list of bloggers.
nashvillecats2 says
What a wonderful uplifting post. Love the "Ink Ripples".
Have a great week.
Yvonne.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Join us, Yvonne! You could contribute some of your poetry.
Christine Rains says
Awesome! Must go check some of these out. 🙂 Have a lovely week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Same to you, Christine!
L. Diane Wolfe says
Some of those posts were quite funny.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's interesting how some blog make you laugh, others inform and still others provoke thought. Each one has its own charm.
Birgit says
I enjoyed your posts and did my best to try to keep up. I am going to check out the Shakespeare quotes. I can't see how the warthog one is a compliment.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You'll be puzzled by a lot of the compliments. If Bish hadn't labeled them I might not have been able to tell them from the insults! Ah, language. How it doth change.
Pat Hatt says
Some great blogs out there indeed. A fun way to wrap it up too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks. I enjoyed the rhyming experience with you the CATS, too! What a romp.
Kai Strand says
What a fun way to combine the two themes, Lee. It sounds like there were loads of treasures in A to Z. Thanks for joining #InkRipples. This is a ripple I would have never foreseen. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was a perfect combo! Thanks for the great Hop idea.
Kelly Hashway says
I need to read that post about being productive while writing. 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's worth the time.
Kalpanaa M says
Lovely Reflections post. I read many of the blogs you mentioned and was touched by Damyanti's too. I will head over to Bish's for Shakespearan insults and compliments and certainly read all of them. And lastly, thank you for mentioning my blog. I'm walking on air 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I do think you've inspired a trip to India. So thank you for that.
Tamara Narayan says
I visited most of those blogs as well and they were outstanding. Another blog hop to join? I'll have to check this one out. Thanks.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's only once a month and interesting.
Patricia Lynne says
I found Bish's blog near the end of the challenge. I think we need to bring some of those insults back.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. I'm trying to think how I could work them into a conversation with someone without getting decked.
Nicola says
Great reflection, Lee. I love the idea of Ink Ripples and a great word for the month.
I enjoyed Roland's conversations too. So much fun. Mind you, I had to drink a couple of coffees to wake up my mind 🙂 Riveting and such intelligent fun!
Have a great week!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It takes a lot of understanding to bring two ghosts together and make the exchange work. Really brilliant.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – it's great the word for May is Memories – rings so true for the A_Z Reflections … I loved your posts on Cuba – and then a few of these you've mentioned are special …
Particularly Damyanti's "Project Why" – definitely one to follow and take on board …
Cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wasn't that a project to take note of? The volunteers are great people.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
There were so many great blogs. I wish I could have visited many of them every day. Include yours in a great one. I know a lot more about Cuba now.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm always so impressed by the information and the talent I discover during April.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
These all sound like great ones. There were so many I wanted to visit, but the days were too short. It was fun.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I always vow to return later and catch up, but there's no such opportunity.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Sage, the Shakespeare insults were a hoot. Thanks, Lee, for mentioning me. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm still chuckling at the conversations. Very funny and very stimulating.
Natalie Aguirre says
Glad you enjoyed the themes of some of your blogger friends.I enjoyed Bish's and Alex's themes too as well as yours.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I appreciated your comment during April. Glad you enjoyed the visits.
sage says
They sound like some good reads–I am sorry I missed the Shakespeare posts.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They were a hoot!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Glad you enjoyed my theme this year!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I was shocked at how old those idea actually were. Great discovery.
Donna K. Weaver says
This is really a fun way to wrap up A to Z.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It seemed like a perfect combo. Love it when that happens.