We are living in strange times indeed. At this point, you have probably been given 24 hours notice (at best) to take everything you do and put it ‘online’ (as though this were no problem). The last thing you are thinking about is your research and writing. And that is fine. And that is normal.

In the interim, you are going to alternate between terror scrolling through Twitter, and staring at your leg. That is also fine. Whilst marinading in social media terror, you will come across a number of different Twitter asshats who will swing between ‘Shakespeare wrote King Lear when quarantined’ and all that productivity bullshit, and people bragging about how much writing they will get through because they have no child care ( and possibly no humanity either).

You will also come across those who tell you to down tools and do nothing. These same people overworked and will still overwork through this pandemic - they were the ones who raised the bar in the first place, and burned the ladder underneath them.

I’m here to tell you: ignore all this bullshit. It is hard, I know. These are extreme times, and if you are able to keep any writing going I salute you, but most won’t and that is OK too. All those hard fought for writing routines are under incredible pressure right now. Just stop worrying about research and writing at least for a few weeks in the midst of a global meltdown. Eventually you will (probably) adjust to the new ‘normal’ of online lecturing whilst a toddler is swinging on your leg. Or not. Eventually you may find your feet. Your eventually might be three weeks, three months or however long. That is OK.

All your writing progress is not lost. Depending on your personality, you might actually find a bit of solace in writing, since it is a solitary activity, requires utter concentration, and a blocking out of the world. This kind of fits the bill right now. For an hour or two, it might sooth your soul. That is OK. But equally, it might not.

Needless to say your publication pipeline will need some severe adjustment. When you wrote that, a global meltdown was not on the cards.

There are a lot of people holding free online social writing events (check out ScholarShape and the Professor is in offering free stuff, and CampNaNoWriMo). There are some asshats trying to monetise this disaster of course too. I won’t shame them here. When people tell you who they are, believe them.

All my courses will be pushed back a wee bit until we have found some equilibrium in this new world. I will continue with the free stuff as much as I can. If you would benefit from a free Write with Me Friday, I am happy to put these on in the future when we have had time to adjust. Please post any interest on the Facebook page.

For now, stay safe. Forget the rest.