Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A to Z Challenge: Z is for Zealous



Welcome to the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

This year, I’m focusing on two themes:  Emotions and grammar,
depending on which letter we’re on each day.

Today’s an emotion day!  Or, perhaps, more accurately, an EMOTIONAL day, ‘cause it’s over.

This is the end.  The letter Z.  The Omega.  And just like last year, I am tired.  Beyond tired.  So much so, I can barely think.  So have a little patience with my very last A to Z Challenge post.  Okay, here goes…

__________

Z is for Zeal:  fervor of a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor       

Yesterday, I wrote about yearning and how to effectively convey a character’s yearning, no matter how despicable, in such a way as to make the reader not only sympathize with him, but empathize, as well, even going so far as to want the same thing.

One of the best attributes a character—and his author—can employ to indoctrinate the reader in this way is with zeal.  A character, and again, his author, must utilize their confidence and utter conviction in whatever cause or yearning they are fighting for. 

Of course, zeal requires knowledge, but knowledge without understanding can come off as madness.  Just look at the very definition of a zealot—one who is excessively enthusiastic, a fanatic.  It’s what we call those crazies who protest war by bombing the innocent. 

So while your characters, and you, as their creator, should express a certain amount of zeal in order to impress your reader with the characters’ cause, make sure you not only believe it, no matter how awful it is, but understand it, as well.  Readers can detect a writer who simply phones it in.

With that said, I hope you have enjoyed my A to Z Challenge series.  I think it will probably be my last one.  Thanks to all of you who dropped by for a visit and left a comment.  You are the reason I saw it through to the end.  I will be back tomorrow for another IWSG entry and next week for my A to Z Reflections post.  

Until then...Goodbye and God bless!




17 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Woo! We made it to the end of the challenge. Hard to believe really. It went so fast!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

This challenge took Zeal to complete. Congrats on getting to the end.

mooderino said...

I found it a lot tougher doing the challenge this year. Well done, enjoyed your posts.

mood
Moody Writing
#atozchallenge

JeffO said...

A great month of posts, Nancy. And a month of great posts. Well done. Go take a nap!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on finishing. I really enjoyed your posts. I'm glad it's done too even though I didn't do it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Don't write a madman unless that's your intent!
You did it - just IWSG tomorrow and then you can collapse.

Heather M. Gardner said...

Great job on your theme, Nancy. I know it took a lot out of you. But, I believe you have some fun stuff coming up that should help you relax!

Oh, and I giveth to youeth the Zombie Rabbit Award. More details on today's Z post.

Heather

mshatch said...

I, too, am glad the challenge is over. It's been fun but I'll be glad to get back to my usual blogging schedule - with zeal!

mr seckman said...

Zealot now reminds me of "Toy Story". Where Woody is trying to get out of the claw machine and all the little aliens are clamoring around him Such a great movie.

M Pax said...

Yup, don't phone it in. :D Happy Z, Nancy!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I enjoyed your list very much, Nancy. I especially liked that it was connected to your novel. Nice job.

Mark Means said...

Well done and congrats on finishing the A to Z Challenge! :)

Deb Betz said...

Great Z word & post!

Congrats on getting it done, it was a HUGE accomplishment!

visiting from A~Z
www.wearinglemon.blogspot.com

Tammy Theriault said...

survival of the fittest!! now you can go to arizona in peace. zealous peace :D

Rhonda Albom said...

I am tired too. But we did it. We made it through AtoZ!

Rhonda from Laugh Quotes

Anonymous said...

Congratulations in completing the A to Z Challenge.

Yvonne
A to Z AMBASSADOR.

Chuck said...

Nancy, you were awesome this Challenge. I loved all your topics and even shared at least one with you (Yearning). I really hope you recharge and change your mind by next April. I would miss reading your material.

Looking forward to your reflections post.