I’m the type of person that never knows how to respond when someone asks “What do you want for Christmas?” or “What do you want for your birthday?” Truth of the matter is, what I truly desire and want I either have to work towards that myself or get lucky enough to prove myself as THE (as the one and only) love child of Oprah and Donald Trump. Not that I want aristocrat extravagance, but I do desire the cash to invest in my business as well as a beautiful home to invest in as well. So when in doubt I tell people to give me something practical. As a writer I love a pretty journal and a nice writing pen. However, here is the problem. I get those a LOT so I have stacks of unwritten journals or ones with at least one page written in them. You would think I would have volumes of my life written in those pages, but nope. Most of them collect dust.
When the urge comes over me to get into my “analog girl in a digital world” mode, I turn to one of those journals and write down thoughts, prayers, a prose…whatever comes to mind and I don’t feel like being bothered with digital technology. I get nostalgic at times and will crank out the beginnings of a story in long handwritten form. But for the majority of my writing days I’m glued to Silverfox, my HP G72 notebook. Wait…give me a minute…I like how I said that in my head like I have a top of the line brand. HAHAHAHAHA.
Thanks to Nic McLean of My Fabulous Boobies, who posted on her Facebook a link from The Write Life, I just got a clue of how to respond the next time someone asks me what do I want for a gift. The Write Life’s “22 Gifts for Writers That Are Way Better Than a Boring Old Notebook” have wonderful novel ideas (pun not intended), to give the writer in your life. Here are some of my favorites:
Out of print t-shirt, sweatshirt or tote bag
Some writer nerd clothing can be downright — well, nerdy. Out of Print tees, hoodies and totes, which feature the covers of iconic and often (you guessed it) out of print books, buck the norm and are actually fashionable. Plus these gifts do good; for every item they sell, Out of Print donates a book to Books for Africa to help a community that doesn’t have easy access to books.Check out their accessories, too. Toast to favorite classics with the Coaster Set, brighten up their restricted reading section with the Match Book Set or pick up an eBook Jacket for their Kindle, Nobo Glo or Nexus tablet.
Writing guidebooks
We writers love to nerd out over… you guessed it, writing. Help your writer build their bookshelf, fine-tune their craft and actually make money from their writing with these writing memoirs and guidebooks.A healthy excuse to get out of the house
When focus is waning, it’s easy to get sucked into the rabbit hole of YouTube videos and blogs. Help your writer friend or family member get back on track with a healthy break in their day. Why not give them a gym membership or pass to a yoga studio? Doing the body good will improve their health and productivity so they can better meet their goals!
For The Write Life’s complete list go here.
My own list includes:
1. Music: Actual albums/CDs, gift card for downloads.
When I first started this blog, I mentioned how music helps writer’s write. It’s gets out juices flowing. Yes, sometimes we can write in quiet solitude, but if a fellow writer is anything like me, sometimes what is playing in the background when I’m writing helps set the tone and perhaps becomes the soundtrack tot he words. Also, I’m a music junkie, spreading all across genres. One day you may catch me listening to the Andrew Oldham Orchestra or Zero 7 and I’ll turn around and will listen to the new Beyonce’ album that I downloaded over the weekend (yes I took the bait), writing a love scene to her song “Partition.”
2. Tickets/Passes/RSVP to see favorite author, artist, fellow creative being
Check your local bookstores, library or venues to see if your writer friend’s favorite writer is in town for a reading or special interview that’s open to the public. I was so grateful when a friend of mine treated me to a talk Jill Scott had with the Smithsonian’s Museum of African Art. It was such a treat as she talked about her time in Botswana and her journey to becoming THE Jill Scott we know her to be. Moments like these can be so inspirational and will further fuel their creativity.
3. Spa time
Sometimes sitting up all day and night with laptop in tow is a bit much for your writer friend. I find myself “crying” mostly that I need spa date with a nice masseuse. Tension can easily mount in the shoulders and back. Loosen up the writer in your life with a gift certificate for a nice 30 – 45 minute massage? If a spa package or gift certificate find a nice little item that ease your writer friend’s pain, even if your budget calls for a nifty little stress ball, I’m sure the writer in your life will smile.
4. Accessories for our major tools!
There are so many gadgets that we writers often love to try. If we own them, pretty much we already spent a pretty penny on getting it. After all, most of us are on budgets, especially those of us that freelance. If your writing pal is anything like me, we are able to get the major tool we need but may have to come back around and get accessories, like a cover, a nice tote, etc. etc. Even if we have an accessory or two, what’s the harm in another? From the kiosk stands in your malls and the major brand stores, you are bound to find an affordable tablet cover, cell phone holder or charm, laptop tote or even something the home office for your writer friend.
At this moment I’m still not sure what I want, if I want anything right now. I’m more excited about seeing a new year arrive. However, in case any of my readers feel compelled to send me a gift…a spa date will do. 😉
Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River 
Posted on December 18, 2013
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