10 Writerly Things to Love by Kristen Crowley Held

In honor of Valentine's Day,
a list of ten things that make my writer's heart go pitty-pat:

1. Up by Jawbone

You can track your sleep, activity, food and drink with this wristband plus app, but what I love about it is that it wakes me with a gentle buzz so I can get up and at my computer at the crack of dawn (or before) without disturbing my husband or my easily awakened small children.

2. Monday Coffee: Birdcage Tumbler 

Okay, I actually use it for tea, but this mug rocks! Thermal insulated, shatterproof, it holds eighteen ounces, is microwave and top dishwasher safe and it has a lid. What's not to love?

  3. Harney & Sons English Breakfast Tea Sachets

These "silken sachets" are faster and easier to use than loose leaf tea so I can get my caffeine on and get to writing ASAP.

4. Silicone Keyboard Cover

Fun and functional! Liven up your laptop and protect your keyboard from spills and toddler goo. Need I say more?

Knit mitts by Pia Barile (not my sis).

5. Arm Warmers

For some reason my office is the coldest room in the house, so my loving sis knitted some fabulous arm warmers to help keep my fingers flying despite the chill. If there's no accommodating knitter in your life, get thee to Etsy (the mitts pictured to the left are available from Pia Barile's shop).

6. Scrivener

The tagline says it all, "Outline. Edit. Storyboard. Write." And you don't even have to be a Mac user anymore to take advantage of this fabulous software program. If you're both meticulous and fragmented, like me, you'll love Scrivener too.

 

7. The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale

This corpulent tome never fails to assuage my polydipsia for a superlative word. Use it to add some pulchritude to your magnum opus, or even an opuscule.

8. The JuJuBe GigaBe Laptop bag

I discovered JuJuBe back in my diaper bag days and while I don't miss the diapers I did miss my tough, thoughtfully designed bag. So imagine my joy when I discovered they now make laptop bags! There are a number of patterns to choose from, as well as black and brown earth leather versions. There's also a smaller version called the MicraBe. Trust me, you'll love these "super smart bags."

9. Laplander Lap Desk

This lovely lap desk has a large surface area, elastic straps to keep your pens, notebook, cord, etc. from slipping, and the pillow detaches so you can easily pack it for travel.

10. Dropbox

"Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. This means that any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website." Back up your writing files, share your manuscript with your critique group, or access your files from another device. And even if every electronic device you own dies, your files are safe!

There you have it! Ten things I'll be loving on Valentine's Day morning when I tackle my WIP yet again. How about you? What would you put on your list of writerly things to love?

Craig Lew's Writer's Gift Guide

So, you’ve completed Nanowrimo, yet with all those words you’ve written, you probably forgot your letter to Santa and Hanukah is roaring up on you like the Hogwart’s Express.  

No worries my Turbo Monkey tribe.  I’m here to help jump start that long list of “gimme me” stuff because you’ve been a good writer monkey and deserve something more than a week-old banana peel.

Let’s start with the obvious big stuff.

Ipad mini 16 GB - wifi $329.00

The latest thing from the fruit stand.  Glorified Ipod Touch?  Yeah maybe, but you can write stuff with it, read books and it fits in a large clutch. (not talking 'bout auto mechanics).  If you don’t need to check Facebook while driving down the freeway at 90 mph, then save some bucks and get the wifi only version.  

If too much fruit gives you the runs, then here are some other options.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - 10.1 $299.00 (on sale)
Android powered, it has iPad functionality and a ton of apps and is larger than the ipad mini.

Nook HD 16 GB $229.00
7 inch screen, color, tons of books, now plays movies and also has email and calendar.

Kindle Fire HD $199.00
Less expensive yet approaching the iPad functionality, the Kindle Fire HD 7 is the smaller version of the latest Amazon offering.

Now if you’re like me and have a Splenda Mommy instead of a Sugar Daddy, here are some interesting fun writer-monkey gifts at a reduced investment.

Thai Pad $49.00

No, this is not endorsed by Suzanne Sommers, nor will it help with those unsightly bulges.  The Thai Pad is a reading pillow for your book or tablet.  Made in Thailand by Thai peeps and "with every purchase a donation is made to the International Reading Association's literacy programs in Thailand, so that hands such as those that crafted this bookrest can now also hold books."

Space Pen/Tablet Stylus $25.00

Here is something that has served me very well for decades.  The key feature is that it writes upside down.  So when you dream that next Harry Potter concept, you can jot it down (or up) without leaving the bed.

Note Card Wallet $39.00

I keep my space pen in this leather note pad.  Large enough to hold business cards, it's perfect for jotting down story ideas, notes at conferences, or to log contact info from those who claim they’ve run out of business cards.  

• Comes with an extra pad of paper
• Pocket for business cards
• Comes with a mini ballpoint that fits in the locking pen loop
• Pebbled, full-grain leather with contrast stitching
• 3W x 1/2D x 4 3/4H
• Available in black, red, or saddle

Last but in no way least is a gift I am sending to you. 

The gift that keeps on giving.

The gift that motivates me to get out of bed and switch on my laptop.

The gift that has no price tag because it is priceless
and the only gift where to receive it, you are required to give it back...
the gift called FRIENDSHIP.  

Happy Holidays my Turbo Monkey Friends.