Author: Megan

The holidays are upon us, and if you’re like me, you’re scrambling to get a few ideas for the friends, in-laws and loved-ones on your list. On the flip side, when someone asks you for your wishes and wants, it can feel somewhat awkward to give them a list.

Whether you need a few Christmas gift ideas for writers in your life, or you’re the writer looking to give someone a few ideas, this post is for you.

8 Holiday Gift Ideas for Writers

Some of these ideas are perfect stocking stuffers or secret santa presents, while some are “I’ve-forgotten-the-last-3-birthdays-and anniversarys-and-I’m-making-up-for-it.” Hopefully you can find a few that fit your budget and personality!

1. A packet of really great pens. These make easy, practical stocking stuffers. My fav is the Pilot Precise V7, but there are a lot of great pens out there. Pay attention to how your friend or loved-one signs their receipts or writes in their planner; if they tend to favor one pen, that’s your go-to gift.
2. ‘Novel-Teas’ tea packets. For the tea-lover writer in your life, this is a perfect literary gift that can actually be consumed. Put it in a mug, and you’ve got a great little gift. (Pictured above)
3. A vintage typewriter. Cuz pretty much every writer wants one. Actual vintage can be expensive and might not work. So a hybrid between the two might be what you’re going for. This qwerkywriter keyboard looks vintage but can actually connect to a smart tablet!
4. A really great pocket notebook. Again, there are so many options out there. This Rite in the Rain pocket notebook is just one, but is pretty unique in that it’s waterproof–perfect for the writer inspired by nature or while in the bathtub.
5. A personalized leather journal. Not all writers like to journal, but the ones who do tend to cherish their journals and appreciate the kind of paper and quality of cover. To get started with your search, check out these personalized leather journals on etsy.

6. Gift cards. If you’re really in a bind or kind of a last-minute-louie, gift cards to Barnes & Noble, local bookstores or favorite coffee shops are always a welcomed surprise.
7. Ironic clothing. For the writer in your life with a sense of humor, these pencil scarves on etsy and these pencil socks from Modcloth are pretty much perfect.
8. ‘Writer’s block’ toolbox. This is a great gift idea for the aspiring writer or English/writing teacher. This little toolbox offers fun ways to keep the creative juices flowing and is getting great reviews on Amazon.

Add your idea!

I’m sure there are zillions more great ideas out there, so feel free to comment some of your own favorite gift ideas or past presents!

*originally posted on suzieruewrites.com

Fall gets us all dreaming again, but it also brings us back to the basics.  I loved what the other editors had to say about transitioning this fall and making time to write, remembering the importance of voice and the “class rules” of publishing.

When I think about this season of intense beauty and rapid change, I think of poetry. To me, there is no season so poetic as autumn. There is death, change and beauty all at once. And, of course, there are pumpkin drinks. 🙂

Now, let me be honest. A lot of poetry goes way over my head. I much prefer short stories, novels, even articles (at times) to poetry. But there are elements of this mysterious art that are absolutely essential to good manuscript writing–elements that are often missing from stories altogether.

Take a moment to look over these poetic elements to see if they are a part of your manuscript. If they’re not, don’t let your story sit another minute without them!

3 Elements of Poetry You Should Adopt

Sensory details/images — As MS writers, it’s easy to describe the way a place, person or object looks. However, we often leave out smells, sounds and touch. These other sensory details can really ground a moment in your story, make it unforgettable and even experiential for a reader. Do your descriptions make a reader smile, grimace, cover their mouth, even plug their noise? Watch someone read your writing; you’ll know whether or not you’re using great sensory details.

Metaphor— So many writers try to just kind of tip-toe by with a few lame metaphors. They might throw in a cliché simile once and a while, but good metaphor goes beyond “her hair was black as night.” Metaphor shouldn’t just link two similar things. At times, it should link two very diverse things. Sometimes it should surprise a reader; it should be visceral, memorable and unique. It might even link two different senses.

Pacing (Rhythm)— Good rhythm is essential in any poem, but it is also a key element of good story writing. Rhythm, or pacing as I prefer to call it, comes into play almost everywhere. Read aloud to see how quickly or slowly your dialogue is moving. Pay attention to the punctuation and physical space you use to slow down or pick up speed in a scene. Good pacing will be the difference between heart-quickening rising action and a climax that practically goes unnoticed.

How do you adopt said elements?

First, read. The best way to keep these elements in your writing is to put yourself around them. Find writers who clearly use these elements throughout their stories. Better yet, read poetry. Even if you don’t get it, you’re introducing yourself to new words, crazy (sometimes powerful) metaphor and carefully crafted pacing.

Second, scribble. Write down lines, metaphors and images that come to your mind throughout the day. If you’re driving and inspiration strikes, make a quick voice recording. Don’t let those moments slip by! If you come back to it and it’s garbage, no worries. It’s about putting poetic thinking/scribbling into your every day.

As an aspiring writer, it can be quite confusing to know what it actually takes to get your writing on someone else’s bookshelf (besides your Mom’s).

If you want to see your MS become a book someday, your scribbles a website or your jumbled thoughts a zine, you have to give it a chance instead of just leaving it to chance.

What you need next

Giving your work a chance means going through all the necessary steps. But maybe you’re just not sure what your next step should be. This quick guide is meant to help you discover what you need next–  beta reader, editor or agent– to help get your writing where you want it to go.

Find a beta reader when…

You’ve written something up. Abandoned it. Re-visited and re-vamped. Hemmed, hawed, edited and proofread. But not another set of eyes (besides maybe your mother’s) have seen what you’ve written. It’s time for some beta readers. Whether you ask for volunteers, offer some sort of incentive, or join a writing group, you’ll want some feedback even before your writing hits the editor’s desk.

Practical tips: Beta readers should be just the right mix of critical and encouraging, the people you can trust to be honest and objective. They should also be at least somewhat versed in the genre you’re writing in and excited about giving their input.

Hire an editor when…

You’ve gone through the beta-reader stage and done at least one revision on your own.  Keep in mind, that not all editors are created equal. Some are well-versed in helping develop your novel, some may be better at combing through and improving it line-by-line. A good editor, says Ashley of Brooks Editorial, will help you figure out just what it is that you need.

Practical tips: Ask for referrals from the editor your querying, or maybe even a free/ discounted 5-page edit to see there skills at work. If you don’t feel like the editor is working with you, then move on. Improving your MS should be a team effort and a positive experience.

Attract an agent when…

Well, this one can be tricky.  Even if you’ve been through the previous steps, you still might not be ready. When you’re looking for an agent, not only does your writing have to be edited, polished and attractive, but you need your ‘poop in a group.’

What is the ‘poop’ to which I refer? For starters, a query letter, synopsis of your story and probably a few example chapters ready to go. Make sure not to let this other stuff slip by without an editor’s eye as well!

Practical tips: Research agents to see what they look for to determine which agent might accept your MS. Know your MS. If it’s not mainstream, don’t go from the mainstream agents. Also, check out the fees. Most agents are paid on commission from your books sales (typically 15 percent) so upfront costs are usually  a red flag.

Obviously, this is not all there is to it. If you’re published or about to be, what did it take you to get there? We would love to hear your thoughts!

originally published on my blog on 8-7-15