Comments on: Are Freelance Writers and Bloggers Boring?

By: Dawne

Dawne — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:56:55 +0000

heh.. Yeah Deb.. I’m not quite as interested in self-help books that teach me how to do what I’m already doing. If it’s something that I’ve been wanting to get into or that I’ve made a point of mentioning that I’d like more information on.. Then I’d love to have one, otherwise it’s just a book that will probably go in the bookshelf and not really be seen anymore. And yeah Brandi.. A heart monitor doesen’t strike me as real fun or even writer-associated.. Unless someone really gets into their writing physically and is bouncing all over the place as they type on their keyboards.
I do have to admit that word processing software really does get me excited for some reason!

By: Brandi

Brandi — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:25:35 +0000

I don’t know, Deb. I’m having a hard time imagining how *anyone* would find a heart rate monitor fun. I mean, I have one on my stationary bike, but seriously it’s just so I don’t keel over while working out. I don’t really look forward to it, ya know?

By: Veronica Shine

Veronica Shine — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:25:38 +0000

What I would find interesting is free tickets for an upcoming movie. It may just inspire me to write a review on it for a blog.

By: Deborah Ng

Deborah Ng — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:02:29 +0000

Hi Guys,

I like writing related gifts too! Don’t get me wrong. I think my point was that when I put out the call for “fun” gifts for writers I got a variety of books and power cords. Are those fun to us or just how a publicist sees us?

By: Dawne

Dawne — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:53:20 +0000

Aw.. I’m another one of those who like writer-related gifts. Mainly because like what Jenn said, alot of my family doesen’t understand the concept of writing for work. While they definately are excited that I’m able to do what I have always loved doing, my work is viewed as ‘too-good-to-be-true’ and surely must be a scam. So it definately feels good to have the ones you respect and love bestow writing-related-gifts on you as if they are accepting and showing respect on your profession in turn.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:47:58 +0000

Hear hear! As a person who could have been a stand-up comic in another life, I often hear a “No way are YOU an editor!” whenever I announce my career. What?! Are editors all meek rejects sitting in the corner with their faces pressed to pages and red pens in their hands?! Come on, people…those are COPYEDITORS!

I’m kidding! Kidding!!

By: » Freelance Friday - November 21, 2008: All Freelance Writing: Your Freelance Writing Resource

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:34:39 +0000

[...] Are Freelance Writers and Bloggers Boring? [...]

By: Julie F

Julie F — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:10:48 +0000

I don’t really consider myself the ‘normal’ writer, so I guess it will come as no surprise that I really, really wish you’d gotten the ‘Pee’ light. That’s one gift we could use in this house.

Outside of that, writing gifts are ok, but I don’t see as how some of that stuff could be considered fun at all. The epoxy could be. Just might accidentally put someone in the hospital if the joke went wrong.

All I want this year is rolls of the bags for my new Seal A Meal. Shows how boring I am, huh?

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:08:32 +0000

Here’s something to keep in mind regarding the gift lists you see online though – those are often on writing-related sites and blogs.

We’re in a niche, and we target our posts to that niche (or we should). When a writing blogger posts a gift list, they’re not talking to the family and everyday friends of most freelance writers. The bulk of our audiences (again, the folks we should be writing for) are more likely to be writers themselves (perhaps buying for colleague-type friends as opposed to highly personal friends) as well as potential buyers of writing services who may want to buy a gift for one of their freelancers. In those cases, writing-related gifts are usually the safest bet (and more often than not appreciated).

I wouldn’t dare try to tell a husband what to buy his just-happens-to-be-a-writer wife for instance – outside of being writers, we’re just everyday folks, and those near and dear to us should know us well enough to choose those more personal gifts without having to turn to a niche blog for ideas.

And I’m actually with Colleen – I love getting writing-related gifts. Why? Because all year long I have to deal with friends and family members who don’t understand what I do for a living or why, and who don’t respect it as “real work” more often than I’d care to admit. When they give something related to my work it’s like a small sign that they really did listen to me at some point, understand what I might want or need, and that they’re making an honest effort to accept that aspect of my life whether or not they’ll ever fully understand it.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:34:32 +0000

I love notebooks and pens and tend to get giddy when I receive them as gifts. For our anniversary my husband bought me a gorgeous pink journal cover and two journals to go into it(that I picked out, of course!) But he also bought me a scented candle.

I think if people want to buy the writer in their lives writing related stuff, that’s fine. Just add something non related that you know the person will like. Even something like pens set in a big ole coffee mug is practical yet personal.