IWSG: New Release, and Creativity Beyond Writing

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 It's the first Wednesday of the Month, and that means time for our Insecure Writers Support Group posts!

 


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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
 
Don't forget you can post your link on the IWSG Facebook page!
 
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG
 
The awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard , Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!
 
Every month, we have an optional question to help us find something to say if we're running dry. This month's option question is,  
 
What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing? 
 
 
I like this question, with it's assumption that we have other creative activities, which I do. I find it helpful to have creative things to do that are just for fun--where I don't expect any level of proficiency or skill, just that I do them to engage different parts of my brain, and to enjoy myself.
 
There are several creative things I like to do for fun. I play the piano, ever since childhood. I also haven't taken a lesson since I graduated from high school many decades back, and in recent years have completely stopped trying to "practice" and am happy to simply play, in both meanings of the word. Music was huge for me once, and I minored in it (French Horn), sweating it out for lessons and recitals. Now it feels right to simply enjoy it.
 
My other fun creative endeavor is watercolors. I took these up years ago, with the hope (IIRC) of adding something special to my journals. The paints require more patience than I have, and what I produce wouldn't win any prizes in even the under-age-10 category. But every now and then it does feel right to pull out the paints, and I always carry a pencil or two with my backpacking journal, to try to capture a bit of the scene, or a flower, or something.
 
Now for my Writer's Update:
I'm working now on prepping to draft Seffi Wardwell #4, but since I was away from home pretty much the entire time since our last IWSG post, I don't have a lot of progress to report--except a cover and a release date for the 2nd book in my "Seffi Wardwell Mysteries" series!
 
It's a lovely cover, thanks to my cover artist, Maggie Samella.

 



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©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
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Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 6, 2024 at 5:02 AM

    I still really like the boot.
    I'd say just exploring the wilderness itself is creative. And inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassNovember 6, 2024 at 10:58 AM

      Hiking is definitely inspiring. I hadn't thought about it as a creative act, but of course when I'm out there I do photography--which is definitely a creative outlet and one I somehow failed to mention!

      Delete
  2. H. R. SinclairNovember 6, 2024 at 8:04 AM

    Ha! Like Alex, I like to boot too and how you don't see it at first, and then you do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassNovember 6, 2024 at 10:58 AM

      Thanks! That's my subtle "there's a corpse here" indicator I like on all my covers, though this series seems to be making it more subtle than the last (different artist).

      Delete
  3. Jemima PettNovember 6, 2024 at 8:21 AM

    I never knew you play the French horn! Looking forward to the publication of Washed Up With The Tide! Will be doing a book blast for it that week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassNovember 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM

      Thank you! I started with the trumpet in 6th grade, and soon switched to the horn because the band needed one. I didn't take any lessons until I went to college, though--I was coming from WAY behind on that one. Come to think of it, given all that, I should be pretty proud of what I did with that instrument, which is notoriously "a devil to play."

      Delete
  4. Lisa Buie-CollardNovember 6, 2024 at 9:49 AM

    My husband plays piano as well, just for himself and his love of it. Feeds his spirit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassNovember 6, 2024 at 11:01 AM

      Music is good for the soul. That goes double if you make it yourself.

      Delete
  5. Olga GodimNovember 6, 2024 at 12:14 PM

    Being able to play music is such a huge thing for me. I love music but I can't play or sing - no ear. I listen to music instead and derive joy from that.
    I like you book cover - quiet and a bit understated, but lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LynnNovember 6, 2024 at 2:04 PM

    Thanks to Alex and H.R. I went back and looked for the boot. Clever! I love to listen to music too. I've never played an instrument.

    ReplyDelete

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