Why Is Writing Romance Easier for Me than Nonfiction During the Coronavirus Lockdown?
How are you doing with your quarantine life? Are you getting into a rhythm and staying productive? Or forcing yourself to take a shower and get out of pj’s? So far, throughout the coronavirus lockdown, I’ve managed to keep a reasonable semblance of my normal routine since I’ve worked from home for the better part of twenty years.
I cook more than normal now that my hubby is working from home, too. Other than that, I exercise, I do yoga and meditate, and I write. Or, at least I’ve been steadily writing my next romance novel (Book 2 is going to be A-mazing. I love a juicy opposites attract story!).
When it’s come to writing my blog during quarantine life, I’ve struggled.
In an effort to understand why, and for lack of any other inspiration, I decided to blog about my struggle.
The first, and most obvious, reason is, no topic seems relevant or worth my time (or yours) unless it’s specific to politics or the global pandemic (Gah! Did I really just write the words global pandemic, and not in the draft of a dystopian novel?). Which in the US are one and the same, anyway. I don’t know about you, but I get plenty of both via news and social media every day.
I’ve tried to think about topics I enjoy and other people might find useful, interesting, or entertaining right now. Certainly, at some point I’ll be posting more romance book reviews. I just finished reading The Bromance Book Club, which was delightful. And I have yet to review Happy Trail, even though I finished it at least six weeks ago.
It’s been too hard for even my trained copywriter brain to stay focused on organizing the details that go into a good review. Hell, it’s hard to even remember the details of the books right now. I’d definitely have to read and reread the back cover copy to even attempt a decent review.
Writing romance is easier for me during lockdown.
Really, the only kind of writing I’m enjoying right now is romance. I think it’s because my books exist in a universe of my own creation. A place where the coronavirus has never existed. Where people can still go backpacking and camping. And visit each other. And dine in restaurants. And have crazy monkey sex. And fall head over heels in love. And where the ending of the story is guaranteed to be a happy one.
Even though writing and editing fiction requires a tremendous amount of brain power (or maybe because of that), I can sink into my happy made-up world pretty easily. It’s even easier for me than reading a book by someone else—something I never thought I’d say.
A lot of of my blog posts explore the fascinating intersection of romance novels, feminism, societal constructs, and sex. While I’m sure I’ll get back to that at some point, now is not that time. It’s too heavy. Though speaking of feminism does remind me, I still need to review Mona Eltahawy’s amazing book The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls as well.
Of course, I’m always open to suggestions for quarantine blog topics.
I could write more posts on the outdoors, or adventure travel, or skiing/kayaking/backpacking/mountain biking and include some of my personal photos… I could share some of my favorite quarantine life recipes… I could also give insight into my writing process or favorite writing tips and tricks.
Maybe I’ll try to do a little nature writing if I feel inspired. It’s been a few years but it might be a nice challenge, and it’s very Zen to contemplate nature and our place in it. What do you think?
If there’s a topic that would interest you, please do leave it in a comment below and I’ll try to make it happen.
Comments
Leave a Reply
*
Be the first to comment.