Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A IS FOR ALEX J. CAVANAUGH

My theme for A to Z this year is a wildly different, but very exciting, HERE'S TO YOU all month long. 26 posts to be precise. The most difficult part was narrowing down the 26. All of you deserve your own post. What you will find here is a post by the featured blogger, with traveling music chosen by me that complements said post, and two links. One will link back to the original post and the other to the main page. This year's A to Z is all about making new friends!

A is for Alex J. Cavanaugh, Ninja Captain, Founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, or as I like to call him The News. If you want to know what is going on in the book world, Alex KNOWS. He is also a wonderful commenter (he has clones), a supportive friend, and a Man of Mystery. No one, other than his wife, knows what the guy looks like. He offers us this insight with Mini-Alex:



Let's bring on the traveling music:



Some Resolutions by Alex J. Cavanaugh
January 2, 2010

Okay, I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions. But since this will be a big year for me, and after a day of lazy overindulgence, thought I should set some.

First, I need to spend my computer time a little more productively. Less computer games, more time online. Still working on this blogging thing, but I think a set schedule of five times a week might help me out.

Since my first book is tentatively scheduled for October, I need to work on a second one!

More time for reading. I picked up several new books last month and there's several series I want to start.

And a fun personal goal - I want to become proficient on the guitar. Been playing for three years now and I practice every day. But I'd like to get through a whole song without a mistake!

There's my goals and resolutions for this coming year. Going to dive right into the blogging one tomorrow, too. Anyone else starting the new year with a resolution?

I like this post because Alex, who is a huge force in the blogging world, was just starting out (like all of us at one time) and has all of *four* comments on this post - other than his own. Four! And now he has 2,000+ followers. This post reminds me that anything is possible if you keep at it! I hope you go visit Alex if you haven't already!!!

40 comments:

  1. Robin!! Thank you. Wow, I get to be first.
    Crap, did I write that? Yes, humble beginnings. We all started somewhere.
    I did write that second book. And got better with the guitar. (And now play in a band!)
    So yes, I wanna rock!
    And you rock, Robin - thanks.

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  2. This is amazing, Robin. Just amazing!! I can see a difference from that Alex to the current one. It is very interesting to notice how not just his blog has grown but he has too, like in confidence, as writer and player. Very cool and original theme!

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  3. Yay! Great pick for "A"! I can't believe he has time to play computer games. I gave up about a year ago and still can't manage to get anything done. Alex is truly Amazing! :)

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  4. I'd be in a real fix with A to Z if not for Alex. He has been a great friend and supporter since I first came across him in 2010. I wish he'd come over to my house and help me get my computer straight so I could try to be as fast and efficient as he is.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  5. It is always nice to see such an inspiration started out just like the rest of us. Love the song as well.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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  6. The early Alex - still sounds like the same super nice guy. . . A wonderful idea for a post and something you do well, Robin! I'll be checking back as the month goes. Great start, IMO.

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  7. Alex is the perfect pairing for the letter A!

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  8. Alex ~ Yep, You are first. And you do rock. You inspire so many that it is only fitting that you kick off this challenge!

    Al ~ Yes, he is the same but different. I enjoyed reading many of his older posts in an effort to choose just ONE.

    Lexa ~ This was written in 2010. I bet he doesn't spend so much time gaming these days....

    Arlee ~ I wish he'd make that pitstop, too. He can go visit klahanie while he is doing good computer deeds. You both could use some help getting your computers working right.

    Brandon ~ Yes! We all start somewhere and we all are moving on and up!

    D.G. ~ Yeah... look forward to seeing you:)

    Siv ~ I totally agree.

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  9. Alex is admired by all, and an amazing choice for "A." It was fun seeing an early glance at the Blogfather!

    Julie

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  10. The more I get to know Alex, the more I like him. This is a great post, Robin, Kudos to you for being so kind and sharing the love with special people!

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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  11. You couldn't have picked a nicer guy to feature for "A."

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  12. Not that I think you can go wrong with Alex first, but is it proper to alphabetize by first name?

    We may need a grammar ruling here...

    I kid-I like the theme, and you certainly picked a good blogging success story to start with.

    Larry

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  13. You could not have picked a better 'A' and what does that ninja look like? They're secretive that way.

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  14. Excellent beginning- Alex is grrrrrreat! Cheers!

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  15. So cool, and so deserved! Excellent choice! Great idea for the A to Z - looking forward to more!

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  16. What a great theme, how different but so worthwhile. Lovely to see this old post by Alex and glad that not only did he get better with the guitar but because of your theme, Robin, we find he is playing in a band now.

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  17. Great way to open up the A-Z challenge! Alex rocks!

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  18. Haha, great music to accompany this. It is awesome to learn how much Alex has grown as a blogger and person. I didn't follow him immediately, maybe a year or so into blogging. I'm glad to see two Alex posts for A already. Well done, Robin. This is already fun.

    xoRobyn

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  19. I stopped by to check out your battle of the bands entry, but I was just as happy to find your first A-Z post. Alex sure makes for an auspicious beginning... good one! Have fun with the rest of the challenge.

    Oh... and a belated happy birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day.

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  20. What a fun theme...and how perfect to kick it off with Alex!

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  21. Well, what a creative, unique idea. Leave it to Robin to come up with the grandest of ideas. A for Alex...... what a lead off. That brain of yours must never sleep.

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  22. Julie ~ The Blogfather... hahahaha.

    M.J. ~ Yes, the best way to get to know Alex is via his comments. He is wonderfully supportive.

    Steven ~ :)

    LC ~ If you aren't square with this.... just wait for the creative way I used the rest of the letters. You are going to be over the moon with some of them.

    Susan ~ Exactly. Super secretive.

    Kathe ~ Thanks I aggggrrrreee!

    Yolanda ~ I am excited about this year's posts.

    DayDreamer ~ There is always more to learn. That's my motto.

    Sherry ~ And when he doesn't he "wants to."

    Robyn ~ Yes, this is already fun.

    Susan ~ Thanks for the belated birthday wishes. Yeah, I have suspended BOTB for the duration of April.

    ilima ~ :)

    Manzi ~ Maybe that explains my migraines... too much thinking and not enough sleeping...

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  23. Look how far Alex has come. You could not have picked anyone better for A. Everyone else will be hard-pressed to follow a legend.

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  24. Sweet! This is a fantastic theme, Robin. I can't get enough of that awesome Ninja cutout. :)

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  25. What a great idea for the challenge! I like it :)

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  26. How do you know his wife knows what he looks like? I know the new all too well, but I've never really checked out his game. Might do that some time pretty soon.

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  27. Great theme for A-Z and great start to the blogging challenge! I agree on the whole New Years Resolutions. I'm never good at keeping them but it sounds like you have some nice goals for the year!

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  28. This is a really wonderful, unique idea for your 'A To Z' posts, ROBIN. Maybe the best 'A To Z' theme I've ever encountered. Pretty cool stuffs.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  29. Hey, Robin,
    Alex does exemplify what it means to be a good friend.

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  30. Alex truly is a force to be reckoned with. I love that you post his early resolution. Cool to see.

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  31. Alex really is very inspirational. He's gotten me into a lot of stuff that I wouldn't have otherwise tried. Like the IWSG.

    But you're no slouch yourself. I only checked out your blog because of that coffee thing where you beat me, and then got hooked on it.

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  32. Alex is perfect for "A"! He's the most supportive blogger I know.

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  33. ...Alex is a pal and writing peer who resonates inspiration for us all. I echo Gwen's sentiment in that he is indeed perfect for the "A." ;)

    El

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  34. Awesome theme and a great pick for your first entry :)

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  35. Yay, for Alex! He is super dedicated to being an amazing force in the writing community. And I think you're right about the clones, Robin. Lol! =)

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  36. That is a big jump from start to now, and a big hurrah to him for the progress! I'm headed over to say hello. :)

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  37. You can't see me or hear me, but Alex, I'm cheering for you. You go, Captain!

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  38. Oh Robin, such the right choice. And, I love that you reminded us of who Alex "was" five years ago. It's an amazing and inspiring story!

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  39. Hello, Robin

    What a great start. Alex deserves every bit of accolade he gets.

    Best of luck for this year's madness! :)

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