Across the country, we are hunkering in our houses, apartments, condos, and yurts hiding from an invisible pathogen intent on causing harm. We’re closed off from others, forced into an isolated existence. The kids are home. Shops closed. Parks cordoned off. It feels like a different world than it did a month ago and it looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
No one knows what is going to happen. Not the experts. The doctors. The world. We’ve entered a time without precedent and are laying our own path. The uncertainty of where that path might lead weighs heavily on each of us. We can only wait and see where this all goes.
Until then, do what you can to stay healthy and flatten the curve. Maintain your social distancing. Stay at home. And protect yourself when you go out by not touching your face, washing your hands as soon as possible and by avoiding others. Follow the guidelines. Barring that, there is nothing concrete the majority of us can do about the virus. We must leave that in the capable hands of our medical professionals, first responders and scientists.
But that does not mean we are helpless. We can do something for each other, for our families and for ourselves.
As writers, it is up to us to capture this time in words. It’s time to keep a journal. Take a moment each day to write down what is happening and how it makes you feel. Take the shock, worry, anxiety, anger, fear, compassion, sadness and grief we all feel and commit them to the page. Describe what is happening—all of it. The boredom, the loneliness, and the obsession for toilet paper. These are the parts of the pandemic that are human. They are the emotions that define this time. It is also where you will find story and character.
Deep emotion is the bedrock of story. Not only will keeping a journal now help your future writing, it also will help you deal with the onslaught of emotions and facts that keep changing daily. Put it all on the page and release it. It’s cathartic.
Stress and worry won’t help now. Writing will.
I’ve read many writers are turning to their novels to fill their time. If you can do that, then write. It’s a great way to use this enforced break from our lives for something good. But don’t beat yourself up if you feel too distracted by all that is happening to work. It’s not easy, especially at a time when jobs are on hold or gone, projects cancelled, and kids are home from school. The world has become a dangerous place. We’ve walked into a dystopian future. But it will pass. These things always do. Life won’t be pretty or the same, but COVID-19 will pass. We will get through this. Together.
Until it does, write. Pour out your ideas, concerns and observations onto the page. If you can’t write a story, journal or work on building characters based on emotions you feel now. Use this experience to deepen your compassion. Write your rants and fears. Write your hopes and dreams. Write about feelings, because they are the point of any story. Action doesn’t mean anything without emotion or intent. Story rely on a foundation of feelings. So feel all the feels and write them down. Doing so will help you now and in the future.
I wish you all good health and a speedy return to your lives. If you are working on something and want some advice, post a comment. I’m here with a clear schedule, like the rest of you.
On a special note: I may have to consider adding advertising to this site to cover its costs during this time of uncertainty. Like many freelancers, my projects have all been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. My Patreon launch has not gone well and advertising may be my last resort. I do not wish to do this, but it may become necessary in coming weeks. For that, I am sorry. It was always my intent to keep this site ad-free for everyone.