January is traditionally a time to celebrate new beginnings, but what does that mean in a pandemic? What value does change have when nothing is the same anyway? Old West stories tell of pioneers coming across abandoned belongings from earlier wagon trains. Many of the items appeared to be heirlooms that the owners realized were now a burden. Perhaps that is how we as writers can cope with the changes we’ve already experienced, and the many that have yet to arrive.
If your writing routine has been upended by closed coffee shops and stay-at-home orders, waiting until business resumes means your novel will be delayed indefinitely. Early on, Tri-Valley Writers hosted a speaker who said she wrote her first book in 15-minute increments. She carved out that time by arriving early to the daily staff meeting. At first she wrote random thoughts, then a bit of poetry, then outlines. If you can find a 15-minute time slot in your day, dedicate it to writing. Perhaps this exercise will help you find more time to write, perhaps not, but at least you will be doing something.
If your critique sessions have been curtailed because virtual meetings don’t quite suit your group, try some role-playing. Prepare your submission as usual, then read one page as if you were one of your critique buddies. Try to imagine her tone of voice, the way she would tilt her head before giving you bad news, or how she would patiently explain (for the 17th time) the benefits of the Oxford comma. Read the next page in the voice of another critique member, until you’ve gone through everyone in the group. You might still miss some things, but you will have gained a valuable tool for self-editing.
If your plans for promoting your debut book included many in-person appearances, take a moment to grieve then call the event organizer and see what the venue is doing. Some events have gone virtual, and they may be able to help. It doesn’t matter how new an author you are if you show a willingness to learn, because everyone is trying to adapt. And isn’t that the essence of change – learning, adapting, and growing?