>>My father is an artist - American realism in the Wyeth tradition to be exact, which he was very, very exact - so I grew up painting and drawing, entering a variety of art shows. Gave it up when I was about 14. Struggling to get my hands to produce what my mind saw, I was working on a piece for an invitational show in Europe when my father commented that it wasn't very good and my brother had always shown more talent, shame he didn't put any effort into it. I gave up art completely.
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>>Use to crochet and cross-stitch but injured my hands a few years and had to give it up.
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>>People have been asking me since high school when I was going to write a book, but I have nothing to say.
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GGAaaaakKkkk! Get out any art media you have around and let the kid help you let the artist out! Or go buy some fresh new things. Watercolors. Clay, even.
I won't even comment on your dad but you can imagine. And you're old/mature enough now to realize all the probable reasons for his stupid remark. (Stupidity not being the prime one.)
Talent like yours shouldn't be left unused and I'll bet the young one will help you with freedom of expression and remind you of the joy.
Injuries can affect the needlework so that's just a sad loss. As far as the writing, you're very good at it and should continue to write, even about everyday events. The world novel can come later but keeping the words flowing, even casually, is beneficial, and you do have a fabulous view of the world.

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