I think my family avoids asking me what I want for my birthday or any holiday. I would hate to ask. My usual reply is a shrug and, “Surprise me.” I really do love surprises, but like anyone else, there are things I would love to have, and a few things I just can’t get enough of. For the benefit of our loved ones’ sanity, I’ve compiled this handy-dandy wish list for writers. Please feel free to add to it in the comments section.
Snoopy’s Guide to the Writing Life. (This one’s at the top of my list.)
A massage session
Gift certificates to a bookstore or office supply store
Journals
New laptop
Dinner Out. (We need to get out in the so-called “real” world once in a while.)
A Writers’ Retreat
Yoga classes
Journal or magazine subscription
Craft books (Feed our addiction.)
Snacks
Timer for writing sprints
Pay for an online writing course
Flash drives
Mini voice recorder.
Membership fees to groups like RWA
Chocolate
Booze (Yes!)
Canisters of your writer’s favorite coffee, tea, etc.
E-book readers
Comfort clothes
A kid-free afternoon if the writer is a parent. (Trust me, this is our version of utopia.)
Programs like Scrivener (Help a writer get organized.)
A vintage typewriter
Manicure
A lap desk
Music
Clever bookends
Coffee mugs, cool pens, dry-erase boards,printer paper, and ink cartridges are always a good bet.
Books in your writer’s genre
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Sarah Marie
May 4, 2012 at 6:59 am
I’m what you call “straight edge,” so I don’t drink. But other than that, this is almost spot on!
I think I would add “Old, pretty books that smell delicious.” I’d like to show off all my cool books between my clever bookends (whenever I get clever bookends).
Tonia Marie Houston
May 4, 2012 at 2:06 pm
I love that you brought up how wonderful old books smell. That’s one of my favorite memories, being surrounded by that in the library. Better than a bakery.
Ofcourse, we must have cool books to put between clever bookends. Thank you, Sarah Marie, for dropping by.
bwtaylor75
May 4, 2012 at 7:52 am
How about a new bookcase? And by comfy clothes, you mean pajama pants, right?
Probably the warm, fuzzy ones!
Tonia Marie Houston
May 4, 2012 at 2:09 pm
LOL. I shall forever be known by my love for pajama pants.
Book cases–I’ll add those along with the old books.
Jani
May 4, 2012 at 9:32 am
I’m sticking this list up where everybody can see it. Thanks for putting it together, Tonia. Know what would be a great gift? Having somebody forcibly take the internet away from you for a few hours so that you just write/rewrite/revise/edit.
Tonia Marie Houston
May 4, 2012 at 2:12 pm
My husband would only be too happy to comply with that one, haha. I’m getting better via a rewards system involving chocolate and Mad Men.
Heather Reid
May 4, 2012 at 9:59 am
Love this list! I’m giving i to all may family members for my birthday
Tonia Marie Houston
May 4, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Glad you like it, Soul Sistah.
vaughnroycroft
May 4, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I can’t ask my wife for anything more. She’s already given me the greatest gifts a writer could ever ask for: inspiration, being a first reader, and–the greatest gift of all–supporting me so that I can pursue my dream. But I am saving my pennies, hoping Therese and Kathleen, the WU blog mamas, proceed with their plans for a WU writers’ retreat in upstate NY this fall.
Thanks, Tonia! Hoping you and all my writing tribe-mates get all the gifts on their wish list!
Tonia Marie Houston
May 4, 2012 at 2:16 pm
That is really beautiful. I just read your post on woman warriors in fantasy, and the dedication to your wife teared me up a little. I’m thankful for what my husband does for me every day. He doesn’t always “get” the process, but he listens with an open mind and once in a while he’ll take the kids off my hands just so I can write. How cool is that?
Let us know about the retreat, that would be amazing. I wouldn’t be able to go this year, but it’s an event worth saving up for.
vaughnroycroft
May 4, 2012 at 2:30 pm
We’re lucky to have them, aren’t we, Tonia? I’m honored that you were moved by my tribute to my own kickarse warrior woman. Thanks for reading.
Will do, on the retreat!
Jamie Raintree
May 4, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Anything off the NaNoWriMo website! Of course…I don’t think anyone in my family knows how to spell NaNoWriMo….
Rebecca
May 6, 2012 at 6:42 pm
I actually read this post just a little after you posted it and I’ve been thinking about it. You offered some really great ideas and while there’s nothing I need, I think I want almost everything you listed. My most recent “writerly” purchase was a Superman t-shirt. It’s my lucky writing shirt now and the best part? It works!
Courtney Koschel
May 9, 2012 at 6:01 am
I love these ideas. I did something like this around Christmas, and I had so much fun doing it. My husband got me this amazing necklace for Christmas. It’s the definition of the word “Writer” under a magnifying glass. I love it. He also bought me like six journals. I can never have enough journals. Fun post! Sorry I’ve been MIA, but I was at a writer’s retreat, and I highly recommend every writer go to one if you can. It would make a great gift!
Nicole L. Bates
May 12, 2012 at 6:41 am
Great list! It makes me laugh a little remembering a recent episode when I was standing in line at the bookstore with a big stack of books. The woman in front of me began to chat and I eventually revealed that it was my tenth wedding anniversary and my husband had given me a gift certificate to the bookstore. I said it with a big grin and she gave me an odd look. Her response was that he’d better take me to Hawaii to read the books
Not that I wouldn’t love that too, but for me the books were enough.