365 Days to Write or Not

It hasn't been a great writing year. I've written more than I expected to but not as much as I wanted to. I've been sick more and of course, we've all had to deal with Covid in one way or another. 

I had Covid in October 2019 and Sarah's mom just had it this past week. I've been taking care of her. And no, I haven't caught it. But I may have had it several weeks ago when I thought I had a severe cold. Who knows these days. 

Anyway, writing. Today is the first day of a new year and if I can write one page every day for 365 days, that's pretty much a novel. An average page is 250 words! So maybe do 500 words a day for 365 days? 182,500!?? That's two novels. 

I don't do resolutions. They're lies in fancy dress, as I've pointed out in a blog post somewhere. I am going to shoot for 500 words a day. I know I won't get that much done on some days but if I do even half that, it is a lot of words.

Have a happy new year and may the words flow from your brain and out your fingers. 

A New Year! A New Year?

 

Happy New Year, Writers! And Wannabe Writers! I hope you began it with good health, happiness, and a desire to write more this year.

I had COVID-19 in October. If you read my other blogs or you're on my FB page, you probably already know about that. There's even a video on YouTube where I look like a groaning hag. 

I wish I could say that 2020 was a productive writing year. It was anything but. To save time and save boring you, my attention span has been pretty disrupted. I'm not sure why, but once I caught the virus, it got much worse. Two and a half months later, I am still struggling and I can't seem to get over the cough. 

BUT! I did some writing in December. Not really writing, but I started working on an old mostly complete NANOWRIMO story from 2010 with a plotted ending. I read thru it again and it surprised me how much I liked it. I began writing chapter summaries to organize it in my head. I can print these summaries out in Scrivener and have them handy as I write the ending. I need several chapters to get the ending finished. I suspect it will be below 80K words, maybe below 70K, but I don't think I care at this point.

There is a second NANOWRIMO novel that is nearly as complete as this one, so perhaps they will serve as a catalyst to get me moving. 

I have two more chapters to edit for my friend's book, and that seems to focus my mind more. I enjoy editing but it is a long arduous process. I do some line edits if I see something it needs, but I lean toward developmental editing. 

So, there's writing in my future, but my health will determine how much I get done. My RA appears to be under control at the moment and the fibro isn't raging. The virus playing havoc with my system insured that my immune system was too busy to bother with those issues. I need to get back to the gym. I gained back the weight I had lost, and I can tell I'm weaker because I'm not moving. 

I need to plan my days to incorporate my morning devotionals, the gym, and the writing and worry about the rest afterward. 

Please have a wonderful new year. Keep using a mask and keeping your hands clean. This virus isn't just a cold. I had a very mild case, but I have a close friend who is seriously affected by it. She failed an eye test, has neurological issues, neuropathy, and is forgetting simple things like which toothbrush is her's. This is not just a potentially deadly virus, it is disabling for some. One moderate case of it, and I do not want to catch it again. 

May God's grace and mercy keep you and bring you through a blessed year.

Day 30 of Quarantine

We've reached the 30 day point at last. I was hoping we'd be done with this thing by now but the politicians are so busy trying to milk this thing for as long as possible I think. You can't believe anything the news media say about it. Numbers are being manipulated, or they're not. People are dying, or they're not. China lied, or they didn't.

I'm keeping a check on the numbers released by Indiana State Department of Health. Not near as many hospital beds used as I expected. Not near as many ventilators either. In fact, the numbers are about what we've seen in China. In Indiana, just over 48000 tested and of that, 8000 have the virus. Of those there are just over 400 deaths. That's 5%. I think the expected was 3% but that's not surprising either.

We've stayed in and only do shopping when we really need something. Doesn't mean we're not stir crazy. Neither Sarah nor I are gadabouts. We like staying home but there are times we want to just go somewhere and have a sandwich or get a drink. Not having the choice is hard.

I haven't been writing. The computer crashed and I've spent a week trying to get it back online. At the moment, everything seems ok but does one ever know? I'm also homeschooling Sarah. To say it is challenging would be an understatement. She's such a sweet kid, but she has challenges that seem to overwhelm her. When faced with difficult material, she just becomes overwhelmed and want to quit. Fortunately, I've dealt with both her uncle and her dad with this issue so I'm aware and can handle it. That's not to say I don't have an urge to brain her at times.

Overall, I'm feeling much better. I'd love to go back to the gym and work out, but the pills I bought seem to be helping with my pain. It is considerably less and I'm sleeping better most nights. My hips still ache and make walking hard but that shooting nerve pain was worse and it is such a relief having that get better.

I'll make this short today. I haven't focused on writing topics, I know, but I'll get back on track as soon as possible. Was I ever on track?

Stay safe and stay home until this is over.

The End of Day 14

Today is the 14th day since we shut ourselves in. Who could have dreamed it would go on this long? Who could have dreamed that it could even happen?

People continue to get sick. The death toll continues to rise. And our doors, at least mine, stay closed. I go out for necessities only, but each time I am afraid. How many times can I throw the dice and win? How many spins left on the wheel?

I had to take my son some food a day ago, and it shocked me to see so much traffic, even in the grocery store. People aren't staying in. They're still going about their business. Parking lots are less crowded, but only at places that are nonessential. The road traffic is actually heavier I think.

Sarah and I can't afford to go anywhere. I have a suppressed immune system, and she has a history of asthma. So, we stay in and each day we wonder if, when some break will come. She goes for short walks on the street. We've been on the patio twice.

I've done a bit of writing, but not what I could do. I've been doing cleaning and laundry when I can. I'm still having back problems, but far less since I bought the new mattress. I've tried a few exercises to help with it, but nothing works like the weights. I miss the gym. I've worked on the rebounder some, but not as much as I'd like. I've watched two videos that showed me some routines and now I just have to do them. I may take it into the garage since the ceiling is higher, but the floor is concrete and I'm nervous to try that this soon.

The only news we're getting is what I go scavenge on the web. I don't watch television news anymore or read newspapers. I got online and search as many sites as possible, focusing on Reuters and the AP, both are the main source of news distributed to networks and publications anyway... probably before they add their spin. I also look at sites that discuss the C-19 based on the science, rather than folks' suspicions. I read the other too, but I want what they science says.

I hope you're all protecting yourself and others. Stay at home! Please! You can catch this. How many spins do you have left before you get it? Will you kill someone by your actions? And will you survive? Don't risk it.