Looking for a gift for the writer in your life? This list has it all – creative and brainstorming gifts, fun gadgets to help you work in bed and at your desk, craft books, and more. There is something here for every creative on your list!
Brainstorming/Inspiration
I use this cute heart shaped bulletin board to make a mood board for my creative projects. I find images that remind me of my ideas or generate images with Midjourney to create book covers, movie posters, and character portraits. Then I attach the pictures with these fun heart push pins.
The Storymatic – Kickstart Your creativity with storytelling cards.
Story Cubes – Roll all 9 cubes to generate 9 random images and then use these to invent a story that starts with “Once upon a time…” and uses all 9 elements as part of your narrative.
Use this clip on microphone when you are recording videos for crisper sound.
Books on Writing Craft
Stories all have the same structure – a beginning, a middle, and an end – whether you are writing a novel or a screenplay. These books are a mix of both, but the craft of one format can be applied to the other. I have included some classics and a bunch of books I have read over the last couple of years. Enjoy!
A comfy shredded memory foam reading pillow that supports your neck.
A Kindle so you never run out of books. The soft warm light makes it easy to read in bed without waking your partner.
The Flippy keeps your hands from getting tired when you are reading on your Kindle or working on your Ipad.
This adjustable lap desk is perfect for reading, working, even eating in bed. If you put it on a table, you can use it as a standing desk.
A book light for those times you are reading a physical book, and don’t want to disturb your partner. The arms are adjustable so you have the light exactly where you want it.
I was listening to an interview with Neil Gaiman this past week. As an encouragement to writers, he discussed a mostly forgotten 20th century American writer named Harry Stephen Keeler. Keeler wrote over a hundred pulp novels (mostly detective stories) from the 1920s to the 1950s and is remembered for being a terrible writer with convoluted plots and crazy dialogue. He is an inspiration because if he can succeed as a writer, getting published and making a living, and be so bizarrely bad, then whatever your creative endeavor, you can succeed too.
He irritated me strangely and in the hope of getting a line on the source of his abnormal interest in me, I began to review the events, such as they were, which followed my exit from the big new Union Passenger Station at Randolph Street and Michigan Ave. For it must be remembered that at the time I knew quite nothing, naturally, concerning Milo Payne, the mysterious Cockney-talking Englishman with the checkered long-beaked Sherlockholmsian cap; nor of the latter’s “Barr-Bag” which was as like my own bag as one Milwaukee wienerwurst is like another; nor of Legga, the Human Spider, with her four legs and her six arms; nor of Ichabod Chang, ex-convict, and son of Dong Chang; nor of the elusive poetess, Abigail Sprigge; nor of the Great Simon, with his 2163 pearl buttons; nor of–in short, I then knew quite nothing about anything or anybody involved in the affair of which I had now become a part, unless perchance it were my Nemesis, Sophie Kratzenschneiderwümpel–or Suing Sophie!
Keeler loved storytelling so much that he created his own structure that he called a webwork plot. A webwork plot is built around a sequence in which the main character intersects at least four other strands of story, one after the other, and each of these encounters causes the next one.
We are drawn to the unescapable conclusion that Mr. Keeler writes his peculiar novels merely to satisfy his own undisciplined urge for creative joy.
The New York Times, 1942
What are the takeaways from Harry Stephen Keeler?
· If he can do it, you can do it.
· Enjoy creating.
· Every kind of story has an audience, you just have to find it.
· Old stories can be rediscovered by new generations of readers and writers.
· Even bad writing can be inspirational, popular, & profitable.
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A couple of days ago I went to the car wash. To pass the time, I brought a hard copy of my latest project, which I was hand editing. I was there for an hour and was insanely productive. With the comfortable chair and their rocking soundtrack that was a mix of classic country, 70s rock, and 90s alternative, it was a magical creative experience.
It reminded me of a story from a few years ago about novelist Amy Daws who cured her writer’s block by writing in the waiting room of her local tire store. She became the unofficial mascot of the store with her own reserved seat. And she wrote a book, Wait With Me, about a writer who likes to write in the waiting room of a tire store and finds love there.
Sometimes when you are searching for inspiration, try changing location.
My time at the car wash prompted a creative habit I had forgotten. I like writing with noise. But with my new fancy chair and giant monitor, I had gotten out of the habit. Keep a list of habits that work for you so when your life changes, you don’t forget. It’s also good to have creative habits in rotation. When you get tired of sitting at your desk, go to the car wash.
Have you ever wondered why so many people like to write at coffee shops? There is actually science behind it. There is a noise sweet spot between too loud to be distracting and just loud enough to help you focus. Having noise that your brain has to work to block out actually makes you more creative.
There’s even an app called Coffitivity that mimics the noise of a coffee shop. I used it when I had to write at an office job that was library level quiet.
Some people use music as their ambient noise. Lots of writers like to have playlists for each project that evoke the mood and the theme of the story they’re working on.
What is your favorite kind of noise to work with?
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We’ve all been there. Staring at a blank screen or empty page, waiting for inspiration to strike. But creativity often requires a little coaxing. Finding new ideas for stories can be challenging. Here’s a guide to spark your imagination and help you discover fresh ideas.
1. Mine Your Experiences
Our personal lives are rich with stories. Think about your own experiences, the people you’ve met, the places you’ve been, and the emotions you’ve felt. Often, a simple memory can be the seed of a powerful story. Whether it’s an unforgettable trip, a childhood memory, or a fleeting moment that left an impression, your personal experiences are a treasure trove of unique perspectives.
2. News and Current Events
Myriad true stories unfold every day. Real-life events like a heroic rescue, a mysterious occurrence, or a murder, can inspire compelling fictional stories.
3. Ask What if?
Take a mundane situation and twist it. What if the world ran out of coffee? What if your dog could speak? What if you woke up in a parallel universe? The ‘what if’ game can open doors to stories you’ve never considered.
4. People Watch
Take a seat in a park, café, or a busy street, and just observe and listen. Create stories for the people you see. Where are they going? What are their dreams, fears, or secrets? This is a wonderful way to improve your character development skills.
5. Dive into History
History is brimming with fascinating events, personalities, and eras. Whether it’s ancient civilizations, significant battles, or the lives of remarkable individuals, there’s a wealth of inspiration in history. You can retell these stories with a fresh twist or use them as a backdrops.
6. Mix and Match Genres
Blend genres to create fresh story ideas. Who says a sci-fi story can’t be a romance? Or a historical drama can’t be infused with fantasy? Have fun playing with genre conventions and tropes.
Closing Thoughts
Creativity is not a finite resource. It’s like a muscle that strengthens with exercise. By actively seeking inspiration and remaining curious, you’ll find that the world around you is teeming with stories waiting to be told. So, the next time you feel stuck, take a deep breath, look around, and let the universe be your muse.
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Last week we talked about how being helpful can make you feel good, build your network, and help your career. There was one situation that I didn’t cover.
Sometimes you don’t even know you can ask for help.
When we feel that we are in an impossible situation, it doesn’t occur to us to ask for help. Don’t panic. There is always a solution. It may not be the one you hope for or the one you like, but there is always a way to make your problem a little better.
Don’t assume that you know all the answers. And secondly don’t assume you can’t ask questions. If you are in a real bind, discuss your situation with a trusted friend and brainstorm solutions.
Ask for help, brainstorm, and you will be surprised at the outcome.
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I saw the Barbie movie a couple of weeks ago and was completely enchanted. I have never seen a movie that is so silly and so clever at the same time. (No spoilers ahead.)
The movie simultaneously embraced what people love about Barbie and what they hate about her. Barbie’s story is emotional. The stakes felt huge. They threw in emotional stories about mothers and daughters, finding your place in the world, and only having your identity through someone else’s love. There were dance numbers, beautiful clothes, and a CEO, who surprisingly, wasn’t evil. There was even a ghost! Everything but the kitchen sink was in this movie. But they made it work!
Here are some story takeaways from the Barbie movie.
1. If you’re going to be silly, be really silly. Be creatively silly without limits.
2. If you’re creating magical worlds, have very clear rules about how they work and stick to them. For example, there was one way in and out of Barbieland.
3. Silly can be emotional. There are lots of emotional stories that made you care about all the characters. I never thought the Barbie movie would make me cry.
4. If you’re going to have a message in your movie, instead of making it feel like homework, make it entertaining. Besides all the emotional stories, this movie was about what it means to be a woman in the modern world. A heavy topic that could have felt overly political and strident. Instead, the filmmakers got their point across while being entertaining, sweet, and funny.
5. Don’t let your storytelling stop at the page or in the theater. The marketers of the Barbie movie did some genius things that continued the story out in the real world. One, at every premier Margot Robbie wore a real outfit from Barbie’s wardrobe. (If Mattel needed another income stream, they would be selling those dresses.) Two, they have life-sized Barbie boxes in all the theaters, ready-made for selfies.
Let the Barbie movie inspire you to embrace the silly! What crazy thing can you build your next story around?
P.S. If you want to know more about Barbie’s history, the Netflix documentary The Toys That Made Us has a wonderful episode about the blonde bombshell.
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