Creative Surge
My brain is on fire. I’ve been writing like a mad fool since last Wednesday and am just hitting 35,000 words on Book 5 in my Lamb’s Bay Mysteries. I have no idea why I am having this creative surge, but another writer friend is going through the same thing.
I thought about it this afternoon and began to realize that it is probably because of COVID-19, we are not doing a lot of our usual daily activities.
My mother used to urge me to get my stories written. She used to say you need to be locked up in an ivory tower. But an ivory tower does not work in a daily life that includes a day job, a family and friends. So often we are diverted from our need to write by the minutia of daily living.
With the current situation, I am no longer browsing the grocery aisles trying to figure out what I need. Having shopped for years for a large family, grocery shopping became a chore and not one I enjoyed. I would rather have been in a bookstore. Now, however, I spend a few minutes updating a list I adhere to each week and then go online and order my items. They are delivered within 24 hours. All I have to do is put them away. This is not only more efficient for me, but it stops me from “wasting” time and drifting into what I call the “no no” aisles where lemon meringue pies and maple bacon chips and luscious chocolate bars tempt me to indulge.
Another change, albeit not a good one, is my regular aquafit class which was cancelled. Or I use my treadmill at home and do some exercises – at a time that suits me. Usually in the summer months I was at the pool by 8:30 for a class. Then it was out for coffee and a chat with a fellow aquafitter. (Is that a word?). By the time I got back home having stopped to do errands – both necessary and imagined – it is around lunch time. But that’s okay because we need to spend time with our friends and enjoy their company. And frankly I am a gazelle in the water and a penguin on land. Miss you aquafit.
Now we text, email, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and then we go on with our lives. We don’t have to drive anywhere and meet people.
Then there are those pesky doctor appointments where you sit in a waiting room full of people with who knows what hoping that your doctor will be on time. Now the doctor’s office gives me a time slot and we use either the phone or telemedicine. Works for me.
And then there are all the other things that divert us from writing. Window shopping, attending events, etc. It all happens from home now and so far I haven’t had any complaints. I’ve realized I don’t need any new clothes and although I truly enjoy my weekly thrift shop forays with another friend, well staying home is preventing me from buying knickknacks I don’t need. Though I have to admit I do find some good deals.
So my brain quickly caught on that there was space available and took over these time slots.
I’m writing, I’m editing, I’m plotting and outlining. And you know what – I’m having a darn good time. I will have written two books by the end of July – that’s first drafts folks, they always need editing, then sending to beta readers and finally to editors who will nit-pick my prose.
But the process is exhilarating. Yes my brain is on fire. I’m enjoying every minute. But it can’t last forever. I hope they come up with a vaccine soon so that we can begin to see each other on a personal basis again. So what if I spend time with my friends and family? That’s what being human is all about. And frankly I think my brain needs a summer vacation.
Watch this space for news about the next volume of the Lamb’s Bay Mysteries. It was supposed to be out last week, but I got sidetracked by writing Book 5. It’s like having a bunch of noisy kids and they all want your attention, but some books have to sit still for a bit and wait their turn.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t read Book 1, Peril at the Point, get it now. Learn about the characters in Lamb’s Bay, follow them as they solve a mystery, find a treasure and catch a murderer. It’s available in Kindle and paperback formats. And please leave a review. Thank you!
