The Challenge of Creative Writing During COVID-19

By Joan S. Peck

I’m certainly not alone when I say that these are challenging times in so many ways. The sad part is about all those who have experienced this strange illness, or more so, have died because of it. It is also about those who are experiencing financial setbacks and even economic failure. Fear surrounds us, challenging us to do what we can, and have the faith to let the rest go.

Yet, on the other hand, this pandemic and our period of separation has allowed us the time to re-group, get back to the basics of living, and become clear on what really matters to us in life. A cleansing of sorts, although unintentionally forced upon us.

As a writer of fictional romantic suspense books and a novel with an eye on human trafficking, I find myself spending much of my time trying to drown out what’s going on around me. You might ask, “Isn’t that what writers do anyway? Don’t you get lost in your work, in the different worlds you have created?” The answer, of course, is yes, but it’s not the same for me now.

It’s true that I can get lost in my writing to the point that four or six hours have passed before I realize it. It’s usually only when my dog comes to me wanting to go out that I stir from my computer. And, yes, I’m indeed thankful to escape into the story I’m in the process of creating with characters who are fast becoming my temporary family. I’m grateful for that.

But what is it that’s happened during this Covid-19 period that has changed writing for me? I’m finding myself wanting to create less stress and more love between the characters and a greater kindness—almost incredible compassion—in the book I’m currently writing. That, in itself, you might think, is not a bad thing. However, for someone who is writing a mystery series (or any novel), there needs to be an antagonist or two that the hero/heroine can overcome! For most of us who write, we want our books to be victories for our main character because real success is an unseating of the struggle. Today, we all seem to be living in the energy of “waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Because of that, I find a greater need to surround myself with the goodness of people both in my daily life and in creating my fictional characters.

It is uncertain times we are living in right now. I believe the struggle for most of us during Covid-19 is to find that balance between the upset the entire world is experiencing and the goodness that people are demonstrating one to the other. And it is this that I struggle with while writing my books. But just as I do for myself, I give my characters the belief that they will overcome their struggle and survive to live a better day, a better life.

Learn more about Joan’s Death Card Series.