10 Gifts to Give Your Favorite Writer (I Mean You)

This past week I’ve been exchanging messages with several of my writer friends. Some have recently experienced health scares. Others are trying to get projects completed by the end of the year. (In case you haven’t noticed, we are 2/3 of the way through 2023.) Still others are smarting from a caustic rejection.

If you fit any of these categories, it may be time to celebrate your writerly self with a little gift. Or a big gift. Who am I to judge? Here are 10 things I’ve been eying or already own. 

1. Ampersand Earrings. If, like me, you are into typography, a pair of ampersand earrings can really make your day. And, unlike typewriter key earrings, no vintage typewriters were harmed in the creation of these little beauties. 

2. Typewriter Book Ends. If you’ve got books on your shelves, there’s a good chance that you love bookends. Me? I use them to keep books from scooting off the end of my desk. My favorites are shaped like typewriters and came from my nieces. 

3. Writer at Work. Your family will know when you are powering through the day’s word count when you hang this on the door. Just remember to take it down when you are accepting visitors. 

4. I’m with the Banned. I love book shirts, but I especially like the ones that include wordplay and are just a bit sassy. The fact that this one is anti-banning is just all that much better for me. 

5. Bamboo Book Stand. Technically it’s a cookbook stand, but I adore my book stand. I use it when I’m keying in edits and when I’m working from a reference book. And when I must send copies of a reference to my editor? The stand holds it open while I snap photos with my phone. I also use it with cookbooks so it is a solid multipurpose tool.

6. Digital Notebook. My son just recommended this to me. He said that all his classmates who have them love them. It is a WACOM tablet with a stylus. You can write by hand, sketch diagrams, and keep your notes digitally. 

7. Waterproof Notepad. Every writer I know has ideas when they are in the shower. Help! With this waterproof notepad you don’t have to run dripping to your desk. You simply take notes, finish your shower, and then take the handwritten note with you. 

8. Hardcover Journal. Whether you use it to take notes or keep track of things you need to get done, a nice, bulleted journal is a godsend. I keep my weekly to-do list in mine. I also write micro essays and draw in it. 

9. Fountain Pen. Every writer I know has a favorite pen. Although I still adore my Eco Uniball, I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a fountain pen ever since I saw an ad for one with a retractable nib. Reviews for that one were not good, but this one may soon make its way to my desk. 

10. Gaming Keyboard. Why does a writer need a gaming keyboard? Well, you can use it to game (duh), but it is also gloriously fancy with spiffy colored lights. What isn’t to love? I’ve coveted my son’s ever since he unboxed it. 

I’m not a big shopper but occasionally, even I feel the need to get myself a little something. Or a gaming keyboard. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of 40 books for young readers.  

• To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.  
• Click here to find her newsletter.

She is also the instructor for 3 WOW classes which begin again on September 4, 2023.  She teaches:

• Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work 
• Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 
• Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 

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4 comments celebrate you, cheer yourself on, gifts for writers, Sue Bradford Edwards

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

‘Tis the Season! Gifts for Writers

It’s still early enough in this season of gift-giving to choose something extra special for the writer in your life. And by the writer in your life, I mean you. You can check out all the fun articles and blog posts about gifts for the other writers you know. This post’s for you.

So these are the gifts I put under my tree this year.

Um. Okay, I opened ‘em all early and I’m fine with that. I hope you’ll find something here—or a gift sparked by something here—that you want to open early.

The Body

Just last month, I talked about the two fitness trackers I have. The thing is, I need a reliable fitness tracker because…well, I’m a writer; on any given day, I will sit in my chair and work for three to four hours at a time. And I know what you’re thinking, that a fitness tracker only tracks the exercise. It doesn’t do the exercise for you.

True. But that annoying alarm that reminds me to get up and move or urges me to make my step goal is just enough to force me out of the chair after an hour. And my work will wait for a ten minute speed walk around my house.

So fine, I haven’t become a marathon runner or lost any weight. But that lower back pain that comes from sitting too long is not the constant it once was in my life. And I sleep better at night. Those are gifts worth every penny that I spend on a fitness tracker, even if I have to buy more than one (though a moderately priced one will do the same job as an expensive one).

The Mind

There was a time when I could think up something and remember it a whole hour later. And I wish I could remember when that was. But suffice it to say that these days, I have a lot on my mind and I don’t have time to rack my brain, searching for lost ideas.

So I rely on notes. And for most of my notes, I don’t buy a fancy notepad when I have a ton of scrap paper around here which I recycle into note-sized squares. Note-sized scraps of paper are all over my house. (Which I see when I speed walk by.)

However, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, I do some of my best thinking-up-of-ideas in the shower. And you would think a writer could remember her great ideas for at least 15 minutes but you would be underestimating all the other thoughts that come into a writer’s head whilst showering. And that is why the waterproof note is the best gift ever.

A dear friend and writer herself gave me a waterproof notepad a few years back and I was very miserly using it. Was this idea really notepad-worthy? Can I just write down one word for each point and still remember enough? I stretched out that notepad for quite some time but alas, the day came when I had to buy another. Somehow, I don’t think this one will last quite as long because…well, turns out one word hints are not enough. But that’s okay. An idea is a terrible thing to waste.

The Soul

Only you can determine the gift that will soothe or support your writer’s soul. For me, it’s spending time with my writer friends who understand the love-hate relationship we have with this wonderful and challenging profession we’ve chosen.

It might be a long lunch with local writer friends, or a long phone chat with a far-away friend, or signing up for a writer’s conference or retreat because honestly, I’m worth every penny of that gift, too.

So go to the conference. Call a friend. Treat yourself to a writer’s tool that you’ve been dreaming about all year. Because ‘tis the season for giving, and this year, dear writer, it’s your turn for a holly jolly holiday!

~Cathy C. Ho-Ho-Hall

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4 comments Cathy C. Hall, exercise for writers, fitness tracker, gifts for writers, waterproof notepad, writer's conference

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

What To Give a Writer

It’s time for my annual holiday what-to-give-a-writer words of wisdom.

At first, I was a little stumped. I mean, I covered a lot of good stuff last year in “A Wish List for the Nice Writer.” And maybe you remember them all, but just in case you need a refresher:


· Permission to take time to write
· A writing class (like the ones we have here at WOW!)
· A professional critique
· Membership in a writing organization

But wait! The year before that, I covered the extra-special wonderfulness of the book review in “One Size Fits All Writer Gift.” So honestly, I had to dig deep to find more gift ideas. Thank goodness, I have long arms.


Literary Love, Part I

Oh, I just love writerish jewelry, don’t you? (Why is bookish a word but writerish not a word? Hmmph.) I have a pair of typewriter key earrings, one a “C” and one an “H” that I purchased from an artsy writer friend. Which brings me to my gift idea: show your love and support by purchasing gifts from your writer friends!

I have lots of writer friends who are creative in lots of different ways. Some make jewelry while others craft in fabric or sell their illustrations on mugs or in prints. Their creativity allows me to buy affordable one-of-a-kind gifts, not something I’ll see in every rack in every store. Plus, the gift has special meaning for me, knowing a friend made it. I treasure gifts like my earrings. And P.S. I also gift my friend every time I wear the earrings by promoting her business!


Literary Love, Part II

I also have writer friends who market their services. They’re editors, mentors, and teachers. They can help with anything from writing to website building. Some work on their own while others work through organizations or companies. I’m sure to find the specialized gift I need and best of all, I get to work with a friend!

And I can give my friends another gift, when I take the time to provide a great review on their services. Here’s where social media comes in handy, to tell the world what great editors, mentors and teachers are out there! A personal recommendation can make a big difference.

T'is the season, writers. Now go forth and spread a little cheer (and business)!

~Cathy C. (Deck the) Hall

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6 comments art, book reviews, Cathy C. Hall, critiques, Editors, gifts for writers, literary gifts, mentorship, professional writing organizations

Three Books for Every Writer

In the season of gift-giving, I've seen a lot of lists for writer gifts. Here are three books that would help ANY writer--no matter what she writes:

Punctuation..? by User Design is a simple book to use--it has 21 punctuation marks, including some that aren't that well known, which is one great thing about this book. Everyone knows periods, commas, and quotation marks. But do you know where to place curly/braces (a type of brackets) or how to use guillemets properly? Each mark also has explanations for different uses as well as examples that are easy to read. There are illustrations for each mark, too. These are simple black and white, cartoon-style drawings, which are somewhat humorous and usually a play on either the examples or the punctuation mark.

This would be a great book for a high school or college student or a writer who needs to brush up on their punctuation. You will not get bogged down with explanation or unneeded remarks on style. When you are trying to figure out if you need to use a comma or not, then turn to the comma page, read the explanation, and go on with writing.

Good idea for a stocking stuffer this holiday!

 Novelist, editor, and workshop leader Jessica Bell had a great idea--create writing exercises to help writers improve their craft in the areas all of us need help with: show vs tell, avoiding adverbs and cliches, and the best one of all--using sensory details in our writing (I need this reminder all the time!).

Bell's books are organized with exercises for you to do. Then she provides some examples to compare your writing or to give you some ideas if you are struggling. These are not books where Bell attempts to tell you how to write or what you should do in your own work. She gives you some tips in these areas that can kill a manuscript and then lists some exercises and great examples to build YOUR OWN WRITING AND YOUR OWN VOICE.

If you are on a budget and can't afford fancy writing classes or conferences, you will get a lot out of Writing in a Nutshell, which has her three previous editions of the Nutshell books inside plus some new content. I use this book to teach novel writing to adults all the time!

If you read NO other writing book ever, except On Writing by Stephen King, then you will be okay. This is the VERY best writing book I've ever read. I still use his advice today, and I am still inspired by the beginning of his book, when King shares how he was a drug abuser and struggling writer AND after he had commercial success but was hit by a car.

But the second half of the book is when King really shines, when he shares his writing knowledge with us all. I don't like his fiction--I'm scared of it. But I recommend this book to every writer I know. You won't be sorry if you read it or give it as a gift!


So happy holidays to you! What writing book would you recommend? 

Margo L. Dill teaches WOW! Women On Writing novel writing and children's writing classes. Check out her upcoming classes in 2015 in the WOW! classroom. Check out her books and bio at http://margodill.com/blog/

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4 comments gifts for writers, holiday gifts, Jessica Bell, Margo L. Dill, Stephen King, writing books

A Wish List For the Nice Writer

‘Tis the season for giving, and I have just the thing for writers!

But I covered that holly-jolly idea last year in The One-Size-Fits-All Writer Gift. So then I thought about how you’ve been such an awfully nice writer this year. You deserve a couple sweet gifts of your very own, so check out these ideas from my wish list:


Permission To Write

How about this year, you push writing time to the top of the To Do list?

Instead of “getting to writing when you can fit it in,” schedule writing time. Or better yet, give yourself a writing retreat!

I know it’s hard to justify something that doesn’t immediately produce tangible results. But you have to look at the long haul: every time you write, you’re improving your skills in the marketplace. When you schedule—and follow through on it—you’re saying writing is important business. The rest of the world—family and friends—will get the message when you stick to it.


A Writing Class (Or Two)

I know it’s tempting to skip writing classes. After all, the web is jam-packed with all kinds of wonderful information, whether you’re interested in freelance or fiction. But there is nothing like the give-and-take of a class to take your writing to the next professional level. Feedback is what makes the difference, so when you sign up for a class, be picky about the instructor. Keep in mind that cost doesn’t always guarantee quality, so ask writer friends for recommendations and do your research to get the best bang for your bucks. (And P.S. We have lots of great classes here at WOW! Women on Writing!)


A Critique Is Always Nice

When I’ve worked on a manuscript to the point of seeing double—and when my critique group groans (loudly) as I pull out Chapter One for the 112th time—I do myself (and everyone else) a favor and get a professional, paid critique. I’ll sign up when I attend a conference, or I’ll contact writer friends for recommendations. (There are tons of great writers out there who supplement their income with manuscript evaluations.) The critique is a gift that can pay off big in your writing future.

A Few More Of My Favorite Things

Joining a professional writing organization is the gift that gives back all year long—but you’ll get out of the organization what you put into it. Get involved and take advantage of all the member benefits. Treat yourself to a conference and watch how you thrive being around all those writers! And treat yourself regularly to lunch or coffee with writer friends. It’s a tough business, writing, and a little camaraderie goes a long way.

Do you have something special on your nice writer list? Tell me all about it (so I can pass it along to The Beneficent Mr. Hall)!

~Cathy C. Hall

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4 comments book reviews, Cathy C. Hall, conferences, gifts for writers, paid critiques, professional writing organizations, writing classes

5 Fab Literary Gifts

One of my favorite Christmas gifts from last year.

I’ve been trying to pretend the holidays aren’t practically upon us, with trying to meet several deadlines and wrap up my NaNoWriMo project (12,800 words to go), but I can’t deny it any longer. This week I had to jump online (and hit one store) to go ahead and order a few gifts on my kids’ lists that are sure to be sold out after Black Friday. I refuse to pay premium prices on things as I have in the past because I didn’t shop ahead of time. And earlier today I got a text from my husband that said, “It’s time for you to drop stronger hints about what you want for Christmas.”

That got me thinking about a gift he bought me last year that I absolutely adored--and still love to use--a coffee mug he ordered from CafePress. If you and the other writers in your life are anything like me, you’ll appreciate thoughtful, creative, or even practical gifts such as that mug just as much as a gift card to your favorite store or a cappuccino maker. And as a bonus, these could double as a great gifts for teachers and book lovers!

Here are a few ideas for you. And yes, I may or may not have scrolled through Pinterest to get some of these ideas. Feel free to print this out and hand over to your loved ones if you agree!

1. Novel Teas Box. We all know writers are so much more productive when they have a hot beverage to sip, and with Novel Teas, you can pretend you’re having tea with the likes of C.S. Lewis and Alice Hoffman. Each box contains 25 individually-wrapped English Breakfast teabags featuring literary quotes from all over the world. This site also has great tea-related gifts for teachers, girlfriends, gardeners and more!

2. Printable Library Card Pillows. I don’t know about you, but I miss those library due date cards that used to be in the back of the books you checked out. Such history! Pay homage to them with these stylish and fun accent pillows.

3. TOMS Live Your Dream Women’s Classics. In the past, the popular shoe manufacturer has put out some cute slip-ons that featured dictionary quotes. This year, they have a neutral shoe that encourages the wearer to “live your dreams” and “believe.” For the writer who also worships shoes, it’s a win!

4. Out of Print Tote Bags. These tote bags are both inexpensive, fun and functional. Whether a writer prefers the classics, children’s literature, banned books or library memorabilia, she will love this great conversational piece.

5. Book Scarfs by Storiarts. These cozy yet literary handmade scarves have received scores of rave reviews on their site. Choose from Wuthering Heights, Little Women, Les Miserables, Doran Grey, Romeo and Juliet, A Tale of Two Cities, and Alice in Wonderland.

What are some writing-related gifts you're hoping for this year?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning freelance writer and WOW! Blog Tour Manager who also blogs at Renee’s Pages. She is currently looking for bloggers to host children’s book author Fiona Ingram’s blog tour for The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, launching in mid-January.

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5 comments gifts for writers, holiday shopping, Renee Roberson, teacher gifts, themed gifts

Record Your Memories with Vintage Vinyl Journals—the Perfect Gift for Writers and Music Lovers

“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music that words make.” –Truman Capote

As an avid journaler, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect notebook to pen my prose. I’ve tried everything from plain old composition books to fancy leather bound journals in hopes that the physical paper pages of a book will inspire me to write. (We writers need constant motivation, don’t we?) But I find that if a journal is too pristine and stuffy then I lose the inspiration to write. My perfect journal has to have that unique balance of size, paper feel and weight, and a certain je ne sais quoi. Oh, and the cover . . . the cover must fit my personal style.

Sound like a tall order? I thought so, too, until I received what I consider the perfect gift!

Vintage Vinyl Journals are beautiful, handcrafted notebooks made from recycled materials. Indulge in a bit of nostalgia and flashback to a time when vinyl was king. I can still remember listening to my favorite records with girlfriends—the soft pop and crackle of the needle finding its groove, the light hiss, and the exquisite sound, full of richness and warmth—as we gossiped about the latest and vied for the next turn on the turntable. The front and back covers of these journals are actually made from old albums. Show your uniqueness by picking out your favorite artist or album and truly making it your own. You can search VintageVinylJournals.com by clicking the GENRES tab and pulling up the music you like. For instance, my rockin’ Fleetwood Mac Rumours journal (pictured below), featuring the fabulously witchy Stevie Nicks with popular hits such as “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way,” is under the genre of Rock/Classic Rock. There’s also a category for Female and Indie/Alternative. And if you’re really going to listen to the music on the cover of your journal while you write in it, fellow scribes will respect the Jazz and Soundtracks genres—there’s a bountiful selection of background music you will need to get the job done.

So what can you do with these journals?

I’m both an artist and a writer, so I love the freedom and rebellious nature of coloring outside the lines. The pages are blank and ready for your own words or creative aspirations. Each journal contains 220 high-quality pages measuring 7 7/8” x 7 1/2” on 70 lb. acid-free paper. They’re eco-friendly, sustainable, and you can feel great about you’re doing—after all, you just rescued a record from a landfill!

Here are some ideas for using these journals:

• Writing prompts
• Art journal
• Character traits
• Novel inspiration
• Vision board book
• Scrapbook
• Travel journal
• Gifts

That’s not all—there’s plenty more you can do. Use a bit of creativity and check out the suggestions on VintageVinylJournals.com.

So now you probably want to jam over to the site and check out all they have to offer (I’ll be joining you!), but let me tell you about my homegirl, Katie Pietrak—the amazing owner of Vintage Vinyl Journals and her special offer for WOW readers.

As a music enthusiast and craft hobbyist, Katie was organizing her own record collection one afternoon—a collection of thousands of albums she started amassing when she was fifteen—when something clicked. Why not take these beautiful albums and make them into notebooks?

Since launching in 2011, Vintage Vinyl Journals are sold on their website; in over two dozen retail stores; and at local art, craft, and music festivals. They are a member of the Green Business network and have been certified Silver with Green America. The offices based in Pennsylvania have also been certified green.

They have tons of wonderful reviews and have been featured in many newspapers, TV shows, websites, and blogs—including a recent feature on Ty Pennington’s website.

Katie is an awesome success story, and she has a special coupon for you!

WOW! Women on Writing readers: use coupon code WOW!5 for $5.00 off each journal. Coupon code expires 12/4/12. Learn more about Vintage Vinyl Journals, and find an inventory of over 500 journals online: www.vintagevinyljournals.com

I know I’ll be mixing music and writing this holiday season! :)

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6 comments art journal, discount code, gifts for writers, holiday gifts, journaling, Katie Pietrak, records, review, scrapbook, Vintage Vinyl Journals, writing and music

Show and Tell in a Nutshell (Book Review and Giveaway)

What do writers like to get in their holiday stockings? How about helpful writing books, such as Show and Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing? How many of us have had our manuscripts critiqued and have also heard during that critique, "You are telling too much. You need to show"? There are countless blog posts about showing vs telling, and I often cover this when I teach children's writing courses for WOW! So, how does Jessica Bell's book help writers learn to show and not tell in just a little over one hundred pages?

Jessica's entire idea is to create a handbook for writers that shows how to show and not tell, and she succeeds by presenting sixteen scenes to read and learn from. In her introduction, she suggests that you read each scene four times and focus on different parts of it each time. After reading it through once, then the second time, writers should  "identify the telling words/phrases." By the last time a scene is read, a writer will be brainstorming their own ways to "fix" the scene. (In the print version of the book, Jessica provides blank pages to take notes and try your own wording of the scenes.)

So, what does a scene entail? First, readers will encounter a list of attributes that a writer is trying to portray in a scene. For example, in the first scene, the list is: "amazing view, awe, feel hot, relief, feel tired." The next page has a paragraph, full of telling.

Sandy stood at the foot of the Egyptian Pyramids. Though she was hot, tired and sore, she was awestruck by the amazing view and felt a sense of relief. Finally, she’d made it.

Obviously, there's a lot of telling in that above example. Can you pick that out? The next page in the book, which I won't share with you here, provides Jessica's version of the same paragraph, but with showing details, instead of telling. Then there's a page for notes.

What I like about this book is that the author tells you what she wants to portray in each paragraph with a list, provides a simple telling example, and then she gives a good example of showing instead of telling. She is also encouraging you to do the same--in your own style. How could you rewrite the above paragraph to show Sandy was hot without telling the reader she's hot? Would you do it the same way as Jessica? Can you figure out more than one way to do it?

Each of the sixteen scenes is set up like this. There's no long explanations on why the author chose to do what she did. This is a short, concise book, but it gets the point across. In the end, the author provides three writing exercises and her e-mail address, where she invites readers to contact her if they have questions or need more writing prompts.

Jessica Bell is also the author of String Bridge (a women's fiction novel), Fabric (a poetry collection), and Twisted Velvet Chains ( a poetry collection). She is an Australian-native, living in Athens, Greece, and she hosts the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus, with Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with showing vs telling in their writing, then purchase (for under $5.00 a copy) Show and Tell in a Nutshell by Jessica Bell!

We also have a copy to giveaway.

~*~ BOOK GIVEAWAY ~*~

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a copy of  Show and Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!

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18 comments book giveaway, gifts for writers, improve your writing, Jessica Bell, Margo L. Dill, show vs tell, writing books, writing craft, writing tips