It’s that time of year again, friendly neighbors! Something Like Fate comes out in paperback on April 19. Which means free copies for you!
Like last year’s paperback contest, this one involves National TV Turnoff Week. Except now it’s called Screen-Free Week. That was a necessary change for people like me who watch DVDs on their computers. Screen-Free Week 2011 is next week, April 18-24. The goal is to watch zero TV/movies/screen entertainment during the entire week.
If that seems impossible, please note that I spent 12 YEARS without a TV/internet/any kind of screen to watch in my home.
Why did I live like that? Because it was awesome. Most of my home entertainment time was spent reading and writing and I loved it. Did I survive? Heck yeah, I did. Even better – I managed to be a teacher and write my first two books. The only way I wrote those books was chilling unplugged style. I just know that if I’d had a TV and DVDs and internet access, there’s no way I would have focused enough to write them. It’s absolutely astonishing what you can accomplish by eliminating screen entertainment. Even in one week.
I would love for you to give it a try. And enter my contest! Two winners will be randomly selected. First prize is a signed copy of Something Like Fate and your choice of When It Happens, Take Me There, or Waiting for You. Second prize is a signed copy of Something Like Fate.
1. Enter by leaving a comment here telling me three things you will do instead of watching screen entertainment during Screen-Free Week.
2. Include your first name and email address with your comment.
3. Entries must be received by 11:11 pm on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
4. This contest is open to US residents only. However, if you live abroad and have a contact in the States who can receive the prize for you, it can be sent to their address.
5. Your entry will be counted twice if you link to this contest on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or other site (leave that link with your comment).
This is a chance for you to start that project you’ve been putting off, to reconnect with those friends you keep meaning to get in touch with, to create a healthy new lifestyle, or to discover a new activity. Or you can just take time to breathe and enjoy life in the Zen lane. Whatever you decide, I know it will be spectacular!
Susane Colasanti - Blog 
Hmmm…
I’m going to catch up on reading those series books I’ve been putting off, like Linger and Shadowfever.
I also need to start working out again.
Most likely I’ll combine the two! Yay!
-Christine (christine.dunbar(at)gmail.com)
Re: Hmmm…
I tweeted at @EndingUnplanned
Hmm, the three things I will do is finish my WIP, catch up on my TBR pile, and catch up critiquing for my wonderful partners š
1. Write my research paper.
2. Spend time with my family when I’m home from college.
3. Spend time outside in the beautiful spring weather!
Bridgette
brspringer@csbsju.edu
Since next week is my daughter’s spring break we’re going to:
1. visit the Great Wolf Lodge for an overnight,
2. spend lots of time outside (hopefully)
3. visit with an old co-worker (who used to be my daughter’s preschool teacher) and her baby.
Christi
caldellizzi(at)gmail(dot)com
Instead of watching my beloved shows and movies, I will finish all of my school papers and projects since the semester is ending, take walks outside/treadmill depending on the weather, and start reading a new novel.
Brittany- brit5789(at)yahoo.com
posted on blog: ka1eid0sc0pe.livejournal.com/5272.html
I will probably…
1) Finish my research paper for school.
2) Read for pleasure.
3) Eat smiley face cookies from Eat’n Park.
-Marian
mkrick127(at)gmail(dot)com
1. Read!
2. Take plenty of walks outside.
3. Take pictures while on those walks.
Cristy
WooyaPooya@gmail.com
during screen free week I will:
1. work on my new novel in long hand (I just purchased new pens!)
2. finally open the nintendo version of monopoly since i will now have time to play the full game
3. learn to drive (I have problems with the break lights)
betsy
daydreamer_923(at)yahoo(dot)com
Something Like a Contest
1. Read a lot.. I always do!
2. Get ahead on homework
3. Get outside a lot and shoot lots of photos.
No Screens=Mommy Heaven
Every family/household needs to unplug every once in a while!
Three things I will do other than watch the screen:
1.) Play board games/cards with the kids.
2.) Write down and plan my projects I have in mind.
3.) Get outside and enjoy time with the kids and the beautiful spring weather!
Thanks for a great giveaway and a reminder of no screen time!
Cici
cicistheories[at]gmail[.]com
What I will be doing..
I will be studying like crazy cause I have finals soon.
I will also take some time to read a few books I have laying around and been meaning to get to.
I will hang out with some friends to blow off some stress.
Stephanie
Scortner(at)ctvea(dot)net
Contest
1) I will do all homework & study for tests
2) I will read (:
3) I will go outside & hang out with friends more
š -Ashley Sanchez
(Ashleyjonas875@aol.com)
Hey Susane..
1. My Friends And I Are Going Camping! Since It’s Spring Break.. š
2. Read! Read! Read! Did I Mention Read? LOL!
3. Try To Write A Short Story With Good Ole Pen And Paper! The Besties Are Gonna Try And Help! š
12 Years?! You Are A Trooper! š
xoxo
Kaila
KailaEscobales(at)aol(dot)com
3 Things
During Screen-Free Week I will:
1.Read the High School Black-Eyed Susan nominees for 2011-12 (our state book award)
2. Play Phase 10 with my daughter
3. Sew baby blankets for some little people who are expected to join friends’ families in the near future.
=D
I plan to 1) finish my project for my YA Lit class in which I have to find 10 books on the same topic and plan out a report (my topic is death) so I have to finish reading 3 more books so I can have the full 10; 2) work on songs for my new Wizard Rock band, Finding Hufflepuff; 3) work on my book that I have been procrastinating on.
-Josie
josiebakerbooks@gmail.com
my screen-free week
My three things:
1. Read a book, magazine
2. Sew
3. Work on my garden – repot seedlings and plant onions in the garden
Erica
evoell [at] bonnerlibrary [dot] org
Re: my screen-free week
I already don’t watch too much tv but I will of course read, do yoga and try to get outside more gardening and swimming in the pool now that spring is here. Karen fwiw(dot)kea(at)gmail(dot)com
Re: my screen-free week
1. Read, read, read
2. spend time outside
3. start (and maybe finish) a new knitting project
jyazel@frontier.com
June Yazel
Something Like Fate contest
I will start reading the 58 books I brought back from the RT convention.
I will do my Spring Cleaning – cleaning out closets etc.
I will put a resume together for my upcoming job hunt.
Stacie
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
I’m in the US
contest š
i will finish up a fabulous book series finally. spend more time training Brazilian jiu jitsu and spend time with the fam š
Stacey
rutledge.stacey@gmail.com
mentioned: —->
http://twitter.com/#!/staceyrutledge/status/58269583810904064
screen free week – Something Like Fate
I will:
1. Read & see family
2. Read & write annotations
3. Read & visit San Antonio
Debbie
BksRgr8@windstream.net
1. Read
2. Write
3. Complete the awful school project I’ve been pitting off…
-Perla pluna7212(at)gmail(dot) com
Tweeted this at Laughzgrl13
Screen Free?! Whoopee!
12 years! wow that’s crazy. I am so hypnotized by things like TV and internet that I’ve put so many things off so I’m really looking forward to this! š I will take this time to:
1. Finally take the time to teach myself how to play Yesterday by The Beatles on the guitar.
2. Study for my AP European History exam coming up in May.
3. And but of course reread one of my favorite books: When It Happens š
Grace
grace_arzola@hotmail.com
screen free!
1. Read
2. Start a novel
3. Fold origami cranes for Japan
1. Read books
2. play board games
3. vist my family
Patrice
pixiepuff2006@yahoo.com
Something Like Fate
That week is Spring Break for me so I’ve got a few things to do:
1. Do my Biology project
2. Hang out with friends
3. Read!
Kailia
twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com
Contest
During this week of no TV I will finally write my English paper on my version of Dante’s Inferno. –My guide will be Janice Dickenson and the level of hell will include fashion crimes and the lowest circle of hell adds up to Jersey Shore. It should be interesting. I will also prepare for finals, because those things seem to come out of nowhere! And lastly I will go out to the Old Market with my friends, because it is so nice out and we all need to walk! Plus, we’ll reenergize by eating plates and plates of spaghetti so, walk = worth it!
Elizabeth, but I like to go by BIz
elizabethhall1@creighton.edu
Next week is my spring break…
1. Spend time with my boyfriend
2. Write, write, write!
3. Work on Algebra II and Chemistry =P
Laney
Laneyobi1@yahoo.com
I will be:
1) Swimming
2) Reading
3) hanging with friends and family since it’s my spring break! š
Kristina
spicedice45@gmail.com
hey it the American way–buy out something original and great then destroy it. Usually in the name of cutting cost–after having spent so much money on companies that had nothing to do with their brand. Happens over and over and over… go figure. But that won’t stop you from having a great camera!
Contest
I almost never watch any T.V. anyway. I have to study for a massive genetics test, take my dog on her daily run, and visit my grandma in the hospital. I’m also planning on spending quality time at the library (fingers crossed for new books!) and going to the Botanic Gardens. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000547840483
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway! And my name’s Lindsay
Re: Contest
Three things I will be doing instead
1. Writing my novel.
2. Playing sports games outside
3. Spending more time with my family
Brittany
vampire_music_princess@yahoo.com
Three things I will be doing:
1)Reading
2)Studying
3)Homework
I’ve got a bunch of work, as I am a college student. No TV means I can dedicate to those things. š
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/un3xpectedfate/status/58947691530567680
-Jennifer
un3xpectedfate[at]hotmail[dot]com
This week I will
1) Patch holes in our walls
2) Do our spring clean and de-junking
3) Read a few of the 50 some-odd books in my To Be Read pile.
Shannon Condie
sqclds@yahoo.com
Screen-free!
What a refreshing week it’ll be…
1- I’m going to fly a kite. Literally! Just moved to the beach & it’s good and windy here
2- Ride a beach cruiser since traffic is still light
3- Pick-up a cupcake to treat myself when I’m really itchin’ to turn on the tube š
Looking forward to giving my eyes a LCD break!
-Mollee: ultimateroxy@hotmail.com
For Screen-Free Week I will be…
…finishing grading the 100 research papers that my 8th graders handed in this week.
…writing blog posts on books I’ve finished and haven’t had time to write yet (see above statement!).
…enjoying my first weekend of my spring break trip to Mexico by reading many books on the beach (no screens allowed!).
Jillian
@mrsheisefpms
teach8bookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway! Here are things that I will do instead of watching screen entertainment during Screen-Free Week:
1. Get started on that photography project that I left lying around the house.
2. Blog some more.
3. Read some more books, like Something Like Fate from Susan Colasanti š
-Nina buoyread@gmail.com
I shared this on Facebook:
Screen-Free Week 2011 & Book Giveaway (!!)
I usually spend more time reading than watching TV anyway, so I guess it would be a cop out to say I’ll be reading more.
I’ll be:
1. Enjoying the sunshine (if there is any, we’re in Ohio afterall)
2. Working on some sewing projects (kitchen towels for mi madre and PJ pants for hubby)
3. If it’s nice I’ll be in my garden!
I linked to your giveaway via my blog:
Thanks for the opportunity to win your books!
~Alverna [Email: AlvernaH(at)yahoo(dot)com]
Something Like Fate Paperback Contest
Hello!!!! Instead of watching TV I’m gonna read (a lot), bake and ride my bike…If it ever stops raining š I’ve loved everyone of your books I’ve read. I’ll most likely be reading your books this week! Here’s a post to my FB about this contest.
Chelsea dakotagirl16@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000562922879
I’m seriously going to do this, it’s got me thinking of how much my family and I watch t.v. and it’s time to do something about it. This will be a nice break and bring us closer together. Here is what I’m going to do
1. Play more board games(We have tons and they sit in the closet)
2. Take my kids to the park and practice baseball with my boys
3. Spend more time at the library and enjoy finding new books to read to my kids. Instead of t.v. we can get lost in the story in our heads š
Thanks so much for this, I’ve had my eye on this book. I have recently discovered YA and love the books I’ve gotten my hands on. I live in a very small town and my book shopping choices is Walmart and sadly they don’t have much in the YA department so I’m always on the look out for new YA books and I can’t wait to read this š
june111(at)att(dot)net
Contest!
During this week, I will:
1. Finish the final chapter of my book and begin revisions. Things just keep getting in the way…
2. Read to my grandmother from a book of James Thurber’s short stories. It was a ritual at one point, but again, things just keep getting in the way.
And finally,
3. I will read “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver.
I obviously did not get this message until DURING Screen-Free Week (lol), but I do think it’s a good idea and definitely the only way to get writing done. It’s actually why I’m not buying a Wii or anything in the video game aisle. I’ve never owned anything like that before, but I have a goal to format stories and send them off to literary agents on a regular basis before I’ll let myself get one. Internet and TV are distracting enough!
I don’t have an issue doing other stuff… but I do find that if I’m away from the internet for a week (as sometimes just happens anyway because I am so busy with work now), I end up missing things that are… well, important. Whether it’s business-type stuff (paying credit card bills online, etc.), or simply the fact that a certain concert went on sale, I find that I pay for getting online even a day or a week too late. This is the ONE reason why it’s hard for me to detach from the internet. I’m not at all bored without it – there’s so many other things I love doing. But it’s made itself so necessary in certain ways. š¦
Can I just say how much I appreciate all of your comments this week?
You rule ā¤