Enriched by Words

Gift Ideas for Writers and Journal Keepers

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Stuck for holiday ideas for a friend or loved one who writes?  Here are some ideas to help you out, both tangible and intangible.

Tangibles:

Journals, Notebooks, Organizers: Clairefontaine, Moleskine, refillable, leather, you name it.  What writer can deny their love for paper and places to record their words?  For the eco-minded, check out Ecopaper’s completely tree-free journals. [Disclaimer:  Two of the links in this paragraph are to my store as examples of some of the products available.]

Pens: Pens are subject to individual taste, but if your writer has been eying that cool fountain pen or a silver Cross pen, consider it as a gift.  If your writer has difficulty with their hands, consider PenAgain, the Yoro Pen, Dr. Grip, or the Bic XXL.

Books: Writers are almost always avid readers.  If you are not sure which books they prefer, consider a gift certificate to their favorite bookstore.

Gift Certificates: Just not sure?  Consider a gift certificate to a book store, stationary store, favorite writing cafe, or journal store.

A Writing Class: Whether local or on line, offer tuition or registration for a writing class your writer will enjoy.

Laptops: Mobility helps.  Being able to stop someplace after work for a 45 minute writing session can be a great benefit.  Typing away while someone else drives, on breaks or over the lunch hour is great.  Mobility is really nice for writers of all types.

Flash Drives: Also called thumb drives, these handy little gadgets save files and work to take with you and can be used on any computer.  Office, home, internet cafe, laptop, your work travels with you.

Digital Voice Recorders: For the writer with a long commute, a DVR can be a great gift.  It doesn’t take the place of pen on paper, but it can help clarify thoughts, record impressions, and work on different aspects of a piece.  They are also handy for recording those little flashes of insight and ideas that crop up at odd times.

Writing Software: Quite a few writers have no interest, but if your writer has mentioned something like Liquid Story Binder, New Novelist or others, you have a gift idea right there.  These software programs are designed to help the writer organize longer projects and to write without the interference Word sometimes offers.  Be aware that some are for beginning writers and some are for the more tech savvy, so look over the descriptions of several before deciding.

MP3 Player/iPod: Help them reduce distraction by plugging into a playlist suitable for writing.

Briefcase or Stylish Tote: Make it suitable for notebooks, journals, file folders, etc.  Another way for a writer to be mobile as needed.

Favorite Luxury Treat or Beverage: Help your writer celebrate word goals, milestones, and a hard passage wrestled into submission.

Intangibles:

Loving support and encouragement

Uninterrupted writing sessions

Read when they ask you to and give positive feedback.

Respect their dream without negativity.

A special writing place at home, just for the writer.

Okay, writers, help our readers out by listing items you, as a writer, would like to receive as a gift.  Thanks!

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