2016 A-to-Z Blogging Challenge Theme Reveal!

atoz-theme-reveal-2016 v2This April, in a little over a week, in fact, I will be participating in the 2016 A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. In this challenge, participating bloggers post an article every day for the month of April (excluding Sundays). We can post whatever we want, provided each day’s article corresponds in some way to that day’s letter theme (A for the first day, B for the second, C for the third, etc.). Participants don’t have to choose a theme for the month, but a theme can help inspire articles, and it gives readers a reason to keep coming back.

This will be my fifth A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. The first two years, I didn’t have a theme. Then in 2014, I thought it might be fun to post 100-word flash fiction every day. I had so much fun with that, I did the same again in 2015. What am I going to do for 2016…?

This year, I’m going to post 100-word flash fiction again, but with an added twist: Each day’s flashย will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. I’ve been a McCartney fan for a long, long time, so I’m quite familiar with his extensive catalog of music. It occurred to me that there’s a McCartney song for just about every letter of the alphabet, so why not use those as part of my A-to-Z Challenge theme?

Each day in April, I’ll post a piece of flash fiction. It’ll be exactly 100 words long, and it might be a story, a scene, a vignette, a piece of dialog–whatever, it’ll be short and, hopefully, entertaining and/or thought-provoking. I’ll also tell you a bit about the Paul McCartney song I chose for that day, and provide a clip for your listening pleasure. I’m drawing strictly from Paul’s post-Beatles career, so some songs will be familiar, but others might be more obscure.

I hope you’ll join me for the challenge! ๐Ÿ™‚

Here’s a Paul McCartney and Wings song from 1972 that’s quite appropriate for a letter challenge:

cds

Colin D. Smith, writer of blogs and fiction of various sizes.

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25 Responses

  1. I had no idea Sir Paul’s back catalogue was diverse enough for a song for every letter of the alphabet. I can totally see it being big enough, but we all know how some of those letters are tricky :). I look forward to seeing your posts.
    Tasha
    Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    • cds says:

      Indeed, his catalog is that big. In fact, there was only one letter that I had to get a bit creative with. Thanks for stopping by. All the best with your A-to-Z challenge! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Tinw says:

    That’s a great theme. All the best.

  3. Dena Pawling says:

    You’re insane. I say that in a good way [I think].

    Twenty-six flash fiction posts are insane, all by themselves. But adding that twist?! Just the thought of it makes me sweat.

    I’m definitely looking forward to reading those, and marveling that you can actually DO that!

    • cds says:

      Yup–certifiable. 8-D But coming up with flash stories is fun. I picked the song titles first, then started writing the stories. Some came quickly, but others took a few days of pondering, which is one reason why I wanted to write them all well ahead of time.

      Thanks, Dena–have a good challenge month! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. That’s going to be an interesting twist. =)

  5. Molly says:

    WOW – this is a challenge on so many levels.
    I look forward to following your creativity over the next few weeks.

  6. AJ Blythe says:

    I’m with Dena here – completely insane. But if anyone can manage it I guess it’s the FF shark tank champ.

    (I am curious how you’ll manage some of those letters too!)

    • cds says:

      I don’t know about “FF shark tank champ” but I appreciate the vote of confidence, AJ. Insane is as insane does–as you’ll see next month! ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. Hi, that is a really original take – flash fiction served with a twist of Sir Paul! It takes the challenge to a different level. Have a great time writing and an awesome A-Z!

    Best wishes.
    Nilanjana,
    Ninja Minion, A-Z 2016.

  8. What a brilliant theme! I’m so looking forward to following you again this year.

    My A-Z theme 2016

    • cds says:

      Thanks, Keith! It’s nice to have you back. ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Susan Brody says:

        Hi Colin! I’m revealing my age here, but when I was 8 I had a wicked crush on Paul and actually had dreams about marrying him. Alas, three other women got there first! Best of luck with this theme. And I’m also a big fan of Boaty McBoatface!

  9. randommusings29 says:

    I love the Paul McCartney inspired theme! I’m doing 100 word flash fiction too ๐Ÿ™‚
    Debbie

  10. Jemima Pett says:

    Love the idea of McCartney-inspired flash. I admire everyone that’s keeping to really short flash fiction this year – I’m doing my usual mix, and some longer pieces, to support my world-building theme.
    Jemima Pett

    • cds says:

      Thanks, Jemima. Not only is short fiction challenging to write, which is good for a challenge like this, but hopefully I’ll get return visitors since my posts won’t take long to read! ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Good to visit your site as a part of my A to Z visits. My theme Blog Promotion
    Welcome to A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2016 – Co-Participant – Nrao
    NRao Blogs – 2016 A to Z Challenge Blog Posts
    Management Theory Review

  1. March 22, 2016

    […] [NOTE: If you’re looking for my 2016 A to Z Blogging Challenge Themeย Reveal post, it’s HERE.] […]

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