Wednesday, February 6, 2019

IWSG & Creativity

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.




Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

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OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?

Music has always been a huge part of my life and I've recently returned to playing the piano (when we inherited a piano after the death of a family member). I hadn't played since I was a young teen and it took a while to get back into the groove. I'll never play without a few stumbles here and there, but it's bringing me lots of joy!

I also doodle around with cartoons. Never was very good with realistic sketching, but I do enjoy cartooning.

Baking and cooking can also be creative. Most of the time, things turn out very well, but the other times keep things interesting! 😀

How about you? Any musicians, artists, crafters, and other creative types out there?

50 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad you are playing again. Keep at it and you'll get better. I'll never be a great guitar player, but I enjoy the heck out of playing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I wish I could play music. I just have to enjoy it.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Learning the play the piano is one of my life bucket list entries. Very cool! I like to dabble in graphic art and I love to paint wall murals. I haven't done either in a while though.

Carol Kilgore said...

Mediocre piano player and crafter here! I like to cook creatively, though :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What was the sign Oscar Wilde saw when he toured the Old West? "Don't the piano player. He's trying the best he can." :-)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I meant DON'T SHOOT! :-) Darn stiff fingers in the morning!!

Chrys Fey said...

I love music and have always wanted to play an instrument. When I was little, we had a piano, and I had wanted to learn, but then my mom sold it, and classes were out of the question. I admire those who can play an instrument. :)

emaginette said...

Joy is the reason we should be all creative. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Natalie Aguirre said...

I have my parent's piano at my house and have been trying to teach myself to play by playing simple songs I like that we had. Not much time for it though.

cleemckenzie said...

How wonderful to get back to playing the piano! That must be so exciting for you.

Heather R. Holden said...

Wow, that's amazing about the piano-playing! Have always admired people who know how to play a musical instrument like that. Glad you've had a chance to return to it, and that it's bringing you joy!

And how fun about the cartoons! I've always gravitated toward that, too, over more realistic styles. Very cool to learn about all these creative hobbies of yours!

Jemi Fraser said...

That sounds like me - I'm having a blast and it's a definite relaxer!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm very glad my parents insisted on music lessons!

Jemi Fraser said...

My mom took up the organ and violin when she turned 40 and 50 - you can do it!
When you do have the time/energy to get back into it - it'll help you make that next step forward

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I aspire to be a mediocre crafter! My daughter is amazing!

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Lovely that you were able to return to piano playing.

Mason Canyon said...

I so admire anyone who can play a musical instrument. Glad you're back to playing again.

Denise Covey said...

I've played guitar most of my life but don't pick it up much these days. Too busy on the laptop. But I love baking, Instagramming for my photography and so much more...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I used to play piano but I don't have a piano anymore. Occasionally I find myself missing it.

Raimey Gallant said...

I thought that if you could draw, you could draw realistic or cartoon-like. I had no idea people could be better at one or the other. I can't do either, lol. Happy IWSG Day, Jemi!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I always wanted to learn piano (and guitar). My kids both learned an instrument, so at least I made sure they got that start. Enjoy playing the piano!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

We have a piano and I've tinkered with it from time to time, but I just can't seem to learn it! It seems, somehow, mathematical to me with all the quarter notes and stuff. :) Your creative outlet would be a lot of fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - thanks for not wanting to shoot me! :)
I have the same finger issues in the morning

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm so glad my parents took out a loan to get that piano and give us lessons. We were very lucky they made it a priority!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's definitely a challenge to fit in the time for it. But, it's helping me alleviate some stress so that helps!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is! I learned Send In The Clowns for my mom when I was a teen and it's the first one I was able to re-learn. Yay for muscle memory!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Heather. My art could never reach your levels, but I do have fun with doodling!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm loving it!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm getting into photography too - so much to learn, but it's fun!
My son tried so hard to teach me guitar but my fingers just can't figure it out!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I was surprised how much it filled me up when I started playing again

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I can attest that they are definitely different skills! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks - I am!!
My son plays guitar and he tried to teach me, but my hands just can't do it!!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I agree - there is a huge math component to music. It probably helps that I've always loved both!!

DMS said...

How awesome that you are getting back into piano and that it is bringing you so much joy. :)
~Jess

Gina Gao said...

I love music, and am glad that I can play piano and the violin.

www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com

Diane Burton said...

Enjoy the music. Play for yourself. Who cares about mistakes, just enjoy.

Dawn Simon said...

Fun question! I like to draw and sometimes play with paints. I like to bake cookies and, on rare occasions, I like to cook food that's nutritious. (I cook nutritious foods, of course, but we're talking having fun with it, yes?)

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Oh, I wish I had that talent! I love music, and always wished I'd mastered an instrument. I used to dabble with piano, but was never classically trained, so I had no idea about chords and the like--I could only pick out a melody.

I love cooking, baking, decorating, gardening and photography. The challenge is finding the time for them.

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is - such fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

My mom taught herself the violin in her 40s - so talented. Another beautiful instrument!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds like perfect advice!

Jemi Fraser said...

I wish I could play with paints - always looks like a kindergarten kid got a hold of things! :)
And, yes, we need to have fun - even when cooking healthy foods!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Picking out the melody is definitely the most fun, but the chords do add the body to the piece!
Definitely a challenge to find that time!!

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

"Most of the time, things turn out very well, but the other times keep things interesting!" LOL.

Ronel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It

Arlee Bird said...

We never had a piano in our home as I was growing up and that is something I regret. I don't have one in my own home either, but I've got several other instruments that I mostly don't play.

Cooking is something I do a lot of since I'm the one who does the cooking in our household. I really impressed my wife with our Valentine's Day dinner yesterday. She said it was far better than anything we might have gotten in a restaurant and I'd agree.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Jemi Fraser said...

it's always an adventure! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's fabulous - you may have to put some recipes on the blog!

Debbie D. said...

A fellow music fan! ☺ I'm sure that doodling is therapeutic and you're probably better at it than you think. Sadly, the baking gene passed me by. Too fussy, too messy. I can cook some things, but don't really enjoy it. I do admire people who can whip up delicious concoctions with seemingly little effort.

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