A to Z Challenge 2013

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Unintentional Isolation...And A Contest!

One thing I've noticed is that I have a really bad habit of withdrawing from the world and just existing within my own tiny sphere at home.  It's not that I don't enjoy all of you or that I don't value the friends I have made through this writing journey;  I am just more reclusive than I am social, to my own detriment.  And I've had to make apologies to friends, with promises to try to overcome my own bad habits.

My mom and I were discussing this trait we both share.  Although we can exist just fine in a crowded room, we're much happier by ourselves.  The problem is that I do actually enjoy the stimulating conversations and things I learn from friends.  Withdrawing into seclusion makes me miss out on all this fun stuff.  Needless to say, I am aware of the problem and am going to be taking steps to make sure I don't do this too often.

On another note, I am in possession of an extra copy of Beth Revis' awesome book Across The Universe.  How did this happen, you ask?  Well, I purchased a copy when it came out (because I was incredibly anxious to read it).  I also helped chat up Beth's book whenever I could help get the word out, and unexpectedly in the mail, I received a SIGNED copy of her book from Beth and/or the publisher.  This means I have opportunity to hold a contest and give my other copy away to some lucky recipient (sorry, I'm not giving away my signed copy.   I cherish it way too much).

And although it might be difficult to find someone out there who hasn't purchased this awesome book already, I'm willing to try.  If you have a copy already, enter the contest anyway and give this one away to someone else. Let's pass this awesome book on to as many people as we possibly can.

The contest is going to go like this.  I'll hold the contest for a week (ending on June 8th) and send the book out to a random winner.  Unfortunately, this is only for people in the US.  Sorry, but I can't afford to send this overseas.   But hey, if you're near Beth or find her near your town sometime, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to sign it for you.  She's cool like that.  You can also earn extra entries:

Comment here - +1
Long time follower - +2
New follower - +1
Post about the contest - +1
Facebook about the contest - +1
Tweet about the contest - +1
Tally the total for me - +1

Those who know me well might wonder why I'm adding in the Facebook and Twitter stuff, since I don't currently use those social tools.  I'm all about getting the word out and getting this book to a new loving owner though, so I'm embracing those tools too.  I'll depend on the honor system.  If you say you've done it, I'm just going to take you at your word.  I personally haven't seen any writers lie about something like that, so I feel pretty safe.

Lastly, do you ever feel isolated from things here on the Interwebs?  If this is just me, feel free to say so.  If not, what do you do to stay a part of these social connections (aside from FB or Twitter)?

5 comments:

Lettuce Is The Devil said...

A busy slate of writing projects has kept me away from much blog reading lately but I'm always floating about FB and twitter via my phone.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I recently read this book to my hubby. Not too shabby for a first book, and I LOVE that it's YA SciFi. About dang time! =D

I am usually an extrovert, but as I've gotten older, I'm finding that I have a lot more introvert tendencies now.

Windy Aphayrath said...

Ahh, isolation. Thy name is Eric. And your twin, anti-social (of late anyway), her name is Windy. Recently I've just had so so soooo much going on I forget about what isn't RIGHT in front of me and end up completely disconnected and then it makes me so sad to not know what's going on with all my online friends! I've realized though, that when I take "time off" from work etc, when there's stuff going on, it's turned into real time off, I tweet less, rarely FB and don't blog which, I suppose, is a good thing to keep from getting burned out too, right? Because THAT is a whole other blog post!

Eric said...

Lettuce (aka Travis) - Hey there. Yeah, you have been noticeably missing for a bit. Thanks for stopping by anyway :)

Donna - If your name gets picked, we'll work something out so you still win, k? I'm glad you're a fan of the book though.

Windy - I'm honored to be your twin, even if it is because we're both being antisocial LOL. When you do put up the "whole other blog post" though, let me know ;)

Davin Malasarn said...

Eric, I'm not sure I would fight your reclusive nature too much. Generally, it does seem healthy to regularly interact with the world, but to me once a week or a couple times a month is reasonable, at least as far as blogging goes or Facebook or whatever. I guess I just think you shouldn't force to do what you don't want to do as long as you're not hurting anyone. I know several reclusive people...they are usually the most productive writers! :)