Writing in the Time of Pandemic

We're all trying to deal with this pandemic and a new 'normal'. I've heard people "keep a journal" of our experiences as we are living this crisis. A decade or two into the future, people will either reminisce or want to learn about it.

I'm not a good journal keeper. Inconsistency is my biggest flaw because I get distracted by life, projects, seasons, family, etc. And then, there are days where there is nothing that I want to convey, nothing that is interesting. Kind of like always posting on Instagram. I'm scrolling past pics of food,  flowers, family pets, etc. because there are so many (and yes, I'm guilty of posting them, although not to a great extent). After a while, it becomes tedious. I want something fresh.

Another suggestion is to make notes for a future book. Nope, not doing it. There will be millions of other writers all across the globe with that same idea. If people think there are too many vampire books, in the next few years the market will be saturated with pandemic books. Already there are books hitting the market, via self-publishing. Besides not wanting to jump into that overcrowded boat, since I'm living it, I don't want to read about it. I'm not into 'issue' books; I find the angst boring, or overdone. I understand some people are very anxious over certain subjects and this pandemic is enough to give anyone an anxiety attack, depression, or other mental and emotional problems. I'm not disparaging them or the issues because in my family, we have members who must deal every day with them. I just don't want to read about them. Nor do I want to write about them. (This blog is the most I've written about the Covid-19 pandemic, and honestly, I think the next time I write about it is when we are finally free to move about.) There are, and will be, many stories about it so no one needs to hear/read mine. It's a story I don't care to tell.

But writing in general is hard during this time. I can't say I've ever really suffered from writer's block. Sure, I get stumped on a plot point occasionally, but usually within a day or two, as I'm doing mindless work like weeding, cleaning, or swimming, I can figure out a solution to my problem. Only this time it's different; I have a new manuscript started, but I couldn't find the 'groove.' It's a light-hearted romance, but I couldn't get 'in the mood' to write about love and happy things during such a grim time. There are a lot of writers, from what I read or see on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and just plain chat, that are having the same problem. And if the muse is hiding, unwilling to be found, I don't think you can force it.

The solution for me is to work on older manuscripts; revise ones that were thrown in a drawer, those that didn't get far with agents/editors, those that my critique group is red-penciling. Reading a whole novel pulls me in; I don't have to plan out the plot, or create characters, or set up resolution. All I have to do is read with a critical eye to see where I can improve, even if it ends up being a complete overhaul, because at least the framework is there. So far, I've revised three manuscripts. I have the first book I ever wrote, an adult horror, that is next. These were revisions I meant to do; I was going to do them all last summer, but... life. Then came retirement for my husband, and a vacation, then BAM! Covid-19. In this lockdown, there are fewer distractions: no bell practice, no setting up the church flowers, no trustee meetings, no concert practice, no going out for pizza, no visiting family. I didn't realize how much time I spent on these activities- nor how much I'd miss them. By throwing myself into revisions, my muse is peeking her head out. Last night I wrote almost 200 words. Not much when some people are cranking out 3,000 or more, but this is not a competition. I am getting things done that are important to me. There is no prize, other than self satisfaction, for writing the most words, or doing the most decluttering, or painting the most rooms. I'm not in it to win it.

So as this drags on, I hope to get that novel written and the other revised. Be kind to yourself if you don't accomplish everything, or even anything, on your To Do list, because surviving without emotional or mental harm, besides the obvious physical, is the goal. Be good to yourself, be compassionate of others, and avoid the crazies who think that because death rates seem to be leveling off or dropping, that they can congregate in large groups, or not wear their mask, or refuse to stay home.

Praying for better days...

Char

And the Battle Continues....

More updates on the Refrigerator Poetry War...

The Mother:

It says "Men refuse to find their wings."

The Boys' response:

Gotta keep in mind that verbs, articles, and adjectives are very limited. Plus, they're not as literary as me.

Mom's comeback:

The boys were quick to rebut:

Ok, one more from Mom:

We'll see what the boys come up with...

Stay safe, and STAY HOME!

Char

The Poetry War..

New week, new insults on the fridge. From one of the boys:

My response:

So, who's winning?

Stayed tuned for next week's insults and digs...

Char

Using the Magic Words

Sure does feel like this 'self-distancing' is lasting forever. At least for me because I've been conscientious about and practicing it for a while now. With 3 out of 4 of us home, things can get tedious. Until you cause a little mischief....

I got this magnetic poetry words set for my boys. I thought the magnets would interest them in writing and words.

No.

They hated it.

So much so, they would mess up any phrase or sentence I would create.

Grrrr.

So I gave up and put the magnets in a junk drawer.

The other day I came across them in the junk drawer and decided to bring them out. Now, instead of frustration, I laugh at the antics my two boys, now grown, pull.

The yellow word is "poetry" so "poetry burns" 

My sons are wise guys- I was a teacher for a short while

It's hard to photograph against a shiny fridge- it says "no get-togethers" and "children inside"

I had put up: "Men don't share emotions" but that didn't stay long... I'm looking forward to each insult- both to read theirs and post mine.... ;)

We're all in this together and we have to keep our sense of humor.

Hang in there, and this too, shall pass. Stay healthy and happy.

Char

How A Writer Spends Her Time When the World is Dangerous...

Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels

We're doing our part for social distancing and hunkering down during the pandemic. The hub is working on projects; repairing a bathroom wall, reworking the backyard walk, and cleaning the garage (although he hasn't gotten very far on the garage).

After being on vacation for a week, then being sick (I have a bad G I tract, not the corona virus), I'm getting back into my routine. With bell practice, church meetings, and book events cancelled, I have more time. In one week I've reworked one novel, and finished up revisions on another (except for the ending....). But too much time on the computer gives me migraines, so I need to step back. This is what I've done:

* Went through some stuff in the basement and designated which goes to the yard sale

* Went through some Christmas boxes and organized them

* Listed bedroom sets and H O train set for sale on Craig's List

* Sorted through some of my Dad's pictures of fighter planes and such (he worked at Grumman's) and listed them on Nextdoor for free.

* Checked in with NFL Network to see if Tom Brady and the New England Patriots worked out a deal (so far, no)

* Uncovered and scrubbed off the patio table and took dead plants out of my flower pots. Swept back porch/walkway to pool

What I have planned (because who knows how long we'll be in this situation):

*  Revise 2 other manuscripts

* Write some short stories

* Go through more stuff in basement- what goes to yard sale, what to keep

* Hopefully start cleaning out my gardens

* Bake

* Read

* Paint repaired bathroom wall

* Maybe start on repainting living room

* Connect with readers on social media (call/contact me....) to chat

Something else may come up (I'm almost sure it will), so I have enough to keep me busy, and enough variety to keep from getting bored with one thing.

What are you doing? Got a better suggestion? Hit me up! Let's all help each other to keep our chins up and everyone as safe as possible.

Char

The Bestseller Dilemma

When I go on vacation, I take several books. This year, I took two from one of my favorite authors. I quickly read them. My cousin finished her book (only 1????) so we switched. There were several things that both books had in common:

Both were written by bestselling authors.

Both authors were world known.

Both authors wrote 30 books or more.

And they shared another aspect; the more famous the authors became, the less editing was done on their books. Both books had numerous repetitions; not just two, three times saying the same thing, but almost every chapter.

I find that so annoying. Being a bestseller shouldn't make you immune from good editing. What's required from new writers- conciseness- should be required from established authors. I have noticed this among other bestselling authors (no, I'm not going to name them and commit author suicide). It's like laws that the average citizen has to obey, but somehow politicians and the very rich think don't apply to them. Makes you mad, right?

I finished the books because one was a favorite author, and the other because I wanted to know the ending.

And after snorkeling, dancing, partyboating, dining, swimming, and sunning, what else was there to do?

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Till next time....

Char

Only The Story Matters

This past week, I packed up the last of my father's space memorabilia: brittle newspapers, photos, publicity papers, decals, etc. and shipped them off to a retired Air Force vet with a passion for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space program.

The last of my Dad's space stuff

He's putting together an exhibit on the West Coast because most of the major museums like the Smithsonian Air and Space (which got the bulk of my father's collection- you may be able to see some, labeled Donated in Memory of William P. 'Swede' Johnson), the Intrepid Air and Space, and Cape Canaveral are all here in the east. Mission Control in Houston is in the middle and there's little on the West Coast.

I posted on a Facebook group I belong to, Mercury Gemini, & Saturn/Apollo Program Era that I had these items and wanted to give them to someone who would preserve and cherish them, as my father had. While I hate giving up these treasures, it's more important that the history and records of our early space program be preserved, rather than sitting in a box in my office. The story of the men and women, the places and the companies, the failures and the successes, is more important than nostalgia. Only The Story Matters.

After contacting a museum which didn't respond back, I chatted with Michael. He not only had a passion for space, but a desire to preserve history. He was knowledgeable so I was convinced he was genuine and not someone who would want the memorabilia to possibly sell it. We chatted by email and I was surprised when he told me that he was not only humbled by my entrusting him with something sentimentally valuable to me but historically important, that he wanted to write a book. He was a bit afraid of such a big undertaking.

Being the author that I am, I gave him some basic writing advice, how to start, how to make the task manageable, etc. I also gave him several ideas on collecting his research. I was humbled that he thought so much of my advice that he asked more questions. To me it all pointed to not me, as the daughter of someone who worked on the Lunar Evacuation Module (LEM) who had lots of stuff, or to this retired Air Force vet who loved space, but to The Story. I'm not going to divulge the subject of his book, but suffice it to say it's important, it needs to be written. The author is not important, Only The Story Matters. I hope to help him not only with the process, but with whatever information I can collect about my Dad's days at Grumman; stories of the astronauts, the space program, the company that built the LEM which safely landed our men on the Moon- and brought them back.

It's bittersweet since my dad has been gone almost 15 years. He and Michael would have hit it off, trading stories. But the story will get told. And as an author, that's all that matters.

Char