Gifts That Never Stop Giving

Okay, writers, fess up! People who love us are always trying to give us just the right book or gadget to make our Christmas memorable. What was under your tree this year that lit up your face and made you say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have!”, when you were really, really glad they did?

My total surprise gift was from from my oldest.  I certainly wasn’t expecting a Sony Digital Book Reader! Yikes! You get a free gazillion downloads of the classics, so the first thing I did was download Dickens’ Bleak House. I don’t know if I’ll ever finish the 2,000+ pages, but I have a better chance than trying to carry the book around for a decade. I know folks who have Kindles adore them, but this gift is pretty sweet to me.

Wireless Zpen and Receiver

The other cool gift I got was from my hubby–money to get a digital pen, like LiveScribe or Zpen. These gizmos take your written words and transcribe them to your computer in typed form. Some have the capability to record everything that is being said as you write, beneficial if you’re in a lecture or such. Some of them use special dotted paper but some can write on regular paper. I guess I prefer one that doesn’t use special paper since I just bought a bunch of Levenger paper. (I am such an addict. Some people seek out fine wines, I hunt luxury office supplies.) Does anyone have one of these gadgets? I’d love to hear your feedback.

People also love to give writers books and got some hi-larious books–from Son 2, Steven Colbert’s book, I Am America. From my sister a book not for the politically correct, Stuff White People Like.

Where’s That File?

Okay, I know I probably didn’t invent this, but as I was cleaning the rest of the basement (the world outside my hopeless office) I came across something I thought could help organize my files.

It was one of those shoe/purse hanging organizers and I had one leftover from a set of organizers I had ordered from QVC. When I pulled it out of its box (I save a lot of boxes–you should see the pile of cardboard I’m recycling), it looked like it could hold a file folder. Sure enough, it can!

I have hung it on my office door, but I may put a hook on the wall next to my desk and put it there. The one I have is two sided and has 5 storage slots on each side. The uppermost two slots open at the top and are closed on the sides–great for file folders that need to stare you in the face each day, not hidden behind a pile of other files. The bottom three slots are open on each end, but I have file jackets I can put in there. The three-ring binder that I keep my bills in even fits in there! Let’s see if this helps me remember to pay them.

This was a lot cheaper solution than buying one of those acryclic wall file organizers (especially since it was free) and more flexible.

Great Idea for School Visits

Writing in the I.N.K. blog, author Vickie Cobb tells of an interesting way she’s reaching out to schools in other states. Vickie is using video conferencing to visit with students. It required an investment in equipment, but it is a way to visit with your readers who are far away. 

This might be something I want to look into since some days Park Forest is too far for me to go, and I live next door in Chicago Heights!

Little Lost Catalogs

News of two catalogs in my mail, one weird and one with a good deal. First the weird one.

The $4,750 Altier Simoni ID pen with gold and diamonds. Really.

It’s the Fahrneys Pens catalog and I suppose they thought since I’m a writer I’d be nutty for good pens. Good assumption, but they forgot that I’M A WRITER AND THUS I HAVE NO REAL MONEY. I have money called “royalties,” which is like dealing in writing futures. (I’m surprised they haven’t tried selling these on Wall Street. Hey, then we writers could have been bailed out.) I thought the Levenger pens were expensive–one of these Fahrneys pens cost $4,750 and it must be popular because it’s out-of-stock!

Second catalog in my mailbox yesterday was the Writer’s Digest Book Club. If you’re a member and you haven’t been reading your mail from them, open it up! The club has announced that it’s going out of business at the end of October and the last catalog has some good deals on writing books. More importantly though, they are giving all members a FREE one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com! So open that mail!

Hot Tip

From time to time, I’ll share things I’ve found to make life as a writer easier (besides a husband to subsidize my existence). Today I’m bringing news of a cart that makes it possible for me to get from point A to point Talk.

The Compact Sit-Down Cart

It’s the Compact Sit-Down Cart, which I purchased through Footsmart.com. It’s great–it folds up when you don’t need it or are in transit. When you easily pop it up, there’s a good amount of storage for your books and other supplies. And if you’re working a convention and have to stand in a long line for lunch, flip the seat down and grab a seat while you wait.

I’m not an agent of Footsmart–I’m just someone with lousy feet and legs who uses their site and catalog. The cart is lightweight but relatively sturdy. Since the handle folds up, it doesn’t have a really firm feeling, but it does the job. Check it out if you’ve been using a big rolling suitcase or cart to get to your speaking or signing engagements. In addition to getting a place to sit when I purchased this, I just didn’t think I looked real professional using the shopping cart I use to take my mother’s groceries up. (Hmmm, wonder why?)