#IWSG – Creative Outlets

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Created and hosted by the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly blog post is here again – and so am I.

My plans to develop and focus on Fevered Few, my NaNoWriMo novel are on hold for another week/month until a backlog of junk is clear and my depressed mind clears.

But I’ve been reading though – all pleasure and some as favours. Which brings me in a way to the topic of this month’s IWSG post:

February 6 question – Besides writing what other creative outlets do you have?

Nada – Zilch

Writing is my sole remaining creative outlet – unless I can count dreaming. But that’s linked to writing. I attempted sculpture – once – and struggled to play the flute, but that was decades ago. And the nearest to acting was my failed career as a producer.

So, writing remains my sole creative outlet – unless I cheat and add:

Reading and gaming

But those are both someone else’s creation, even if I spend my chilling time pursuing them. Anyway, in 2019, I have managed to read six books so far. One of those was the novelisation of a game that I have 90% completed, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey – that’s the link to my review.

Writing again. So…Nada y Zilch.

Or do I count my photography? Mostly for work though. Creative? Or is that the poser? Anyway, I can no longer hold any camera steady so that is no longer any sort of outlet.

Zara Phillips competing at Windsor CIC*** – photo by Roland Clarke

What is your non-writing talent/creative outlet?

***

The awesome co-hosts for the February 6 posting of the IWSG are Raimey Gallant, Natalie Aguirre, CV Grehan, and Michelle Wallace!

Purpose of IWSG: 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!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

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

30 thoughts on “#IWSG – Creative Outlets”

  1. I don’t have nearly as many creative outlets as I used to, but I plan to hang onto the ones I have left as long as I can. Somehow, I’ve allowed writing to take center stage, but I need to give those other things like art and music more attention, too. Your photograph is fantastic. Catching an action shot like that takes a lot of skill.

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    • I suspect most writers let their writing take centre-stage, Susan – and over time something focuses our creative outlets. That shot was years in achieving – many horses and fences, a few fallers too. I was at the right fence at the wrong moment for Zara Phillips – but she and the horse were okay after their tumble.

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  4. That’s a superb photo Roland, you must be proud of it. I think creativity is an odd thing. One person might think you are really creative in all those things, but we tend to dismiss it in ourselves.

    I remember once – I used to run those psychometric tests to help with management development and recruitment. I was giving someone feedback, and according to his self-rating he was below the average population in musicality. I commented about this, and he said he loved music. I said he’d given me that impression, so why did he think the rating might be low.

    He said something along the lines of ‘well, I was a total failure at music. After Grade 8 I gave up.” It turns out that Dad and several siblings were concert performers….

    The standards by which we judge ourselves!

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    • Thanks for the praise, Jemima. It was one of my favourites and it sold well to a national paper (Daily Mail) – once I knew Zara and the horse were safe.

      And yes, we are sometimes not the best judges of ourselves. Family/parental expectations can hold us back. My Spanish was always negated by my linguist mother.

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  8. Like so many others, my other creative outlets have been surpassed by my writing. I do take pictures on vacation and of my grandchildren but that doesn’t really count as photography.

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  11. Roland, that is a stonkingly good shot! I’ll even put aside the fact that you sold it to the Daily Mail (I’d not be able to stand on principle when earning a living, so why expect you to?) I’m sorry to hear that you’re no longer able to shoot. Is using a tripod/monopod with a remote shutter an option? Or is it more than you can’t carry the kit around anymore? It would be a shame for your great eye & sense of timing to be lost to the world of photography.

    And yes, I agree with others above, dreaming is a decidedly creative pastime.

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    • Thanks for the ‘stonking’ praise, Debs. There’s more story around the sale of that photo. All the photographers that sold to tabloids were at the water jump waiting for Zara (as the Queen’s granddaughter). When she fell at the fence I was covering, one of my colleagues knew I was there and tabloid sports photographer overheard us joking about the paparazzi at the wrong fence. He offered to make the approach to the Mail although I was reluctant but had to be realistic – once I knew horse & rider were OK.

      As for using a monopod attached to my wheelchair, that is still a possibility although I would need to work out a means to carry all the gear.

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      • You can’t beat luck & timing in photography!

        Lugging all the gear around is a huge problem. I already have a bad back & neck, so have to limit myself. At best, it’s only one heavy lens per day out, which means I often don’t have the perfect lens with me. I have a couple of nice lighter lenses too, but sadly there’s no real substitute for top quality (and downright heavy) glass.

        There’s a couple of long tiring events when I’ve considered hiring a mobility scooter – one for holding the gear in its basket and two in order to have a guaranteed place to sit down when exhaustion (inevitabtably) strikes. But I’d hate myself if someone who’s registered disabled ends up having to do without because of my decision. I hope you do manage to find a solution Roland.

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  12. Now you see, Roland, I didn’t think about acting in community theatre that I used to do. I think photography counts as creative. It is extremely difficult for me to get clear, well positioned photos. I like your photos. Oh and by the way, I think dreaming should count as creative. You should hear some of my dreams! All best to you, sir.

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  13. Dreaming definitely counts! I know if I didn’t throw in a healthy dose of daydreaming into my daily life, I wouldn’t have nearly as much story fodder as I do. Of course, therein lies the bigger problem: too many stories and not enough time to write them down!

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