The struggle is real…
Before lockdown due to the coronavirus that is sweeping its deadly effects across the globe, I was managing to muster together anything from 2,500 to 4,000 words a day. Now, I can barely string together 500 to 1,000. This is for a third book, which I haven’t even pitched yet to my publisher Hera. I’m currently up to about 10,000 words and know I will need to write another 70,000 at the very least!
The great news is that my second thriller due for release later this year is complete. The first solid draft was submitted in February 2020, and I will be working on the structural edits between May 7th – May 29th 2020. Following that, once approved I will start the less intensive copy-edit process. Everything should be shaped up nicely to deliver another gripping read by the autumn. I’m not even sure what the final title will be yet. The cover reveal is like the icing on the cake, so will be looking forward to sharing that with my readers in the coming weeks ahead.
So many posts on social media about lockdown novels and how everyone is managing to find time to write. I am now working from home which you would think could be easier to find the time since I have gained not having to travel to work and back. This was a process that took almost two hours out of my day. When I finish work at 17:00 hours and stroll into the lounge at 17:01, I don’t feel like opening my personal laptop to stop writing. I have found that finishing work in the office, winding down on the journey home kind of prepped me in the mood for continued writing later in the evening.
Adjusting to the new normal, means having to find a new normal writing habit.
Slowly, as the weeks are progressing I am enjoying writing on my days off. I have set up my writing laptop in the kitchen and I now write standing up. It’s different, I can move about freely, and – I am picking up pace again. I don’t think it will be anytime soon that I will write 4,000 words a day until the world is back to normal. I might have just about got over my cancelled PO Cruise holiday by then too. Currently, day 30 since it was cancelled and no refund as of yet #justsaying but I’m trying not to moan since PO Cruises did announce it could take up to 60 days. I’m appreciating that everyone is working hard and limited means during this difficult time.
I’m not sure about anyone else, but the lockdown has taught me to appreciate all the things I didn’t realise I enjoyed until I had to stay at home. I miss going into town for a Thornton’s Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and cream. I miss Gregg’s Vegan Sausage Rolls, and just browsing around, wondering what clothes to buy next, or what game I can get for my Xbox One.
If you’re a writer – I imagine you too could be struggling to begin or even complete your next novel during this coronavirus outbreak, but from all the comments I’ve seen on twitter from authors that sell millions of copies – it’s affecting us all.
Stay Home, Stay Safe – Happy Writing…
