Great Gifts for Writers
I know we’re past Christmas, but it’s just far enough that I’ve come to really appreciate two gifts I received from my parents. As writers, we all have our wish lists, from the right signing pen to the right laptop (right, C.R.?). Here are a couple other ideas for those of you who are looking for just the right thing for your writing loved ones.
First, my folks gave me a three-hole punch. Not just any chintzy one. A nice desktop one that can punch up to twenty pages at a time. At first I thought I’d hide it away in my desk drawer and bring it out when I needed it, like my old (chintzy) one. But I soon came to realize that
was a silly idea.
When I’m writing I print out everything new at the end of each day, and put it in a notebook. I don’t go so far as to take it out to my car, as Casey does, but at least I have a hard copy, in case the computer crashes, which has been (ahem) known to happen. I can’t tell you how nice it is to just stick in the papers, push gently on the punch, and have the papers come out ready to install in the binder. No more squeezing at each hole, to make sure it’s all the way through. No more holes half on the page and half off. And no more having to do only three pages at a time.
It’s a time and hand saver.
The second present they got me was not something I’d thought about, but it sure does come in handy.
What does a writer have more of than anything else (if they use the same printout method as Casey and I)? Drafts. First day drafts. Second day drafts. And on down the line.
Now, someone like me doesn’t want to just toss them in the trash — that wouldn’t be even close to going green, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep for the guilt.
But I certainly don’t want to put entire chapters or even manuscripts in recycling. Wouldn’t that just be great to have someone steal my book and publish it (and of course have a bestseller, right?)? So what do I need to do? Shred it, of course!
So my folks got me a paper shredder. It can rip several sheets at once, and my mistakes and red-penciled drafts are gone.
Packing material, anyone?
So thanks to my folks for making my working life a little easier. It’s amazing how these little things lessen the stress.
Anyone else have good writer’s gift ideas? I — and those responsible for buying your presents — would love to know.
Currently reading “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman, because I want to see what all the fuss is about.
