Christmas is correct across the nook, and for those who’re something like me, you’re frantically speeding to complete up your vacation procuring. In the event you’re a author, you may also (like me) end up utterly at a loss when somebody asks you what you need for Christmas. The older I get, the extra I discover I don’t need to accumulate new objects in my residence—the purpose of gift-giving isn’t a lot the merchandise I get a lot because the gesture itself from an individual I care about.
That being mentioned, writers might be troublesome to buy and it may be onerous to search out presents for aspiring writers. There are a number of apparent decisions (and we’ll speak about these later), however in terms of writing, there’s actually not a complete lot of fabric required—you want a pen and paper. Possibly a pc, if typing is your jam. Possibly a keyboard, if you wish to be fancy about it.
Presents for Aspiring Writers
However if you wish to present your like to an aspiring author with a stellar present that indicators your assist—that may be onerous. Like, actually onerous. Particularly as a result of a lot of writing is deeply private, and a lot of the specifics can fluctuate in terms of style.
So, what do you get for the aspiring author in your life? Or if you’re the aspiring author in somebody’s life, what do you ask for?
On this article, I’m going to cowl some nice, distinctive presents for aspiring writers that gained’t wind up accumulating mud in some forgotten closet. Let’s get began!
#1 – Writing Software program
Whereas it’s attainable to make do with a pocket book or free software program like Google Docs, there are many writing software program choices obtainable for writers trying to optimize the expertise of writing itself. These softwares will assist writers maintain their work organized by giving them locations to categorize details about character, plot, and setting.
Writing software program will even make it extremely simple for writers to format their very own work, whether or not they’re formatting their novels for self-publication or formatting them to ship in for querying.
Listed below are a number of software program choices that aspiring writers will love:
Scrivener ($59.99)
LivingWriter ($9.99/mo)
Microsoft Phrase ($130)
And, in case your aspiring author writes fantasy, they’ll love WordAnvil, which is software program designed to assist with worldbuilding.
#2 – Journals—Critically
It may appear too apparent to get a author a journal, however writers can by no means have sufficient notebooks. Listed below are a number of choices:
Spiral-bound single-subject college-ruled notebooks
You don’t must spend a ton of cash to get a author a great pocket book. Just a few easy college-ruled notebooks like this may undoubtedly be helpful, and you will discover them nearly wherever. These are nice so as to add to a author bundle together with a scented candle or tea sampler!
Leuchtturm1917 Dominated Pocket book
For a extra luxurious writing expertise, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with a hardcover pocket book like this. The dominated possibility is nice, but when your aspiring author has huge handwriting or usually prefers to have extra inventive freedom with their work, the dotted model of this pocket book is likely to be higher for them.
Rediform Chemistry Lab Pocket book
These easy college-ruled notebooks have numbered pages, which is ideal for an organized author. They’re conveniently sized and ideal for jotting down no matter involves thoughts—these are good to hold round all day.
Leonard Pocket book from Bull & Stash
In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing extra high-end that your author can use without end, go for a pocket book with a high quality cowl and refillable pages. The refills imply that writers can order recent paper (which is way cheaper than changing your complete journal) and maintain utilizing the unique cowl.
#3 – Books About Writing
Aspiring writers are sometimes hungry for steerage on writing, and so they’re usually (clearly) large followers of books. So what could possibly be higher than a ebook about easy methods to write? I’ve bought a listing right here of choices which are good for starting writers.
Thanks, However This Isn’t For Us: A (Type Of) Compassionate Information to Why Your Work is Being Rejected by Jessica Web page Morrell
Morrell is a writing coach, developmental editor, and writing teacher, and this ebook is a gold mine of invaluable info. I’d been writing for years earlier than I got here throughout this ebook, and I realized so much. Morrell addresses frequent writerly pitfalls and explains easy methods to right them in a manner that’s accessible and infrequently very humorous.
On Writing by Stephen King
That is usually pointed to because the ebook about writing, and for those who’ve learn no different ebook in regards to the craft, you’ve most likely learn this one. It was assigned in my inventive writing seminar course in faculty. Stephen King shares recommendation from a protracted, difficult profession, and even for those who’re not a author, it’s an enchanting learn.
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Save the Cat! The Final Guide on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Want by Blake Snyder has lengthy been established as a basic of the ‘easy methods to write’ style, and now Random Home has an version of it meant particularly for novelists. In case your aspiring author is a screenwriter, go for Snyder’s version, and in the event that they’re a novelist, take a look at Brody’s.
Chicken by Chicken: Some Directions on Writing and Life by Anne Lammott
This ebook is praised as a totally trustworthy information to not solely writing itself, however the life-style which accompanies writing. In order for you a information that’s truthful in regards to the course of and likewise affords perception from somebody who’s been doing this for a very long time, look no additional.
#4 – Tea/Cocoa/Espresso provides
Writers are famously fussy, as a lot as they may attempt to deny it, and also you’d be hard-pressed to search out many writers who don’t have rituals surrounding their work. And central to many writers’ course of is a comfy beverage—this is likely to be a cocktail, a cup of one thing heat, or a can of their favourite soda. If you wish to assist out the author in your life, however you don’t know a lot about writing, right here’s easy methods to assist:
DIY Scorching Cocoa Combine
You will get your author a giant tin of scrumptious scorching cocoa combine from the shop and it will likely be warmly, gratefully acquired. However if you wish to go the additional mile, strive making a scorching cocoa combine from scratch! I like to recommend together with this in that bundle thought I discussed earlier—put this in a basket with a scented candle and a pleasant pocket book and also you’ve bought a author equipment!
Tea Sampler and Infuser
Does your aspiring author love tea? A lot of them do. In the event you don’t know what sort of tea they love, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with a sampler (and, in fact, a cute infuser to maintain them firm whereas they’re engaged on their subsequent masterpiece).
Superior Espresso Membership
You’d be hard-pressed to discover a author who doesn’t have a mild-to-severe caffeine drawback, or at the very least a deep love of espresso. The Superior Espresso Membership, based by the Inexperienced brothers, affords scrumptious espresso that’s ethically sourced. Right here’s the quote from their website: “Sourcing companions work immediately with small farmers’ collectives to make sure that your espresso will not be solely good for the growers but in addition farmed with a deal with regenerative agriculture.” In case your aspiring author is a nerdfighter or one who usually cares about moral consumption of scrumptious espresso, ship a bag of espresso to them for Christmas.
#5 – Writing utensils
Like notebooks, this may seem to be a no brainer, however once more, writers do require countless writing provides. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to know what your author’s favourite form of pen or pencil is for on a regular basis use, organize them a giant field in order that they by no means run dry. In the event you’re unsure, don’t fear: I’ve bought a listing right here of various choices.
Sharpie S-Gel Retractable Gel Pen
For an reasonably priced, on a regular basis pen, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with the S-Gel. I exploit these on a regular basis and don’t personally discover a whole lot of bleeding like I do with different gel pens. The writing is extremely clean, the pen is comfy to carry—you’ll be able to’t go mistaken.
Parker Jotter Stainless Metal CT Pen
At $20, that is your good mid-range pen. You will get ballpoint and gel variations of it, and the all-metal basic design makes it look simply as luxurious because it feels to write down with.
rOtring 600 Ballpoint Pen or Mechanical Pencil
One other nice price range possibility is that this ballpoint pen, lauded for its sturdiness, clean design, and, in fact, clean writing. In case your author prefers pencils to pens, strive the rOtring mechanical pencil for an upgraded writing expertise. Reviewers say that the colour wears off, revealing the brass beneath, and this lends it kind of a worn-in, private element.
#6 – Native ebook retailer present card
Like I mentioned earlier than, any given author is certain to be a reader (or at the very least they need to be!). If you realize sufficient about their style in books to choose up a particular ebook out of your native bookstore, good! If not, there’s no want to stress—you’ll be able to nonetheless get them the present of an exquisite new ebook.
Try your native bookstore and get them a present card. You may as well get them an Amazon present card in case your metropolis doesn’t have a neighborhood bookstore, however native bookstores have that non-public, particular contact that writers love. Not solely are you giving them the prospect to purchase no matter ebook they need, however you’re giving them the prospect to wander via a bookstore for a day. For a author, that’s, nicely, Christmas!
This can be a nice present by itself, or toss it into that bundle with the cocoa combine and pack of pens.
#7 – On-line writing programs
Books about writing and on-line content material about writing are nice locations for writers to get details about steerage on their craft, however the reality is, many writers are determined for personalised suggestions. Even for those who’re one of many fortunate few writers who has a cherished one keen to learn your work, the probabilities of that cherished one having professional-grade suggestions are slim to none.
Writing programs supply writers the prospect to really get skilled suggestions on their work. They could be a complete game-changer, and the recommendation they get in these programs can assist them for the remainder of their lives.
No huge deal!
Right here’s a number of on-line programs for starting writers. Try the Coursera descriptions linked beneath for extra details about pricing, time to finish, and details about for whom the courses are supposed.
Coursera Writing Specialization by Wesleyan College
Fiction Writing Degree 1 by the Gotham Writers Workshop
Artistic Writing 101 by Author’s Digest College
One other Concept
Is the aspiring author in your life all in favour of writing a ebook? They gained’t need to miss this ebook define template: