Tuesday, November 05, 2024

IWSG: What brings you joy?

This month's challenge from the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) asks writers to respond on their blogs to the November 6 question: 

What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?

I've quilted for so long, I can't imagine not quilting. Making quilts for others -- family, friends, and comfort quilts for those who need them, is a perfect balance to writing. Playing with fabrics (colors, shapes, patterns) is much like playing with words. Sometimes, we're never really sure what will happen if . . .  Like this "Arizona Sisters" quilt (my own pattern) I made for a dear friend to help her remember the wonderful times we've shared traveling from snow to sunshine.

My grandmother made quilts. When I was about ten years old, she taught me how to sew on a treadle machine. In fact, I made money through high school sewing outfits for others. When my daughter was born, I made my first real quilt -- and still have it today, though it's somewhat worn. When she was old enough, I taught her to quilt, a joy we share even now.

My office is a bit of a mess. One side has bookcases filled with books and my writing workstation. The other, my sewing machine, all ready to go, with the closet filled with fabrics, somewhat organized by project and/or color.

Writing Update: Good news! My police procedural mystery, Unleashed Pursuit, is in final draft and out to beta readers. I'm excited for those comments that will come my way in another few weeks. Meanwhile, I belong to a Zoom Crit group; each week, we tackle another chapter. Progress is steady . . . but . . . that's not really writing.

So, I signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and set my goal (to write 10,000 words) for Honeymoon in Egypt, book 2 in my art crimes series. Now, I'm having fun.

The story begins in Cairo among the pyramids, featuring newly married Sandra and Neil who are tasked to find missing artifacts from the Grand Egyptian Museum. Here's my new cover that I made with PowerPoint. Do you like it?

Are you writing with NaNoWriMo this month? Please let me know by e-mail or in comments below.

NOTE: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) day, an informal blog gathering of writers who share updates and encourage each other.

Why not join in? Check out the IWSG website to read what 101 other writers are up to. Leave a few comments. Share what's going on with your writing life on your blog. Special thanks go to Alex Cavanaugh and this month's co-hosts for encouraging us all: Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard , Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!

May the coming month be a good one for us all.







24 comments:

  1. It's cool that your grandmother taught you to quilt and then you taught your daughter to do it as well. I really like the quilt you shared. My daughter just got into crochet. I'm going to try to get back into it for something we can share too.

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    1. Crocheting is perfect for winter months; projects can keep you warm while you play with colors and have fun with your daughter.

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  2. My grandmother was a wonderful quilter. Our family still enjoys the warmth of those beautiful pieces. I was lousy at it, so I appreciate the talent quilting takes! https://substack.com/home/post/p-150486288

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    1. What about scrappy quilts? No pattern. No 'shoulds'. Just fun with colors. I'm glad you have those family quilts to treasure.

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  3. Hi,
    My grandmother made quilts also. I brought one over when I moved to Europe and used it until it went to pieces. I bet you make some beautiful quilts.
    Shalom shalom

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    1. Thank you, Pat. Maybe you'll find a quilt while you're in Europe to keep as a memory of your time there?

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  4. My grandmother made doll clothes on her treadle machine. I guess I was too little to learn how to sew. I couldn't touch the pedal. Quilts are so special especially when they tell a story. Congratulations on your upcoming release!!! Thrilled for you.

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    1. I loved working with a treadle machine as you could easily control the speed of the needle. Thanks for thinking of my 2025 release, but that still seems far, far away. Even after the election (or especially), it's still one day at a time, with 'revisions' ahead.

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  5. Congratulations on your pending release! And what a gorgeous quilt! I love that your machine is right there at hand when you want to jump into a project. Mine gets tucked away (I don't quilt, though!)

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    1. Any sewing project can be fun, Miffie, if you love playing with colors and fabrics. It only takes a little corner to set up a sewing work station. I hope you have a few more projects for 2025.

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  6. That quilt (picture) is absolutely beautiful! My husband's mom and sister made quilts that have become family keepsakes - no one even wants to share ;-)
    It's wonderful that you have such creativity.

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    1. Don't we all have creativity? Reading through what others have written (and from friends I know), gardening nurtures many. Re the quilt picture I shared, the design just began with an applique center, and then grew from there, layer by layer, somewhat like a story! I hope you have some quilts you love -- as well as stories!

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  7. I like quilting though I haven't tried it, like you say, you are never sure what will happen.

    I haven't participate in NaNoWriMo for a while but I still like the idea of writing with other people even virtually. Good luck with your writings.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. Thank you, Lissa, for stopping by. Today I have a Zoom meeting with a small crit group. That keeps me focused on the revising. I hope you do have a crit group as well and will visit you later.

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  8. What a gorgeous quilt. I never learned the skills, to my regrets.
    Good luck with your upcoming release.

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    1. Thank you, Olga. Each day offers us a new beginning. What do you truly wish to do next? One of my regrets is that we can no longer travel as we once did so freely. I am thankful for every picture I took, now memories of what we once were able to see and do.

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  9. Anonymous3:31 AM

    You are so talented. I’ve tried unsuccessfully. I appreciate the skill.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello, Anonymous. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are able to pursue what you love.

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  10. Your quilt is gorgeous! What a talent. Good luck with Nano. I am always impressed with people who try it.

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    1. Hello, Liza. The latest NaNoWriMo allows you to set your own goals. I like not being overwhelmed by trying to write 50,000 words in one month! Somehow, 300 words a day seems more achievable. May your own writing projects go well.

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  11. Hi, Beth! Your quilt is beautiful! How lovely that you and your daughter share this creative hobby. I come from a long line of quilters and my three sisters have quilted. They learned from our maternal grandmother who was a master quilter. They do more rug hooking which my grandmother, great grandmother, and great aunts all did. I've done both, but have turned to other hobbies. Congratulations on your murder manuscript. I wish you lots of success with it. Happy creating!

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    1. Good morning! What a nice way to start the day -- with affirmations. I do love the way quilting connects and nurtures generations in unexpected ways. Thank you for stopping by.

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  12. Wow, this is an unusual creative pursuit. I used to crochet but stopped. You just inspired md.

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    1. Hello, Sonia. Hope you are soon crocheting again. I love playing with yarn, all those colors and textures, but sadly, arthritis won't let me. At least typing words keeps my fingers nimble. Can't wait to see what you're up to.

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