Holiday Gift Suggestions

Next Friday marks the beginning of the official holiday shopping season in the United States. Besides the standard Writer's Market or books on writing, there are a number of gifts that loved ones can purchase for their writer to show how much they really do support their dreams, even when they don't understand him or her, or just think they're plain weird.

Prices range from the inexpensive to the you're-one-lucky-individual and vary based on the skill of the bargain shopper, on the brand, and geographic location.

These are in no particular order, but writers should feel free to print it out, rank the items, make notes, add additional items, and just happen to leave it lying around where it can't help but be seen.

Consider it creative marketing.

1. Calculator - This one may sound non-writerly, but a basic calculator is something that all serious writers need to have nearby. It's useful for calculating per word rates when quoted a flat fee, potential income when drafting articles for per word markets, determining how many words to write a day in order to reach a goal, or how much progress has been made in a project.

2. Desk Lamp - Task lighting is vital for maintaining the writer's eyesight for years to come.

3. Dictionary and/or Thesaurus - Does this one really need explaining? Words are the tools of the writer's craft. These books are like the clamps a carpenter uses when he needs an extra set of hands. Every writer should have a good quality one within arm's reach.

4. Digital Camera - Especially for the magazine or non-fiction writer, pictures can help sell the piece.

5. Digital Recorder - For capturing all those cool ideas and stray thoughts when the writer is on the move.

6. Gym Membership or Exercise Equipment - When the blood is flowing and the flesh is energized, the creative juices work so much better. Exercising to the point of physical exhaustion also helps turn off the voices so the writer can get a good night's sleep.

7. Ink Cartridges - Ink is one of the largest expenses a writer incurs during the course of the year. A few cartridges as a gift are not as weird as it might seem to the non-writer.

8. Journal or Notebooks - Whether the gift-giver purchases a nice notebook or just a bunch of cheap wire-bound notebooks, the writer can use it to record their ideas, map out storylines, jot notes, or simply as a journal to remind themselves why they put themselves through this heartache in the first place.

9. Magazine Subscriptions - Subscriptions to one or more magazines that the writer would like to break into so they can study the market.

10. MP3 Player - This has multiple uses. In the midst of a busy household or hectic environment, the writer can load it with white noise and soothing music to block out the hustle and bustle that surrounds them while they work. It can also be used to play mood music to accompany the scene or story that the writer is writing. Additionally, the writer can load it with podcasts of other writers' work to study what different markets are accepting and what other writers are doing and how they're doing it.

11. Office Supplies - In the course of a year, writers use lots of post-its, pens, hi-liters, binder clips, etc. These things are like toys to many writers and the office supply store is just one big, giant toy store full of shiny objects to be played with.

12. Pen - A good quality pen is an especially thoughtful gift for the writer who still prefers to create their first draft in longhand. A nice pen really does make the writing that much more comfortable.

13. Printer - Gift-givers can consider upgrading their writer's printer for them. A nicer printer improves presentation when submitting and a faster one saves the writer time.

14. Postal Scale - No need to use more stamps than necessary when submitting postal submissions and queries to various markets.

15. Reference Books - These an range from 101 Common Household Poisons to How To Make a Detonator to the Kama Sutra, it just depends on what genre(s) the writer works in.

16. Submission Kit - A full submission kit would include at least one ream of paper, envelopes, both 9x12 and #10 envelopes, blank labels, and stamps. A partial submission kit would include any selection of these items. Of course, better quality paper -- I prefer 22lb, 96 brightness -- and envelopes make for a better submission kit.

17. Subscriptions to Market Newsletters - Some of the better market newsletters cost a nominal fee for a year's subscription, but subscribing to multiple market newsletters can quickly add up. Gift subscriptions will provide the writer with ample opportunities to practice their craft.

18. Time Alone - This gift can take many forms, whether it is a coupon to promise to leave the house for a number of hours so the writer can write or a hotel room for one so the writer can create their own personal writing retreat for a day or two.

19. Timer - Yes, a simple egg timer. This is another of those multi-functional gifts that no writer should be without. It is useful for so many things, like timing how long one has been taking a break on the internet or IM so the writer returns to work, or letting the writer know their day's writing time is nearly over when they work for a set time, rather than by a set word count, every day, or for timed writings.

20. Toys - When writing fiction, sometimes it is necessary to block things out in order to understand the choreography or see where everyone is. Toys such as army men, Legos, building blocks, etc., can assist the writer with visualizing different scenes.