Writing during a Time of International Crisis

As you obviously know, we are currently dealing with an international health crisis. People have a variety of feelings about it. Denial, stress, anger, fear, and panic–all of the natural things humans feel when they are faced with a crisis. 

However, over here in the Writing Gym, we are all about being real and having real solutions.  

I’ve been working with writers for a long time, and one of the most popular statements I hear from writers all over the world is this: “I wish I had the time to write.”

Here’s a new spin: you have been given the gift of time. What writers have always been wishing for is here. So use this time that you have been given to write.

But how? 

Perhaps you can find 15 minutes in the morning or after the kids go to bed just to jot down some of your ideas. Think about it. 15 minutes? You could probably write at least 2 pages. If this goes on for a couple of weeks, you’re gonna have several chapters done by the time we are out of our homes, embracing one another and socializing in person once again. 

So, please use this time wisely. It’s a real gift to write. 

I’d like to give you a tip I usually save just for the Writing Gym members. 

When you’re in moment of strong emotions, like fear, anxiety, anger, write it down. Write exactly what you’re feeling. Write it all down and then save that. Save it in a notebook, in a file on your computer. Title it “uncertainty” or “fear” or whatever emotion you were feeling while you were writing. You’re creating for yourself a bank that you can go back to. 

Maybe 5 years from now, you’ve got a character who’s feeling really uncertain but you’re not sure how to convey this emotional authenticity into your piece. Well, you’ve created a bank for yourself where you can access a distant memory of that emotion. 

Here’s the thing. At the Writing Gym, we always want to reframe things positively. Let me reiterate.

You’ve been given the time to write and you’ve been given the gift of emotional authenticity to really add to your writing. 

Take care. Happy writing.