Dec 24
Holidays are happy, stressful, and sometimes tiring. So how do you deal with the ups and downs? I like to take a break and watch a cat video.
Some of my favorites are about Henri, the French Existentialist Cat. In the spirit of Christmas, enjoy Henri in The Worst Noel.
Merry Christmas from One Wild Word.
Can you believe it’s December, already? It seems like the year has flown by. Today, my son asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My response, “You know me–anything related to writing is great!”
So, what do writers like? Notebooks, cool pens, writing conferences and retreats, subscriptions to favorite writing magazines, just to name a few.
My writing wish list grew this year with two new items: Boorum & Pease Journals (with lined and numbered pages!) and Scapple–a fun brainstorming/mind mapping software program made especially for writers by the inventors of Scrivener, my favorite novel-writing software. To check out just how useful Scapple can be see my post “Try Scapple for mind mapping your writing ideas.”
Below are a few more ideas from previous years’ posts that may give you some gift ideas for the writer in your life:
In Carly’s post on last-minute gift ideas for writers, she gives ideas for everything from jewelry for writers to ergonomic writing accessories.
In “Gift ideas for the writer in your life,” I share a few of my favorite writing journals, subscriptions to writing magazines, conferences, and other writing-related adventures.
What are some of the favorite writing gifts you’ve received over the years? Please share in the comments below.
Whatever your faith or belief system, the holidays are a time to spend time with our loved ones and remind them how much they mean to us.
Over the years, I’ve tried to find ways to simplify my holiday. Instead of buying my neighbors the usual gift basket, I made homemade lasagna. They appreciated having to cook one less meal during a busy, sometimes stressful season. Read more
I can’t believe it’s the holiday season again. Seems like it was just yesterday! If you still need holiday gift ideas for the writer in your life, below are a few of my favorites. And if you are a writer…feel free to forward this post to your loved ones. Hint. Hint.
Writing Journals
Whether we type our masterpieces directly on the computer or write by hand, we need notebooks and journals to keep track of our thoughts. My favorites are the moleskine notebooks (there are many different colors and sizes so buy your writer more than one).
I also love the Spirit of Flight Journals. Type “writing journals” or “writing notebooks” in your search engine, and you’ll have plenty to choose from. Read more
Holidays enchant us with snowmen, gingerbread people, and candy canes. They can also be full of drama: Uncle Ralph and Aunt Sally in a snit at the dining room table or overtired children throwing tantrums in the middle of the mall. And don’t even get me started about the company Christmas party when Roger in Accounting had too much to drink and….well you get the idea.
Anyway, all these scenes are subjects for writers. Opportunities to observe the human condition to see what it can offer our storytelling. Read more
Some call it procrastination and others call it Christmas shopping strategy. Whatever the case, if you’re still finishing your shopping and you’re stumped for ideas, check out this list of last-minute gifts for your writer friends (or yourself):
Writing T-shirts
CaféPress has a huge selection of t-shirts with sayings fit for writers. Some examples:
“Writer’s Block: When your imaginary friends won’t talk to you.”
Or if you want something edgier:
“I’m writing you into my next novel.
Your character will meet a painful, violent death.
Have a nice day.”
CafePress also features a selection of bags, mugs and other merchandise designed for writers. Prices vary. Items are currently marked at prices up to 30% off. Read more
No one wants to be known for writing flat, boring, cardboard characters. Luckily, I learned from Truman Capote that it’s not the information you tell about a character but how you show it that makes all the difference.
In one of my favorite short stories, A Christmas Memory, Capote builds finely detailed characters by offering interesting and sometimes odd descriptions of them. His character description goes beyond simple physical details. The description propels the story by setting a tone and introducing contrast and tension. Read more
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