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Vintage writer's bag, leather

Advice is great, but advice on its own won’t make you a better writer. We become better writers by writing and it’s always easier to write when we’re inspired. To that end, a creative prompt using an ordinary item.


Vintage writer’s bag, leather | an exercise in writing product descriptions

This week’s ordinary item: Handmade Leather Writer's Medic Bag by Galen Leather

What is it? A leather bag with compartments for notebooks, journals, pen slots, and accessories so you can easily pack all your writing essentials with you.

A description worthy of the bag?

When a product is designed specifically for writers, the stakes are high for the words used to describe it. Quality craftsmanship will get one so far, but no farther, without the exact right set of complementary phrases.

Yet, it’s easy for any product page to end up overcomplicating the description or to get caught up in simply listing out features.

After reviewing Galen Leather’s product page this week (big thanks to them for allowing us to feature them), we were left with one question - what would a description worthy of the bag sound like?

The task for you is to come up with a creative description for their product page. (see below for a few tips to keep you focused)

Remember: have fun with the exercise, push the boundaries, look at this “ordinary” item in an uncommon way. Most importantly, write something!

Galen Leather’s Writer’s Bag is: __________________ .


Not sure where to start? Some prompts to get the creativity flowing…

  • Don’t get caught up in feature lists, remember, photos can do the heavy-lifting here

  • What will happen in the life of a writer as a result of getting this bag?

  • Is this an investment into something? Or is it a necessary cost?

  • What is the writer using now instead of this bag?

  • Where will this bag go? Where has it been? Where is it out of place and where does it fit it?

  • Speak through story. Tell a story. Never forget the importance of story.


Add to this story — what happens next? Leave a comment and let us know.

Inspire someone else — share this page with a friend or colleague.

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