Favorite Gifts for Authors

Since I am an author, and I've received plenty of gifts through the years because others know what I like to receive as an author, allow me to share with you some of my favorites...

1. Journal. A journal can never be over-rated for an author. I write many things down in my journal; many of them I use in future works. And what a nice way to be remembered, both for giving the journal as a gift, and for the use of a character that the writer dreamed up in the very journal you purchased. If you want to be especially daring, add to the journal a fancy pen. 


Photo by: basykes, courtesy of Flickr

2. Writing Book. I have received many through the years. Some of them: "The Power of Little Words," "Writing With Style," and "Writing Screenplays That Sell." The great thing about a great writing book: Even if the take away value is only one new idea, it's more than the writer knew before picking up and reading the book.

3. Fiction Book. Even non-fiction writers like a change, so change it up! I primarily write fiction but I also love the non-fiction work of C.S. Lewis. Those who know me but are unsure of what books I have will ask me, and the rest, shall we say, is history.

4. Music to write by. Who are your favorites? When the muse hits, I typically write by Josh Groban, but you will have your own favorite. Get a writer friend their favorite artist, or get them something that really sparks their creative. One of my favorites: "Ocean Waves" by Lifescapes.

Photo by: @Doug88888, courtesy of Flickr

5. Time out. This one hasn't actually happened to me personally but I can dream about it, can't I? How about a coupon that states: "I will watch your children between 1 and 5 every day for a week, to give you some uninterrupted time to write." What a gift! I have grand-children now, but two of them live with me...so you can understand my continued feelings about uninterrupted time.

When it comes to giving a favorite gift to a writer, consider the long hours of work, the research that will be taking place, and times when even making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch is replaced by the next great scene.

I know. Yes, I've even forgotten to eat.

Now, there's an idea...

Winter Market Sale and Santa!

 

If you missed seeing me at the Simple Treasures Boutique 

you'll want to gear up for the festivities coming up TODAY,

December 1, 2012 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center!

 

 

I will be with Sara Fitzgerald again

and we will be signing our books!

 

We would LOVE to see you!

What Rainy Weather Can Do For Your Writing

Last night around dinner time I mowed the lawn. It needed it. After all the fertilizing my husband had done and the wicked rain we've had recently, there just wasn't any other choice.

Photo by aussiegall, courtesy of Flickr

I'd considered mowing this morning, but THAT choice would have been poor seeing as it's pouring today. I love and I hate rainy days. I love them because I am often in-doors when it's coming down and out and about when it's not.

If you're cooped up today as well, consider these options for your writing:

• Get one or both of my e-books and Amazon.com TODAY for FREE and do some reading. Reading is always helpful to writers who want to learn a particular style of writing or improve their craft.
• Take some time off to relax. Most of the time we're going a hundred and one miles an hour, down a curvy street. (Have you been down the one in San Francisco?) After relaxing, you often feel rejuvenated; something all writers need to keep going on their projects. 
• Write like there's no tomorrow. One thing about rainy days--you often want to stay indoors, so why not get your next novel going?
• Visit over the phone rather than through email. When we get busy, we send off emails because it's quicker and easier to get the information we need. Convenience is often the key, and we may neglect to speak with our loved ones live because we are so busy doing other things. But talking with others often brings up great ideas for your next work, you may even find yourself digging into that stalled project because of the great talk.



Photo by FindYourSearch, courtesy of Flickr

• Turn off the television and listen to music. I know writers who play certain pieces of music to get their creative juices flowing. 
• Watch the rain through the window and write a scene about it. You may decide to use this scene in your next short story or book, but being there and writing as the raining is happening will help your writing to be more authentic than if you were merely remembering what it was like the last time. Use your five senses so the writer will feel the scene.
• Go dancing. When was the last time you danced in the rain? 

Perhaps the rain is coming down and you didn't mow your lawn--the grass looks more like a jungle. I've experienced that too. Write about it.