Whether you remain in quarantine or not, this recent set of months (nearly a year in CA where I reside) could have been monumentally productive… or not.
Did You Just Do It?
Did you devolve into obsessive COVID worry, attempting to get on a list – any list – to receive a vaccination, no matter what company propagated and marketed it?
Did you obsess on the weather, another variant that was not within your control? Did you load up on #quarantinecuisine or starve yourself witless?
Did you spend endless hours on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter – or write personal notes to family and friends? Did you Netflix, watch old movies or stream endless sports? Engage in obsessive rumination?
Which rabbit hole did you go down?
Young children daydream a lot, so I felt no guilt when I devolved into my four-year-old self for hours. In fact, since I am an endlessly playful person, perhaps my arrested development helped me endure the monotomy. To remain guileless and filled with wonder – and easily entertained in the Zoom-o-sphere – has been my alter-ego, COVID-coping self, during much of quarantine.
I just did it, without thought. I felt safe.
Years of schooling – and a tendency toward perfection – has allowed my goal-directed, task-oriented self to reign as needed, such as days when I blog, to be heard in the outside world.
Americans puritanically tend to value task-oriented, just do it thinking. This elevated status may not be the best pose for writers, however. Letting one’s mind wander, as children’s minds do, so in the moment they are. I wrote oodles of short stories while in quarantine – enough to fill a book!
My COVID-writings were more spontaneous, creative, and emotional! I escaped the control of homestay!
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Hi, P.J. New website? Looks good. My year of quarantine life included waaaay to much social media, lots of walking–I’ve pretty much memorized my neighborhood–and a fair amount of writing. The hardest story to write was the one being released 3/15, written from the end of October through January. So much dire news competing for my attention during that time. The fist hints of spring are doing so much to lift my spirits! I wish you happy writing in March.
We’ve all been a little bit wonky… each in our own way, Sadira. More or less –
Oodles of short stories is a good thing!! I love writing short stories, especially when I’m stuck with a novel. Once I shook off that scattered feeling at the beginning of the COVID season, I was able to focus on my writing. But it took a couple of months. Thanks for sharing your experience during this horrific time in our lives and glad you wrote your way through it.
JQ Rose
Da truth – I couldn’t sustain a plot or the gist of characters, etc. beyond 1250 words, JQ. I had to push to achieve 2500 words.
Blog posts @ 3-400 words were the sweetest spot for my nana-attention and trying-not-to-be-fearful self.
I wonder myself if I’ll ever grow up. I kinda hope not. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
while growing older is not a choice, growing up is. Of course, we all aspire to grow wiser –
May you never grow up, P.J.! I’ve slipped back into a bad habit that I banished from my life three years ago. I’ve begun playing Bejeweled again. The loud noises and short time frames are helping me focus, although briefly. But I forgive myself ~ It’s been a tough year! Congrats on all your short story writing! Take care!
Thanks for sharing and hugs to you, Louise. Yes, I’m a member of the ‘Peter Pan’ Boomers who, though we must grow old, we vow to never grow old in thought, word, or deed. Indeed
Bravo, PJ, for writing oodles of short stories. You are wonderful! I’ve been concentrating on finishing my college memoir. I LOVE your website and blog; so colorful, so fresh and fun. I love the laptop covered in sticky notes of different colors. Yikes! I use different colored sticky notes too. All best to you, my dear!
Thanks for the kudos and applause, Victoria. So sorry I am late in my thankful reply…