How to Write During a Pandemic By Tessa Wegert

I’ve been staring at my screen for a while now, struggling to concentrate on the task at hand. I know I’m not the only one. Whether you’re practicing social distancing, self-isolating, or in quarantine, no doubt your life has changed dramatically over the past few weeks. With daily routines disrupted, our minds wander rudderless as we try to eke out a few minutes of effective work. 

In theory, being told to stay home is a writer’s dream scenario. What’s better for boosting word counts than being an arm’s length from our computers at all times? Surely we’ll all be boasting polished new manuscripts in a matter of weeks. 

By now, most every author knows this is easier said than done. The stress we’re currently under feels enormous. It’s difficult to prioritize work when the entire world has been put out of order. It’s even harder to justify worrying about making those target word counts. 

And yet, we have no choice but to carry on. Most deadlines won’t wait for shelter-in-place orders to end, so we’re working – only now we’re doing it alongside spouses and partners, all while trying to keep our kids both focused on schoolwork and entertained. Writing is a solitary profession no more. The tailor-made routine we all cultivated to ensure maximum output has gone on hiatus.

It isn’t just the disruption to our daily schedule that has us grappling with productivity. There’s also the issue of distractions. Even those who are accustomed to working from home are finding it tough to focus. Canadian author and journalist Karma Brown, whose books include Recipe for a Perfect Wife, took to Twitter to talk about this dilemma. “I’ve been working from home for 9 years. I’m a dedicated #5amwritersclub member. I’ve pub’d 5 books in 6 years. I have loads of tips & tricks for how to write amidst chaos…but right now? I can’t write. Kudos to those who can find the muse, but to those who can’t–I see you,” Brown said.

I can relate. From the time that my youngest child, now eleven, was an infant, I’ve been working entirely from home. I’ve trained myself to write through all manner of interruptions, and at every chance I get: before dawn, while the kids are doing homework, when dinner’s in the oven, after everyone’s gone to sleep. And yet, I can’t remember ever feeling this preoccupied. 

My debut mystery Death in the Family was published a month ago, so in addition to working on revisions to the sequel and my regular client projects as a freelance writer, I’m doing my best to promote it online. Social media is crucial to this task, but it’s also fraught with alarming news reports and content that leads down some very dark rabbit holes. I sometimes log in for a quick check of my news feed and don’t get out again for hours. 

Whether you’re currently writing while trying to hold down your day job, care for your family, or a combination of both, these next few months are sure to be a challenge. Even if you’re already a dab hand at multitasking, you may encounter a whole new level of complexity. And that requires an amended approach. 

Start by creating a dedicated workspace. Even if it’s nothing more than your own corner of the couch, defining a space for writing can help you create a psychological divide between work and home. 

Next, tune out the chatter. If you tend to keep Twitter open so you can promptly respond to your followers, try limiting yourself to two or three daily check-ins until you’ve caught up on your work. Don’t disregard important calls from family and friends, but it’s okay to ignore your text messages for a bit. Be sure to turn off all app notifications to keep intrusions to a minimum. 

Still not seeing your desired output? Implement a reward system. Chocolate and wine are popular choices, but I also like the site Written? Kitten! (https://writtenkitten.co), which will show you a picture of a kitten every time you churn out a hundred words. 

You might also consider using this chaotic time to complete projects that don’t require as much imagination. Copyediting and online publicity and are good options if you’re feeling stuck on your more creative work. 

Reading is an absolute must. I can’t overemphasize the value of escaping reality for a few hours by immersing yourself in a good book. Use this as an opportunity to support your fellow authors and local independent bookstores by buying some newly released titles, posting pictures on Instagram, and reviewing them on Goodreads and Amazon.  

Regardless of what you’re working on, don’t forget to practice self-care. Sara Bond, author of the recently released science fiction novel Gravity’s Heir, says she’s trying to eat healthy, walk her dog often, and spend more time outside with her children. In the meantime, Bond – who typically works in public spaces – has discovered that playing coffee shop white noise helps her keep writing. 

The highways may be empty and our homes full to bursting as we fight to keep coronavirus from spreading, but we’ll find a way to make it through. Write all you can, don’t berate yourself if you can’t, and above all, stay healthy. 

—

A storm-struck island. A blood-soaked bed. A missing man. Senior Investigator Shana Merchant believes it all adds up to a killer in their midst—and that murder is a family affair.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips