Writers: More Than Their Writing

My daughter has been researching and making plans to dive into the craft of weaving. Like me, she reads all the time and in a variety of genres. She's also been reading a lot of nonfiction, some historical and some centered in the Middle East where she hopes to work one day after she graduates from college with her degree in International Relations. In a lot of those books, historical and middle eastern, people are weaving. Women in bad situations scrape out a living by working at one of the oldest crafts in human history. She's put a lot of thought into, checking out how to make a homemade loom and pricing them on eBay and Amazon. Looms are very expensive.

Her interest in the skill of weaving reminds me how many of my writer friends have other talents. Some are skilled bakers and cooks. Some work in the technology fields and really know their way around the computer. Some have skills in music or art.

I am an average baker, average with the crochet hook and a little better than average at cross-stitchery. I love jigsaw puzzles, like to exercise and enjoy the outdoors when it's warm.

Some weeks like the past two, I feel like I'm using every minute of my day to write as I try to finish the first draft of my current WIP by the end of the week. But I took some time to bake yesterday and of course a few hours off to read. But it's so easy to get caught up in the writing, since I enjoy it, and let all those other fun things go. Don't forget the other little joys beyond your writing.

I think few creative people put all their energy into one medium. Where else do your talents show up? Do you find those other activities as enjoyable as writing? Know anyone with a loom for sale?

Finally!

I accomplished one of my goals for this week. I had to share the picture. I really do love to cross-stitch but it has taken a second place to my writing. I've been working on this particular project for nearly two years. Now I did cross-stitch a few book markers during the same time. And I crocheted two afghans also.

Right now, my crafting project is an afghan for my son starting Penn State in the fall. I made one for all my kids in their college colors when they left home. Something of mom to keep them warm on a cold winter's night. LOL.

So here's my cross-stitch, the protector of small children fairy.