It’s quite a long time ago that I blogged about the benefits of a fiction writer getting creatively divergent (or doing “creativity cross-training“, which sounds a bit too athletic!). But just because I haven’t blogged about it, doesn’t mean I haven’t done it.
As I see it, getting your right and left brain working together in ways other than writing has got to be a good change and (hopefully) benefit your writing. For some reason the craft of amigurumi has popped up on the internet in front of me quite a few times over the past year and I’ve always wanted to try it – basically it’s a Japanese style of crochet that creates cute animals and other creatures. The perfect opportunity came when my nephew was about to turn one, and I didn’t want to get him more of those plastic toys that make annoying noises. So I tried out an amigurumi pattern, got creative with it (the hat, for example, was actually a misshapen initial attempt at the head) and found great satisfaction with finishing this guy! And let me tell you, it’s a lot quicker to make one of these than to write a novel.
I plan to do more of this – it’s a good balancing activity for me because I’m easily tempted to spend more time in front of the computer than I should. Anyone else got some secret creatively divergent activities to share? I’m open to lots of suggestions.
Tags: creatively divergent
Cute!!
Sometimes I sketch or play piano, but that’s pretty rare. Mostly I read or exercise (walk my dog, living room crunches, whatever) but those aren’t creative, huh?
Does blogging count? Lol.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Why Sandra Bullock gives me hope =-.
Like the colors. Nice work on incorporating the hat. As for divergent activities, I’m partial to Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, and medium-length walks with a point-and-shoot camera.
.-= herocious´s last blog ..Guideposts :: What Prayer Can Do =-.