What do we do when we’re not solving murders on paper? Some of us are artsy-craftsy, some of us are active types, and unsurprisingly, a lot of us are readers, too! Read on to hear what things the Chicks love to do just for fun — and tell us yours in the comments!

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 Ellen Byron

I love/live to dance and read, so I’ll classify them as essentials. My pure hobby is needlepoint. I started as a teen but veered into other crafting directions. Then in the 1990s, the script supervisor of WINGS, where I was a writer, opened a needlepoint shop in Studio City, which renewed my interest in the craft. The store didn’t last but my passion for it did. Still, finances and parenthood meant taking a break for a decade or so. Then I befriended Ruth Behling, a reader who lives in the L.A. area. On Saturdays, she works at Needle Hearts, a nearby needlepoint shop, so I began dropping by. Ruth and Needle Hearts reinforced my love of stitching canvases and now I’m a regular at the shop. It feeds my soul and my passion for color. I’ve even created a separate Instagram account, “Here’s My Point,” where I share projects and related posts.

A friend once went to a Native American retreat. Attendees weren’t allowed to bring books, but they were allowed to bring handcrafts, which were considered meditative rather than distracting. I couldn’t agree more.

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Jennifer Chow

I’ve taken up going to the beach more often. I find that it’s my happy place, especially with the calming ocean waves. What I loved to do as a kid—and what I’ve since rediscovered—is beachcombing. I like picking up treasures like this sand dollar. Recently, I also found a teeny tiny piece of polished sea glass.

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Leslie Karst

Since I rarely end up making much of an actual profit at the end of the day on my books (given all I spend on marketing, publicity, and attending conventions), I guess my author career could technically be called a “hobby” (but don’t tell the IRS!) And that is certainly the occupation that gives me the most joy–as well as angst–these days.

But let’s talk “hobby” hobbies. For me, that would be cooking and gardening. I love planning dinner parties shopping for the event, preparing the food, watching other people enjoy the meal (and eating it myself!). And with gardening, even though pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, and whacking back the jungle that grows here in Hilo are all hard work and generally result in aching muscles the next day, there’s nothing like sitting back and enjoying the beautiful scene when the garden and yard are finally in pristine shape. Sometimes aching muscles are the best thing ever. Especially when you can enjoy a gin and tonic as you survey your hard work.

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Lisa Q. Mathews

I don’t focus on one special hobby, to be honest. I sort of dabble in multiple “mini-hobbies.” I used to be a figure skater, so every once in a blue moon I lace up and hit the rink. I also love to see movies in an actual theater, with popcorn. On occasion, I attend paint nights, which I find super relaxing. (The teacher says my work is…”painterly.”) And I’m always up for an opportunity to swim, preferably in a heated pool. Every Thursday night, though, you can find me playing in hotly contested trivia contests with our team The Inquizatorz. (Ask me about our champion mystery team Whatever Lola Wants.)

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Patricia Sargeant

Aside from reading, I love going on walks with my husband. That’s one of the many reasons I really look forward to warmer weather. The exercise is great and he’s great company. But I especially appreciate the opportunity to get away from my computer and spend some time in the sun. I also enjoy jogging, especially outside. I make sure to pay attention to my surroundings. One can never be too careful. But the time alone allows me to clear my mind.

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Cynthia Kuhn

Also reading and going on walks with my husband (high five, Patricia!). We have a lovely open space near our house where the dogs can run free and they get super tired out. I only wish we lived near a beach where we could walk on the sand and the dogs could frolic. Maybe someday. Also: I just bought 20 packets of seeds and have plans for raised gardens this summer. Wish me luck.

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Vickie Fee

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit in this space that my only true hobby is reading. I’m sure many of you read more books than I do each year. I have had many years where I’ve read 50-plus books (or averaging one a week). But, it has been several years since I’ve read at that level. I hope to get much closer to that point this year. I have read all 66 novels by Agatha Christie and her 14 short story collections, except one. I will correct that omission this year! I have read all the books in the Bible, but I don’t claim to be a scholar on them. If I get back into the habit of writing and releasing novels regularly again, I plan to try to read many of the so-called classics I always meant to read and never got around to.

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Marla Cooper

I love creating things, but what those things are comes and goes with the seasons. I’ve knitted lumpy, oversized sweaters (sorry, mom!), made a quilt with cats on it because of course I did, tried to learn calligraphy, and have collected enough collage supplies to stock a small craft store. I’m not great at any of them, but it’s more about playing than mastery. My newest obsession? Book bedazzling! I know I’ve mentioned it here already, but it’s fairly easy to get good results, and it’s fun dressing up a book you wrote with sparkles.

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Readers, it’s your turn! What do you like to do for fun?