Another post for the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour!
This month the focus is on our hobbies and how they relate to our writing. I have a LOT of interests so it was difficult to pick just one.
And then, while I was trying to shorten the list, I realized which one I wanted to talk about this time.
Music.
I’ve always loved music. My earliest memories include scanning the radio for good songs, listening to bands, and singing. Always singing. In fact, I almost majored in music in college. The reason I didn’t is a story for another time. I’m not surprised I married a musician/songwriter.
But how does this relate to my writing? A number of ways:
First, watching all those musicians gave me my first glimpse of professionalism in the arts. I got to see who did and didn’t become successful (i.e. managed to make some money from it or at least got some performance time), and I got to see how that happened, both in and outside school. I learned the importance of showing up, of trying new things, of getting outside your comfort zone, of practicing, of taking joy in the process itself, and of always improving your craft.
Second, I learned the importance of feeling your way through something. I couldn’t do that with music, but I’m learning I can do that with writing. Many of my best stories come through that process of going by my intuition.
Finally, looking at the history of music has taught me more about people than I ever dreamed, from the way music is used to manipulate others, to the way it’s used to inspire, to the way it’s sometimes forbidden altogether, or at least in certain forms.
It is, in its own way, an examination of power.
That fits perfectly with my preferred genre, fantasy, which is all about power and how it’s used or misused. In fact, that blending of music and power is a big part of why I’m writing the Trial of the Ornic series. Plus, I’ve always wanted to have a useful minstrel as a main character.
So, now it’s your turn. What are some unexpected benefits of your hobbies?
This post is part of the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour. Please check out the blog for more posts by other writers.
Amy Keeley 
Thanks for sharing. I took music in school, the oboe. And after I left school, took up the flute for a short time. I’m still carrying that flute around with me but haven’t picked it up to play in decades. I’m thinking of selling it now since I spend so much time on writing, there’s no time for reacquainting myself with the flute. I enjoyed playing, but I’ve moved on.
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Ah, that makes sense. I got rid of a lot of my patterns when I realized I no longer had time for sewing, beyond basic repairs. I’m probably going to give my sewing machine to my daughter. She’ll get some good use out of it. If you decide to sell it, I hope you get a good price for it.
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My business and one of my passions is historical clothing patterns. I created a character who is passionately interested in becoming a fashion designer, in my world (and in history) called a mantua-maker.
I desperately wanted to learn music when I was young, but I didn’t have a drab of talent. Sigh.
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I love historical patterns. *_* I have a lot of respect for those who make fashions from the past. I used to sew clothes for my kids and, although I loved the product I (eventually) created, the process was a nightmare for me. And those were simple, modern dresses. I look at some of the beautiful dresses of the past and know I’d have to have it pre-made if I wanted to wear one.
That’s too bad about music. Have you considered trying again, just for fun? (Or, like me with sewing, would it not be fun for you?)
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Years ago I bought an old mandolin, but never got around to learning how to play it. Then arthritis kicked in, and squashed the *desire* to play it. 😉
I must admit, researching a historical dress is more fun than making one. But I’m a perfectionist, so I’d hand overcast all the seams, hand stitch the buttonholes, all the time-consuming stuff. No wonder the fun went out of it. LOL!
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