Is there something fun and creative you do just for yourself, with no expectation that it will ever pay the bills?
Let's talk about the activities we engage in purely for our own enjoyment.
And if you've ever had a hobby turn into a job, tell us about that, too!
18 comments:
This is going to sound more pessimistic than I'd like, but writing my novel is kind of a hobby. My "regular" job is travel writing (in fact, I'm typing this in my car, headed to the Florida Keys for my next travel gig), and although I long to be a paid novelist, for now it's a hobby that allows me to escape into a world I love.
Aw, it's okay, Laura. Just be patient. My hobby - visual art - started when I was just a kid, but it's now my career. How could I have known, when I was dabbling with paint as an adolescent, that I would be making a living as an artist and art teacher today?
So, have faith, dear author! I certainly do! I just know that your (our) novel will be published someday.
I like art - looking at it, studying it, not making it. And I like archery, which comes in handy for demon killing. And snowboarding. (I like to surf too but I suck.)
I'm with you, Aidan. Although I'm craft-oriented - that is, I can make things out of nothing - I'm not what I'd call an artist. But I sure do love looking at art - paintings, sculptures, arty photographs, you name it. While on our cross-country adventures, Indy and I have gone to art museums on several occasions - on the free admission days, of course.
And I love archery, too. All those "vision quest" skills that my dad taught me - like shaping bows and arrows, creating medicine pouches, crafting peace pipes and tepees, writing myths, etc. I'd guess you could call those hobbies - I sure haven't made any money from them... but maybe I should!
Video games dude. Down time extra- ordinaire.
But I'd remodel old houses even if it didn't pay the bills. What an awesome thing to give someone a home.
I like reading. Stephen King mostly; but I'd read whatever you wrote Laura. I think I'd like it.
I like to paint! I can paint in oils and watercolors. It's a very relaxing way to pass the time.
Nevin, I also love to paint. I find it exciting to have beauty flowing from my finger tips and an animal come to life as I form its curves and muscles - its shiny coat and finally the glow in its eye.
I don't have time, nor my paints with me right now but I do have pencil and sketch pad and when this journey ends I hope I can settle down and bring some of its memories back on canvas.
Sorry, that was me, Candy. I'm a much better artist than Jil!
I like to read. And shoot.
We made it! We made it! After 14+ hours in the mini-van, Dan and I made it to Florida.
Sorry, I just had to tell someone... and since it's after 3 a.m. where I am, I figured no one would appreciate a phone call - not even the characters.
Course, Vic's probably up.
No worries, Laura. I'm still up - incidentally, pursuing one of my favorite hobbies... online poker. But don't worry - no money exchanges hands. I'm not that stupid. Besides which, Mom would kill me if I wasted all my college money on gambling.
At least I think she would.
Sorry, Daryl. I stepped away for a second to take some meds... yes, in case you're wondering, having a sinus cold while on the road is no fun at all.
As to the gambling, though, I can say with the utmost certainty that Olivia would NOT be happy to hear that you're doing the online gambling thing - even without money.
I know my characters well. At least I think I do.
I certainly *hope* my hobby turns into a job (writing). I just want to let everyone know that I moved my writing blog to a new address.
The Writer's Hole
Be careful what you wish for, Laura and Christine! After the initial giddiness of getting a publishing offer wears off, you realize that now it's your job to keep repeating the miracle. I'm really struggling to find the joy again.
I guess writing was a hobby for me back in college, but now it's a job. I'm in a place a lot of writers would want: contracted to write a novella, finishing what I anticipate will be a sellable novel, weighing sales options for old novels, applying to teach writing at the local JuCo, starting off the year with a book and a short story publication. Not blockbuster, but I'm anticipating actual funds.
So yeah, it's a job. I make lists. I write on deadline (some my own, some others'). I put off doing other things around the house and with the family to get "work" done.
I wouldn't have it any other way though.
Currently, I have a project to read through everything Margaret Atwood has even written and blog about it. I love reading and blogging, so I just combined the two with this project. So far, so good!
I agree with you and think that a hobby can really make a difference in a person’s life. My latest hobby is making knives. The metal the wood together give knife making a very organic feel in a hobby. The designs and styles are unlimited so every hobby has its own advantages but as for me I like to make knives!
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