Monday, February 21, 2011

Rocking with Jeffrey Beesler!

Today I’m going to rock your world! (Or damn near close.) I have the honor of playing host to fellow blogger and A to Z Challenge Co-Host, Jeffrey Beesler. The dude is awesome, so listen up! And while Jeffrey is here, I am visiting The Man-Cave today. But listen to Jeffrey first!

Thank you, Alex, for offering me this opportunity to speak with your audience on the matter of the A-Z Challenge. This is my first official guest post on another blog, and I am almost at a loss for words with which to convey my gratitude.

I’ve been mulling over this posting for quite some time, actually. What would it be like for me to not just visit another blogger’s site, but to actually post an article on it? What would I say? How would I say it? Would anyone be interested in what I had to say, or would they show me the palm of their hand and make a hasty exit, leaving me with a slacken jaw and eyes ready to pop right out of my sockets?

Then there are questions like, should I even attempt the A-Z blogging challenge? Can I possibly visit 300 blogs a day? What would people say if I didn’t get around to them all?

With so many things like these in mind, I could easily lock myself away in my room, never to see the light of day again.

But that would be an epic scale of wrong. It’s already hard enough being a writer, having stories to tell to a world which might not even want to listen. For some reason, writers seem to have the worst possible chance at doing the thing they love the most. A bad review on Amazon here, an unsupportive family member there. Not to mention the fact that the very act of writing itself is solitary. It’s enough to boggle the mind.

So what can a writer do to balance this onslaught?

A writer can start by connecting with other writers. At conferences, in critique groups, and oh yes, social media, too! This is why participating in blogfests like the A-Z Challenge can be so beneficial. Because I’m establishing friendships. I’ve met some awesome people over the past 6 months (when my blog really kicked into gear back around August.) I’d like for that trend to continue.

So, I must ask, do you want more friends? Getting them is as easy as A-B-C.

About Jeffrey:
Jeffrey Beesler lives in Kitsap County of WA. He has had one short story, The Broken Pipes of Drei City, published in Abandoned Towers #4. His first novel, The Flettleglag Force, will be published by Cyberwizard Productions. When not writing or blogging, Jeffrey (who also goes by Jeff) enjoys playing Settlers of Catan online and tormenting digitalized characters called the Sims.

Please show Jeffrey that Alex’s Army Rocks and visit his blog, World of the Scribe!

Oh, and now you can go visit me at The Man-Cave!

70 comments:

Jeff Beesler said...

Thanks again for this awesome opportunity, Alex!

PK HREZO said...

Thanks, Jeffrey! Now I'm pumped and ready for the challenge!
BLOGGERS UNITE!!

Emily White said...

Great post, Jeffrey! I'm really excited about the A-Z challenge. And, I love tormenting the Sims, too! :)

Renae said...

Great post Jeffrey! I'll have to check out this challenge it sounds amazing!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Great post, I too am looking forward to the A to Z......in a way. for other reason I'm not. I have written how I feel on Lee's comment.

Thanks for all your visits and comments I do appreciate them and the other "few" that take the trouble to read.

Have a great day.
Yvonne

Bryan Russell said...

300 blogs a day? I think my eyeballs just ruptured.

Candyland said...

Great interview:)

Old Kitty said...

Well I wish all the bloggers blogfesting away all the very best!!!!!

I've already said to the lovely Watery Tart that I'm a loner at heart and a lazy one but will of course cheer on as loudly as I am able to anyone I follow who are participating!! Yay!!

Hello Jeffrey Beesler and Captain Alex!!! Take care
x

DEZMOND said...

Greetings to Mr. Jeffrey!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're welcome, Jeffrey! I'm stunned this is your first guest post. You did an awesome job though.

Pk, you said it!

Renae, join us!

Yvonne, we met because of last year's challenge.

Bryan, that's why we called in reinforcements and will encourage participants to visit new blogs, as we can't do it all.

Kitty, you just won't participate with the letters, because you already blog daily and visit so many folks.

Karen Lange said...

Good post! Thanks to both of you! Considering the challenge if I can work some things out with my schedule.

Arlee Bird said...

Great post, Jeff, and so well stated. You certainly have the words and appropriate eloquence to convey an important message.

Thanks, Alex, for putting Jeffrey out there to be introduced to more of the blogging community.

Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Wish I could participate, but I'll at least have fun following along! And I'm tweeting this blog challenge. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a cool blogfest! Write1Sub1 is keeping me busy for now, but maybe...

Misha Gerrick said...

Well said!

That is why I joined up - even though I know that I will likely never read every single post every day.

I know that those that I do read will be awesome.

:-)

Southpaw said...

Nice interview.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

It’s been so helpful for me to connect with other writers. I’ve discovered there’s a wealth of information out there and that authors are happy to share what they’ve learned along the way.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, Jeffrey, Hi, Alex,

Enjoyed your Dear John/Jane letters last week. Good luck on the book!

I signed up for this challenge ages ago... It should be Great,

Have a good day, guys.

Michael

Bossy Betty said...

You rock my world every day, Alex! Off to visit Jeffrey.

Lindsay said...

I'm still deciding if I should do the A-Z blog challenge, but I do love how blogging has connected me to others.

Sangu Mandanna said...

Hi Jeffrey and Alex!

This was a great post - I love how neat and succinct these tips are, and this is so true! Blogfests have really helped me meet some great people, so I especially love that bit!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Hi Jeffrey! I think you did a wonderful job with your first guest post.

Jeff Beesler said...

Pk: Thank you!

Emily: Sometimes those Sims deserve it!

Renae: It will be amazing!

Yvonne: I do what I can to help out wherever needed!

Bryan: I think I've got an anti-eyeball rupture kit around here somewhere.

Jeff Beesler said...

Candyland: Alex's interview was rocking, was it not? As he said it would...

Old Kitty: And a very fine hello to you too!

Dezmond: Greetings to you, too!

Alex: I'm sure there are more guest posts to follow.

Karen: If nothing else, you can always share Youtube video links.

Arlee: I'm glad no one was put off by how I conveyed the message.

Elizabeth: Tweeting the challenge is, in my eyes, a good contribution to A-Z.

Milo: Let me know how I can painlessly twist your arm from maybe to yes.

Misha: It's almost like those Time/Life books, except it's better not to "cancel any time."

Holly: Alex is the interview master!

Jane: Connecting with others is great!

Michael: Glad you enjoyed the Dear John/Jane letters last week!

Jeff Beesler said...

Bossy: Alex rocks a lot of people's worlds!

Lindsay: We'll understand if it's too much of an undertaking. Arlee Bird has another great post today on the subject matter over at Tossing It Out.

Sangu: Thanks! I try my best to be succinct.

L. Diane: Thank you, it feels so good to have crossed another milestone moment!

Jai Joshi said...

Nice post, Jeffrey. Connecting with other writers always helps.

Alex, have fun in the man cave. I wish there was a woman cave for me but I'll just have to settle for my bed.

Jai

Amity said...

It would really be an honor Jeffrey to be given the moment in Alex' blog and if I were you...I would be on Cloud 9!

I felt I have been a writer myself since grade school, in a sense that i can write a verse or two with much ease...well that's acc to myself...lols!

When I became older, I find it a talent and when I started blogging, I had the chance to connect with so many people around the world...and well with critics too!

I wish to be taking the A-Z challenge because of the benefits, so see you there!

Alex, this is quite long a comment now...:)

N. R. Williams said...

Nice to see you on Alex's blog Jeff.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Colene Murphy said...

Consider me rocked! Great stuff. Thank you for the tips!!

Jules said...

Way to rock Alex! Jeffery great post and yes it is a great way to meet friends :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

W.B. said...

This is a really good post, and an excellent way to meet people. :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Nice to meet you, Jeffrey. It sounds like a fun challenge, and I gave it a lot of thought. Unfortunately, I have other commitments this year that take precedence. I'm hopeful for next year though.

The Old Silly said...

Great post, Jeffrey! And Alex - my oh my you ARE the busy one! ;-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Karen, hope you can join us.

Lee, that's what the challenge is all about - finding cool new blogging buddies.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

Milo, integrate the two.

Misha, I won't read every post either!

Thanks, Michael!

Betty, thank you.

Lindsay, do it!

Sangu, he did a great job.

Jai, maybe we need to work on that...

Amity, your words are always welcome!

Marvin, it seems that way!

Thanks everyone and glad Jeffrey could rock your world.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Good one Jeffrey! I've always enjoyed your posts :)

Talli Roland said...

Fantastic stuff, guys! I can't wait for the challenge!

M Pax said...

I'm looking forward to the challenge, too. :0

Donea Lee said...

Hello to you both! I've been signed up for A-Z for awhile. It will be a challenge, but great fun! Past blogfests I've entered have generally been a lot of fun and a great boost to my followers. I try to enter them as often as I can. Can't wait! :)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I was already convinced by you, Alex. Now, Jeffrey has confirmed my decision. I'm still scared.
xoRobyn

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Donea, glad you're on board!

Robyn, you'll be fine.

Thanks again for agreeing to appear here today!

Paul Joseph said...

Jeffrey Rocks! Looking forward to the challenge. I'm interested to see how I manage to pull it off, but I'm also looking forward to the discipline it will require. Routines are good for me - most of the time.

dolorah said...

Sounds like fun! I had started thinking ahead for blog posts. Then I joined the Crusader challenge, and OMG blogging that consistently takes a lot of work! But I will enjoy watching everyone else participate. I remember this from last year - it looked like fun.

.......dhole

Pat Tillett said...

Nice post! The A to Z idea is really good. I need to see if I can actually pull it off! In the meantime, I'll be checking your site out. Thanks!

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree - blogging is all about building friendships and connections with other writers! :)

Unknown said...

Blogging has been wonderful for me. I was scared to do it at first, and now that I'm in my eighth month, I feel like I'm getting stronger at it. So many wonderful friends I've made and such a great support network. Great post Jeff! Thank you Alex for always being such a cheerleader for everyone. You guys rock!

Chuck said...

I have been a follower of Jeff's for a little while now. I am looking forward to the A-Z challenege. Nice post Jeff...thanks Alex!

Dani said...

Wow, I can't even wrap my brain around visiting that many blogs each day. Can I count that high? How do you do it - I mean, at a minute per blog, that's five hours.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Paul, it's not as hard as it sounds. And read about that teacher in your post today - that sucks.

Donna, you can incorporate the two!

Pat, I bet you can. You're already a consistent blogger.

Jemi, you got it!

Melissa, thanks, and I felt the same way in the beginning.

Chuck, it'll be a blast.

Dani, we don't - but we can visit a couple new ones each day and work our way through the list. By the end, everyone will have found a bunch of new blogger friends.

Jeff Beesler said...

Jai: Yep, that's the point of the A-Z challenge.

Amity:I was on cloud 9. Getting asked to guest post is like, wow, what I say and do matters.

Nancy: Nice to see you here too!

Colene: You're welcome! I'm glad my tips have helped out so many already!

Jules: Thanks!

W.B: Thank you. I'm finding new friends all the time coming to Alex's blog!

Jeff Beesler said...

Carol: It's understandable. Our priorities have be at the forefront of what we do.

The Old Silly: Thank you!

Lynda: I'm glad my posts have been enjoyable.

Talli: Me neither!

M Pax: It'll be interesting, for sure!

Donea: It'll be fun running down the alphabet!

Rawknrobyn: Don't worry, there'll be loads of support for this one!

Paul: Thank you, I try!

Donna: It does take a lot of work, but oh the joy of writing pretty much every single day and having people enjoy what you post is so worth it.

Jeff Beesler said...

Pat: Thanks for stopping by!

Jemi: If you make sure you're connected, the writing's on the wall!

Melissa: Yes, blogging can be an overwhelming thing, but once you gain momentum you don't usually want to look back!

Chuck: Glad to have your regular followings of my blog!

Dani: And that's assuming the internet is going at regular speed, too!

Unknown said...

Looks like I'm late to the party but still very much enjoyed this guest post. It's important to know was writer's we have the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and see such amazing support around the blogosphere. It truly is as easy as A-B-C!

Great guest post!

Cruella Collett said...

Great post, Jeffrey - couldn't agree more. Now, where do I find the time to connect with all the lovely bloggers I would LOVE to hang out more with? ;)

Ellie Garratt said...

Great post, Jeffrey. I have to say I share a lot of your fears about the A to Z Challenge. On the positive side, I know I'm going to meet lots of awesome bloggers and hopefully make some great friends. On the negative side there is NO WAY I will be able to get around to every post of every participant. Somehow I need to formulate a plan which means I'm fair to as many people as possible!

Thanks for hosting, Alex!

Hart Johnson said...

teehee--great to meet you Jeffrey! And blogging A to Z is great fun! I couldn't get everywhere every day by any means, but if you commit to a fair few, you could maybe hit everybody every week... That is still a pretty good ratio for getting to know people...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ellie, just hit ten a day and you'll manage 300 in a month.

Hart, it is!

Glynis Peters said...

Just to say hello, Alex. We are both sooo busy with the books and blogs.

I have passed the recommended films onto DH.

Enjoy the challenges.

♥ belated Valentine's.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Still debating whether or not to join A - Z this year. Good article though Jeffrey! You make it tempting! :)

Alex Ong said...

Still on the fence, but getting closer to just jumping in.

Alex
Breakfast Every Hour

Jeff Beesler said...

Jen: Thank you, it was fun being asked to come and play over on Alex's blog on Monday!

Cruella: Some days it seems like such a daunting task. But people in the blogosphere, I've learned, are generally patient if you're not around for a few days.

Ellie: Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out has a few great pointers on Keeping it Real!

Hart: Great to meet you, too!

Beth: More tempting than (insert your favorite snack food here)?

AlexNYC: Join us, won't you? You know you want to...

Matthew MacNish said...

Two of my favorite dudes, working together? FTW!

Julie Musil said...

Hey Jeffrey/Jeff

I'm on the fence about joining the challenge. Blogging every day makes me a little er, nervous. BUT...I shall think about.

And now this woman is off to the man cave!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Glynis!

Beth, come on! We had so much fun last year.

Alex, you won't regret it when you do - promise.

Matthew, some day I hope to be three of them...

Julie, please join!

Ciara said...

I'm nervous but excited about the challenge. I'm signed up.

Ella said...

Well Done Jeff~
I loved your wisdom, wit and telling(writing it like it is)!
YOU ROCK~

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ciara, it's easier than you think.

Ella, he does rock!

Copyboy said...

Please to meet ya Jeff. I'm off to your blog.

The Words Crafter said...

I was just telling a friend today about how wonderful the blogging community is, and how supportive.

Congrats on the upcoming publication, Jeffrey!

BlackBerry Hosted Exchange said...

Lovely blog!

Jeff Beesler said...

Matthew: Aww. Excuse me, I think I got something in my eye. *sniff*

Julie: You still have a month to decide!

Clara: Glad to have you on board!

Ella: Thank you! You rock too!

Alex: I still think I got something in my eye. Blasted dust particle! *sniff* Anyone got a tissue?

Copyboy: Pleasure to meet you too!

Words Crafter: Thank you!

Blackberry: Thanks!