It’s that time of year when we’re thinking about upcoming holidays and the people in our lives who love writing as much as we do. Critique partners, accountability chums, fellow scribblers in the trenches…this is a great time to give them a little something to show them how special they are to us, and to show support of their author goals.
This year we wanted to share a few of our favorite things because we think they’ll make great gifts. (A few are affiliate links, but we only suggest things we like and think you will too.) Enjoy!
Motivational Stickers
Imagine opening your laptop and seeing an inspiring quote that gets you all pumped up – that’s what these great little stickers do.
Check out the huge variety of stickers you can get from BiblioficDesigns!
A Portable Desk
Want to write on the couch, in bed, in the car or on the lounger in the backyard? Get this portable laptop desk.
I have one and use it all the time. I love being able to move around and find the best spot to inspire me as I work!
Yankee Candles
Becca loves certain things – her kids, cats, peanut butter protein shakes, and yes, Yankee Candles.
Candles are a big part of her writing routine, and she always has one burning when it’s time to work because it triggers her brain to get down to business. This is a great addition to any writer’s desk, and heck, they smell so good!
An Owl Mug
Look I’m not saying I have an owl addiction, but well, yeah, I have an owl addiction.
Owls are wise and make a great writerly mascot, so I think we both know you and every other writer need at least one mug…maybe two. And my goodness, look at this pair. I’m in love!
A Bestselling Writing Guide from Us!
By now, you likely know we’re the authors behind The Emotion Thesaurus and its many sibling guides. These books have helped writers all over the world brainstorm stronger description and master show-don’t tell, and we love creating them.
If you are new to these books, you pick your topic, and then dive in. You’ll learn how to write that subject better, be it emotions, setting, personality, conflict, etc., and brainstorming lists (the ‘thesaurus’ part) to give you endless ideas for fresh ways to describe that element in your story through show, not tell.
Not sure which book to get? Try the Emotion Thesaurus (Blue), which is the most popular volume, and helps you describe what your characters are feeling through body language, thoughts, visceral sensations, cues, & more. Or, choose the Conflict Thesaurus (Gold & Silver), which were our last two releases. You’ll love having so many possible conflict scenarios on tap to help you write fresh, intense fiction.
Literary Insults Poster
This poster was a birthday gift from my daughter-in-law, and I love it. It’s filled with great literary insults (that you can use, muahaha), so that’s fun, right?
It’s a neat collectable and conversation piece all in one, so frame this poster and then display it in your office with epic nerdy pride. I did!
A Weighted Blanket
Okay, this is a super thoughtful gift, because we all know writers keep odd hours and never get enough sleep. So, make sure your sleep is quality by wrapping yourself in a heavy, fuzzy blanket that applies just enough pressure to make all your anxiety slip away. I bought one a few years ago and have never slept better.
A Powerful Story Toolkit
There’s no better story support than One Stop for Writers. With its massive show-don’t-tell database, innovative story tools, and the Storyteller’s Roadmap, planning, writing, and revising becomes so much easier.
This is a game-changer for anyone who needs help writing stronger stories, and the subscriptions are very affordable.
We hope you enjoyed this list of our favorite writerly things! Hopefully this inspires some gift ideas. And remember, it’s okay to buy yourself a little something, too, or add these to your personal wish list!
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
I already have the portable desk. (You can buy it on Amazon Jemima) I don’t have the insult poster, but I have a cork board with a sheaf of rejection letters round the edges and my two acceptance letters in the middle does that count?
It counts if the acceptances are jeering the rejections, haha! I love how you are displaying these–such a great symbol for perseverance. Hard work pays off!
My husband gifted me last year at Christmas with the weighted blanket. Love Love Love it!
So terrific, right? I started to suffer from insomnia and wow did this blanket make a huge difference.
I love the idea of the portable desk but it seems to be unavailable. I posted a question asking if it can be adapted for left handed mouse. These designers need more feedback (which they’ve got from the reviews!)
Great idea, not yet there in execution, probably.
The insults posters will suit me just fine, though!
I’m sorry it wasn’t available. For me it says it was, but because I’m in Canada it switches me to that store. Whenever there’s something I like and it’s not in stock, I look at the items that other people look at who bought the item I wanted. I usually find a bunch of similar ones.
I know I have seen these desks that have the left-handed mouse pad. Don’t quote me, but I *think* I saw one in Best Buy a few years back? You could check their website, perhaps.
The Insult Poster is a great idea. Thank you. I’m giving one to my author friend who holds Erotica Writing meetings monthly. The other one is a gift to me.
Haha, awesome! I hope you (and your writer friend) love it! 🙂