The title could be Writing While Frightened, Writing While Anxious, Writing While Worried (www, but that stands for something else, so let’s not use that).

Most of us are worried about the virus and its mutations, but we express the worry in words that don’t include Covid or Delta or Omicron or Virus. Instead, we say things like, “Do you have your mask?” “Where’s my mask?” “How many people will be there?” “Are you sure they’re all vaccinated?” “Okay, I’ll order take-out, put how do we know if the cooks are vaccinated?”

I could write an entire page of the things we might say and still miss the ones you have said (and still say), because this covid thing isn’t going away, it’s just changing, so when you finally feel like you can take a deep breath you stop, lungs half filled, to wonder if the air in this place at this moment is really safe.

So, I will write about writing while frightened or anxious or worried, all strong emotions. You may also be experiencing other emotions. A new baby or new friendship may have brought joy into your life. The death of a loved one, whether from covid or other causes, brought sadness. Being unable to spend time with family or friends sparks loneliness, even when you’re coping well enough most of the time. That covers four of the five feelings I write about in writer’s workshops – the glad, mad, sad, lonely and scared feelings. I opened with the last (scared) and brought in glad sad and lonely, but what about mad.

I’m angry that a virus upended my personal life, my daily routine, my right to go about doing what I always do without worrying about a virus because I already had enough other things to worry about. It’s a good bet that you are angry, too. 

When it comes to Writing in the Time of Covid, there is another worry, and it has to do with getting some things written down before it’s too late. Some truths or suspicions about family background. Some memories that niggle. Did that really happen, or is it just my imagination? 

It may be both – truth and imagination. One colors (or taints) the other. It doesn’t matter right now. If you are feeling that you need to get some things down, it’s time to start writing. 

Writing in the Time of Covid means you are writing while worried and angry, but you are also experiencing moment of joys and sadness. You may be spending more time alone, and that gives you more time to write. Turn lonely into lovely. Private time to think and feel, to ponder.

Write those stories you want to leave for your family and share with your friends. Write what comes to mind. Stash it somewhere if you don’t want it read right now. Reread and revise as the days grow longer and then shorter again. When you’re ready, stash it somewhere it will be found or deliver it now to family, friends and readers you don’t yet know. 

Write YOUR stories. They have power.