Give Yourself 5 Gifts This Christmas

Christmas is just days away so you may be looking at that title and thinking, “No! No more shopping! I don’t have the time/money/energy.” The good news is that these are all free and they are all things that we periodically need to be reminded to give ourselves. 

Call Yourself a Writer 

Haven’t sold anything yet?  It doesn't matter.  Call yourself a writer.  Or maybe comments from someone on your writing have left you really shaken. Don't give that person more free time in your head.  Shake them off!  You are a writer. Own it. But of course once you own it you are going to need to . . . 

Take Time to Write 

Some people believe you need to write every day. Some people get super specific. You need to write for 10 minutes, 2 hours or 400 words a day. Whatever. That’s not for me to say. I write most days, but you need to do you. But if you’re calling yourself a writer you need to write. Come on, you know you want to and it will make you a happier writer.   

Make Time to Write 

Taking time to write may mean making time to write. What is getting in your way?  Look for something that is a negative in your life and get rid of it.  This week, I got caught up in a broo-ha-ha in an organization I belong to. It ended with someone getting super snippy with me. I could have gone through the threads and proven I was right, but the reality was that I’m on deadline. I can do one or the other. I chose writing. Choose your writing by giving up something that’s an energy suck. The energy suck won't make you happy but writing will.

Write What You Love 

Speaking of energy sucks, not much is worse than writing something that you don’t like but you think will sell. I have a friend who is always suggesting that I write romances. I’ve quit saying that I don’t read romance because she’s pointed out that I read her books. Whatever. I read them because they are about cats. The point is that I don’t love romance novels. I don’t even like 99.9% of them. That would be a horrible way to spend my precious writing time. Fantasy? Mystery? Science fiction? Much better choices for me. You too need to write what you love. You’ll be happier. 

Get Rid of that Negative Voice 

Some of us suffer from a hateful inner critic. Some of us have a nasty outer critic, someone that we simply cannot let read our work. This may be the toughest thing to free yourself of, but the best thing for this is a writer’s support group. It may be a critique group. It may be book club. It may be a group of writers who are your friends. When a negative voice gets you down, turn to these people and let them know. Nothing is better than a strong group of writing women to cheer you on. 

This holiday season, give yourself things to make the writer in you happy. After all, we all deserve a very Merry Christmas. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 35 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.

The next session of her new course, Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work will begin on January 2, 2023).  Coping with rejection is one of the topics she will cover in this course.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins January 2, 2023) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins January 2, 2023). 

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4 comments call yourself a writer, gifts, gifts for writers, Sue Bradford Edwards, support, take time to write, write what you love

Gifts for Writers

If you’re anything like me, you’re in the weeds of holiday gift buying. My Amazon cart is full, and my checking account is dwindling.

Presents are permeating my mind and, I must admit, I’ve even given some thought to the writing-related gifts I’d like this holiday season.

Last month, I offered ways to thank the writer in your life. This month, I thought I’d offer gift ideas for that same special someone.

The first idea that comes to mind is books specifically geared towards writers. These could be books with publishing advice, books that help with structure or development, or books that provide support with world or character building. I have several and usually get updates of my favorites every year. They are a treasure trove of information, and I’m always happy to receive them.

Want to support your writer’s daily work? Why not give them a notebook where they can jot down ideas. While most writer use computers to write their books, many writers continue to keep a pocket journal for those spur-of-the-moment inspirations. A quality, leather notebook, or small, pocket-style journal are a great way to support and inspire their work.

Whenever agents and editors give advice to writers, it’s to read – widely – in their specific genre. Yes, we all have kindles and books on tape, but there is something about receiving a brand-new book in your favorite genre that can spark even the most tired of writers. Help them write by giving them the gift of writing.

If you’re willing to give them a more expensive gift, consider giving them the gift of a writer’s retreat. These retreats occur all over the United States, and offer a wonderful opportunity for them to connect with other writers, to get feedback on their work in progress, and to network with people in the writing and publishing industry.

The best and most valuable gift I can suggest for a writer is also the simplest: give the writer in your life time by themselves to write without interruption. Maybe promise to give them one hour each day of uninterrupted time where they can focus strictly on their writing. For many of us, finding the opportunity to write in our crazy lives – without kids, without spouses, without phone calls – is the best gift we can receive.

So, as you start your holiday shopping this season, consider giving the writer in your life something they can really use to help them further your goals.

Have any great ideas for writers? I’d love to hear them!

Bethany Masone Harar is an author, teacher, and blogger, who does her best to turn reluctant readers into voracious, book-reading nerds. Check out her blog here and her website here.

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5 comments author retreat, Authors, gifts, gifts for writers, journal, time, writing books, writing gifts, writing notebook, writing retreat