Juiced On Writing

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts. In many ways, the family with a writer within has an easy time of it when the holiday season comes along. All you pretty much need to do is offer some more books, or writer’s supplies.

Gifts for the writer don’t necessarily have to be expensive but can be very thoughtful. Both are important in this time of economic hardship for many of us.

Here are my top twelve gifts for writers, plus another twelve options below.

1. Books

“How to Write” Books, “English and Style” Books, “Reference” Books (Dictionaries, Style, Encyclopedias, Medical or Genre Reference Books); and for the fiction writer – books in the genre of choice.

There are many lists of the best books recommended for the writer out there. As a gift giver, give your writer a choice of what books they need or want, and then give them those books. Job done.

2. Writer’s Supplies

Reams of paper, printing ink (for the home inkjet printer), blank journal books, notebooks – many, and some lovely pens.

Now, I’ve not yet been introduced to the qualities of a good moleskin notebook, so for me – cheap vinyl is just as good. But as this is Christmas, we may as well concentrate on the properties agreed by many writers to bring out the best in them, even if it’s in writing a quality shopping list. So let’s just suggest moleskin all the way.

And for those who don’t already own one, I’m not sure if this legitimately comes under the ‘supply’ category, but a Coffee Machine – one that does frothy lattes and espressos within seconds – now that’s what I’m talking about!

3. Writing Novelties – the Writer’s Mug

Okay, not your normal Christmas wish – to get another mug. It’s kind of down there with a pair of thick woolen socks or new pair of underpants, or handkerchiefs from Great Aunt Agatha. But mugs are to writers what tutus are to ballet dancers – an emblem of the entire darn business. Mugs equal coffee, and what writer doesn’t need more coffee?

Combine it with a witty writing-orientated phrase (“Will Write for Coffee” or  “Keep Out, Writer in Progress”) or even something as seemingly innocuous as simply a mug emblazoned with the word “Writer” on it, and you’ve given them something to remind them of what they are trying to remember to be.

4. Computers, Hardware and Software

Oh yeah, baby! Who wouldn’t say yes to a new laptop, upgrade to their software, a gift of the latest greatest writing software out there, or a – can I even venture to say it without embarrassing myself – a new laser printer instead of spending two days printing off a manuscript page by page on an old inkjet.

As we’re talking technology, consider also a decent digital voice recorder – one with as big a memory stick as possible, and which can be turned on with one click. If this has to be under the guise of the latest whiz-bang mobile phone, so be it. At least people won’t look at you like you’re out of your mind talking to yourself in public if it looks like somebody else is at the other end.

  5. The Gift of Support

Not something you can buy. And unfortunately something in short supply in some writer’s lives. But if you’re a family member, spouse or partner to a writer, then offering your support doesn’t even have to cost you anything. Anything but a gift of time, and belief.

Make up some vouchers if you want to – promise the writer in the family an hour each day of distraction-free writing, do some domestic chores during this hour, baby-sit the baby (or the dog), and ensure they get the time promised them.

Other ways to support, with little cost – give them a subscription to a writing magazine. Read it yourself so that you understand some of the industry they are working within, and can hold a decent conversation with them – at times when they need it.

And most priceless of all – believe in them. Even when they don’t believe in themselves.

Some Other Gifts

A few more, basically because I quite fancy the following. Okay, so they are for me – but you never know – your writer in your life might well appreciate these also.

6. A Lap Table

One of those tables that wheels over your lap when you’re sitting on a sofa, which will hold your laptop at a slight ergonomic angle, and probably holds supplies, notebooks, pens and the all-important mug of java.

7. A Housekeeper

Someone who comes in once or twice a week, and makes the home look like a home again, getting me away from the guilt of my domestic drudgery. On that note, the ultimate might be to also have a cook to provide the nourishment for the family, especially in times of heavy writing or inspiration. Ah, what absolute bliss.

8. A Huge Gift Certificate to a Large Bookstore

And not the kind of gift certificate that you have to hand over all at once. A perpetual gift certificate that works like a smart card and you can simply drop into the bookstore whenever you want, and never worry about payment ever again. Or at least for a year?

9. Subscription Central

Subscription payments for writing magazines, online organisations, writing memberships, writing courses, oh just everything that costs money.

10. Bookshelves

We happen to be a family with enough space in our current house for more bookshelves, but not the money to provide them. And far too many books. Floor to ceiling bookshelves, in a form which matches our current ones. And plenty of them, please.

11. A Presentation Folder

To hold every single rejection letter I ever receive – in archival prissness, ready to bring out and shove into those publisher’s faces when I become successful. No, I don’t really mean that. But celebrating rejection is a good habit to get into. One more rejection, one more step to acceptance.

12. A Personal Stylist

I can’t help to have noticed just how much smoother and blonder JK Rowling got over the years. Everyone knows that a good writer needs to market themselves and go on promotional book-signing tours, even if it’s to your local bookstore. And at this point in time I simply don’t have anything decent enough to wear, and certainly need a hand in “doing my face” and getting my hair in check.

Other Gifts

Think :

1. novelty writing gifts for the female writer – typewriter key bracelets and dangly earrings; printed T-shirts
2. novelty writing gifts for the male writer – T-Shirts and ties emblazoned with witty writing sayings;
3. snuggle rugs which cover your entire body up when you’re sitting writing on the sofa in the middle of a chilly snap;
4. the ultimate writing space or office (or at least a writer’s desk) – this is according to both individual taste and budget;
5. a Massage – especially across those aching shoulders;
6. ergonomic office chairs, in luxury geniune leather if you can afford it.
7. an old (vintage) typewriter in working condition ;
8. small frames and large frames – to hold the published book jackets of a novelist or non-fiction writer, or magazine covers, short stories or articles published or certificates on winning contests.
9. luxury accommodation and event subscriptions for a writing retreat – weekend or week; or to a writing convention – preferably with classes and famous writing speakers, and access to publishers, agents and editors.
10. hand-made family voucher promising full support in the month of November if your writer in residence is keen to do NaNoWriMo next year;
11. an expensive bottle of the best champagne to toast the next success, no matter how large or small
12. a gift of a website for promoting your writer’s work – if he or she is not technically minded to want to create one themselves. Hire a web development firm to do it for them.

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