Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Gift Ideas for Writers

For the past few years, I have celebrated my "birthday month".  One day never seems quite enough for such a momentous occasion, at least not until it becomes a national holiday.  Fortunately, this year some of you may get time off since it is Election Day, and if you do, think of it as a trial run for when we have a three-day weekend to celebrate Donna's Day. 

And lest it seems I am being overly greedy with an entire month rather than one measly day, consider this:  you don't have to buy my present for a specific day that might be inconvenient for your schedule.  YOU HAVE ALL MONTH! 

So what presents do you get for a writer? 

Well, besides the obvious gift this year – an e-reader – here are a few things you might want to consider when it's time for your Birthday Month.

1)      Bookstore gift cards – No matter how many books a writer owns – it's never enough.  A writer lusts after books, whether it's the ones they can't have, or the ones that got away.  They need to read them as research for a book they're writing, or as market comparison for their genre.

Reading also consoles a writer when their own writing isn't going well, and it fills their writer's soul when they're exhausted from pouring words onto the page.

Sure, writers can go to the library, and we do – but it's just one more deadline to keep track of.  (Somebody should invent a prepaid library-fine card—talk about an awesome gift for writers.  I know I could use a few *cough* hundred *cough* of these.)

The gift card also benefits bookstores, which means your one gift does double duty, supporting writers, booksellers, and heck, the entire economy.   Now that's a gift!

2)       More time to write – Right now I have the opportunity to write at whatever time of day pleases me.  But it hasn't always been that way, and it may not stay that way.  Too many writers try to squeeze writing in at the end of an exhausting day (been there), or they attempt to get up at an hour when us nightowls are finally calling it quits (done that).

When someone says, "I don't know what to get you for your birthday", ask for a set amount of time to be free of your duties, to your kids, your mate, your housework tasks.  I'm serious.  Tell them you want to put writing at the top of your Absolutely Must Do list.  It doesn't matter that you think of it as a treat, not a chore.  Do what you have to do to receive this gift.  Hopefully it'll be wrapped up in Peace and Quiet, and be tied with a big pretty bow made of Guilt-B-Gone.

But for those of you who insist on believing you couldn't, or shouldn't, ask for something like this, I would like to remind you of a couple of things.  One, it removes a lot of burden from the gift-buying members of your inner circle.  They've known you a long time and it's getting harder to find a gift for you.  They're stressed trying to find something you MIGHT like, so they finally just grab something.  Then you're stressed because you have to take that sucker back while pretending you kept it and love it. . .So skip that step.  Remove the stress, for both of you, and get something you really want.

Two, if you don't let everyone know how important your writing time is, they won't know how important your writing time is.  This is a good way to let them understand writing is more than that little thing you do once you're done taking care of everyone else's needs.  You're not being selfish.  You're giving your loved ones a genuine opportunity to expand their compassionate nature.

3)      Writers' get-together – Yes, we get together online every day and yak and chatter and gab and you'd think that would be PLENTY, especially for people who profess to like their characters way more than the folks they see in real life.

But sometimes you need to see writer friends IN PERSON, to talk about books you've read, books you NEED to read, books that make you want to quit writing, and books you're going to buy with your new gift cards.  It's deeply soul-satisfying to talk to writers who empathize with how hard it can be to write, and how much harder it is to NOT write. 

Maybe a writer's get-together could be an afternoon at a coffee shop if you're lucky enough to have writer friends nearby.  Or maybe it's something bigger, like a local RWA conference.  Or even Nationals.

This is a gift that most people will not ask for, because "it's too expensive".   If your best friend wanted a writers' get-together more than anything else in the world, would you try to give it to them?  Then why not give it to yourself?   This is also a gift for your friends, who will be thrilled at the opportunity to hang out with YOU.  So if you don't meet with them, NOW who is being selfish?

Discover what inspires you in the great times, and keeps you going through the tough times—whatever it is, THAT is the perfect gift.   Then, ask for it, or get it for yourself.  You, and your writing, deserve nothing less.

I'd love to hear your writerly gift ideas—the ones you've received, or gifts you plan on giving, or even things you want to add to your wish list.  Inspire us!

81 comments:

2nd Chance said...

Last night my Mom asked for ideas for Steph and I for Christmas and I just went blank. I thought of what I could really use...cardboard mailers for giveaways...a gift card for postage...a maid. No, let's be honest, a clutter specialist.

If I had a clutter specialist come in and help me cull the stuff and clear some space and give me a real organized table to gather stuff for the conventions, the give aways...a place to write even, at home!

Sigh.

But I love the idea of a get-together with another writer. I do it every few months with my friend, Pat and those days are really precious.

When it comes to giving, I loved doing the steampunk hat for Terri and the buttons. I love pulling something themee out of a book and make something special for them.

Quantum said...

I was listening to a radio discussion yesterday concerning e-books and public libraries. I normally just buy my e-books, but it seems that I can now download from a public library, for free. The book self-destructs after thirty (I think) days, so would be perfect for Sin.

If I were a published author I would be constantly downloading my own books, boosting lending statistics, and leaving the e-reader in prominent places for visitors to 'casually pick up'.

Think of the power at your finger tips though. Access to the National Lending Library or access to the Science Museum Library or Access to the National Geological museum library or ......

For your birthday Donna, I would get you an e-library ticket. Something you could treasure for life with access to all the craft books you could possibly desire and with built in dead lines for self destruction to get you well trained. 8)

I would also get something rather special to surprise you ... and load it on the e-reader that comes with the ticket. :wink:

No need to tell me how wonderful I am.
I will be expecting my reward in Heaven. :D

Donna said...

Chance, I would love to borrow your clutter specialist when you're done! I feel like a clutter magnet sometimes -- there's all kinds of little doodads that you don't know what to do with, but hate to get rid of. . .LOL Then they start reproducing while you sleep!

I know how much Terri loved that hat, so that is a perfect gift -- along with the buttons you make for everyone. You're a natural gift-giver for writers!

Marnee said...

Dues money. My mom pays for my RWA dues every year as a birthday present. She'zs the one who suggested it 4 years ago when I started on this journey. She also paid for me to enter the GH the one year I entered.

Donna said...

Q, you are a devilish one -- so I'm not sure about your reward being in Heaven. LOL But hey, how many pirates are in Heaven anyway? You'd get lonely (especially when we aren't there!)

I love the idea of the e-library ticket! Although I'm already trembling at the thought of the aversion therapy it would use for deadline training. Eeek.

I know some libraries around here have been lending e-books, with the same 14 days as for print books, but I haven't done it since I don't have an e-reader (yet!) I love the idea of boosting your own statistics! I'll have to wait til e-readers are less expensive before I leave them out and about. . .

I'm thrilled with the books and information I have access to right now on the internet, but it would be amazing to have even more available via e-reader. Too exciting!

Donna said...

Marn -- that's an excellent suggestion! I'm adding that to the list too. Is she paying for this year's GH? :) (I haven't decided yet if I'm doing it.)

Bosun said...

I love the hat! And the buttons, except now I have about a million of them and I have to pack them somewhere. LOL! I've cut the clutter a lot, but as I'm packing I'm finding a pen here and some bookmarkers there and a nail polish over there. You'd think these things would have a home and not be placed willly nilly around my house.

I take care of all my own presents. It's how I got an iPod (and the replacement iPod), a cool phone, a car and now a house. Mayhaps I shouldn't try to top the house.

Hellion said...

Man, I would *love* if someone paid my RWA dues every year! *LOL* Besides me, of course. Of course, then I'd feel more pressure to actually do something about it...but whatever.

And I love the idea of a writer get-together. I miss my writer get-togethers. *sighs longingly* I can't remember when I last had one. *calls out* SIN!? When did we meet? Do you remember?

We should have a pirate get-together. On SquawkRadio, the blog that started all the writing blogs, those writers would have a writers' retreat, just of themselves, and they'd slumberparty in some cabin, eat a bunch of junk food, and plot out books and throw around ideas. They called it "Plotting in the Wild". It just sounded like a great way to be inspired and hang out with people who got you...while not paying $500 for a conference and being mauled by thousands of people.

Bosun said...

My trips to Nationals are definitely the best present I give myself each year. But I'd bend over backwards to make a Pirate Retreat happen. Gosh, that would be amazing. Maybe we could find some cabin in a central location. Something with all the amenities, of course.

Donna said...

Hellie, I was actually thinking (enviously) of you and Sin and your get-togethers, but it sounds like it's been too long since the last one.

I would LOVE a Pirate Retreat -- definitely with amenities, since I'm such a Princess nowadays about my comfort. LOL It sounds like so much fun though, because nobody else *gets* writers like other writers.

Hellion said...

Well, technically since 2nd is West Coast and Donna is East Coast (as are you), *I* am centrally located. Though it would be best to pick either KC or St Louis, then find a cabin close to there since that is where people would fly to.

I'm not against flying to a beach though. I hear St. Petersburg FL is very pretty.

Bosun said...

This is true. I'd fly to St. Louis. But I think our reproducing twins are going to have a tough time getting away/making the trip. LOL!

Donna said...

Terri, I think I've procured a lot of my own "presents". It's part of my "if it's delayed, it's not gratification" philosophy. LOL

Although I remember being told how EASY it was to buy gifts for me. :) So I don't want to take that joy away from anyone!

Bosun said...

Wouldn't it make more sense if we had a Pirate Retreat on a BOAT? Is this the off-peak season for cruise ships?

Donna said...

You're right about a boat being the logical choice for a Pirate Retreat. LOL I get a little nervous when I hear "cabin". :) Maybe we'll have to define the word first. LOL

Hal said...

A boat!!!! Dude, we could all go on a cruise. How much fun would that be?

Hal said...

oh jeez. Reproducing twins? lol. Yeah, I vote that since so many of us are on this nifty little East Coast corridor, that we do something on the beach :) (Though it'd be totally cool to have a pirates retreat anywhere. That'd be a blast.)

Marnee said...

I'm not sure about the other half of our pirate production team but I'm probably out until my littlest is bigger.

Maybe a conference though? Nationals is a bit cost prohibitive but maybe a different one?

Marnee said...

Speaking of conferences, I want to make NJ RWA next year. Any takers?

Hal said...

we could throw a pirate party!

Marnee said...

Do I have to wear an eye patch? I gotta warn you, I have astigmatism in one eye and near-sightedness in the other. It's already a trial to walk straight without falling like a weeble-people.

Donna said...

Marn, I went to the NJRWA a couple years ago and thought it was great -- I was actually surprised at how BIG it was. I really enjoyed it though.

If we try to have a pirate party at a conference, we'd have to have a day before or after, right? Unless we got rowdy and they kicked us out of the conference, and then we'd have plenty of time to do pirate things. LOL

Marnee said...

I was surprised how big it was too. Hal and I went last year. We had a ball.

Donna said...

It's not TOO far from me, so I'll pencil it in on my agenda. Then, if I have something besides red ink in my checkbook, it could be a go! LOL

Plus, how could I not see you being a Weeble Pirate? LOL

Hal said...

Yeah I loved it. It's not so big it's overwhelming (I'm overwhelmed by Nationals, at least *g*), but it's big enough to have a lot going on. And with it being so close to New York, they pull some pretty good agents and editors.

Hellion said...

Is this the off-peak season for cruise ships?

Actually the best time to take a cruise trip is January. Cheapest time of year, right after the holidays when everyone is broke and they're itching for people to buy-buy-buy. Of course, if we did that, I'd need a passport...and I don't have one.

I love boats, but a cruise ship would be one big party and no writing discussion. I vote Florida Keys, a cabin, and some margaritas.

Donna said...

I love boats, but a cruise ship would be one big party and no writing discussion.

Mmm, sounds like we might need an HOA for the pirate get-together. LOL Does it count if we TALK about writing while we're doing the macarena and sipping mojitos?

I get nervous every time you say the word "cabin". LOL Tell me what the cabin has, just to ease my worries.

Hellion said...

A cabin would have to have electricity, a functional kitchen, running water, and working toilets. It likely wouldn't have TV or cable. It wouldn't have internet service, most like. (But perhaps depends on the cabin. Around here, you could get a cabin with the water, toilets, and electricity, but not with the internet.)

Considering how little we get done with the internet on a daily basis, I'd think lack of internet service would be the first thing we should look for in a cabin.

Hal said...

how likely is a hot tub in a cabin?

Hellion said...

Are you expecting hotties with this cabin? Is that why we're looking for a hot tub? Maybe we should shoot for a condo--don't they sometimes come with hot tubs--and they'd be less rustic than a cabin.

Hal said...

well, I wouldn't turn down hotties, but I wasn't really expecting them to join us :) I just figure....if you're gonna go on a pirate retreat, you should have a hot tub. Right? lol.

Bosun said...

By cabin I mean all the things Hellie mentions but with internet maybe. I know it's a long shot but I can dream. Maybe I could get an air card. You never know when our plotting discussion will lead to a question and we'll need google.

I could go for a hot tub. Especially if there are steps in the cabin. I'll need a hot tub for my knees. LOL!

Are hotties an option? Seriously? I'm thinking us single pirates would have the better end of that deal.

Donna said...

Wow, I love the wish list we've got here! :) I think a hot tub would be an excellent idea, because after all that brainstorming, we'll need a way to relax.

I can see the value of NOT having internet -- although it IS hard to go without (it can be done, as I had to do recently, but the withdrawal symptoms can be tough the 1st couple of days! LOL)

Maybe we could have some Hotties come in for massages? All that writing stuff is gonna cramp some muscles!

Bosun said...

I have the perfect retreat idea. A B&B on the Eastern Shore. (Hal, you can thank me later.) These places are awesome, one has a spa and another wifi throughout the house. Wrap around porches, Victorian furnishings, and they'd FEED us.

Seriously, this is perfect.

I'd consider the NJRWA next year. That was my first conference back in '07 and I loved it. Since it's a time when kiddo is here and in school, consider me a maybe.

Bosun said...

Dudes, this is it.

http://www.bookloversbnb.com/

Hal said...

Wow!!! That would be SO cool! (and, it's like, 10 minutes from my house *g*)

Bosun said...

I know! I want the Jane Austen room. LOL! Really, we need to work on this. Heck, I might just take a weekend up there for the hell of it.

Donna - Did you see there's a new NOOK that has COLOR?! You might need to move this thing to the top of your list.

Donna said...

Wow, that is awesome. I might have to wrestle you for the Jane Austen room though. It's so beautiful. Wonder if there's a Mr. Darcy that comes with it. LOL

I saw that about the new Nook. I think I'm still leaning towards the Sony though. I don't know -- I'm waiting for the dust to settle, but it seems they keep kicking up even MORE dust! LOL

I need more money. And/or a Sugar Daddy.

Bosun said...

I hear Mr. Darcy has a good income.

I'm off to Tarjay.

Donna said...

Waaait! I didn't finish my shopping list yet.

And Mr. Darcy's income is only good if I time travel or they adjust it for inflation. LOL Either one works for me.

Bosun said...

Sorry, this was a "mark off things for the new house" shopping spree. Crossed off a good number of things. And added at least four to the wish list. That damn wish list is getting longer by the minute!

2nd Chance said...

Wow, nice B&B. All I ask is enough time to book a cheap flight...

And a promise that once we're all published and doing well, you all come my way for a retreat.

Though a cruise would be loverly...

Donna said...

What an odd day this is turning out to be. LOL I need to go read my horoscope!

Di R said...

Donna~ Happy Early Birthday!!

I love this blog. Tomorrow is my birthday and next weekend I'm going to a writer's retreat.

The first conference I ever went to was NJ's. It was amazing. I had a blast and learned a lot.
Nationals was great, but I don't think I ever quite got over being in shock that I was actually there.

That B&B looks divine. *sigh*

Di

Even meeting the Bo'sun, and Chance, I was so nervous, I was afraid to say much for fear of sounding like an idiot. Oh, well. The first one in under my belt and I'm

Bosun said...

And you're what?! LOL! Now you have me curious.

I'm glad you found me and we got to meet. I'm sure I talked enough that you figured it would be easier to stay quiet. I'm terrible about that.

I was starry-eyed in San Fran - my first Nationals. Then in DC I kind of got my feet under me. This was the first year I really felt like I had some clue what I was doing. LOL!

Di R said...

*I'm looking forward to the next one in NYC.

That post is not at all in the order I wrote it. Ugh!

Di

2nd Chance said...

Seems to me I was uber grumpy at the lunch we met at, so... I always make lousy first impressions! It's a given!

But yer right, once that is outta the way...

What turned your day strange, Donnaroo!?

Donna said...

Wow, Di -- now that's a cliffhanger! *chews fingernails* Hope you're okay!

And Happy Birthday to you! Sounds like you've got a great birthday weekend of fun. I'm envious. :)

I don't have any plans yet for my birthday, but, I do have all month! LOL (It's easier for us that have b'days at the beginning of the month.)

I would have been more quiet when I was younger, but nowadays I talk plenty. LOL Just warning you guys. :)

Donna said...

I got a call from a guy I haven't heard from in many many moons. Not sure what I'm supposed to do about it. LOL And I'm trying to concentrate on something Christine asked me to send when I talked to her earlier today. So I should get to work on that! But I'm puzzled about the call. . .

Bosun said...

What did your horoscope say about this call? LOL! I read your comment and went to read my own horoscope. It said be brave and I was about to do something really new. Well, duh. It's called BUYING A HOUSE. I think the horoscope people have been following me here.

Oh, looking forward to NYC. Me too! I am SO excited. Never been there. Must take in a show. And walk around Manhattan. Kiddo says I can only get in cabs that are minivans so I have a better shot of getting on Cash Cab. :)

2nd Chance said...

OH, snap! You, me and however many pirates we can fit into the Cash Cab...would be hilarious!

Well, Donna...what the guy want? ;-)

Donna said...

I have never HEARD of Cash Cab -- so somebody needs to fill me in. LOL

He wanted to catch up, and wanted me to come visit the restaurant he recently opened. He started out asking how things were going with my books, so he gets points for that. LOL

2nd Chance said...

Sounds like a good place to go have one of your birthday lunches...

Cash Cab is on...geez. Discovery Channel? This guy drives a cab in NYC, if you get in he quizzes you on the way to your destination. And if you get the right answers, you win cash! You get a shout out for help, three chances at getting things wrong and at the end of yer journey, a chance to double yer cash or lose it all... A game show. In a cab.

So, if November be yer birthday month, do I get December? At least the first three weeks, I'll abandon the rest to the normal merriment of the season...

2nd Chance said...

OMG! I forgot! My newspaper featured a cookbook, I just know Hellion must want if she dont have it already... The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook!

Bosun said...

She already ordered it! LMAO! Do we know her or what?!

Bosun said...

Yet another reason it sucks to be born on the last day of the month. As if it also being the last day of the year wasn't bad enough.

What Chance said about the Cash Cab. The questions aren't stupid simple, but a few of us writers going enough blocks could walk away with a grand easy.

Chance - the only thing I remember about my first impression of you was that you looked scared. But I have that effect on a lot of people so I didn't think twice about it. :)

2nd Chance said...

HA! Well, we'll all expect something baked from it at this writer's get together...

2nd Chance said...

You know, the one we'll win the money for from the Cash Cab...

*echo

*echo

*echo

Donna said...

Chance, come check out the latest comment on my blog. :)

Donna said...

Actually, the second to the latest. LOL

Hellion said...

Yes, we all know me so well. My order status says I should get it mid-November. One of the things I want to make is Harry's favorite dessert, Treacle Tart, but you have to find something called Golden Syrup, which would be difficult for me to find around here. I think my nearest British specialty shop is 1 1/2 hours away in St. Charles, and no guarantee this is one of the items they'd carry. Hmmm. Bah.

Donna said...

Hellie, can you order it online? Without it being prohibitively expensive? One of our grocery stores actually carries some British stuff -- I'll look and see if they have any I could send you. :)

2nd Chance said...

Ah, shucks! That was nice of her! :-) ;-) ;-)

Hellion...maybe ya can gets it mail order? Or ask Q to ship ya some???

Donna said...

Drinks! *taps Chance on the head* We said it at the same time. LOL

I thought that was nice of your Executive Editor too. :)

2nd Chance said...

Well, I have been plying her with flattery this morning...

2nd Chance said...

Donna - I figure we pick a winner when you post a new blog???

Hellion said...

I've looked online. It's the shipping costs that's amazing. *LOL*

2nd Chance said...

Would the store that is 90 minutes away from you be willing to ship???

Donna said...

Chance, you're a smart one -- it's always good to ply the boss with flattery. LOL

I've got a new post on Friday, so that could be a great time to pick a winner!

Donna said...

Hellie, I'm not surprised the shipping costs are high. Mmm. I'll try to remember when I'm at the store to look for it. I could always send you some books along with it (if they have it!) to make the trip to the post office worthwhile! LOL

Hellion said...

No, no, no, guys I love you, but my bitching about the absence of treacle was not to get you all to ship it to me. *LOL* It was a bid to get you to invite me to your house to visit and then I'll just bring it home with me. That way, I get a trip to a big city AND treacle. Clearly more cost effective to just order online already, but I'd get to see stuff this way.

Hellion said...

I'm going to also look at my local Schnuck's, because sometimes they're a little weird and carry some of this high end stuff. They may surprise me by having some.

I was also complaining that this economy has run out the ONLY British foods store we had in this town. It was located downtown (prime real estate) but it was downstairs and in a hole, so no one ever really remembered it was there! *sighs* I loved that store.

2nd Chance said...

Do you have a Cost Plus anywhere? They stock a lot of British foodstuffs.

Donna said...

Excellent strategy, Hellion! LOL I heartily approve!

I think there used to be a British foods store here because I remember seeing the sign with a British flag on it, but I guess it didn't have enough customers because it's been gone for a while. I remember going to one in Maine too -- don't know if it's still there -- might be worth a trip up there too, especially to gorge on lobster. LOL

Bosun said...

I've never seen a British foods store. Except maybe in the UK section of Epcot. But some stores here have weird food sections so I'll keep a look out as well.

What exactly are we looking for again?

Hellion said...

I have a feeling I'm going to finally bake this freaking tart and I'm going to go: "It's like pecan pie without the pecans." And then I'm going to be ticked.

Hellion said...

Lyle's Golden Syrup. (I would also like some Lyle's Treacle, which is a dark syrup, but the golden syrup is harder to find and harder to fake. You can sorta fake the dark treacle with some molasses.)

Donna said...

LOL -- I think I would rather have the pecan pie. Isn't treacle supposed to be wicked sweet?

Bosun said...

Didn't you just say you could substitute MOLASSES? I think that answers your question.

Hellion said...

Donna, not sure. Haven't had it before. I just want to make it because it's Harry's favorite dessert.

Hellion said...

Molasses for the BLACK treacle stuff. But for the treacle tart, it calls for GOLDEN SYRUP which cannot be replaced by molasses.