Writer's Gift Wishlist
Samantha's Recs
I’ve been actively pursuing writer for over a decade and at this point, I like to think I’ve picked up a few things I like, I love, and I cannot do without.
Since the holidays are upon us and it can be hard to shop for the writers in your life, I thought I’d make a list of some of them to help you!
Below are a few writer goodies you can snag if you’re stuck on how to help your loved one/friend/spouse/etc. to get one step closer to their writing dreams.
*some of these links are affiliate links that, while not sponsored, I may receive a kickback when you use them.
For Writing:
A lot of things have changed over 10 years, but one of the things that hasn’t? Scrivener! Scrivener is a writing app designed specifically for novelists and screenwriters. While the functions seem endless, it’s also just a damn good blank page. I currently use this to revise since it easily keeps track of notes, characters, settings, plot lines, chapter completion, and can be broken up into pieces without copy and paste.
The standard license for Scrivener is $59.99 for windows or mac and is a lifetime purchase.
You can purchase it, here.
Every writer gets stuck. Seasoned writers, know a few tricks to get out of a rut without losing precious writing days. One of the ways I’ve found to do this is by using my Writer Emergency Pack or my Writing Prompt Dice.
Both of these help to kick off my brain and turn on my inspiration by throwing me out of my regular thought processes. They pose questions and force me to write new words that often lead to new ideas that fix whatever threw me off in the first place. More often than not, I just need to think out of the box and this forces me to ask questions I may not have before. And they’re perfect stocking stuffers!
Buy the Writer Emergency Pack here or the Writing Prompt Dice here.
Every writer loves a notebook. We hoard them like dragons. And while, I am absolutely NO exception, to this rule, there is a certain type of notebook I love more than others and that's stone paper ones. Living in the PNW we are prone to weather, but that's not the only thing it'll keep your precious writing from being washed away from. It also does wonders with coffee/tea/water spillage, pet slobber, that puddle you accidently dropped your bag in... you get the idea.
There are three brands I flit between to make sure my writing/notes stay in tact through the whole novel and those are:
Oxford Stone Paper Notebook, Large - this is a cost effective, larger option that I enjoy for drafting.
Rite in the Rain - these are smaller for easy on-the-go notetaking
Karst - More expensive but are the standard A5 size and come with gridline options.
I'm a cheap pen girl, so this may not be for every writer, but when I'm fast drafting or taking notes while my brain is going a mile a minute? I want a pen that will flow, not smear, be comfortable, and not have any skips. That means, ballpoint is the way to go and this pack has different colors so I can easily switch from plot to character to editing without breaking a sweat! The Pentel Stick ballpoints have been a must have on my desk for years. Get them here.
Craft Books & Workshops:
Every writer is continually honing their craft whether through events, classes, books, etc. Get the writer in your life the gift of craft which will pay dividends, year after year. Here are a few that I still turn to:
The Emotion Thesaurus: I keep this book next to me while I'm drafting, revising, and editing. It is a great refresher when they cannot tell the reader the MC smiled one more time.
The Anatomy of Story: John Truby breaks down the 22 steps it takes to become a master storyteller, which is practically the only guide they'll ever need. While this is heftier than most craft books I enjoy, it is thorough and after their first read-through they'll be able to go back to specific parts to up their game throughout the years.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: Save the Cat is one of the most notorious screenwriting books there is. And while great and adaptable, Jessica Brody has done the work for us novelists in this version of the classic. With templates and great essentials, this book is a one and done stop for novels. [if you're like me however, and like a quick craft read, the original Save the Cat is slimmer and just as formidable.]
If your writer is a romance writer, I would be remis not to include the best craft book on romance (IMO), Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. Quick, insightful, and easy to implement, this will have your writer publishing their first kissing book in no time.
Maggie Stiefvater is a New York Times bestselling author and has penned dozens of books that I love, so I tend to trust her opinion. As such, I highly suggest her 8 hour seminar on the creative writing process. It comes with notes & exercises as well as a complete digital download of the video transcript, all for $29. I took this years ago, and have continued to go back to it again and again.
Finally, I have a Voice of Poetry Workshop happening in January and gift certificates are currently on sale. The Voice of Poetry will help the writer in your life learn how to utilize poetic technique to create lush, lyrical prose, upping their novel into the stratosphere. Past students have called this 'insightful', 'career-changing', and 'uniquely fun'. Get the gift card here.
