Last week, I wrote a blog about 10 Gifts for Writers (the Not so Serious Edition), and today I continue with gifts that aren't as quirky and may actually be helpful.
But before I do, I'd like to mention that starting on this blog December 19th and running through January 1st, I'll be featuring 12 Days (Plus Two) of Bookmas. Each day, an author will be stopping by to offer up a little holiday bon-bon, from a recipe to a personal remembrance, to a favorite story or TV show, and they'll also name their favorite charity. Authors lined up include Laurie R. King, Paul Doiron, Craig Johnson, G.M. Maillet, Martin Edwards, Jeri Westerson, Zoe Sharp, Julia Spencer-Fleming and more. So stay tuned.
Now, for the list:
A digital voice recorder. I can tell you from personal experience that working out on a treadmill or elliptical when you get a story idea and attempting to write it down is an exercise in futility (especially when you come home and can't read your scribbling). With a recorder, a writer can immediately preserve their ideas whenever and wherever they occur. These range from cellphone-sized (cheaper) to this nifty little digital recorder pen (expensive).
A lap desk. These are very handy to have for reading a printed manuscript or as a base for a tablet or laptop computer. And LapGear will make a donation for every lap desk they sell to the Kids in Need Foundation that provides gear for underprivileged students.
Novel (and story) writing software. These vary in features provided, but they start as low as free (such as yWriter) to $30 with StoryWeaver, and on up. StoryMind has a great deal right now, offering to throw in a free Writer's Survival Kit with any website purchase. The kit includes an extensive collection of writing software, classes and tools essential to every writer's craft.
Tickets to a writer's conference or retreat. This blog keeps a list of upcoming mystery conferences, but websites like Shaw Guides have databases of other events where writers can get away for awhile and take classes or just have undisturbed writing time.
A gift certificate for professional editing services. Granted, this can get a little pricey, but you can at least help defray the costs. This is particularly helpful for self-published authors and those going the small press or indie route, who will need to purchase a la carte editing. This rate chart from the Editorial Freelancers Association may be helpful.
Coffee! Many an author takes their laptop to the local coffee shop that has a spare table and plug-in to work on their manuscript away from home distractions, if not store-related ones. A gift certificate from the store will also help a writer stay caffeinated and alert through all those mind-numbing edits.
Literacy. Make a donation in the writer's name to a local or national literacy organization (the America's Literacy Directory is a good place to start). After all, writing can be cathartic and enjoyable on its own, but to be a read author, you need a steady supply of readers. The gift of literacy helps everyone.
Gloves? Yes, gloves. Typing away at the keyboard all day can leave your digits a bit frosty. Light-weight fingerless gloves to the rescue, helping to keep fingers flying fast and furious. You can opt for more conservative styles or for hard-boiled types, this might be more appropriate.
Creativity-booster. If your writer likes to listen to music for inspiration while writing, create a mixtape of their favorite tunes and burn it to a CD or DVD. Or give them a gift certificate for Spotify, and they can put together their own song list.
And, last, but certainly not least, a gift certificate to their favorite local indie bookstore is a wonderful idea.
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