Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?
My latest hobby is collecting snow days or ice days, like today. The Midwest, home to blizzards, ten-foot snow drifts, and ice, makes me happy. Don't get me wrong. I HATE winter. But I love SNOW DAYS (when they call and cancel school) !! During the sleet falling last night, we experienced thunder and lightning. What is happening?? Snow days make for a great time to edit and write!
Okay, I'll get serious. One of my favorite creative outlets other than writing is reading. My kids in the library asked me this week how many books I was currently reading. I admitted that I, the librarian, have a problem. I can't stop. I just finished a Scottish murder mystery/thriller and the second book in the Truly, Devious murder mystery series, which I almost threw across the room when I read the last page. Seriously??? That's how you end?? I was left on a cliffhanger the size of Alaska. I can't deal.
Reading books in many different genres helps me think creatively to plot and to plan multiple murders--mysteries, people!! I know it sounds morbid, but my younger self always wanted to be a detective.
Also hiking. Hiking makes me happy. I love exploring the great outdoors!
In other news, I just recorded my first radio interview that went out on Monday on VoiceAmerica radio station! My publisher wanted to interview an award-winning author. That's me!
I can't wait to read what everyone else does for fun and inspiration! Now, please, excuse me while I enjoy another snow, er, ice day!
I love big snows too, especially at night when it piles up on the street and the world goes quiet -- until the snowblowers start up, but I like those too! Congratulations on the radio interview. Exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love that you have a problem reading! Me, too! I'm ashamed to say this, but sometimes I read when I should be writing. I can't help it! I must get to the next chapter. And major congrats on your first radio interview! I've done a few and they are super fun.
ReplyDeleteAh...snow days. Yup, living up here in Maine I completely understand those.
My desk is cluttered with TBR books and "already read but really want to read again" books. I haven't even started with my Kindle. Sheesh. It's a crazy tunnel I've buried myself in.
DeleteThat's very cool about the interview.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for snow days!
Thanks! I could tolerate more snow days without the snow.
DeleteWe had two too-cold-for-school days off last week. I used to get upset for snow days, because I can't write with my kids in the house. But these days, I treasure the extra sleep and the interruption in homework.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the radio interview. That must have been fun.
I never thought of reading and hiking as creative pursuits, but I love both. I'm currently reading a non-fiction book about cavers trying to find the deepest cave in the world and it's fascinating.
I love them, too, even with kids in the house!
DeleteOh! I love how reading helps your creativity. I totally agree! It helps me write better too. I love you like to hike, and a radio interview?! That’s so great! Happy IWSG day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We hiked here the first week in January. Now, we're paying the price. Forty below zero. ugh. And now ice.
DeleteI don't miss the snow, but I kind of miss snow days. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the radio interview!
Same!! Thanks.
DeleteOur kids had 3 snow days last week. Now the administration is thinking of taking other days off to make up for them. We live around Buffalo. It's snowy. They provide the schools with 2 snow days total, then they take day's away from spring break.
ReplyDeleteI forget about reading. Without reading how can we write!!!
Only two days total?? We have a ton of snow days built in. WE've pretty much used them all.
DeleteI also love to read books of all different genres, even non-fiction/memoir. They all help me in some way. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, they do!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, I love reading too and walking helps clear the cobwebs from my brain. And like you I love reading different genres, now I have started writing them. I envy you all the snow :(
ReplyDeleteI can ship the snow to you today, tomorrow? ;)
DeleteCongrats on the interview! I love reading, as well. Based upon the number of books in my home and on my kindle, you'd never know I'm a regular at the local library, as well. I love winter. I love the snow, too, but not when I used to have to drive to work in it. Now that I work from home, every day is a snow day for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Now that I work in the library it's gotten worse! I envy you getting to stay home and work. I hate snow!
DeleteI love to read and do it way more than I write. It's very relaxing. Can't say I love snow days after last week. It was bitter cold and I didn't have Internet for five days because the cables froze. Glad you're enjoying it though.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I was praying our power lines/internet didn't freeze!!
DeleteWe don't do "snow days" around here (Ottawa, Canada). Now, we get lots of days where school buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, but they virtually never close the schools (too many parents rely on them as daycare).
ReplyDeleteBack home in Newfoundland, mind you, they don't mess around with bad weather. My nieces had 4 snow days in the first week of January alone. In Newfoundland you don't worry about a fender bender on the highway during rush-hour - back there, bad weather will kill you if you don't take it seriously.
Hannibal is among a thousand hills. Steep cliffs that drop off into the Mississippi or down a deep ravine. Not conducive to ice and snowy conditions. That's the price you pay for living in
Deletea scenic overlook town!
Reading is a good one. Enjoy your ice day.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can read anywhere! Pretty much.
DeleteI loved snow days when I was a full time teacher though I never got as much done as I wanted to on those surprise vacation days. Congrats on the interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHeh, I think you and are very different! Snow days means the kids are home, therefore absolutely nothing writing related gets done. :D Awesome about the interview! Woot!
ReplyDeleteWell, I used to hate them. But now that I'm working in the school library, well, I love them!
ReplyDeleteI'm originally from PA so I remember how I love snow and ice days!
ReplyDeletereading is one of my hobbies along with jigsaw puzzles, miniature dollhouses and coloring books.
Well, I could do without the snow and ice...but I sure love days off from work/school!
DeleteCongrats on the radio show! So exciting. I'm a little fed up with snow at this point. I've wiped out twice this winter, and that's enough for me, lol. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Me too. Why can't fall last this long instead??
DeleteReading many genres is like traveling the world.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the show.
Thanks! Agreed.
DeleteI am fine with snow days that mean I stay home, but those don't happen any more, hmph.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year back in the classroom in over a decade. So, I'm enjoying it!
DeleteSnow days are always amazing. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
I prefer fall, but I'll take the days off!
DeleteI don't get to hike in the snow very often, but when I do get some of that white fluffy stuff nearby, I love to cross-country ski. It has been a while, so I'm sure I'll have some practicing in store for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen we went hiking the second week in January, we had zero snow and it was seventy degrees. LOL.
DeleteAlways good to have more grist to the mill. Keep reading, and here's to more snow days!
ReplyDeleteYour website is so cute, Jennifer. I love it!
ReplyDeleteUp here in the frozen north, there are no such things as snow days or ice days, but there should be. We've had weeks of extreme cold warnings(-50C) and so much snow it's a challenge to open your door sometimes. So tired of winter.
Being a librarian sounds fun. When I was a kid, the school librarians always seemed far happier than our teachers.
Haha! Good observation!! We are so happy all the time because we get to read all the books.
DeleteCollecting snow days. LOL.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It