So the holidays are coming up soon, and there are always birthdays and anniversaries and random acts of giftgiving that inspire me to ask: What are some good gifts for writers? What is a great gift that you once received, or that you've always wanted to receive, that could inspire your writer soul? What is a gift that you've given to a friend or family member who likes to write?
For example:
My family always discouraged reading and writing, so the best writerly gift I ever received came from my grade 2 teacher, who gave me a beautiful set of envelopes and letter paper. It was the only time as a kid that anyone ever gave me anything to acknowledge and nurture my love of writing. These days I think if someone really knew my deep down writer self and wanted to validate how important that writer is, they'd do so with some kind of precious sentimentality like a fancy fountain pen or something that I would think of them and their encouragement every time I sat down to write (more precious to me than jewelry or flowers, for sure!). But I think for other writers, what would be most precious might be a weekend where the rest of the family goes out of town, or a gift certificate to a writing class, or a cleaned-out space in the basement that the writer can claim as his or her own writing space.
So what about you? What would you love to receive as a writer? What gift would you give someone else? I'd love to hear your wildest, fantasy ideas, as well as perhaps some practical suggestions for those of us actually looking to give someone something soon!
For example:
My family always discouraged reading and writing, so the best writerly gift I ever received came from my grade 2 teacher, who gave me a beautiful set of envelopes and letter paper. It was the only time as a kid that anyone ever gave me anything to acknowledge and nurture my love of writing. These days I think if someone really knew my deep down writer self and wanted to validate how important that writer is, they'd do so with some kind of precious sentimentality like a fancy fountain pen or something that I would think of them and their encouragement every time I sat down to write (more precious to me than jewelry or flowers, for sure!). But I think for other writers, what would be most precious might be a weekend where the rest of the family goes out of town, or a gift certificate to a writing class, or a cleaned-out space in the basement that the writer can claim as his or her own writing space.
So what about you? What would you love to receive as a writer? What gift would you give someone else? I'd love to hear your wildest, fantasy ideas, as well as perhaps some practical suggestions for those of us actually looking to give someone something soon!