Recently, I’ve undertaken a huge writing project of
self-publishing a series of five books in an epic fantasy romance, the Enchanted Bookstore Legends. Two are
written and professionally edited. The third is my current work-in-progress. I’m
busy putting final touches on book one, Seeking
a Scribe. And working on cover art. With my love of painting, I was looking
forward to creating what I envisioned for my books.
What I didn’t expect was to be sucked virtually helpless
into a new hobby, which I’ll share as I progress. Researching fantasy art led
me to devour workshops on Photoshop. Then I moved on to technique books on
digital painting of fantasy characters. From there, I can see exactly where my
free time in 2012 and beyond is going. Turning the pages of the technique books
gives me the exact same thrill as the feel of the viscosity of the tempera paint
on my kindergarten brush.
I really didn’t need one more interest. My deck is stacked
full, and I pull myself away from new avenues of commitment, like steering clear
of the yoga instructor training I desperately wanted to take. And I curbed my
desire for vegetable gardening. But extensions of those early hobbies make my
knees go weak and my head spin. I learned to knit at age eight and have an embarrassingly
large yarn stash. I am truly glad that an ereader sits still on a desk, unlike
a book, while I knit and read simultaneously. Since my tricycle days, I’ve
never let go of biking on a weekly basis. My house is filled with my own
watercolors, and now my computer files will fill with my own digital art. Am I
excited…just like playing at the big easels!
What hobbies/interests/activities do
you have that seem to run through your veins like a part of you?
2 comments:
I dabble in several hobbies, including drawing and painting, but I don't think I devote enough time to it. Lately, I'm obsessed with learning to play my guitar again, and it's great fun.
Good luck with your covers! I can't wait to see them :-)
You know, I never thought of propping up the eReader while I knitted. Could be because I'm knitting lace, but you are getting me closer to making a plain sweater! As for me, you can see where I'm headed. I just finished "writing" a report that became a six-page comic book. A lot harder than I thought it would be since perfectionism played a big part.
Looking forward to your adventures in the fantasy fields, as I make my own dabbles in the same direction.
m
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