04 Apr Writing in the Time of Social Isolation
Week three of social isolation in the books. The weather has turned the corner into spring with lots of rain but warmer temperatures so this is something. Ted and I even pulled out the lawn chairs and sat outside Thursday afternoon to catch some rays. A taste of better days coming.
I’ve cancelled the Ottawa book launch which was scheduled for Saturday, May 9 because of Covid-19. While still a month away, I couldn’t see being out of this pandemic by then, at least not enough to comfortably hold a big gathering. Perfect Books agreed and said they had lots of copies of Closing Time so I let people know. Yesterday, I got word from someone trying to purchase the book from this store that they were sold out with more coming Monday. Thank you everyone who supported our independent bookseller in this difficult time.
I’ve had other events in April postponed until the fall, and still have a few signings and an event in May but expect these will be postponed as well. This leaves social media for getting the word out. If you haven’t seen my reading of chapter one on Instagram, you can watch at this link. I’m also available to appear via Zoom at bookclubs and you can reach me through my website (contact page) if you’d like me to be your guest crime fiction writer. Not as good as in person but the best we can do at the moment.
The days before social isolation – author visit to a Manotick bookclub
This social isolation has proven a wonderful push to sit at my desk and write every day. It’s a break from reality to concentrate on a story for three or four hours at a time. I thought at first that I was writing a police procedural but it’s morphed into another thriller. I had this aha moment when my initial stabs at a plot came together in my head and I realized how the parts could work. I’m starting to have fun as the words begin to flow 🙂
This was my Monday to post on 7 Criminal Minds blogspot. The question of the week concerns how we’ve had to adapt our business to the new reality. Like so many other people, the pandemic has meant a lot of change and adaptation to not ideal conditions, but nothing is impossible.
So we’ve made it through another week, my friends. I hope that you and your family and friends are all staying well and finding ways to make this time enjoyable and productive. I know lots of people are getting around to those home projects that they’ve been putting off. Â I’ve been baking quite a bit and am currently reading Atwood’s The Testaments having recently completed The Handmaid’s Tale. I can certainly recommend both.
Until next week ….