Monday, April 13, 2020

Writing In The Time Of COVID-19

Truth is stranger than fiction. We all know that saying, and we’re certainly living in strange times, where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to accept the facts that are staring us in the face. As writers, we need to seize the moment. Now is the time to document this.
 
We have more than enough hours in a day, don’t we?
There is no excuse. Right?
Maybe, maybe not.
For some people, stress serves as motivation and their productivity remains unaffected. They continue as per normal. Others are not so lucky. They are paralysed by stress and productivity grinds to a halt. That’s understandable. We are all different.


Artists, writers and creatives offer hope in these trying times. Our stories are more important than ever, so we need to keep moving forward. We need to hang in there.
One writer referred to this period as The Great Pause.
It’s deep. Its dark. It’s profound.
But it can’t last forever.
We can use this time to pause... and reflect. At the end, something great has to be waiting on the other side. Agreed?


So while the world pauses, and we hold a collective breath, let’s remember the importance of artists and storytellers in these dark times.

Tap into the creative forces at your disposal.
Dig deep.
Write that story, poem or article, the one you’ve put off for a long time; the one that scares you.
Write like you’ve never written before.

When it’s time to unpause, and the darkness subsides, your stories will be there, waiting to entertain, to empower and assist readers as they try to make sense of it all; as they move into a “new” normal.

Stay safe and keep on writing.
 

14 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michelle - great post ... telling it like it is ... we'll all be in this part of our life as something that happens - the for now great untold story ... we don't know which way for us the times will unfold.

I'm actually clearing out things ... but will carry on with the blog and as part of our groups here ... book reviews, memoir writing ... sorting out is being so useful and will be a great relief.

Let's hope lots of good comes out of it - despite the sadness and grief for many ... take care - Hilary

Pat Hatt said...

Sure writing away at my bay. Got one book released and another almost ready. Then on to the next.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pause and reflect - good advice.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It won't last forever so we need to take advantage of the time.

Chemist Ken said...

I'm doing so much more writing these days. That may change when the weather gets better and I can walk outside the house, but for now I'm trying to take advantage of an all-around terrible situation.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thank you, Michelle. It is definitely time to dig deep. But I found myself longing for escape fiction so that's what I've been writing. However, in my journal, I'm just venting about CoVID related stuff, so maybe someday there will be something deeper in that material.

Natalie Aguirre said...

So agree that this is a perfect time to pause and reflect. And I'm enjoying reading some books I might not have if I could go to the library.

Deborah Drucker said...

I feel compelled to write something, my blogs, but my fiction writing muse is silent. Writing is a main way I express myself so I am writing my blog.

Juneta key said...

Nice wording on a great post. Pause and reflect... Stay well and safe.

Sherry Ellis said...

I wonder how long it will take for Hollywood to make a movie of it.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I started journaling again. You're right, these are unusual times worth remembering for later years or stories.

Anne said...

This is a very inspiring post and good advice.

Lynda Dietz said...

Great advice, Michelle! It took me a solid couple weeks to really get my mind back in the right place, but now I'm trying to make the most of the time I have available, and I'm better able to organize my thoughts now as well.

Lovely said...

Thanks for the wonderful advice! Let's keep on writing!

xoxo
Lovely

http://mynameislovely.com