To Write, or Not to Write.

They say everyone has a book in them.

A story to tell.

A few years ago, a story started to develop in my mind. It was just shadows of ideas that over time became more solid. I have always had a very creative imagination but never thought to write down these concepts. This idea was different from all the others I’d had and, though it persevered in my head, I still I didn’t write it down. I never thought I would do anything with it.

Then I was reunited with my dear friend Jonathan. Author Jon Ford to you. After twenty-seven years of being out of touch, we had a lot to catch up on, including his passion for writing, which led to me being the first person to read ‘Hunters‘ and am currently reading the early work-in-progress draft of ‘Blood to Earth‘, the second book in the series. Boy, are you lot in for a literary treat! They are fantastic and I can’t wait for the others.

Through the reading and Jonathan giving me a nudge, I decided to try it for myself and get my story idea out of my head and onto paper.

Notebooks bought, secondhand laptop too, and away I went. Between work and family life, my time spent at the laptop is horribly limited. Next to nothing. Half hour at the end of a tiring day or a chilled Saturday – not much actual writing has been achieved in the last eighteen months. However, I have started.

I have the whole story plotted out and I developed the characters. It’s funny how you become connected to them as they start to come to life I asked three of my best friends to read what I had written to see if it provoked interest and, although I knew it would be a slightly biased opinion, they liked it and thought with work and development it could be a good story. One of those best friends is Jonathan. Now that was daunting. I mean, that man can write!

Now it is April 2020.

We are in lockdown due to coronavirus. It’s a very worrying time for us and everyone around the world. Finding things to do for my family and myself within our four walls is harder than I ever dreamed. Home schooling, playing games, and drawing fill up a few hours. But what to do with the rest of this enforced leisure time? The silver lining is you can fill the hours with something you love, like a hobby. For my stepson and husband, it’s X-Box gaming. For me, writing – brilliant!

Except it’s not. I have become afraid to continue.

Why?

Well, my idea, my story, is based around a virus that wipes out the human race leaving a few people behind in its wake. Although I’m confident the coronavirus won’t do that, as the governments and powers-that-be are doing everything they can to protect the world’s residents, I now feel like it’s not a story I can continue with.

Can I?

My story is based on hope and human strength, rebirth and new beginnings. See, it all gets a bit familiar to today’s news.

I am not writing this to tell you about the story – only time will tell if I actually get it out of my head and notebook. Jonathan asked me to write this blog to put on his fab webpage. Maybe to give me something to do, or to get me back to the laptop, but it’s the clever nudge I needed. Thank you!

Jonathan and my lovely husband Joe are being as supportive as always. Both think I should continue with it.

Should I?

I think I need to remind myself why I wanted to do this. Maybe that will help. So, I will continue to read Jonathan’s book as my source of inspiration. I very much want to finish my story.

Today I am going to read back through what I have already written and look at my notebooks to try to reignite the same passion I found a few years ago and irradiate my current concerns. At the moment, there seems to be no end in sight to the lockdown.  Watching the government briefings, the news reporters, and reading social media posts is disturbing. The scale of damage this virus is causing is frightening on its own, but actually the fear surrounding it is more damaging.

There will be an end to it…there has to be!

Human strength at its best in modern times will have been witness. Lessons will be learned. Maybe even world peace will be achieved! Who knows!

When this ends, there will be amazing outcomes, albeit in a very different world. 

I shall be back with updates if Jonathan allows me to. Until then, stay safe and well.

And, go wash your hands!!