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What Do You Write About When All You Think About Is Coronavirus?
Don’t pretend COVID-19 doesn’t exist
Seven days ago, I looked at my in-progress stories and thought, who gives a shit about any of this? I’ll admit it. I’m worried. Not panicky but worried. And I’m stressed too. My kids’ school just closed indefinitely. My parents are in their 70s and live in another state.
For the last few days, I’ve struggled to focus on my writing. But I’m lucky. I still have a paycheck, a side gig, and my kids’ school will conduct classes online. And most importantly, we’re all healthy. But that angst of uncertainty and panic still hovers like an annoying gnat you swat away only to be replaced by another. I’ve learned a few strategies to deal with the stress, and it helps.
My writing, though, feels forced, and I know why.
Five days ago, I wrote a draft of a story about relationships — one of those pieces where I limped to the finish line. The funny thing is, a week ago, I thought it would become my best work. For weeks, I had been seeking out people in longterm relationships and asking them how they’ve stayed happy for so long. At the moment, it doesn’t excite me, and I feel no desire to finish it. It’ll have to wait.
