Coffee Chat 6.0 with Author S.K. Anthony: Blogging from A to Z

"A" you're adorable, "B" you're so beautiful, "C" you're a cutie full of charms . . .
"D" you're a darling and "E" you're exciting and . . . um . . . [Stops, counts on fingers.]
A, B, C, D, E, F, G . . . Oh, yeah.
"F" you're a feather in my arms . . .
"G" you look good to me, "H" you're so heavenly—

Oh, hey, everyone! You're probably wondering why I'm singing the Alphabet Song. Or maybe you're wondering why I can't remember which letter comes next. I'm actually practicing the opening song for the upcoming Loudermilks concert. Not gonna lie, we're doing all the classics.

Mornin', S.K.! How's it going? Have some coffee to jump-start your day.

SKA: [singing] C is for coffee, that's good enough for me. Oh, coffee, coffee, coffee starts with C!

Oh, hey! Good morning! Are we done singing, then?

ER: Do you happen to know the Alphabet Song? 'Cause I know the Alphabet Song. All the way to the end, even. [Mutters.] . . . with a little pause here and there . . .

SKA: Yes, yes I do. I don't even have to read and cheat to sing it—from A to Z, I know them all! I can even write them down backward if you want. Look, Z, Y, X, W—

ER: I know them all too . . . except I have to take off my shoes and socks to I can point to my toes once I run out of fingers to keep my place. I call in one of the kids after I reach the 20th letter.

SKA: Um . . . X, W, V—

ER: Wait, hold up a minute. [Pulls socks back on.]

SKA: Why are you stopping me? Don't tell me you have some other alphabet challenge in mind. Or do you?

ER: I'm not going to ditch the original singing idea, because I know you've been practicing pretty faithfully for the concert and all. And I won't make you say the alphabet backward while standing beside your car, touching your nose with your index finger. But I heard about something cool and wanted to run it by you to see if it's legit. It's called the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Know it?

SKA: I sure do! I was a chicken last year and didn't join, but this time I went ahead and signed up as soon as I saw the first post about it on Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog. For anyone who doesn't know about this, it's (and keep in mind, I'm taking this directly from their site): 

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior). And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter "A." April 2 is "B," April 3 is "C," and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random—just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.

How fun is that? I'm so excited to be a part of it this year and I'm already thinking of what I'm going to blog about. I'm hoping to get the posts set up before March comes around so I don't run around like a mad woman . . . at least not more than usual. 

ER: Well, there's no point running around like a not-mad woman. It's exhausting. So April's the month, eh?

SKA: April will be an awesome month, I can feel it. I'm even happier that I have a couple friends facing the challenge with me—you included, Lynda.

ER: I've got to admit, I'm psyched about it, too, and just a little bit terrified. I've started thinking of my A to Z topics, but—well, you may not have noticed this, but I tend to go on a bit long in my blog posts. What if I can't keep them short enough? Do you have any advice for me? And do you have a theme for yours yet?

SKA: Based on the little I know about it, but also based on time and how busy everyone will be, I would suggest not going over 250 words. 

ER: But—but—I'm ITALIAN!

SKA: I know, I know . . . that's a challenge in itself for you, but imagine how quickly you'll be done with your posts. My advice is to write one of your regular ones, split it in three . . .

ER: . . . or eight . . .

SKA: . . . and then fix it up to match the day and letter it corresponds to and you'll be done in no time. 

As for my posts, I think, and I'm not sure yet, that I'm going with words and expressions I've made up. I do call myself "an official make-stuff-up-er" on my blog, so I thought I'd give an insight as to what that's all about. Apart from making up whole books, that is. 

If that doesn't work, I might just choose desserts and goodies I'm currently staying away from, and salivate all over my blog. What do you have in mind for a theme?

ER: Mmmm . . . desserts . . .  

Ahem. For my posts, I think this first time out, I'll stick with what I know and give some tips for writers from an editor's viewpoint. I might suspend my Editor's Notes for the Mondays in April, since there will be posts going up every day that relate to editing, anyway. 

Who knows? If this works out well this year, I'll look forward to something more creative next year! Bucket list, places I've never been, favorite foods that could kill me if I ate them often enough . . .

SKA: That is awesome! Editor tips work for me. We haven't completed this challenge yet and I'm already looking forward to next year's. The creator of this is a genius! Now I wonder who else is joining us, and if they have their themes set up.

If you're reading this (and I think you are), share your A to Z plans if you're participating. We'd love to support you throughout the challenge and cheer you along. Well . . . if we're not too tired and too full from all the dessert-eating . . .

ER: Desserts . . .

SKA: Before we go, we'd like to remind you that our Share the Love Giveaway ends next week. If you haven't entered yet, what are you waiting for? Do it. Don't be scared; we don't bite. David Hasselhoff might, though. We're not sure. Still, be a daredevil. Enter and share! Also, be on the lookout for another Facebook Flash Giveaway on Sunday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find everyone in the following places:
S.K. Anthony: www.skanthony.com
Easy Reader Editing: you are here. :)
Raymond Esposito: writinginadeadworld.com
Stephen Fender: www.stephenfender.com
Debra Ann Miller: debraamiller.blogspot.com
Sisters Baking Company: www.sistersbaking.com
Sarah YourBetaReader: yourbetareader.blogspot.com