Four Advantages Of Writing Over Other Hobbies

Writing has some advantages over many other hobbies. The 'raw materials' are very basic. You need ideas and a way of recording them. Your thoughts and ideas can be written down by hand if you don't have a computer. You don't need a lot of space to store the materials needed for writing. You can spend time writing while you are travelling on public transport, waiting at the doctor's, sitting in a cafe or spending time in a natural environment.

Getting ideas for writing
Ideas are all around you. You don't have to spend money to get ideas but you do need to spend money to buy raw materials for other hobbies, for example wool for knitting, fabric for quilting or clay for pottery.

Recording ideas
If you are going to record your ideas on paper you could use the back of paper that has been printed on one side and avoid paying for paper. Most people are prepared to outlay a little money on an exercise book or two. These can be bought cheaply at back to school sales in January or you might spend a bit extra and buy a pretty notebook or one with an inspirational quote on the front. The outlay will still be minimal compared to other hobbies.


These days it is often possible to get a computer of some type for word processing quite cheaply or even for free. From time to time there are community programs which make it possible for those on a low income or who fit specific criteria to get a free computer. A family member may be upgrading and be willing to pass on their old computer. (This family member is quite likely to be a younger person who needs a 'better' computer for gaming or other pursuit.)

Storing materials needed for writing
Some writers only need a drawer or a space on a shelf to keep a couple of notebooks. Others need a shelf to store their laptop when it is not in use. They can place their laptop on a desk or table or even their lap when they are using it. A desk top computer takes up more room but still not as much as the space needed for the materials for many other hobbies.

Some writers like to have a filing cabinet to store printed copies of their work and writing done by others which they use as reference material. There are writers who have numerous bookshelves of reference material or novels but this is not essential.

Much depends on the type of writing one does and also if one wants to have a hard copy of everything. Some writers are happy to save everything on their computer with back up on an external hard drive or The Cloud.

Places where one can write
Many hobbies can only be done in a studio or the location where the materials and equipment necessary for that hobby are kept. To make a pot on a pottery wheel you have to be at your pottery wheel. Even if you are doing hand building you can't spend some time on your hobby while sitting in the doctor's waiting room or travelling on public transport.

With a few exceptions, you can write anywhere. If you are writing in a notebook or using a laptop or other portable device you can write in a cafe, out in the park or in your own garden. You can fill in a few minutes here and there throughout the day jotting down notes or composing a short poem.

There are many advantages to writing as a hobby. However, a person doesn't choose to write as a hobby for these reasons. They will choose writing as a means of self expression and because of the enjoyment they feel when using words. It will be because they have a passion for writing, want to communicate their ideas to others or find the process therapeutic .

Related article:
Five Ways To Find Ideas For Articles

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