As an aspiring writer, it’s to be expected that writing is one of my hobbies. While this is true, there are other activities I enjoy just as much and am just as passionate about. Some of them are predictable, like reading, but I think others may surprise you.
Reading
Since I subscribe to the age-old adage of “you have to read to write,” and as you could probably surmise from my Reading Recap blog posts, a major hobby of mine is reading. I usually finish 2-3 books per week, so the argument could be made that I read too much and don’t write enough or get enough sleep (all of which are true, by the way). But reading has been my favorite escape from reality since I was 13 years old. I usually stick to fiction, since I find it to be the most effective form of escapism for me, but I range from YA to adult, fantasy to romance to sci-fi to contemporary. I’m also not picky when it comes to book format. I’ll gladly read hardcovers, paperbacks, eBooks, and audiobooks, as I believe different situations call for different ones.
As a teenager, I found that reading offered me a safe space to explore thoughts and emotions I was uncomfortable with. The wide variety of characters with different personalities and backgrounds also helped me feel understood and not alone. As an adult, those feelings have stuck with me, and I’ve also gained a greater appreciation of how books enable me to experience new adventures that I never would have been able to in the real world. It was the comfort and infinite possibilities such books offered me that inspired my interest in writing. With nearly every book I read, I feel like I learn something, and I want to share those same feelings with others through my own novels.
Crafting
Another hobby I love is crafting. I am a terrible 2D artist, but give me a 3D medium like wood, glass, or jewelry, and I light up. My favorite type of crafting is wood crafts, like table décor and wall hangings, though I am far better at decorating pre-made, blank wood objects than trying to build them from scratch. I also particularly enjoy making holiday crafts, such as personalizing wood ornaments, filling glass ornaments, painting nutcrackers, and making Christmas cards. When I was younger, I even went to local artisan festivals and craft shows to sell my work, but since I’ve had a full-time job, it’s been hard to find time to even make the crafts, let alone travel to shows to sell them. Nevertheless, I try to work on my crafting at least a few times a week, preferably more if it’s the holiday season. I find it’s a great way to relax, and it provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on my audiobook listening!
Music
Unlike my grandfather, who is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer, and pianist, I lack any kind of musical or singing ability. However, I love listening to music, even though my taste in music is not as broad as my taste in books. I usually stick to pop and its different subgenres, as well as some R&B. My favorite artists are Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, and Maroon 5. My favorite types of songs are narrative ones, like Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece By Piece,” probably due to my love of stories. A few years ago, while in college, I discovered that I also like classical renditions of pop hits, like those by Vitamin String Quartet and Jeremy Green. I don’t typically like regular classical music, but for some reason, I enjoy this type and found that listening to it helps me focus when I’m reading or writing.
Other than these, I don’t have many other hobbies. I enjoy watching TV dramas like ABC’s The Rookie and The Good Doctor, and Hallmark Channel’s new The Way Home family drama series. Also, since everyone in my family is a bit of a hopeless romantic, it’s become a holiday tradition to watch Hallmark Channel’s new Countdown to Christmas rom coms every holiday season.
What about you? What are some of your hobbies? Do you and I share any? Let me know in the comments below!
Allison Burton 