WRITING DURING THE PANDEMIC

 

Excerpt from "How to Be the Best Writer Ever!"

During this difficult time of lockdowns and restrictions, many of us might not feel like writing, but as I state in my writer's guide "How to Be the Best Writer Ever", writing can often help you bounce back from the difficulties you may be experiencing.

Available as an e-book and in paperback. 

CLICK HERE to buy on Amazon.co.uk

CLICK HERE to buy on Amazon.com

 

WHY?

A fellow author in the U.S. reached out to me the other day, saying: "You've been quiet lately. Is everything OK with you and yours?"

That's a good question. I guess he meant because I haven't been continually writing, marketing my books and revealing plans for more books, as I usually do! Also, I haven't been saying anything about how things are in The Bahamas and there sure has been a lot going on.

I think a lot of writers worldwide are grappling with the current Corona virus situation. I see them discussing this on writers' forums. But I don't know what's up with me! I keep trying to pull myself together and get on with it. Get on with what though?

I do go through the motions - doing secretarial work for my family, cooking, cleaning, exercising as much as is currently allowed, and so on...... But something's missing and it's not just the writing or not being able to physically socialize with friends!

Why am I like this right now? I think this question will only be answered after everything gets back to "normal", whenever and whatever that will be!

Nevertheless, here I am writing again, so maybe this is the best way to go right now. If you are having difficulty applying yourself to whatever you love to do, don't worry about it. It will all come back to you at just the right time. I truly believe that!

THIS WEEK'S PUNCH WOMAN IN ACTION!

I guess it was inevitable! 

"UP THE GARDEN PATH" - GARDEN THEMED COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES BY PATSY COLLINS

British author Patsy Collins’ Collection of 24 short stories, “Up the Garden Path”, is available to download free until July 16th.

Patsy, the author of four novels and working on a fifth, lives on the south coast of England with her husband, photographer Gary Davies. When she's not writing, she says she travels with her husband in their campervan acting as his photographic assistant. She sometimes gives talks to writing groups.

Her short stories (500+ published to date) have appeared in a range of UK, Irish, South African, Canadian, Swedish and Australian publications. Some of her stories are available to download from Alfie Dog Fiction. Patsy's website is http://patsycollins.uk

CLICK HERE FOR "UP THE GARDEN PATH"

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS AND WRITING

Some of my books on writing!

The spark for my love of books and writing dates back to my early childhood at Boquhan, Scotland. At the time, my family and I lived with my grandparents in a cottage on the large estate where my grandfather worked.

I remember being allowed into the library in the “big hoose” as we called it. As a tiny girl, I was in awe of the shelves of books, which reached high up to the ceiling. I could hardly even reach the lower shelves, so my grandmother would hand some of the books to me. It was almost impossible for me to understand the small writing and long words, but I thrilled at the touch of the books and the window on the world that they opened up. 

I write about Boquhan Estate in “The Scottish Connection”. And Gordon, one of the protagonists in “Love at Sunset”, has similar experiences with a library in an old house!

AUTHORS MEET!

I had the pleasure on Tuesday of meeting in Starbucks, Melia Nassau Beach Resort, Cable Beach, with six established local authors for a chat about writing and publishing. Here’s a photo that appeared in today’s Tribune. As you can see from the scattering of books, along with coffee cups and goodie bags, we had a great time!

FREELANCING IN THE BAHAMAS!

Fay covering an event in Town Centre Mall, Nassau, Bahamas
(former Police Assistant Superintendent Allerdyce Strachan rt.)

One day, in the early nineties, I quit my day job! I ran an ad in a local newspaper “Writer available”. I only received one reply and that was from an ex bank manager that we knew. He owned and operated a villa and car rental business and wanted me to put together the text for some brochures.

I took the assignment on with great delight, but still listened for the phone to ring with more enquiries. I had just about given up when I had a call from a local mall (again it was someone we knew). He asked me if I’d be interested in taking promotional photos at events held in the mall.

I drove to Town Centre Mall, armed with a camera and note pad (remember, those were the days before iPhones!). I threw myself into the project, not only taking photos of events and goings on in the mall, but writing about them. I also interviewed shop owners and wrote features to promote their businesses.

Every week, I would have copies made at a local photographer’s shop of my black and white photos, and then attach typed captions to the photos with a paper clip. The photos would go into an envelope along with my feature articles and I’d then run around town, dropping them off to each newspaper. I’d usually take the time to have a little chat with the editors.

The articles appeared with my byline in every local newspaper every week for as long as I worked at the mall. I would write one basic version of the article, and then edit it to suit each newspaper. The local tabloid required articles short and sweet; I’d aim my article at the youth page of another newspaper; the other two received the original article.

I still use this technique in my non fiction. It often comes in handy with press releases. Also, if a short story is rejected I can easily adapt it for another market. But everything is high tech now. How times have changed!

TRAVEL OPENS UP THE CREATIVE JUICES!

They say “travel broadens the mind”! Well, travel also opens up the creative juices. Erskine and I have just returned from a trip to Florida, my notebook full of ideas for future short stories.

Perhaps it’s the change of scenery that stimulates the mind or could it be the different people we encounter? I do know that I did a lot of people watching while we were away!

We usually slow down a bit when we take a trip to Florida from The Bahamas, and we “smell the roses” – or in our case “the coffee”, as we spend a lot of time in Starbucks!

We have a favourite little oceanfront resort where we usually stay. We sit out on our balcony, inhale the ocean breeze, and listen to the strange birds that call out to each other from one part of the building to the other. They are large and black. I must find out their name. I don’t think they are really welcomed by the staff, because they leave little “deposits” on the balcony rails, but we like them!

We don’t cook anything while we are in Florida, even though our unit has a full kitchen. We eat out or bring food in to heat up. We find the fridge, stove and microwave handy though. Also the dishwasher! We don’t have one of those at home.

They say “a change is as good as a rest” and I can say “a change gives way to more productive writing”!

Read some of my short stories in "SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART: A COLLECTION OF TWELVE ROMANTIC SHORT STORIES", which is available as an e-book and in paperback (regular and large print) from Amazon online stores around the world.