There’s a lot of buzz going around as we continue to hunker down during this pandemic. I’ve heard from several people who say they are in a reading slump. I’ve heard from many bloggers who feel artistically stale and out of rhythm. My author friends are almost all universally complaining about very low sales.

I empathize. My TBR pile keeps increasing. I also feel artistically stale — writing about the same thing, the coronavirus and its effects — although I have been able to maintain somewhat of a blogging routine. I will be the first to admit, however, it’s been a struggle and I’ve gone to the well of past posts a number of times to rewrite or refresh them for times like these {did we ever have times like these?}. A few weeks ago, I lamented, as a writer, you would think the lack of distractions would spur an interest to work on the works in progress percolating on the back burner. Sadly, it hadn’t as of about a month ago … at least not to the level it should be. I had opened files, tinkered here and there, and saved and closed the files. My bad. And many of my writing friends were sadly commiserating with me. One, who is in the middle of writing another book, commented, “When this all started my first thought, ‘All that time for writing.’ But I have written nary a word. What’s up with that?” Although not pandemic related directly {it is a real contributing factor}, most authors jump for joy when they see even one book sale  or find a new review — especially if it’s positive — on their reports.

The good news — for me — is I have been able to find a rhythm. With a sudden surge of energy, I completed a rough outline — emphasis on the word rough — of my TIP [thought in progress], a sequel to My Name Is Sam … and Heaven Is Still Shining Through; revised, edited, and formatted Volume 2 of Wisdom From a Father … one dad’s thoughts on life for a late summer/early fall release; and actually put some WIP (work in progress) words  on paper {okay, on the screen … sorry, my mind is still old school}. I have about 5,000 thus far … and a long, long way to go.

What about you? What have you read recently? What are you reading now or planning to read? How is your writing going? Are you artistically stale or artistically energized? {not limited to writers, but all artists.} How much progress have you made on your WIPs? Do you have any novel marketing strategies or these challenging times? Have you received any new reviews? Have you shared any reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or with the author him/herself?

I’d like to know — for support … for encouragement … for new ideas.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: You can’t be good enough for everybody, but you will always be the best for the one who deserves you.