This contest is now CLOSED!Ok, it's just a coincidence that I'm reviewing two books this week, but I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you about this book!
It's called Note to Self: On Keeping a Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits and it is written with the kind of charm and poise that I only wish came across in my writing! Not only that, but it's written about writing.
This is the second book written by author Samara O'Shea, the first one being For the Love of Letters, a book about the seemingly long-lost art of letter writing. Note to Self, however, focuses on something a little closer to my heart -- writing journals and blogs. A "journalist" I am, so to speak, in the sense that I have kept a journal since I was little, writing down the slightest of things. I understand when O'Shea speaks of the pull, the draw of a brand new journal, and the pressure to write something incredibly profound on those first few pages. However, reading her journal entry from when she was a mere 16 puts all of my entries to shame. Don't let her fool you, she has always had a knack for writing, a thing for words.
There is a section here for bloggers, as blogging is the new-age form of journaling in a sense. As O'Shea says, blogging is more structured than a journal entry, but not quite an article. A blogger herself, she understands what it takes to be a blogger, and to be blogged about. It's nice to be recognized as something legitimate on paper, don't you think? But she also recognizes that blogging is a personal rush. To have your words unedited, changed by no one before they are published.
My favorite aspect of this book is that O'Shea encourages you to make mistakes. To play with words even if you know that grammatically it is not even close to being correct. To write in a stream of consciousness. Overall, she inspires you to be a better writer, for no one else but yourself. This is not a book you choose to read for professional reasons, but for those that are so personal, you dare not share them.
You can pick up a copy of Samara O'Shea's Note to Self on Amazon.com for $13.57
Win it! I have an extra copy of Note to Self that I'm willing to giveaway to one lucky reader! To enter, follow the easy-peasy rules below!
- Leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to have a copy of this book.
- Please leave a valid email address if you would like to be contacted if you win. Otherwise, winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch.
- If the winner does not respond within 72 hours I will choose a different winner.
- US entries only please!!!
- Earn extra credit! Choose one of the following for ONE extra credit entry. Any further attempts to woo me will be disqualified!
- Place my CSC button in your sidebar and tell me about it in a separate post.
- Stumble my homepage (http://www.chicshopperchick.com) and let me know about it in a separate post with your StumleUpon name too.
91 comments:
I would love to have this to help get me back into journal writing. I used to have one years ago but everytime I think about starting again, I get stumped. Maybe this would help me get past my writers block. jeepcutie82 at msn dot com
I would like to read this book because I used to keep a journal and the title of the book sounds interesting.
krystal82107@hotmail.com
I love this book idea. I love journaling, but I get a bit overwhelmed woth all I want to write about and thinking I need to do more. I bet this would give me some great ideas!
I would love this book, most especially sharing it with my daughter. I've just introduced her to the joys of journaling, this gift would be right on target.
I would love to win it for my sister. She keeps a journal and she would love this gift.
this looks very interesting, and I do keep a journal
I used to be a regular journaler and really miss it. This book looks encouraging.
Oh, I've heard of this book before and it sounds like a lot of fun. I would like to have it for some inspiration. I consider my blog to be my journal, but I know that I can do better!
spackattak7(at)hotmail(dot)com
When I was in High School I kept a journal. It's fun to go back and read it now...sheesh I was SOOO dramatic! I still cry though when I read about when my hs boyfriend and I broke up. Awww...it breaks my heart! The words were so painful!
I'd love to start keeping a journal again for my kids, because I don't know if I really want to share the high school one! No need of putting ideas into their heads!
I read this book also, did a review on it. A quick read, made you think about writing, bogging and why you do it. Well worth the time to read!
to read or not to read
I have a journal now that helps me deal with my Bipolar disorder. However, my journal writing skills could use some honing!
I like it- I'll look for it!
I have always loved keeping journals but sometimes struggle with what to write. I think this book would be great, I bet it would also help my scrapbook journaling!
I stumbled your home page {momof2ballerinas}
I have been wanting to get into journaling
I love to write and anything that can help me better that I would love, not to mention my writing skills from English have been out of use for 14 years so I need a refresher.
I stumbled your site. My user name is tmpatton. I hope I did it right I am trying to figure it out LOL. I hit the I like it button so I think I did it right
I would love to have this to help me get back to writing regularly!
urchiken at gmail dot com
Thank you.
This would be great for my daughter since she loves to keep a journal and the book should give her some great advise!
I placed your CSC button in my blog not in the sidebar because I do not know how to do that yet.
I'm a big time journally and I would be very interested in reading this book.
I would love a chance at this! I'm working on "bettering" my blog writing and I think writing on good ole paper will get me flowing! I'm always open to new writing ideas!
jenbrat05 at yahoo dot com
I used to keep a diary. I love reading it now many years later. I would love to start up again.
hockiemack@hotmail.com
I've kept a journal for about 16 years - wish I could dig up my first journal entry ever... I love reading about writing and would love to read this book/have this book - books about writing always encourage me to go deeper and write more. Thanks!
heatherehammond(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love this book. I should be writing more than I am, because I love it. And really, I'm the only one who wants to read it anyway.
I would love to have this to help get me back into journal writing.
i've always wanted to start journaling
I've been looking for books about blogging and have not found many. Also, I've never really been successful at keeping a journal but would like to try again. I would love to read this book!
I love anything that contributes to self expression.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
This looks so interesting! I love to journal, both in my blog and in special books that I decorate specifically for the purpose. It's always interesting to read what others have to say on the subject of keeping a journal and on writing in general. You really make this book sound like something not to be missed! Thanks for having such a generous giveaway.
What a fab giveaway!!! I'd love to win this because my goal for this new year is to start blogging. I had a blog, but it only lasted for about three entries, LOL!!! This sounds like a great read with very helpful and useful info.
Thanks!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
I have always thought about keeping a journal-maybe this is the impetus I need!?
Maybe it's selfish but I'd keep it for myself.
This is something that my wonderful daughter would LOVE and want to win for her.
THANKS
I used to keep a journal in the past but life became too busy. Now that I'm retired, I think it would be fun again since I still have my previous journals and they are really fun to read!
Bshaw75015@aol.com
It looks interesting and I love writing in my journal!
I would like to win this because I love reading journals and diaries. I would also like to start my own journal again. I haven't kept one since I was in high school and my mother read it!
I love writing and haven't been doing as much as I should have. I miss the amount of handwriting I used to do. I'd love this book to be reinspired to write. Thanks!
It's such a unique topic for a book; I'd love to read it.
I kept a journal since I was a kid, but I haven't done so in the last 5 years. This would be great. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
planetmisty at gmail dot com
I would love to read this book as I kept a journal throughout high school and college and still love to look back through it.
Hello! I like the twist on journal keeping in this intriguing "Note to Self" journal. I have dreamed about being a free lance writer off and on for a very long time. This just might be the writing incentive that I need.
Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would love the book to read and enjoy
I love reading and this looks really interesting! I'd love to win it!
kristilb19@yahoo.com
There is nothing like a good book
I guess I'd like to win because I have kept a journal since I was very young as well. I would blog more I'm not too Blog savvy though - or computer savvy.
Thanks for the chance!
I love to read and write!
I would like this book because I am a literature nerd and an aspiring English professor. I read Joan Didion's similar story entitled: "On Keeping a Notebook," and really enjoyed it. I think that I would enjoy this in the same way.
I would like this book because I am a huge journal writer and can always use some tips.
jceko77@yahoo.com
I have journaled for years. Very theraputic.
my wife loves to read
I would like to have this because it might jump-start my journal writing. I always feel so much better when I'm writing regularly but I've fallen off the wagon. tinawittmer(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like to use this book as a reference to my blog writing. Great giveaway, thanks so much!
I stumbled your home page. Username hellomary018. Thanks again!
I would like to write again.
Keeping a journal is such a good method of introspection
Keeping a journal is such a good method of introspection
I'd love to read this book I could use the inspiration to write=)
Thanks for the Giveaway!
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
i'm a journal keeper and i love to read other's stories and I'd love inspiration for making my story sound even bigger and bolder
I'm an editor in my "real" work and a blogger, but I don't get to write as much as I'd like for the real gig. Any way, I'd love to read this. I have a collection of writing/editing books here on my desk!
This book definitely intrigues me because even though I am an editor by trade and have authored a few books of retold stories, I am hesitant to ever call myself a "writer." In fact, I have wanted desperately to journal ever since I can remember, but every time I've tried, I haven't found my words worthy of the paper and have then clammed up. I can't tell you how many journals I have, all with less than 10 pages written in! This spring I started a blog, and I'm finally gaining the confidence that may allow me to someday accept the title of "writer." It's only taken 36 years! Thank you for the offer to win!
I miss the days when I used to keep a regular diary, it would be wonderful to get back into, I'm just always afraid someone would steal it and use it as ammunition lol. This seems like an interesting book.
i would love this book, I get a good start on journaling but can't seem to stick with it.
I would love this for my mom, who loves to journal!
I've wanted to start a journal for quite a while, but I'm never sure what to write. Maybe this would help me! I'd be interested to read the part about blogging, too.
charlotte(dot)evard(at)comcast(dot)net
Journaling is something I've wanted to do, and have tried a few times but never got on a roll with. The book may provide some insight that I'd be able to use.
I would love to read this - I kept journals all through my childhood and lost them in a move. It still makes me sad and nostalgic, wish I still had them and still pursued writing. Thanks for the giveaway!
lovelyluckymegs@yahoo.com
This book looks great! I like the title too. Thanks!
I really want to get started writing. I need something to help me get going.
I always keep a journal to keep track of my memories, & this book would help me make the most out of journal writing.
I would love this for my daughter.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
cdrury@gmail.com
as a therapist I am always recommending to clients that they journal for themselves - would like to review this so I could recommend it to clients and perhaps use it myself!
I've always wanted to get into keeping a journal - maybe this would help get me started.
I would love to be enthused about journaling again!
sounds like a good read
I so enjoy journaling!
theyyyguy@yahoo.com
Would love to journal again !
I'm an English major and writing is so important to me. It'd be great to read up on journaling.
Thanks, Danielle
ddevizia@gmail.com
I would like to read this book because I stopped journaling in high school when a teacher found it and read my journal. It is such a great way to get out your feelings, but after that I was always too afraid to keep another journal. About time I get over that childhood trauma, maybe this book would help get me inspired.
tera.slawson@yahoo.com
I would love to read this book in hopes that it will help me organize a journal correctly.
I have never journaled but so many people seem to think that you should. I would like to have a copy of this book to see what it is all about.
Kathy
kathleenyohanna@hotmail.com
I've honestly never written in a journal and I'd like to know more about it. This book looks really interesting. Thank you for the great contest.
I would like to get some ideas on how to become a better writer.
Thanks!
carissaad at aol dot com
I would like a copy of this book because I am attempting to write my own . . . have the "foreward" done so far, lol!!
cherylfrancisco@hotmail.com
I love books on writing, I love to document and I love to journal.
So this book is right up my alley.
Thank you for the generous giveaway.
-Allie
tonylethal@aol.com
I have always wanted to write if only for myself. This book would be a wonderful inspiration for me to start a journal. garrettsambo@aol.com
I would like my son to start writing in a journal.
I'd love to win this, so both my daughter and I can begin journaling. Better late than never for me, I suppose.
I would love to win this book
because I would love to read more
about ideas when it comes to keeping a journal.I use to journal
everyday and really need to get back with it.I found it was good
therapy for me.Thanks for the contest
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I would like to have a copy of this book because I am interested in learning more about the writing process and blogging.
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