105 Ways to Give a Book

Comment Challenge 2012: Sign-Up

Before you embark on Comment Challenge 2012 - twenty-one days of community-building through comments - let's knock out some common barriers:

You’re setting the bar too high. If you need a reality check, read the comments on any YouTube video or Yahoo article. These people don’t spend time concerned with whether their comment is “witty” or “insightful” or “makes sense.” Seriously, you are in the top ten percent of commenters merely by paying minimal attention to basic spelling and verb/noun agreement.

You’re over-thinking it. We hear about social media and networking in terms of helping our writing/blogs/careers and start worrying about how comments figure in the process. Look, no one is getting a book deal from a comment. It's about connecting, engaging and getting out there. Relax.

You’re reading blog posts like articles. This is understandable, because they are articles, but they are also conversations. A comment isn’t crafting a letter to the editor. It’s closer to your response after listening to someone excitedly tell you about this great novel they just read. You wouldn't walk away from that, right? What would you say? Okay, now say that but in a comment.

So with that and the FAQs in mind, let's get started.




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124 comments:

Anamaria (bookstogether) said...

I'm in! This dovetails nicely with more than one of my resolutions this year, it's always fun, and I thank you and Lee for hosting it. Happy new year!

Joanna said...

I'm in too. Keep meaning to set myself this goal! I am especially going to try and get onto new blogs.

Carol A. Bender said...

This is perfect. I'm thankful for this Happy New year challenge.

Eric VanRaepenbusch said...

This is such a great idea! I am signed up and ready to comment!

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Sounds like fun! I'm in.

teacherninja said...

Thanks for doing this again!

Linda B said...

Thank you. I already make lots of comments, but this will give me a chance to see some new blogs, too.

Loni Edwards said...

I'm in! Thank you for hosting this. It's an excellent challenge. And fun!

Katy Manck, MLS said...

Thanks for providing such great way for us (for ME) to get out of the hunkered-down-over-my-own-work mode and into the lively conversations going on all over the interwebs about our favorite subject - BOOKS!

Lee Wind, M.Ed. said...

Whoo-Hoo! We're off and commenting!!!

Melissa said...

I'm going to try. I've been spending less time on blogs now that I'm working, but I'm going to make time for 5 comments a day. I can do this.

Gerb said...

As challenges go, this is a fun one! I love kidlit blogs. : )

Carol Gordon Ekster said...

This is a great challenge. As an author, I love reading what's going on in the kidlit world. However, I don't blog. I keep up with my webpage, FB, and Twitter. I would love to do the challenge, but it appears I can only do it if I have a blog?? Let me know if there's a way around that, and I'm happy to comment away! Happy 2012!

Jackie Castle said...

Hoping this will help me stay on track. Been wanting to visit more blogs and leave comments. Thanks for the challenge.

Beth Stilborn said...

This is great timing, as I just set up a new blog yesterday! Last year (with my old blog, elizabethannewrites) I got in on the challenge late. This year I'm ready and raring to go!

Alex said...

This was fun to do last year and I am looking forward to doing it again this year. I still read some of the blogs I commented on. Thanks for hosting it again.

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

This looks great! I'm looking forward to meeting some new kidlit bloggers!

katiewools said...

This is a great idea. I am going to have to pass it on to the Missouri SCBWI Illustrators!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome idea! Looking forward to reading lots of great posts and spreading the blog love.

Nina Crittenden said...

I'm in! Happy Commenting, Everyone! :)

Miranda Paul said...

Here I am - participating for the first time! And I'll be in the country with access to technology for the duration of the event. Yipee!!! Already did five comments for the day and I'm on a roll.

Stacy A. Gray said...

Thanks for the motivation! I needed a little kick in the pants to get started this year!

Jill Bergman said...

Great idea- Thanks!!

https://booksthoughtsadventures.com said...

This will be my first time doing this...I love it already!!

MamaMunky said...

This is just what I've been looking for, thanks!

AEA Elementary Staff said...

This is great! I am looking forward to watching all of the blogs grow!

Laurie Jess said...

Whoo-hoo! Me too, I'm in!

Tasha said...

So glad you are doing this again! It really works to get me commenting. See? ;)

patientdreamer said...

Will give this a try! Its my first time and it looks like fun.

A Journey Illustrated said...

I'm in! This is perfect timing for the start to 2012. See you all out in the blogosphere...

Darshana said...

Looking forward to reading a lot of new blogs. For the last few months I have been involved with Cybils juding and Perfect PB Wednesday. It is cool to see names from both of those worlds here.

tina kugler said...

This sounds very interesting! I'm in!

Even in Australia said...

I'm hoping to discover lots of wonderful new blogs while I do this!

Molly Idle said...

What an awesome way to dive into the pool of kidlit blogs!

Michelle Cusolito said...

Thanks for sharing this idea. (I got here through Lee's blog). I'm looking forward to meeting new bloggers through this process.

Teresa said...

Such a fantastic challenge. I am always surprised by the fact that we all comment on how much we like to receive comments, but admit that commenting is the first thing to go when we get busy. I think five meaningful comments per day is a great place to start!

Patricia T. said...

Great way to meet KidLit bloggers! Enjoy the networking and learning about what others are doing.

Rena J. Traxel said...

Hello everyone.

Stacy S. Jensen said...

I'm in. Saw this from Miss Marple (Joanna). Thanks for the tip.

Aadel said...

I love to make comments but sometimes I forget! I'm up for the challenge!

Storied Cities said...

I'm in! Second year in a row. I hope I can keep up.

Alison K Hertz said...

I love this! What a great way to attract more readers, find new blogs to read, and support fellow authors!

Marcie Colleen said...

Brilliant! Thank you!

Think Positive, Be Positive said...

I've just added my blog link to the rest. I'm excited about visiting other blogger sites and hopefully others will sneak a peek at mine as well! ;0)

Helena Juhasz said...

This will be an exciting month as I've just started a 15-day drawing challenge for my own blog. I'll try my best to keep up! :)

http://helenajuhaszillustration.blogspot.com/

Russ Cox said...

I just added my blog. I'm looking forward to visiting other blogs and learning a few things. Maybe make some new friends along the way.

Mary Kinser said...

Love this! I'm a big-time lurker and this challenge is going to get me out of my hidey-hole. :)

Abby said...

Okay! Here we go! Last year it was ALA Midwinter that totally threw me off my game, but this year I'm determined to do better! Thanks for hosting the challenge again!

Anonymous said...

Perfect with my 2012 resolutions!

Elizabeth Stevens Omlor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elizabeth Stevens Omlor said...

I do believe! Did you hear my silent shout to the universe for hints on how to become more involved in the blogosphere? Can't wait to become aquainted with more people who are in love with writing for kiddos!

Ms. O said...

Already started trying to do a little better with commenting. This will help. Thanks!

Christy Rush-Levine said...

My friend Linda is here too! What a nice surprise. I am excited about being pushed to discover new blogs, to speak up, and to post more often on my own blog! You are awesome for hosting!

Amy said...

Thanks for hosting!

Kristin McIlhagga said...

Thanks to both of you for doing this again. I did it last year and it really got me reading and engaging with other children's literature people. I am super excited this year because I just launched my own blog - am hoping that many of you will visit and comment!

Laurie Young said...

I don't have a blog, but I'm looking forward to discovering some new ones!

Lori Degman said...

This is going to be challenging but I'm doing it!!

Sanjay Nambiar said...

Fantastic! What a wonderful idea.

Mindy said...

I've already found several new-to-me blogs! Thanks! :)

Scott Spinks said...

BTW< I still consider Pluto a planet...and a dog. :)

JenFW said...

I participated in and loved the first Comment Challenge but became overwhelmed with blog-reading. I gave them up, all of them, cold turkey. And got a lot more done, I might add.

But I hate being so out of the loop, and I'd love to get back in. This seems like the right time. I'll set a blog-reading time limit.

I'm excited to check out participating bloggers. Cheers, all, and thanks, Mother Reader!

Brimful Curiosities said...

I tried last year and didn't quite keep up with my comments, but I have grander goals in mind this year. We'll see. As always, thanks for organizing!

Caryl said...

I've been meaning to make a commitment to commenting, so this is perfect. Thanks to you and Lee for hosting!

Anonymous said...

Glad to be doing this again! Thanks for hosting you two!

Perogyo said...

Excited to be participating for the first time!

Bibliovore said...

Thanks for running this again! I've been feeling my annual blogging guilt and this always helps.

Playing by the book said...

So very glad this is up and running again this year - it's such a nice way to start the year, cementing, reconnecting and making new discoveries.

Beth @ More Than True said...

I'm in again. I love your arguments against the "reasons" I usually come up with to delete whatever comment I was about to write.

Melissa said...

Sounds like an interesting challenge. I'm looking forward to discovering some other Kid Lit writers (from a wanna-be Children's Author.)

Ms. Yingling said...

I have already found some blogs that are helpful. THanks for hosting.

Annie said...

So fun! I am looking forward to reading some new blogs, and getting back to some that I may have neglected.

Carrie Pearson said...

This will be a great way to visit some new sites and expand my kidlitosphere horizons.

Laurisa White Reyes said...

Just followed your blog! This is a wonderful, fun idea!

Julie Kingsley said...

I am writer, but also teach a communications class at a local college. Can't wait to see how this plays out!

tanya said...

Yikes! 5 a day... This is definitely a wonderful community, though, and I look forward to participating and engaging more fully in it. Hope you all will consider reading and commenting on my blog as well.

Jen Klein said...

Here I am! I'm a day late so I need to do 10 today -- I'm up for the challenge! I look forward to checking out some of your blogs. :)

Jennifer Morian Frye said...

Thanks! I was needing a kick in the pants to get back out there. I've been so slacking in both blogging and reading the blogs I enjoy! Looking forward to finding some new ones as well.

I LOVED the part about setting the bar too high. I do that. A lot.

Ali said...

Looking forward to getting started, and discovering some new blogs!

Pen and Ink said...

We are in. but I don't understand Mr. Linky. I subscribed blindly, should I have done something else like get a button for the Pen and Ink site? I didn't see one.

Beth said...

Wait -- it started yesterday? I'm already behind. Well, that fits in well with the theme for this year so far...

Last year I found a bunch of fun new blogs and a shelf full of enticing books, so I'm looking forward to more of the same.

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

If you are visiting, be sure and click on our Pirate Alphabet link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scELy4oxtFU&feature=youtu.be
We thiink you'll enjoy it.

Joy Weese Moll said...

Thanks for hosting this again. It was a wonderful boost last year when I had a baby blog. I'm sure my one-year-old blog will be happy with it, too!

Greg Pincus said...

I can tell you already I'm gonna fail on the 21 days part - didn't even sign up on time AND there are two days where it's not gonna be possible. But I betcha I can make them up!

Irene Latham said...

Thanks, as ever, for the nudge! Some of my most favorite blogs I have discovered through your Comment Challenges. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Christy, I'm in for the first time. I learn so much from others as it challenges my reading life. I'm late, but will catch up on my comments. :)

Dorine White said...

What a great idea. Let the comments begin!

Anne Duguid Knol said...

Whoops--the Learn More link under the sign up went to 2010. Guess it would not have counted.
Great idea.Thanks Mary Jo for letting me know.Delighted to have found this site.

Julia Maisen said...

I think this is a real cool idea, I'm in!

Nicole weaver said...

count me in! Great idea.

Nicole Weaver
Trilingual Children's Author
http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Great, I look forward to meeting some new peeps and their blogs!

Bill Kirk said...

Not quite sure how this works but it seems like a fine idea to me. So, I'm in. Hope to hang with all you more experienced bloggers over the next three weeks. Then I'm going snow camping....

Vivian Kirkfield said...

I've signed up. :) Looking forward to connecting with people passionate about picture books...and books in general. Thanks so much for hosting...I'll visit Lee's blog and comment there also.

Margo Dill said...

Thanks for the comment challenge again! I had so much fun the first time I did this! :)

Unknown said...

Okay, so you got my attention. I'm one of those who goes away if nothing witty comes to mind. Guess I'll work on changing that.

Ali B said...

I'm in! Two days late, but I'll try to make up for it.

Avi de Turenne said...

This looks fantastic. I don't have a blogsite to reciprocate, but I'm happy to have all these wonderful bloggers to check out and for me to talk with. Great idea and thanks for doing this.

Blessy Mathew said...

Sorry I'm joining in late, but thank you for offering this challenge. What a great way to connect with other bloggers!

Heather said...

I'm jumping in a few days late, but I'm here!

Vivian Kirkfield said...

Another question or two...are there certain blogs we need to follow and comment on? Also, do we just visit here (or Lee's blog) and let you know we have done x number of comments in the week/month?

Kim Van Sickler said...

Great idea and achievable goal. Thanks for sponsoring!

Tammy said...

Fantastic Challenge! It's a great way to connect to bloggers out there. Thanks for hosting!

k.h.whitaker said...

what a great way to start off the new year :)

Whitney said...

Commenting more was one of my blogger resolutions in 2012. I'm in!

Brynn said...

Such a great idea! I'm reading but not usually posting and it's always nice to get feedback from other readers.

Madigan Mirza said...

I've been eagerly awaiting the comments challenge! How did I miss the start of this?? I think I've been doing a great job commenting in Nov/Dec of this past year... and one of my New Year's Resolutions was to keep this up.

Thanks for hosting this, you guys! Rock on, with your awesome commenting skills!

Renee LaTulippe said...

What a great idea, especially for new bloggers like me who both need comments and need to see who else is already out there. I plan on working my way through this list of people -- looking forward to meeting everyone!

Unknown said...

I can't seem to put my website in to sign up, can anyone help me? It give me an error message.

Janette Fuller, M.Ed. said...

I am getting in a little late but I am happy to be here. I look forward to meeting some new book bloggers.

Ed DeCaria said...

Starting late, but I'm going to give this a whirl. Certainly no shortage of content on which to comment ...

Sylvia Liu said...

Thanks for organizing this...I look forward to checking out new blogs. I'm a children's illustrator and writer who blogs about illustration, ebooks, tools and tips for writers and artists, and other fun stuff.

Lorelie said...

Definitely a goal to be a more active reader this year. Hoping this will encourage me to become a part of the community rather than just a read-and-run sort of gal. :0)

Laura said...

LOVE this idea. What a great way to connect.

Hardygirl said...

I'm late to the party but excited about participating!

sf

Marjorie said...

Whoops, my sign up has automatically used a Poetry Friday link - so sorry about the extra blurb. AND I' late - but I promise I'll just carry it oer (and hopefully over and over, as a good habit should!). You are so right about the bar. I love reading ALLcomments on the PT blog, so why do I still feel inadequate just syaing thank you, I enjoyed that!

Marjorie said...

PS And just re-read that - talk about typos!

Anonymous said...

Commenting on every blog I read has actually been a new years resolution of mine. I'm glad I found a group to make it official. Thanks for the incentive!

Amy L V said...

Well, I'm signing up late...but I'm excited! Thank you for getting this group together; I look forward to meeting some new blogs and spending some more time with old friends too. a.

Donna said...

Sorry I'm listed as #154 and #155. I was trying to add my blog name and I sent it twice. Please delete #154 Donna.

Sarah Albee said...

I have come late to the party but it's a wonderful idea!

Sally said...

Guess I am late too the party too! But I will put on my party shoes and my best party hat and join the Comment Challenge.

Myra from GatheringBooks said...

Oh dear! Oh dear! We're late, we know. But better late than never ever ever! :) We'd still love to join in.

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Sounds like a fun challenge. I'm in!

Unknown said...

I'm in this year. Comment. Comment. Comment.

Unknown said...

I love how you explain that reading blogs compare to having a conversation. As a new blogger, that's what I have been struggling with..to write an article or a conversation. Thanks for the link-up!