More Gifts for Writers

Last year I posted some suggestions for what to buy the writers in your life (or hint at to the people shopping for you). This year I have some supplements to the list — just a few items I’ve come across that might make your favorite writer happy or inspire them or give their weary, creative minds a bit of a break. Happy shopping!

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Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks – I stumbled across these a couple of months ago. Not only are they nice sturdy, well made blank books, but they come with page numbers, which I love, sticky notes to help label your notes, and a few perforated pages at the back for when you need to pull out whatever you’ve scribbled. Like the Ecosystem notebooks I mentioned last year, these books have thick paper that stands up to fountain pen ink.

A beautiful fountain pen – There seems to be something of a resurgence in using fountain pens. I’m aware that they’ve never quite gone out of style, but I know several recent “converts,” as well as a few folks who tend to sing the praises of their pens quite enthusiastically, encouraging others to give them a try. They are particularly nice gifts when accompanied by a lovely journal.

Pimsleur language learning software – Learning a foreign language can help a writer gain greater appreciation for their own language, helps improve vocabulary, makes one more conscious of word choice and sentence rhythms, and is just plain fun. I’m a fan of the Pimsleur programs, but there are plenty of other options out there to choose from.

A web site – Newbie writer in your life? Help them get started with an author site by giving them a gift certificate for a year’s web hosting or the domain of their choosing.

Time – Know a writer with small children? Offer to take the kids off their hands for a Saturday afternoon so they can have a nice long writing block to themselves. Gift a homeowner with a few free weeks of a housecleaning service or lawn maintenance to free up their time to write instead.

Bookstore or literary tote bags – More and more people are taking their own reusable tote bags with them when they shop or run errands. Supply your favorite writer with a great washable bag to take to the bookstore, library, or even the grocery store.

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Books for Writers: Just a few titles I think are interesting or helpful.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

The Making of a Story by Alice LaPlante

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