Write Better, Right Now:Holiday 22

Mary Vasudeva

Clarity, Concision, Impact

3-min read

Check out the website Writebetterrightnow.net or email mvasudeva03@yahoo.com

Write Better:  Give the gift of writing better!

Writing CAN be a pleasure. The following gift ideas are designed to spark the writing process and, perhaps, inspire a love for writing.

Family Fun

●        Looking for something to do with your family and friends over the holidays? Try one of these Word Teaser flashcard games that build vocab for all.

For Children

●        The best way to support improvement in children’s writing is to do lots of reading!  Think about a book subscription: Bookaroo offers subscriptions for kids from 0-12; The Stem Reads book club is for science minded kids, ages 4-8.

●        Sometimes simplest is best: get a notebook and a bunch of colored pencils, pens and/or markers. A fun set of writing instruments (the crayola box of 64 works as well) may be all it takes to spark the writing process.

●        If your budding writer needs more creative inspiration, the following gift ideas provide creative writing prompts:

○        Question a day journal for kids, MaryAnne Kochenderfer, ages 8-12: includes 365 easy questions to get kids to start writing

○        101 Story starters is available for a variety of ages starting with 5-6 year olds.

○        Draw Write Now series provides writing prompts connected to drawing to encourage the development of both skills (along with thinking and history and science, etc.). The series ranges from writing about the Arctic to writing about Pilgrims (adults might find the series intriguing as well).

●        If the idea of writing makes the child in your life run and hide in the closet, you might try this book of lettering: The Kids’ Book of Hand Lettering, Nicole Miyuki Santo: kids practice writing letters in a variety of creative and decorative ways. It’s a very “non-threatening” approach to writing, ages 8 and up.

●        Mad Libs Junior: if you aren’t familiar with the Mad Libs genre, they provide a “fill in the blank” approach to story writing. Do a search at your favorite bookseller and you’ll find dozens of options (some are for adults as well). Mad libs are particularly excellent for learning the parts of speech and developing vocabulary.

For Adults

●        If you know someone who loves to travel, gift this unique travel journal that prompts writers to take note of the unusual, I was here, Kate Pocrass

●        Synapsis is a game that starts with writing a sentence and then the storytelling begins.  The cards prompt the use of new words and ideas. The game can be played to develop your own creative writing skills or can be played with up to 6 people. (there’s also a kid version)

●        Give the gift of The Writer’s Practice, John Warner, which encourages developing habits of mind that are consistent with writing practice. Exercises take writers through the non-fiction writing process encouraging and supporting the writing habit of mind.

●        Check out Storyworth and get someone you know (my daughter gave this gift to my mom, and she loved it!) to start writing their story one week at a time. At the end of a year, the story is bound and turned into a keepsake book.

For Yourself

●        Give yourself a visit to the writing coach! Taking time to improve your writing is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

●        If you like workbooks, try The Word-a-Day Vocabulary Workbook (Francine Puckly). Some words you’ll never use again, but the practice approach helps to make words part of your vocabulary and encourages you to practice your writing.

●        And, finally, if you like writing about yourself and want to start compiling your own story, try The Memoir Workbook: A Step by Step Guide to Help Brainstorm, Organize, and Write Your Unique Story (C. S. Larkin).

Wishing you and yours peace and joy (and writing improvement!) for 2023

Resources

YouTube Video gifts for writers

Impactful, results driven communication powers success

It leads to measurable improvements in personal confidence, job satisfaction, and in workplace interaction, engagement and productivity

Have a writing question? Comment? Or Idea for future issues?

I’d love to hear from you: mvasudeva03@yahoo.com