What to Get Your Favourite Blogger/Writer this Christmas? 5 Best (Affordable) Picks!
What to get your favourite blogger this Christmas? It’s hard sometimes, with so many gadgets that you can people that like to write online. Instead of just getting them another gadget, why would you help them write more by getting them some writing “power-ups”: great writing software, great blogging gadgets…?
Don’t worry, our recommendations are price-conscious and we won’t be recommending buying them a new MacBook Air, although I’m sure they’d appreciate it. Apple would too!
1. A Writing App That’s Simple to Write In
Honestly, if you’re using a version of Word that has too many options for you to use, you shouldn’t be using it. Instead of using a so-called text processor (reminds me of food processors), you should get the simplest available writing app that doesn’t even allow formatting more advanced than ‘bolding’ the test. I’m quite serious.
Depending on the platform of your choice (Mac, Windows, Linux…), you’ll have some apps you can choose. Seriously, let’s not get into details since you literally have hundreds of apps to choose from in the Windows or Mac App Stores. Your favourite blogger will appreciate you getting them an app that will make them more productive, helping them write more and write better!
2. (1.1.?) A Companion Writing App for Your Phone
We all have another device besides our primary laptop or desktop computer and in most cases it’s a smartphone. Maybe a tablet sometimes, but most of us have an Android phone or iPhone next to us when writing our next masterpiece. Since we can get ideas for great articles or want to outline new characters for our next novel while we’re away from our computers and our zen writing apps, it’s important to an app on your mobile device to make notes in. The Mac app Ulysses, for example, has an iPhone companion while most of us will likely use Evernote, “your external brain”, that you can get a premium profile for your favourite blogger!
What I would recommend is preparing all these apps as a system that your blogger can use and outlining a process that fits their current writing style. Instead of just emailing them the app licence, make an event from it and develop their new writing ritual that’s based on software but looks at how they write!
3. A ‘Zen’ App Isn’t Enough? Get Hemingwrite!
Does your favourite blogger love old school writers such as Hemingway? He or she likes to grab a strong drink, sit on the veranda and type away without a wi-fi connection to hinder their inspirational writing? Besides being a damn hipster that believes that there’s such a thing as “writer’s block” (there’s not), I’m sure that they also believe they can be far more productive writing on an old school typewriter.
But too bad, these old typewriters aren’t as user-friendly as they might (not) seem, so you should get them the next best thing: Hemingwrite, a distraction free typewriter that’s lightweight and available through its Kickstarter campaign page. Consisting of only an e-paper screen and mechanical keyboard, it’s the perfect thing for someone who wants to write ‘old-school’.
4. Look After the Health of Your Writer(‘s Hands)
Do you know how many writers have problems when their wrists start to hurt because of all the (un)necessary typing? It’s called RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) and it’s not at all pleasant. While there are some gadgets and add-ons that can help, the best thing that you can “get” your favourite blogger or writer is helping them get into the habit of taking care of themselves and their hands.
5. Make Them a Website
Have you seen our extensive guide on how a writer can make a website for their novel or other “writing work” just using a domain name (.ME, right ;)), some hosting and a website builder? So, don’t wait: Read the guide on how to make a website for a writer and make one for yours! They can be a blogger as well 😉
