Advertisements
Elle Beauregard
Advertisements
Tag Archives: Random
ImageIs there a writer on your gift-list this year? Here are some ideas
Perhaps you’re buying gifts for a writer this holiday season. Or, maybe you’re looking to treat yourself. Whatever the case, below is a list of items that will make the writer in your life smile. Some I know and love personally–others are ideas I’ve seen other writers recommend (and that might be showing up on my wishlist this year!)
Todoist Premium – Todoist is my favorite task manager, and I’ve written about my love for it quite a bit. Premium gives you the ability to make notes and set reminders on your tasks, among other cool things.
Grammarly Premium – Grammarly is like spell checker on steroids. It works natively in Google Chrome for free (hello typo-free social media and blog posts!), in MS Word for Premium members (welcome to better manuscript spell checking!), and in its own native app for Windows 10 (among other applications.) The premium version checks for more kinds of errors, offers vocabulary enhancement, and more.
Voice Dictation Software – lots of authors swear by it, and it’s something I’d like to give a try too. Many say it helps increase their daily word count output. Dragon is a popular option.
Spa treatments – staring at a computer screen for hours is tiring. Massages help. So do facials. And manicures. That goes for gals and guys.
MindMeister – This is a mind mapping tool that many writers would find useful for the early stages of idea mapping a story. It integrates with another tool called MeisterTask, and lets you turn your ideas into tasks. A personal MindMeister account costs $6/month. The next level up lets you collaborate with other team members, and costs $10/month. Here’s a link directly to the MindMeister pricing page.
Scrivener – I’ve written a little about scrivener, here. It’s basically a word processor made for writing and organizing long form projects. It’s revolutionized the way I stay organized and focused while writing.
Happy giving!
Getting ready for #ECWC16
Well, at this time next week, I’ll be attending Emerald City Writers’ Conference! So, right now, I’m working hard to be ready for all the awesomeness. This will be my first time attending ECWC and my first time live pitching! (YIKES!)
Live pitching is just about as terrifying as it sounds. I’ll have five minutes in front of an editor or literary agent (specific editor or agent TBD) to tell them about my latest project–all in the hopes that they ask to read it! I’ve never done a live pitch before, and so I’m thinking of this more as an opportunity to have the experience. But still, it’d be awfully great if something awesome comes of it! So wish me luck!
Beyond the live pitch session, though, the weekend is certain to be full of educational workshops, meeting other authors, and all-around fun for a writer-geek like me. Plus it’s in Bellevue, which is just always a delight, so no complaints there.
BUT, the weekend isn’t just for authors! If you’re local to the Seattle-Tacoma area (or if you’re willing to travel,) and you love reading romances, you should come out to the Passport to Romance event on Saturday night of the conference (10/15). It looks like its going to be a really good time. It’s open to the public–plus, it’s FREE! So bring a friend! If you make it out, shoot me a tweet! Maybe we’ll see each other there!
So, that’s what’s on my mind and schedule these days. I’ll try to post some pictures on Facebook and/or Twitter while I’m there!
