What's Under Your Tree?

by wolfsavard flickr.com

You've probably already opened your Christmas presents this morning if you're on the computer now. If you celebrate Hanukkah, you may have already received some gifts--but you still have more to go. So, as a writer, what are some hot gifts you might have gotten this season, or you might still be able to buy yourself with that holiday cash? Read on for some ideas:

E-reader: Many writers are now investing in an e-reader. Why? You would think we would be the last people to succumb to this technology pressure. After all, many of us are writers because we love to curl up with our favorite books when we aren't writing our own. But e-books are here; and as a writer, you need to stay up on current market trends. Many books are only available in e-books. If you are a book reviewer, this is often the preferred way for authors and publishers to send reviewers books. So, you may just have to start imagining yourself curling up with your Kindle or Nook, instead of a good, old paperback. For a look at what type of e-reader you will need, check out this link on CNET News that compares them for you. At WOW!, we are looking into ways to bring you more information than our bimonthly issues and blog, and make it available for e-readers. So stay tuned--it's just one more reason for an e-reader.

Journals: We are in the middle of Mari L. McCarthy's blog tour for her book, Dark Chocolate for the Journaler's Soul. If you are a journaler or you want to be one, you must check out Mari's website for many great products to get you started or to keep you journaling. If you are one of those people who wake up in the middle of the night with great story ideas and you can't sleep until you write them down, try this: Can't Sleep, Write Now: A Nocturnal Journal for Tireless Thinkers by Lucien Edwards.  

Pens: To go with the journal, you need a cool pen to write with. Well, it doesn't get much cooler than the pen selection they are offering at ThinkGeek.com. Who won't be more inspired if they have a Star Wars Lightsaber pen? And if Star Wars isn't your thing, they've got a Harry Potter wand pen, too. . .

Classes and Conferences:  A great gift to receive (or give to a fellow writing friend--if you haven't bought he or she anything yet) is tuition to a writing conference or an online class! I'm sure you're familiar with the fact that WOW! offers online classes. Our 2012 class listings cover everything from writing YA novels to picture books, from finding your muse to getting an agent. If you can't take the time to go to a writing conference or afford all the costs associated with one, then consider an online class.

Hopefully, you've also been supplied during the holiday season with a year's supply of coffee, a mug with an inspirational quote, a bottle of wine if the muse is hard to find one night, and plenty of your favorite writing snack. 

Happy holidays from WOW! We hope you have a fantastic day; and if you have time, share with us your favorite present you received and gave this holiday season--writing related or not. 

post by Margo L. Dill

Margo L. Dill blogs about children's books and how to use them at her blog, Read These Books and Use Them. She also teaches the WOW! blogging, social networking, and children's middle-grade novel and magazine writing courses. Go to the WOW! classroom for more information on the classes she teaches.