The other day, I got my first shipment of ARCs (advance reader copies) for my new novel, All the Acorns on the Forest Floor (releases September 15). My excitement was tainted with some worry about the fact that the mailman cleared his throat upon presenting the box. Was it a cough? Had he washed his hands before doing his deliveries?
Yes, these are the times we live in. These times are, in a word, crazy. My daughter’s preschool closed on Monday and I’m just starting to adjust to the reality of mom-ing full-time while also trying to do non-mom things, like write and read books without pictures in them. I happened to be on leave from my job when all the madness started, and I still am, so that’s enabled me to do the mom-ing. I don’t know how people working from home are able to actually work with children around. And what about people who still have to go into a workplace (bank, grocery store, hospital, etc)? What about their kids? It’s all a mess. I’m worried for people’s jobs. I’m worried for the economy. I’m worried for everyone’s mental health. And, of course, I’m worried about the virus itself–“a lung destroyer,” they’re saying. So many people’s lives are in danger–physically, financially, emotionally. It weighs heavy–how could it not?
I was in the middle of a big writing project when life got turned upside down. The manuscript still has a due date, so I’m trying to focus. But, as you would expect, it’s been hard to focus. I’m writing in the early morning, before my daughter wakes up, and in the evening, after she goes to bed. I’m used to this schedule because I have a full-time job, so that hasn’t been as big of an adjustment. But I’m just taxed from everything going on. I assume everyone is feeling the same. I saw a doctor on CNN the other day saying that we have to minimize stress because stress weakens the immune system. I turned to my husband and said, “What good advice–don’t stress out during a global pandemic! Just stay calm and relaxed while taking care of a 2-year-old, juggling work, over-analyzing every throat tickle, and not having any social interaction. Easy!”
The lack of social interaction hasn’t been as big of a deal for me. I’m so introverted by nature. Texting and phone calls are filling enough of the void for now. It is weird to not see friends or family though. I feel for the extroverts in my life. It’s a bad time to be an extrovert (for once).
One tiny pro in a sea of cons: Self-isolating means there is more time for reading. This doesn’t really apply to me because my toddler does not enjoy watching me read (the nerve!). But, if you don’t have kids, or if your kids are old enough to tolerate you reading by yourself, this is the time to stock up on books. I mean, there are only so many shows on Netflix, right?
If you are a reader (or you’re getting back into reading now), give some love to the new releases. It’s so hard to launch a book right now. Every launch is totally overshadowed by what’s going on in the world. But the authors of these books worked for years on their novels. These are their babies. Give them some attention.
Stay safe and sane out there, everyone. Sending a virtual, germ-free hug to all.