How do other hobbies or crafts help my writing? I know some people use the diversion of hobbies and crafts to let their subconscious mind work through a tricky problem they’ve encountered in their story. Getting some distance from a story helps an author see other possibilities.

For me, in addition to the diversion to allow my subconscious to work, I think other hobbies or crafts provide knowledge of things that can appear in my writing.

I don’t do a lot of crafts, but I have wide variety of hobbies, or have had them in the past. I’ve been a motorcycle rider. I’ve done amateur photography (to include some black and white dark room work).  These days, I have cats. I’ve been an electronics technician. I’ve torn apart computers and repaired them, physically and software-wise. I’ve collected rocks and trading cards. I’ve done a few needlecrafts (badly). I love putting together jigsaw puzzles. These are just a few examples. Some are hobbies, and some are things I’ve had to do. They all combine for fodder for writing.

What helps your writing (or reading)?