All I want for Christmas…
‘Tis the season of gift-giving and, with Black Friday just around the corner, I’d like to propose a few. Most of us are members of critique groups or have a special friend who’s a writer. Here is my top ten list. Consider these a jumping off point, use them for your own Christmas list or as a way to bless another writer this season.
10. A Christmas ornament. This could be something that pertains directly to a WIP (work in progress) or be more generic in nature. Through the years, my critique partners have gifted me with some amazing Christmas ornaments and I look forward to adding them to my tree.
9. A special notebook. I know we live in the age of electronics, but for me, nothing replaces a special notebook. Of course, that leads me to the next idea…An unusual pen. I have a favorite type of pen (roller ball, very thin) but think outside the box. Many bookstores and stationary stores have unique pens.
8. A CD of writing music. Many of us write to music (at least music without words). There are lots of great movie soundtracks, why not gift one to your best writing buddy.
7. A subscription to Writer’s Digest. It could be digital or physical, but there’s no better (or more inexpensive) gift. Not convinced? Read Lynn Blackburn’s review here!
6. A Starbucks gift card. I know, this seems a little out of left field. But many of us find the formula of Starbucks coffee combined with a different setting the magic combination we need to pound out the words. (AltonGansky, this one’s for you!)
5. A gift card to Barnes and Noble, so they can purchase that one writing book they still lack.
4. A weekend away. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but what a gift of 48 hours of uninterrupted writing time!
3. A scholarship to a writing event. It could be a workshop or a conference, but trust me, every little bit helps! I know of a great one coming up this May!
To make reservations for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference, call 1.800.588.7222. To register online click here.
2. A gift of peace of mind. Do you have a back-up system in place for your computer? If not, you should. Personally, I use Dropbox. It’s less than a hundred dollars per year and works like a dream. I know because several years ago I lived through a catastrophic computer crash and lost…NOTHING!!!
1. A laptop computer. There’s nothing better than being able to pack your creative bag and go. Personally, I use a MacBook Air.
So whether or not you use these as your own Christmas list, or an idea for a friend, don’t wait ‘til the last minute. I left a lot of ideas off, but I’d love to hear some of yours. What was your favorite writing gift ever? What would you most like to have?
Love this post, Edie! Dead right across the board.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle!
DeleteI love the notebook and pen idea. I can go one step better. You can have the best of both worlds with a Livescribe pen and the special notebook that goes with it. It's a computer pen. When you finish, you can upload everything to your computer. There's even additional software that converts your handwritten notes to type. You have to work a little sometimes to make sure that everything converts correctly, but it's great. I use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteDeborah
Deborah, what a GREAT idea! Thank you so much for sharing it. For those of you who aren't aware of this tool, here's the link to their website: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/. Blessings, E
DeleteEdie, I'm so glad that you like it. I really do use it all the time, from my quiet time to my journal to collecting notes for articles that I'm writing. I've even used it with interviews. There's a recording feature that connects with the words on the paper. So if you need to hear something again, you just tap the paper with the pen at that point and it will replay it.
DeleteBy the way, I love your blog.
Deborah
Great post...I even read Lynn Huggins Blackburn post and left a comment. lol
ReplyDeleteWill give myself the gift of renewing my WD subscription. What? You weren't talking about gifts for ourselves?
Pat, thanks for the reminder to be kind to ourselves! Blessings, E
DeleteLove the ideas, Edie! May I add one more favorite magazine possibility? Southern Writer's Magazine. It's superb!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/
Cathy, you are so right! I love that magazine! And I was able to be on the faculty with one of their editors this past weekend - so fun! Blessings, E
DeleteGreat suggestions, Edie. Sharing!
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks for stopping by! Blessings, E
DeleteI always love this post! My favorites are 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4 ,and 3. Another idea? A gas card so a writer could fill their tank and drive to visit their writer friends that live within a reasonable distance. Weekends away (like that) are a treasure to me. I'm sure others could benefit from something like that, too. Especially if they're isolated.
ReplyDeleteAlycia, I love your idea for a gas card! Great suggestion - Blessings, E
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