Dear Santa,

What to give a writer or reader for the holidays…

This article is self-serving. I like to receive holiday presents that I can use to help me with my writing. I've actually been lucky enough to receive some of these wonderful items. Perhaps, if you’ve been a good writer, met your word count or made your characters suffer enough, Santa will bring you something wonderful too. Just teasing, best way to do this is to print it out and leave copies for your significant other or family members to see. I suggest highlighting the gifts you really want. I plan on doing so. Yes, I do believe in being obvious. Ha!

1.   An artist's retreat. It doesn't have to be an actual "artist's retreat." A cabin in the woods, a week at a spa, or even a few days at the beach can give the writer in your life the time to write and/or recharge.

2.   A gift certificate to their favorite bookstore. Writers need to read. If they aren't writing, they're reading.

3.   A wall calendar. The Dolphin Studio's hand-printed wood block is one I buy year after year. It is produced by this wonderful family in Vermont. I can't say enough about this piece of art and magic that brings joy every month. I can't imagine it wouldn't be a pleasure for every writer. When you finish with the calendar, the pages can serve as wrapping paper or used to make valentines or other holiday cards.

4.   The Novelry. This online course on novel writing will assist the would-be writer in your life in achieving their dreams and writing their novel in a year. This is more for someone who has never published and has not written a novel before but wants to. I've heard nothing but great things about this program.

5.   A year's membership to one stop for writers. This online library contains all the tools for writers in one online place.

6.   A desk chair. Here are just a couple I recommend. I have the first one. Herman Miller Sayl Task Chair. It's good-looking, fully adjustable, but a tad pricey, but remember it's from a famous designer and comes in various finishes and fabrics. The Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair also gets high marks on Amazon and is highly affordable. Gaim Balance Ball Chair. I'm a sucker for these. Sometimes, this is the only chair that works for my back, but you need a desk whose height you can control to make it work. The other advantage of the chair is that it strengthens your core.

7.   A standing desk. You can't sit all the time. I like to switch back and forth between sitting and standing. My husband purchased this one for me on Amazon, and I love it. Easy to use; it rolls, is stylish, and affordable.

8.   An Inverter. Writing takes a toll on your back. Ten minutes on this baby every day takes that pressure away. They don't have to cost a fortune. My husband purchased ours from Amazon six years ago, and it's still going strong. He's 6'4 and over 200 hundred pounds, and I'm under 5'4 and 140, so you can see the thing is fully adjustable. It's also one of the least expensive ones listed.

9.   Aqua Notes. I saw this one suggested last year as a gift idea and thought it was clever. I made a note of it. I've thought of many great ideas in the shower, only to lose them. If you have this in your shower, you'll never let those ideas escape you again.

10.   Story Engine. This card system will help if you suffer from writer's block. You can use it to give you prompts to start a story or help you edit one. It can give you ideas about characters, plots, and worlds.

11.   Fuel. Three things fuel most writers. Coffee, Libation, and some sweets. I cannot guide you for your special loved one. However, for me, the coffee is Little Goat Roasting. For Libation, there is one exceptional tequila, Gran Corralejo Anejo and Macarons from Maison Ladurée.

12.   StoriArts. This website has all kinds of writer and reader-related gifts: T-shirts, headbands, and other apparel. Perfect. My hands get cold when I write, and I purchased a pair of Alice in Wonderland fingerless gloves a couple of years ago, and I'm still wearing them.

13.   This last little workhorse is something I've had my eye on for over two years. I want it badly. It's called The Freewrite. It's somewhat like a typewriter. It allows you to write without the distraction of email or any other online crap pulling at your eyeballs or your immature mind, and it's powered by a single battery. You also don't edit on it; when it's time to edit, you synch to the cloud for export into your chosen software. I am still torn about which model I want, but the Hemingway is calling my name.

That's all for my holiday gift-giving list for writers. I would love you to help me add to this. I'm sure you have many great gift ideas or maybe you donate, so please leave some comments so we can expand the list. I'll provide a new list next year.

Have a great week!