“So, What Do You Do When You’re Not Writing?”
Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash
Other than the question, “Where do you get your ideas?” we writers are often asked what we do when we’re not writing. I’m always so impressed when an author describes her expertise in knitting or rug-hooking. I am the least crafty person I know!
But there are a few things that are dear to me that I enjoy doing and make time for. One is, of course, spending time with people I love. After a mere 45 years, I still get up each day and look forward to hanging out with my sweet and hilarious husband. He makes it nearly impossible to be in a grumpy mood (Believe me, I’ve tried). And the times I get to be with my children, grandchildren, sisters, and dear friends are precious to me as well. Then there’s the cat at our house, whose antics lighten even the darkest days.
In addition, my love affair with music has been lifelong. Growing up, there was always music playing at my house, and music made me want to move. Big surprise that I became a dancer! But long past my dancing days, music has continued to be a big part of my life. I absolutely love to sing, and my guitar-playing husband and I enjoy making music together. I also sing with a senior chorus, Joyous Singers, which has been such an uplifting experience in my life. I treasure the community, the inspiration and healing I experience singing with the group, and the joy of sharing our music with other seniors in our performances at residential living and care centers.
It also means so much to me to encourage and mentor the next generation of writers in my work teaching creative writing at the Louisville Academy of Fine Arts. Watching students grow, both in my past life as a dance educator and now as a writing teacher, has been an incredible gift.
There’s one final thing I almost forgot to mention but isn’t terribly surprising. Like every other writer on the planet, I love to read. Anything and everything. I never go anywhere without taking a book with me. What a pleasure it is to read. And write!
Feeling grateful.