Will you be writing about your experience?

I won't be writing about my experience, because I think the whole world has read/heard/watched enough about this pandemic to last a lifetime. I will never forget it, but I don't need to ever be reminded of this time...other than to keep my family safe to the best of my ability.

I'm sure this Covid-19 experience will find its way into my writing at some point. During the next few months, I will be working on my second novel, Cat and Mouse. 

Our writing organization is attempting to put together a project for local writers, they may write about the Pandemic, or submit short stories or poems about what they are creating during these trying times. It helps us stay connected, and keep their creative juices flowing.  I am working on my fourth novel, and each day I edit or write something new.   

while I won't be writing directly about my experience (and no I'm not keeping a journal, I'm too damn busy at my 9-5  Which is actually an 0520-1602 these days, six days a week) It will be reflected in my current WIP.  This has given me a new insight into what it feels like to be living in a society that believes it's constantly on the edge of a world-ending disaster.  My current WIP takes place in a society on the edge of an enormous interstellar war so...

I am currently writing a novel and finished one prior to this pandemic. I'm not dwelling on the chaos or deaths, or the insensitive issues that have tapped into the social media sites. This is devastating to many and other than a documentary I can't see it being an interesting or beneficial read. We've had enough "end of the world", "creators taking over" or "outbreaks" to fill our hunger for a thriller or killer...whatever you want to call this. I'm in a transition as I've relocated after retiring full time. My job was as a first responder so including today I've been sending prayers, shedding tears, and thanking God for the small miracles. I retired and moved to another state with a doctor telling me I had cancer, I had surgery Jan of this year and through it all... I'm writing. I faced cancer with the attitude that I didn't retire from some fearful situations (working as a Sgt. in State Corrections) to living in a new home, a new state, to accept defeat. I'm well and staying healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. My writing will continue as it has. I won't be skipping a beat..... but this is not a story I want to pen.

Most of what I write is, indeed, based on my own personal experiences.  I am compelled to share what I've learned with others; I do so through my writing.  The only variation from this pattern is when I am hired to help someone else write something . . . or to write it for them  In that case, I am able to write it their voice, so it ends up sounding as though they wrote it.

I am taking advantage of not having to commute everyday and working on several pieces. Though I am keeping track of what it is like to self-isolate, I have not plans to write a novel about this experience. 

 I began a new book in October that led me to do research in Germany where I was when the chaos began.  This virus which is teaching us how we are all connected and, like it or not, we are all one.  Ironically, the book is exploring our interconnections, and, hopefully, in a historical context, it will be obvious that no human can be fully human alone. The Covid-19 story will probably begin weaving into all of our stories whethe conscious or  not.

I find so many stories can be told regarding current Covid-19 issues. Right now I’m working on a new novel that revolves around a body found when The Joe is being demolished. Hope to have it available this fall. The same detectives from best selling Bottom of the Ninth, are featured. Stay home, stay safe. 

I am a non-fiction writer; I don't wait for inspiration. I am much too busy digging through research materials. My worry is that I will die before I can write all of the ideas I have in my head. The Corona shutdown has affected me in more direct ways. My agent is having trouble contacting editors because they are either working from home, and not reading many new proposals, or not working at all. As soon as we all go back to real life, we are hoping that business will also go back to normal. The number of "likes" for my most recent book is going up fairly rapidly. Apparently, people have discovered my Last Weeks of Abraham Lincoln on the internet and are reading it during their at-home time. That is about the only good thing to come out of this Twilight Zone period we are all going through, at least from my point of view.