What does any writer want for Christmas? (Besides the news that there are three top publishers in an auction for your latest book and the bidding has topped half a million...)

Okay, that's not going to happen. But what CAN you get the writer in your life? (Ahem: if YOU are the writer in this saga, read on for a few hints you can drop. Or leave this tipsheet in plain view - with arrows pointing at it, or brilliantly illuminated with Christmas tree lights.)

1. The Gift of Time

This is a great gift for any writer that is pushed for time because of commitments to work, small children, aged parents or the hundred and one other things that take up our days.

It's an especially good gift if you're having a lean year. Giving you time to write costs nothing... but it's a gift that will be greatly appreciated. Tell your family that all you want for Christmas is a gift certificate giving you a set block of time all to yourself to write, every week. How big a block depends on your family circumstances, but to really get into your writing you probably need at least a full morning or afternoon once a week.

Give this some thought and work out what is best for you. Some suggestions:

• a morning or afternoon at weekends

• one full day at weekends

• two hours after dinner three, four or five nights a week

• a full weekend once a month, plus two evenings a week

As you can see, you can tailor this gift of time to suit your own needs. But there needs to be one iron-clad rule: this time is sacrosanct. It is YOURS - your Christmas gift! You cannot be disturbed to referee fights, help with homework, take kids to movies, bath the baby or do the housework. You do those things in your NON-writing time. You are to be disturbed only in an emergency.

2. Your Own Computer, Printer or Internet Connection

Are you constantly giving up YOUR time on the computer because somebody else needs it to do homework, email friends or whatever? Is the printer out of ink just when you need to print out a draft of your story?

It's time to give yourself the same consideration you give to everyone else. It doesn't matter whether your computer and printer are new or the hand-me-downs... as long as they are yours alone. If the budget can handle it, a new computer and/or printer just for you would be wonderful. If the family needs a new computer more than you... then take the old one for yourself. You don't need much memory to do simple word-processing. But remember that older computers are more inclined to misbehave, so back up all your work.

If you do a lot of research online, or spend time in chat rooms with other writers, then look into getting a broadband connection. Either get a wireless connection that several family members can use at the same time, or buy a four-port modem for your cables so you can link your own computer to them. (Cables are a lot messier than the wireless solution, of course.) If you're still on a dialup connection, check into the options for a faster service - cable or broadband.

A note about printers: laser printers are the best for writers. They print out pages very quickly and the toner usually works out cheaper than ink for inkjets, over the same number of pages. Your family might need a colour printer for photos or homework, but for drafts of your writing black and white is fine. Look for Christmas specials.

3. Your Own Writing Space

Need a space to call your own? Walk around the house with your partner and see what you can do. If your bedroom is big enough, one of the simplest solutions is to build in a workstation along the width of one entire wall, then create concertina doors in front of it that open back out of the way when you want to work. Make sure the workspace is deep enough for your computer and printer, plus shelves and other storage for your work. When you're not writing, just close it up into a smooth wall that looks neat and is safe from the fingers of toddlers.

Other suggestions:

• convert all or part of a garage

• buy an old caravan, give it a quick facelift, park it in the backyard and use it as a writer's den. YOU keep the key! This can be quite cosy - you can connect a hose and power easily, so you can make coffee, rinse the cup and run your computer!

• take over a spare bedroom

• close in a verandah or patio; line the walls and add furniture

  Most people find it best to create their writing space away from the hubbub of the main living areas.

4. Writing Tuition - Seminars, Conventions, Books and Courses

You should be constantly working at taking your writing to the next level - and you should be networking, too. Decide on a budget for the next calendar year. How much can you allocate to developing your writing skills? What is the best kind of learning for you?

Some people learn best by attending physical classes, and interacting with others. Some people can't do that because of geographical isolation, so they sign up for online courses or distance education learning. Still others prefer to add to their professional writer's library by subscribing to a writers' magazine and buying the occasional book on writing. And finally, a seminar, workshop or convention is a great place to network: you meet other writers, editors, agents and publishers.

Start taking note of the various ways in which you can develop your writing skills. Do an online search for writers' organisations in your state or province. Network with other writers (online or offline) to find out when writers' events are being held. Make a note of any courses you'd like to sign up for. There will be night classes in writing at local venues, online courses, weekend workshops... watch for them.

And of course, if that's what you want Santa to bring you more than anything else... then make your wishes clear! Leave that magazine subscription form lying around, or talk non-stop about the seminar you wish you could attend, or just flat-out say "This is what I want for Christmas!"

And don't forget: if you're looking for a gift for a friend or family member who is a writer... a magazine subscription or book on writing could be just the thing.

5. Writing Software

Some people love writing software. It helps them to keep their timelines organized; to craft a tighter plot, and to create well-motivated characters. Others find that they work better with a notebook and a cluster diagram.

If software is your thing, then look around at some of the options on the Internet, and drop a quiet word in the right ear if this is what you'd really like for Christmas.