I think this is a really important lesson. Love crafts? Make crafts! (I have been...) You can see her creations here: http://t.co/myje8ocDQ6
— Jessica Sinsheimer (@jsinsheim) July 21, 2014
In other words: Yes, you're a writer. But you're allowed to love other creative projects, too. Following inspiration is NOT a waste of time.
— Jessica Sinsheimer (@jsinsheim) July 21, 2014
I sometimes think of our creative selves as soil. Sometimes you just need some crop rotation. @stampepk
— Jessica Sinsheimer (@jsinsheim) July 21, 2014
I love the idea of creative crop rotation. Such a great way to look at it.
There are many times when I come home from work and feel too brain dead to make a simple dinner, much less write for an hour or to reach a 1000-word goal. But I start to go a little crazy--okay, a little crazier than usual--if I don't have a creative outlet. Besides, I have my suspicions that writing actually kills the sane brain cells and causes the crazy ones to multiply. Rapidly. ;)
To rebuild some of those sane brain cells, sometimes I'll sew or crochet. And I love to make things with Photoshop and Excel. Yes, I said Excel. Numbers, colors, and conditional formatting? What's not to love? Plus, it's one of those things that, like writing, I don't think I could ever really learn completely, so I'll never get bored with it.
So what about you? What do you do to recharge your writer brain? Any crafts or nerdy programs you enjoy?
I love photography -- both looking at others' creations and playing around with my own camera. Browsing vintage photographs is great for coming up new story ideas, too.
ReplyDeleteFun hobby! And I love that get new story ideas from old photographs. I might have to try that. :)
DeleteI love to get my hands on a crappy piece of furniture and do something with it. Or work on a classic car to bring it back to life. Explore Wyoming. Go to a museum. ANd sometimes, it's as simple as talking to my family.
ReplyDeleteRestoring furniture and cars are both on my list of things to learn someday. :)
DeleteWe love benefiting from your Excel obsession behind the scenes on OA, Abby! I prefer working with photographs, video, or (less frequently these days) music and drawing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angelica! Great ways to recharge. :)
DeleteLove this post. :) You maybe have just inspired a post for Thrusday. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help. ;)
DeleteThanks for the valuable reminder. I have a hard time giving myself permission to recharge as a writer, though I do it as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time doing that too, especially since my teenagers want my undivided attention whenever I'm home. It can be difficult to carve out that time for yourself without feeling guilty about it. I'm glad the post was helpful too you. :)
DeleteImprov theater and jazz dance. Never got into the crochet thing.
ReplyDelete