Gifts for a special writer?

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tardtasticx

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Topic # 110185 4-Oct-2012 17:31

My boyfriend's always talking about how he loves to write, and he's actually really good at it, and I've wanted to find a way to encourage him to write more. I was thinking a real nice Moleskine notebook and a Rotring pen, things I love to use when taking ideas down (Studying architecture and we seem to have a taste for expensive papers and pens). But the thing is, he prefers typing as apposed to writing.

Currently he uses the stock Apple Wireless Keyboard (I also have one for typing with my ipad and must admit it is rather nice) which he got with his iMac. So I'm kinda stuck as to what I should do here, he seems to like that keyboard hes using now, so I dont really wanna change that unless its something really special.

Any one have any ideas for me?

-Sam

[edit: minor fixes]

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Sam, Auckland

timmmay

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Reply # 696574 5-Oct-2012 08:56

A writing course? A course about publishing, e-books, or some related area?

If you want something physical then a nice keyboard might be a good option. I use a DasKeyboard at home and work, but after 18 months it's starting to make some odd noises. This article will give you some good background on good keyboard, which cost $100 - $300.

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Reply # 696602 5-Oct-2012 09:36

OK, after being in architecture school for a long time now (don't ask) I can comprehensively say that a moleskine is just a pretty book. Nothing special about it unless you get it monographed or some such. But being an archi student you'd probably rather monograph it yourself, and it would end up cooler with a more personal touch anyway...

A good rotring pen is OK but i've found them to be a little overrated so if your budget extends that far there might be better options.

I've heard great things about the daskeyboard as a writing device because of the tactile feedback it gives. That being said i'm not sure anyone who hasn't had to use one when learning to type would benefit from it.

Have you thought about a wacom/bamboo digital tablet for writing and drawing digitally?

I bought my girlfriend an old writing table as she likes to write but not digitally. It went down pretty well but more as a desk. So perhaps something to make the digital writing experience more enjoyable rather than more practical might work too? A sweet desk lamp? Nice new chair?

jonb

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Reply # 696607 5-Oct-2012 09:38

Could get a subscription to some writing journals, top level ones for inspiration (the new yorker, granta) and others, in his genre, which he may want to submit his own writing too

tardtasticx

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Reply # 696644 5-Oct-2012 10:32

Hmm Will have a proper read over that link regarding Mechanical Keyboards, Ive used one in the past and they aren't overly horrible, just very loud from what I remember.

And yeh the Moleskine ones are just nicer to look at than say a $5 Visual Diary or something, I had thought to get his name properly done on the front of it to make it more personal, and as for the Rotring pen, I find they flow way more freely than other pens and they're so much nicer to write with, personal preference though.

The bamboo tablet sounds like a good idea, he does design work for the company he works at so it could serve two purposes. Do these work with macs? I've only ever seen them on PC's. And where abouts could I get one from?

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KevinL

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Reply # 696678 5-Oct-2012 11:07

This product is fairly neat, on the topic of tablets - http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Wacom-Inkling/19756644/

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Reply # 696685 5-Oct-2012 11:16

tardtasticx: The bamboo tablet sounds like a good idea, he does design work for the company he works at so it could serve two purposes. Do these work with macs? I've only ever seen them on PC's. And where abouts could I get one from?

Yeah, they're all OSX compliant from what I gather. You can get them from most half decent online retailers and some big box suppliers but they aren't that cheap. Do you have a budget in mind?