Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Final Challenge and A Big Announcement

This is the last week of the One Word Challenge. When I decided to begin this One Word Challenge, I had no idea how it would go and, to tell you the truth, I was a little nervous that it might just flop completely. I hoped it would be an opportunity for bloggers to "kickstart" their writing at the beginning of the year, but, what if nobody linked up? What if people thought the word prompts were stupid? I almost didn't do it.

However, my word of the year is CONFIDENCE, so I decided to jump in headfirst. 

To my surprise, the link up has been a huge success!! We have averaged about ten "linkers" each week with a total of 75 posts being linked up over the past seven weeks. I have received emails and comments from bloggers telling me how much they are enjoying the challenge and how it really has helped to inspire their writing. The posts have all been lovely and unique. Every week I have been impressed with the writing and a little shocked by the word(s) everyone chose. 

Last week, as we realized we were quickly approaching the end of the challenge, some of the most loyal One Word participants asked (or kind of begged) me to consider keeping the challenge going. I even had a few new people to ask me about joining it on Facebook. Telling them it was almost over was disheartening. Hosting a challenge is a considerable amount of work, though. While I love the challenge, I was looking forward to a reprieve from the obligation of it. But, the requests kept coming and I felt like I was letting everyone down.

You see, a big part of blogging is building a community; a network of supporters, readers, and online friends. In just the first six weeks of the challenge, that had happened. There were some who linked up every week. We all found new blogs to read and, thus, new virtual friends. We were coming together from all over the world (seriously - Hi Charlene!) every Wednesday/Thursday and sharing our lives with one another. 

How could I let that end?? 

Well, I couldn't! 

So what's the big announcement? Drum roll, please . . . . . 

The One Word Challenge will continue as the One Word Weekly Linkup!! Fortunately, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic and Marcia of Blogitudes have agreed to be my co-hosts because sharing the load always makes it easier (and more fun!). Moving forward, the weekly linkup will work much like the challenge has worked. 
  • Subscribers will receive TWO words via email every Friday. (If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so by clicking HERE.) 
  • The choices will also be shared in the Facebook group
  • Simply choose one of the words, let it inspire you, write a post, and link it up! 
  • You can link up on any of the three host blogs and the linkup will be open from 6:00am EST on Wednesday-9:00pm EST on Thursday.
  • We will start seamlessly next week - emails will go out this Friday and the first weekly linkup will be live at 6:00am on March 4th.
If you have been a One Word linker-upper, thank you for joining the challenge! I hope you have enjoyed it and I hope you will continue with us.

If you haven't linked up, you should consider it! We would welcome you with open arms. If not, that's o.k., too. Thanks for reading and commenting. 

The One Word Linkup will probably not last forever, but it will continue for now and I am very excited about that! 


This was my final post of the 8 week One Word Blog Challenge. This week's word choices were Begin, Surprise, and Forever.





16 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

I am seriously so happy we are continuing this awesome linkup and so excited to get to co-host with both you and Marcia. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing it and for letting me join as a co- host now. Truly so happy and psyched 😉

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I'm excited, too, Janine! I really appreciate you agreeing to co-host. It will be fun!

Marcia Shaw Wyatt said...

On this challenge, Lisa! How I LOVE it!!! :) Finding out that you were willing to continue it beyond this week, seriously thrilled me! And when you so kindly asked if I'd be willing to help host it going forward... You absolutely made my day! I am super excited that you, Janine, and I will be working together on it now, and I can't wait to dig in and get started! Onward, One Word!!! And thank you so very much, Lisa!!!

MamaRabia said...

So apparently, I had my calendar on the wrong page this morning and I used the wrong words! LOL! If you don't mind, I'm leaving it. It's been that kind of week!

Jeannine said...

Yay! I'm glad you're going to keep doing this. I hope I can keep up!

Jeannine (@EubanksEutopia) said...

Aww, that's so sweet. I also have a strong-willed daughter, and frustrating as it can be sometimes, I hope and pray that she uses her determination to change the world someday. <3

BecominNeurotic said...

YAY! So happy to see it continuing!

Jeannine (@EubanksEutopia) said...

I'm right there with ya on this one. It can be hard, and sometimes even heartbreaking, to watch our children struggle. But that's life. The best thing we can do is to be there for them and help them through the tough stuff, rather than to shelter them from it completely.

Dana said...

I'm so glad the challenge has been a success, Lisa. I've enjoyed participating, and I'm sure I will continue to do so. I posted yesterday, but totally forgot to add the graphic and link up until now. Duh.

Katie @ Pick Any Two said...

Exciting! I'm glad to hear the response has been so overwhelmingly positive!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Oh girl!! It's been that kind of week for me, too!! Totally leave it - it's awesome!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Glad you are joining!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Me too!! :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Dana! I'm glad you have participated and glad you will continue!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Katie!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I admit that I was reluctant, but the excite everyone has about it is contagious. I knew I simply couldn't just let go of that momentum. I am so glad to have you and Janine on board to help me!

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