I know from the
#WritingCommunity on
Twitter that I am hardly the only
one who is finding writing difficult in the current climate.
I do find writing difficult at the best of times. Having a full time job and kids, I tend to do my writing after the kids have gone to bed on days that I don't have day job to do in the evenings.
This means, I'm shattered when I'm writing. When I come to read back what I've done, it's often complete drivel.
And now, writing in this climate is really difficult. My mind is so preoccupied feeling for all those people who have been ill, died, the front line workers putting their own lives at risk to help those who are sick. All the people who have had their weddings, holidays, plans, hopes all dashed because of this virus. And on top of that, I'm still mainly writing in the evenings as I try to entertain my kids and keep a semblance of normality going.
It isn't an atmosphere that fosters creativity. What are creative types doing about it?
I think it's really important to accept and notice your feelings at this time, especially. If I can't write, I'm not putting pressure on myself to do any writing. I know I can't edit a blank page, but my novel goes off on such an awful tangent if I'm not focused.
I'm also trying to be more kind to myself with regards to the kids. I don't know who else needs to hear this but
it is ok for them to watch TV or play on their tablets. I think I need to hear it, over and over on repeat. The kids had a TV day on Sunday and I wrote 1400 words. Most of those words, I'll keep because I was writing in the middle of the day, facing my garden, heaps of well-being and positive vibes. It is ok for me to work on my book when the kids are around. They don't have to have my attention from waking to bedtime.
I don't know if other
#writermoms are the same. I hear all the evils about tablets and TV but we are
now in unprecedented times and we can be kinder to ourselves. My kids are still going out in the garden, they're still doing maths and English learning, we're still doing science and home ec and art and all the other things.
This is temporary. Things will get back to normal and I shall return to struggling to write in the evenings around doing Day Job and Kids things. I will continue to struggle with the middle of this novel and not knowing what on Earth to do with it.
I hope that all those who are working to protect us, keep us well and work on the front line will be ok, and come through this all with us.
I hope all who are reading this are safe and well, and staying at home to protect us all. Stay safe, stay well and stay at home.
