By Kait Carson
A friend asked me that question, and it gave me pause. It
wasn’t one I expected or had anyone ask before. Unless you are a well-known
author or under contract to a publisher, the more usual question is: But what
do you
do all day? Writing is work, hard work, but it doesn’t entail
regular hours or punching a time clock, and years can go by before a writer’s
efforts bear fruit, so civilians may not recognize our labor. Those of us in
the trenches know better. My friend is not a writer, but she was a full-time
mom. She understands that perception often differs from reality. Her husband
once asked her what she did all day. She had a wonderful, pithy response, but
not one I can share in this space.
Because most people think writing
is what I do in my
free time, the question took me by surprise. And I had to think about it. The
answer is: a lot. I haven’t thrown pots in a while, but if I can find a place
to rent kiln time, I hope to get back to it. I crochet and have graduated from
afghans to sweaters. Living in Maine, I’ve paused scuba diving in favor of
snowshoeing in the winter and hiking in the snowless seasons. Wildlife and
nature photography is another passion. And let’s not forget baking, much to my
waistline’s detriment. Spring is coming, and that means gardening. I’m grateful
for the sixteen-hour days we have in my part of Maine. Lots of time to write
all day and still head to the garden after work. So, that about wraps up what I
currently do in my free time, but wait, as they say on daytime game shows,
there’s more!
I’ve got a fistful of bucket list projects. My mom was a
fantastic knitter, but she never had the patience to teach me. Last week’s
Wirecutter
(the product review section of the New York Times) featured the best fiber
craft kits for adults, including two scarf knitting kits. Coincidence? I think
not. Now I’m on the hunt for a needlepoint kit. That’s a skill I’d like to
refresh. And while I’m at it, embroidery sounds pretty good.
What about you? What do you do in your free time?
Kait Carson writes the Hayden Kent Mysteries, set in the Fabulous
Florida Keys, and is at work on a new mystery series set in her adopted state
of Maine. Her short fiction has been nationally published in the True
Confessions magazines and in Woman’s World. Kait’s short story, “Gutted,
Filleted, and Fried”, appeared in the Silver Falchion Award nominated Guppy
Anthology Hook, Line, and Sinker. Her nonfiction essay was included in
the Agatha Award-winning book Writing the Cozy Mystery. She is a former
President of the Guppy Chapter of Sisters in Crime, a member of Sisters in
Crime, and Guppies.
