Hello! Thank you to Julie and Kelli and the entire supportive 12 x 12 community. It’s an honor to be the 12 x 12 Featured Author this month!
I’ve been struggling with how to craft this post, wondering if I ought to talk about how to write during a pandemic. Or how to find or make meaning out of all of this. I’d hoped I’d sit down, put pen to paper, and out would flow one of those grand unifying Theories of Everything. Alas, that didn’t happen.
Maybe there’s no summing up to be done just now. Maybe we can’t make sense of this situation while we’re living through it. But…maybe we can lean on our good habits and also experiment with channeling the emotions we’re experiencing right now into our writing.
I don’t know about you, but my attention right now is fleeting – or maybe “flitting,” never landing on one thought, project, or post for long. The problem is not only figuring out how best to launch a book during a pandemic or the disruption of the usual schedule or all the zoom calls and meetings or the everyone being home 24/7 and the near-constant interruptions. It’s also a general sense of overwhelm stemming from all this uncertainty that makes focusing a struggle. All of this is to say, if you’re feeling adrift or overwhelmed and can’t seem to find your focus, you’re not alone!
The thing is, it’s soooo easy to fall back on bad habits when the going gets tough. But, I’ve found when I lean more heavily on my already-established good habits, it helps! So check in with yourself. What are the good habits you’ve already established you might be able to lean on now—and anytime the going gets tough?
Is it chunking your work into bite-sized morsels? Is it setting super-modest goals? Checking in weekly with accountability partners? Taking long walks (if it’s safe for you to do so)? Scheduling time to catch up with friends? Whatever helps in “normal” times is even more important now!
Back in the day (early aughts) I had a grad school seminar with Scottish writer James Kelman. He encouraged us to use (paraphrasing here) whatever we were dealing with or experiencing when we sat down to write. He suggested that even when you sit down exhausted, not wanting to write, or are feeling sad, humiliated, angry, whatever, you can channel that into your writing. Basically, don’t fight it. Use it.
So what if, in addition to leaning on our already-established good habits, we experiment with using our current situation in our writing? Now I don’t necessarily mean write about COVID-19. I mean, is there something – good, bad, indifferent – you’ve been given right now, a situation or an emotion, that might help inform one of the stories or poems you’re working on?
OR what if your current situation means your usual writing genre isn’t calling to you? In that case, mix it up! What is calling to you? This might be the time to write outside your usual genre.
OR you might consider using your writing as an escape. I’ve heard that editors are particularly keen on light and funny stories right now. Just like I often crave a comedy at the end of the day, editors are looking for books that allow an escape from the heaviness of this time. So if you’ve been wanting to try your hand at humor, now might be the perfect time!
On the other hand, if what you’ve been given now is zero time or interest in writing, then give yourself permission to take a break. Maybe it’s enough that you just get through this time. Especially if you’re struggling financially now or worried about the health of a loved one—or your own health—then this might be a time just to get through. (But you never know when inspiration will strike, so be sure to keep your notebooks handy so you can still jot down any ideas that come to you.) Later there’ll be time to get back to writing and even write to make sense of this time.
I hope this was helpful. I recognize that it was a bit all over the place. But that’s what I’ve been given in this time – a flitting brain that’s seeking connections, even when and where connections aren’t possible – or at least aren’t obvious.
In closing, go easy on yourself, lean on your good habits, and work with what you’ve been given. Stay safe, Friends, and hang in there!
156 Responses
Thanks for your message, we all need to go a bit easy on ourselves now. Tapping into our emotions and the different things we’re experiencing now is such great advice. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, it looks like such fun! Thanks for the great post.
Thank you, Gabi. It’s so hard to write now, right now.
You hit all the right notes, Gabi! Thank you! Printing this out an highlighting parts that will help carry me through.
We are so lucky to have your voice, wisdom and good writing sense front and center in this community!
Julie and Kelli sure know how to gather the most amazing human beings to support this kidlit craft.
Beth
Thanks Gabi for your words of encouragement.
Thanks Gabi for sharing your positive words.
Thank you!
Thanks, Gabi. If we CAN write, I think our pens will be more powerful than everything being hurled at us right now. With so many insightful, smart and talented authors and illustrators out there, I know beauty will shine through is the books of the future!
Thanks for a great post, Gabi! I love your points about leaning on your good habits and also going easy on yourself! I’m so excited for both of your books! Congratulations!
Thank you for the helpful suggestions! Enjoyed your post.
Thanks, Gabi. I have been struggling, just like most people, during this time. It did help to give myself permission to not write on days I just couldn’t do it. And it also helped to lean on old habits as much as possible. Congrats on TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE. It’s fantastic!
Thank you so much for this! You definitely spoke to my equally flitting brain!
Congratulations on your book. Looks wonderful. And great advice! Just keep swimming. We’ll find a current somewhere.
Thank you for your great advice and uplifting message. Your new book looks like a super fun read. Congratulations, Gabi!
Very good suggestions to keep us all motivated, Gabi! Thank you so much.
Thank you Gabi for sharing your thoughts even when you were unsure what to write. Leaning on our good habits is sound advice in this time of pandemic, or anytime for that matter. Thanks again.
Thank you Gabi. Yes, leaning on our good habits is sound advice in this time of pandemic and at any time for that matter. Thank you for sharing.
Sorry Gabi that was not supposed to post twice, but maybe it was meant to happen in order to say – twice the thanks for sharing!!!!
Congrats on your two books! They look wonderful. Thank you for your suggestions for fellow writers during this difficult time. I find myself “flitting” as well, not staying focused on one thing for very long. But I’ve learned to not beat myself up about it. Thank you for your thoughts. You are our inspiration to continue plugging away! Best of luck with your sales and promotions!
Lean into your good habits during difficult times resonates within me. Thanks for sharing this truism.
Thanks, Gabi. As a person with a chronic illness, I was home a lot anyway, so it’s not that different for me. It’s been a productive time as far as writing is concerned. Stay well!
Thanks, Gabi! I have found myself veering away from those good established habits recently, so this reminder came at a good time. And congratulations on your book. Well done!
Thank you, Gabi for your positive post. It was well-worth reading.
Gabi-
Thank you for your thoughts . These same feelings of being overwhelmed totally resonate with me and how you are feeling right now. There is so much going on in our world between this pandemic and racial inequality, protesters….it makes me very sad. However when I am in this space, I really focus on my gratitude list. I am grateful for so many many things and people in my life…if we can hold onto gratitude, we can connect each other with the love and kindness that is meant to replace this hatred. Peace. Stay healthy and safe. I sent your book off to my grand daughter for her first birthday. LOVE your 2 dogs on a trike!! 🙂 xxoo
Marianne
Congratulations on your book, and thank you for telling us that flitting is ok!
Congratulations Gabi and thanks for reminding us that going towards humor can be healing or a release right now. A poem flowed out of me the other day (not my usual genre …) — it was not funny. But you reminded me that it might have been, so thank you.
Thanks, Gabi! Much needed encouragement and reminders, especially checking in with yourself. This pointer just gave me inspiration to set aside time before hitting the pillow to jot down anything I accomplished, no matter how big or small and think of three things to think about the next day.
I’m all over the place too, Gabi. Thanks for writing a post to validate that, and for bringing us all together. Reading is the main thing keeping me focused and productive–I look forward to checking out your book!
Love the “don’t fight it; use it” idea. Many good suggestions for dealing with this trying time. Thanks for the encouragement and congrats on your book. The illustrations are fantastic! Can’t wait to read it.
Gabi, I appreciate your openness. As you suggested, I’m experimenting with different genres and ideas. It’s actually fun to challenge myself this way. And I understand about the feeling of flitting from one thing to the next!
The perfect post! So much resonated, but particularly the accountability partner check-in and the ‘writing whichever genre calls to you’. I’ve been doing both and although I haven’t been overly productive, it’s kept me going. Wishing everyone out there good health and happy times.
Great post, Gabi! Thank you for your suggestions for dealing with this crazy ”I’m lost in the Twilight Zone” time. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one whose emotions are jumping around like a Mexican jumping bean. I agree that we should not to obsess over it, but put our “flittering around the countryside” to good use!
Congratulations on TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE! I love the sneaky cat… and his expressions are purrfect!!
Thank you, Gabi, for giving a name to my experience in trying to write through these times. A flitting brain describes it. I look forward to the day we can look back and comment on the growth we made and obstacles we overcame.
Congratulations on your book! It looks adorable.
This was such an encouraging post, Gabi, thank you! “Flitting” is a most apt descriptive word for my brain these days. Congrats to you on TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE. It looks wonderful. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I think everyone is a bit all-over-the-place right now. Happy writing.
You are not alone–I have a such flitting brain right now too. (I’m also a lover of chocolate.) I try to get in writing when I can, and then celebrate when I do. Wishing you the best, and congratulations on your book!
You are so right! Time to think forward, maybe forge some new good habits. I’ve thrown myself into working on illustrating–something I’ve talked about, but never really found time to explore thoroughly. It’s opening up new horizons, and is relaxing as well.
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you.
Thanks for the great message! I appreciate the advice of leaning on good habits and channeling what you’ve been given to inform your work. Congratulations on Two Dogs on a Trike. I’m looking forward to reading!
So hard to write now but your thoughts were helpful, Gabi. Thank you.
Totally agree with the adrift feeling. Where I live, cafes are still closed and that’s where I really enjoyed writing and revising. It’s been super hard to find inspiration at home amongst the messy house and crazy/wonderful 2 and 5 year olds. It will pass and I know the emotions will still be there to renew my writing. Thanks for the encouragement
Great post! I like the part about giving ourselves a break if we are having a hard time writing during these challenging days. We are certainly in unique times. Thanks so much for your post and congrats on your new book!
Thank you for your permission to take a break or use something humorous to get you started. I need to use both those ideas at this time. Revisions have been my life all through Covid19 times. I need to watch
some children doing funny things to stimulate the ideas.
Thank you for this — it’s good know that others are struggling with getting their writing focus too. But the way you have laid out these possibilities gives me a feeling of comfort, like it’s okay not to be super productive right now.
Thanks, Gabi. I often find the most encouraging words are those reminding me I’m not in this alone. I especially related to ‘flitting’.
Good advice! As none of us have ever lived through something like this before, there are no rules!
Thank you Gabi for your great advice, right now I really appreciate hearing it and hearing it often. We are living in unprecedented times and need to give ourselves a bit of love. Instead of fighting ourselves, we need to cut ourselves some slack. We will write again but when the time is right.
Gabi,
I’ve heard from so many colleagues that they just haven’t been able to write during these troubled times.
I have found the shut-down time to be fruitful. I’ve pretty much let everything else slide, like my painting, correspondence, reading, quilting, needlework, even the housework (since no one is allowed in the house because I’m a high risk candidate for COVID)
I’ve written three new manuscripts and revised two. My critique group a has helped keep me focused.
I find the idea of checking in with oneself really helpful. It is easy to get caught in the drama of the constantly changing stories in the world right now because stepping back is so much harder now. Thank you, Gabi, for the reminder that we DO have good habits to focus on too. Being kind to oneself is so important right now.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve found the uncertainty can make me feel down, but the change in my schedule gives me more time to do things at home, which can be comforting when I’m in the right mindset.
Have a good summer!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Gabi! The current state of affairs is a bit overwhelming for me and most of my friends. It really helps to know you are not alone, so I’m here with you too. Tomorrow is a new day, a new month, and I’m ready to work. Well, I’m pretty sure I’m ready.
Looking forward to reading your book. Stay safe and thanks for sharing here.
Excellent insight, Gabi. Thank you.
Thank you Gabi!
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Gabi!
Thank you for expressing exactly how it feels these days. It’s validating to remind ourselves that everything is challenging right now, but that there is hope.
Thanks, Gabi for reminding us to be gentle and forgiving with ourselves during this unprecedented time. I will remember your post so as to not beat myself up! 🙂
This was a great post–I found inspiration in the advice from your professor to use whatever you’re feeling. Also that reminder at the end to keep your notebook handy at all times. Thanks!
Thank you Gabi! I think it will be helpful to check in with myself each morning to decide if I just need to get through the day, or if I can channel that day’s mix of emotions creatively. Using my tiny rituals of making my coffee, straightening my desk area can often get me started. And on some days I buy myself a small bouquet of flowers which encourages me to stay at my desk! 🙂
Great thoughts, Gabi!! Thanks for sharing. It seems like every day is a little different scenario, so these thoughts are helpful. Cute book, too!
Great post, thanks Gabi!
Gabi, Thanks for reminding us to draw on what we already have in us. I also want to tell you I enjoyed how the adventure of the two dogs kept growing and growing!
“Use it!” That’s what we say before we go on stage, too.
It may feel all over the place to you, but I followed every bit of it. Thank you, Gabi!
Great post Gabi, and so on point. It took months for me to get back to creating new stories and it was going through the motions of those good habits that got me there. Thanks for your insight.
thank you for this great post your book looks cute!
Thanks Gabi! I agree that’s it’ is a weird mix of trying to hang on to normal through good habits and also recognizing that everything has changed. And it’s okay to not get something done. Congratulations on your book!
Gabi, you are wise. 🙂 I feel like I have to ask myself daily–What is calling to me? Is it only the things not on my to-do list? I’m just now settling in to a loose schedule and feeling comfortable with the flitting brain. I’m so happy about your book! Keep them coming. ❤️
Thanks, Gabi, for your tips to keep us going or get us going!!
Thank you for the advice, Gabi. You’ve got me thinking about journaling and writing outside my usual genre.
Thank you for the encouragement. I love the idea of leaning on good habits and working with what we’ve been given.
Thank you Gabi, I like the motivation to keep going even if things are different. To quote Dori “Just keep swimming.”
Thank you for this. It is really important to give yourself a break. With it can come new insights and possibilities. I have been struggling with working on projects and try not to get angry that things haven’t flowed as usual. I am glad I am not the only one. 🙂
A fitting post for the month, Gabi. And as always, very well written! Much success with your book this year & the upcoming “Listen!” 🙂
Thanks so much for this post, Gabi! All the best with your book!
Thanks for the words of encouragement! Much needed in these times.
Thank you, Gabi, for the positivity. It’s a difficult time and I’m grateful for this kidlit community.
“Flitting.” Yeah, that’s what I’ve been doing, all right! Thanks for helping me define it. And thanks for all the other great advice!
Thanks, Gabi. And I’m looking forward to reading Two Dogs on a Trike.
Thanks, Gabi. I think we all needed these words of wisdom.
Thanks for the encouraging words. It is tough to stay on task lately but your suggestions are helpful.
Thanks for the encouragement and tips. Much needed in these crazy times.
Thank you!! The time is indeed so flitting!
Thank you so much for your suggestions and encouragement. They are very helpful during this difficult time.
Yes, it is difficult to focus now. I need to either force myself to go back to my old routines or revise them so I can get back to my momentum that I’ve seemed to have lost.
Thanks for an inspiring post. I am really struggling still.
Thanks so much for sharing. Super excited about your book!
And I had a teacher once who said “It’s all grist for the mill.”
Thanks for the timely and encouraging words.
Congratulations on your books.
Awesome post Gabi and I am looking forward to reading your debut. And I really appreciate the encouragement.
Congratulations Gabi! I did take a bit of a break in June and am now venturing back. Thank you!
Thanks Gabi great post and congratulations on your second book!!
I am at the point where I don’t remember if I read and comment on this lovely post at the beginning of June, but reading it today gave me comfort. thank you.
Thank you for this post.
Thanks, Gabi,
This was a reassuring post to read when I feel like my brain just wouldn’t work (or the creative part of it at least) for the first two months of the pandemic. It was all I could do to show up (on the computer) for my day job. I’m coming out of that now, and getting back into it. So nice to hear from a published author who gets it!
Congratulations on the books! And appreciate the words of encouragement and sense you wrote. It can be a gift to yourself to know what season you’re in and be okay with that, so thanks for the reminder.
Don’t fight it. Use it. I LIKE THAT—a lot! Thank you for inspiring us! I have spent this time buried in revisions, and I’ve managed to write something new once a month. And I really like the new ones. I am thankful for the distraction! I normally have things pulling me away from my writing, so I’ve used this time for some butt-in-chair. (Of course, my butt is getting bigger!!! : I )
Congratulations again on your book! -Dedra
Thanks for the good advice about trying to write different genres/ projects. I’m trying. And a picture book draft came out when I wasn’t looking! Thanks and congrats on your books.
Great post! I think you captured a lot of people’s feelings in this. Thanks for the inspiration. Your book looks adorable. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks again for the tips. Now off to July!
Thanks Gabi! Congratulations on your forthcoming books and being the feature author this month. We were in Cate Berry‘s humor class together and it’s wonderful to hear more from you here!
Beth Elliott
Great advice! Don’t worry about the post seeming disconnected to you; there’s a lot of great stuff here.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to reading your book!
Thank you, Gabi, for your insight and advice. Quarantine was a double-edged sword for me–while being home made my day job (teaching) way more difficult than usual, and health concerns and concern for various loved ones’ safety, left me panicked, there was a silver lining. Not having a commute or a traditional teaching day and the fact that my kids and wife had no sports or extracurriculars, allowed me more time to think, and get organized, if not write. I was able to spend a lot of time organizing my writing life, files, notebooks, planners, etc., transitioning from Word and Dropbox to Google, typing up handwritten drafts/ideas, etc., watch a TON of webinars, and taking notes. Now that the smoke has cleared for a bit, I am able to clearly see the goals I’ve established for myself, use all I’ve learned through various webinars, revise manuscripts, cover letters and pitches, and get my work back out there. I’ve been able to “find” my writer-self again. So for this, I will be forever grateful.
Great post! Thanks for the advice, Gabi!
Thank you Gabby. I look forward to reading Two Dogs on a Trike!
Gabi, thanks for the encouragement and for the suggestions about how to think about new ideas related to our current situations when we sit down to right.
Thank you for your candor in this post. Sometimes we can grant ourselves permission to be all over the place, when we see that our respected peers are struggling to find focus as well. The universal madness that we’ve all experienced the past few months is reassuring in its own bizarre way. We’re sharing a tough time, but we’ll continue to support each other, and muck our way through. And sometimes, in the quiet of night, we can find those precious moments when we can put out that creative groove, and find that we do remember how to write, after all.
Great post! I appreciate all of your thoughts–especially the idea to chunk our work into bite-sized morsels.
Just one step at a time right?
Thanks for a great post. You give great insight.
Thank you, Gabi, for the reminder to lean into the good habits. Thanks alos for the tip about what editors are looking for. The cover of your book is so enticing.
Congratulations on your book, Gabi. Thank you for your sensitive and timely advice!
Thank you! I am inspired to write what I am feeling through this….holding onto the light in the darkness.
Three cheers for good habits – and for chocolate, just in case!
Thanks Gabi, it’s hard to write during this difficulty time, your words of encouragement were just what I needed!
Thanks for the validation, Gabi. Not the easiest month, but we go on!
Thanks, Gabi, for sharing your reactions to and ways of coping during this unprecedented time. Susanna Hill’s challenge has kept me writing, but I’ve put my book reviews on pause for the summer for the first time ever. Instead, I’m focusing on cleaning up my writing files, and, as importantly, working on an adult work for the first time ever. Congratulations on the debut!
Great post Gabi! Life during COVID19 seems to change every week, so I seem to be refiguring out how to find the time and bandwidth to write every week.
Thank you, Gabi. Your words remind us to “NEVER give up!” I am grateful for this concept.
Thank you so much for the wise words, Gabi! I particularly like the idea of using our emotions when we write rather than fighting them.
Thank you so much for your timely honesty and encouragement, Gabi! Your book, Two Dogs on a Trike, looks delightful.
Gabi, your post really spoke to me today. I’ve been struggling especially over the last couple of weeks (lockdown lethargy I think), but you have given me something new to focus on! Thank you.
I love, Gabi, that your message to us was all over the place. That’s the best way to reach so many of us who may be struggling for whatever reason. For me it’s helpful to change focus for any reason as long as I keep moving forward and to go easy on myself as I go easy on everyone else. Thanks for your inspiration and I can’t wait to read your books!
Thanks for the reminder to lean on good habits. It’s been a sluggish week in many ways…
I can relate — my attention is always flitting — and sometimes fleeting.
Thank you Gabi. Don’t fight it. Use it. Great advice.
Wonderful ideas. thank you
Thank you Gabi for your inspirational words. So important during these tough times to be kind to ourselves! Congrats on TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE!
Congratulations again, Gabi! I can’t wait to share this title with my students!
I like the idea of a writing escape! Working on a humorous PB manuscript is a much-needed, little personal vacation.
Your book looks so fun, Gabi!
Much needed post during these difficult times. Congratulations on your book!
Gabi, thank you for your words of encouragement. My hubby and I are older and at risk, health-wise, and have been keeping our heads above water, together in our home, since March 7th. On May 1st, our youngest grandson (almost 2) died in what may have been a negligence event at the sitter’s house. That has laid us low. Grief has undone us. I did write a heartfelt piece about him, but since then I have not been able to write. I’ve tried. Right now, I just can’t. I’m hoping that time will help. In the meantime, I have missed the webinars, haven’t submitted, haven’t gone into a store for 17 weeks, and have spend a lot of time comforting my son and his wife; from afar because I dare not be near my family (and others). Praying that all of us who are struggling, can find the strength to get back to it. Having permission to take a break, helps.
I’m so very sorry for your tragic loss. I hope you are able to find comfort and strength in the midst of such sorrow.
Bari, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandson. That is devastating — and extra hard because comforting must be done from a distance. My thoughts are with you. Sending love to you and your family. ❤️
Gab –
Great advice on how to turn this lemon time to lemonade…..Thank you..
So many good points to be taken away from reading this piece. thank you so much for sharing.
Such good advice!
Thank you for the writing advise! It is so helpful!
Thank you so much for such an encouraging post. Just what I needed to hear right now!
I really appreciate the reminder to use what we are feeling at the given moment. There is so much opportunity to face things honestly through our work in a creative and even surprising way. Children deserve literature that explores our entire range of emotion. Thanks for your encouragement!
Thank-you for your comments…it’s always helpful to know that many other people feel the same way and often experience the same things in this strange pandemic time.
Thanks, Gabi, for your great post. I like your advice about leaning on already established good habits, and also giving yourself *permission* to take a break from writing. Although its call is not as often as *before*, I do honor it when it does whisper to me. Stay safe!
Thank you for your heartfelt comments and very helpful suggestions!
Congratulations to on the debut of your picture book. That is a wonderful accomplishment! Celebrate!
I love the idea of using what you’ve been given. It’s a reminder that we write genuinely from our own experience. And sometimes that demands a different genre for a different audience. Thank you Gabi.
Great post, Gabi. Love, love, love your book and I’m sorry it is releasing in such a difficult time. For sure it will bring joy to little readers! Can’t wait for a cats on a bike sequel! 😉
Use whatever you’re going through is so helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for this!
“…channeling the emotions we’re experiencing right now into our writing.”
It’s been a major push in my poetry, and my journaling.
Thank you for this wise counsel, Gabi! I will take it to heart as I move forward. Congrats on your book!!
Great post Gabi! I can relate to the “flitting” brain. You’ve inspired me to get back to a few basic habits. Thank you and best wishes on your book sales. I look forward to reading them. Who can resist silly dogs?
Time for Butt In Chair !
Thank you, Gabi! I related to so much of what you wrote. Stay healthy (and writing?)!
Hi Gabi,
How awsome is your book! I love the dogs on the trike and in the balloon. I think kids are going to love your book. Thanks for sharing part of your writing journey….Danielle
Great advice! Attention is definitely flitting for sure these days! So happy to see your pups on a ride-can’t wait to see it on the shelf when everything reopens!
This book looks so cute! Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for the nice uplifting message and words of encouragement.
Thanks for your relatable post Gabi! I like the idea of using what I’ve got… not sure how yet, but I will think on that. Thank you:)
Thank you for your helpful suggestions.
Thanks for your wise words! It’s good to know everyone is feeling similar things right now…