2014 Gifts for Writers

By Kate Phillips

 These are holiday gift suggestions for the writers in your life—or for yourself.

By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review Edited and with an Introduction by Pamela Paul

          By the Book is a Q&A article included in The New York Times Book Review each week. Here 65 authors share which books influenced them, what they are reading now, what books they recommend, what books they have not read, which three authors they would invite to a dinner party, what books the president should read, what are their ideal reading situations, their opinions on rereading, descriptions of their libraries, and favorite children’s books along with many other questions and answers. You get insights into authors you love, leads on books to read as well as discover authors new to you. An excellent gift!

 

  New Bold Cristal BICs

          These are iconic, inexpensive pens. I have used them, but never loved them until now. The bold BICs have thicker 1.6mm nibs. The ink flows smoothly, although there are the occasional blobs. They are a pleasure to write with when you want to get your ideas down quickly.

A Writer’s Ring (see post dated 3/17/13)

          I love my faux, channel set diamond and sapphire ring that I wear on my thumb so I can see it sparkle in the light as I write, but another way to go may be a very rustic initial that looks like the face of an old typewriter key.

A Year of Writing Dangerously: 365 Days of Inspiration & Encouragement by Barbara Abercrombie

          The 365 mini-essays written by the author include thoughts, observations, and stories about other writers. Topics include: #7 Jumping Off; #28 In the Company of Animals; #35 Eight Ways to Sabotage Yourself;  #68 Making Use of Fear; #127 One True Sentence; #243 Stepping Up to the Plate; and #315 Flying Off Course. Each essay is followed by a quote from another writer.

Literary Necklaces

          I bought a few of these necklaces for fun. However, I don’t wear them. They look like miniature framed quotes so I hook the chains over the corners of my computer screen and around the base of my reading lamp so I can read them. My favorites:

Poetry: the best words in the best order

Whisper Words of Wisdom

Book Vixen

I have taken to living by my wits. (Sherlock Holmes)

     

Literary Charms

          These charms are book-shaped with titles like Wuthering Heights and Moby Dick.

   
                

A Favorite Children’s Book

Memories are wonderful launching pads for writing ideas. I love Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (post dated 1/21/13), most books by Richard Scarry, and The Frances series by Russell Hoban. New favorites are from the Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer including I am Albert Einstein; I am Rosa Parks; I am Abraham Lincoln; I am Jackie Robinson; and I am Lucille Ball.

Ceramic Mug, Pot, or Vase

          Pick a favorite color, eye-catching shape, or inspiring quote. They are great for corralling pens for the writer in your life. Of course, the mug can be used for tea or coffee; the pot or vase for flowers—all inspiring for writers, too.

Blank Note Cards

Writing is writing so, if you cannot think of anything else to write, send notes to friends or family members. Make them smile when their snail mail arrives—and help achieve your daily writing goal.

 

A Pad of To-Do Lists

Writers need goals! Lists are a great way to keep you on track for projects and deadlines.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

 By Kate Phillips 

 

            I loved Harold and, of course, his purple crayon from the first time I read his story by Crockett Johnson, a wonderful nom de plume for David Johnson Leisk. Not only is the Harold series a delight for children, it is also a terrific life guide for adults.

        In the books, Harold has all kind of adventures. He travels comfortably in his footed pajamas accompanied by only his imagination and a purple crayon.
 

Once he chooses what he wants to do, Harold draws his own path. He only appears in profile either looking at what he is drawing or back at what he has just drawn. He decides who or what he wants to meet along the way and, with help from the crayon, they appear—although there are a few surprises along the way.
 

In the first book, Harold goes for a walk. He finds a spot he thinks is perfect for a forest so he draws a tree. It turns out to be an apple tree. To guard the apples, he draws a dragon which ends up frightening him. As he backs away with his hand shaking, he accidentally draws wavy water and then finds himself in over his head. He saves himself by drawing a boat and sailing until he made land. Finding himself hungry, he draws a picnic. And then…well you can read the rest for yourself.
 

His adventures continue with a trip to space, the circus, and his own fairy tale including a king, a witch, a fairy, and a flying carpet. What an amazing life!
 

I love that Harold decides what he wants to do and then does it. When things turn out differently than he plans, he quickly improvises. He never loses his focus. And he always achieves his goals. It made me wish my own purple crayon worked as well as his.
 

Being a writer is the next best thing.
 

I can, but don't, wear footed pajamas. With a pen and paper or a computer, I can follow my imagination along a path of my choosing, mostly. As novelists know, some characters have minds of their own.
 

Writing is more difficult than crayon drawing, but just as freeing when you are writing for yourself. (Of course, there has to be a paying job to stay afloat. If it is in the writing field, you will have assignments that may or may not interest you, but your style can shine and your technical skills can improve with each one. If it isn't a dream job, use that as a motivation to keep writing.)
 

The last two qualities are the tough ones for me. I need to work on having absolute focus on my writing projects and career as well as achieving my goals.
 

I have a purple crayon in a ceramic mug along with my pens to remind me of how I truly want to live.

 

 

What children's books inspired you?