At night, we said the things to each other we wanted to hear our mothers say. We said them in motherly tones. In our beds, while we fell asleep, we felt cool fingers in our hair not belonging to anyone. We slept to an owl hooting beyond the moon-spilled curtains.
A story I shared here briefly has been accepted by a journal. I will publish a link when it’s up! I hope you are having a good Monday. Sincerely—Margaret
This morning I am going to participate with a local philosophical group to discuss this Sunday’s topic “Coping in the Pandemic.” We will hear multiple presentations based on the reading and then respond to the presentations. I’ll briefly present the topic “Writing during the Pandemic” based on the reading of a New York Times article “12 Ideas for Writing Through the Pandemic With the New York Times.” Though the target audience for the article is younger adults, people of any age can use these thoughtful and creative ways to either get started on a writing practice or refresh and recharge with some new ideas. The idea is, we need this for posterity, this keeping of a record, but also for therapy, for coping, for connecting with others.
I want to share notes I have taken in amending the article, to bring it within the age range of the group but also provide some of my own ideas. Though this is not comprehensive, it is a start. It is a kind of cheat sheet but only fully understood in conjunction with the reading.
It has been a while since I have “presented” and this is the first for me to do this on Zoom. Luckily, this time around it will be fairly brief. Like a lot of people, I have struggled to get adjusted to new realities though I consider myself a bit of an introvert. I have learned to appreciate the energy we feel when in the presence of others and how that contributes to well being. That being said, I am thankful for such alternatives. It is amazing that we even have them and I have been impressed by entertainers and political campaigns who have so creatively stepped up to offer connection through this medium. I am happy for groups like my group meeting this morning as well as a writing and book discussion group who are offering an online presence and connection as well as stimulating conversation.
The only thing is, I miss writing in coffee shops! I love feeling the energy around me, hearing the barista foam up a beverage, the sensation of being anonymous while I am alone but not alone with my notebook. Perhaps I should play a “coffee shop” sound track while I write? But would the artifice make it worse? There is the old song “People who Need People.” But what I am learning is we are all people who need people.
I hope you enjoy my notes. They are not perfect or comprehensive but offer some ideas regarding writing during a global crisis. The article is amazing and the links in the article are wonderful, impressive. Enjoy your Sunday.
Writing during the Pandemic – notes from 12 Ideas for Writing, NYT
Why write? To make a record of a historical moment in time. To engage in a therapeutic activity that can bring relief and perspective. To stay in touch with friends and family. To engage others in joint writing projects or in forming a community by building an audience.
What are some writing approaches? 1) A journal or diary of thoughts, feelings, events. See the article for prompts. Substitute concepts such as “school” and “extracurricular activities” for applicable concepts such as “work” and “community activities.” 2) A personal narrative. See the article for pointers and writing prompts. (Substitute for “school” words/concepts appropriate to your context, ie “work.”) 3) Poetry. If you are new to writing poetry, please refer to the link to “found poetry.” For picture prompts, I prefer using nuanced pictures and art I can find on the following sites: flickr, tumblr, or deviantArt, Saatchi Art, or copies of old news magazines such as Time. I often keep an artist’s notebook of pictures I have clipped, and also words/headlines. (Refer to the link to “found poetry” on how to use word clippings.) 4) Letters to the Editor. Refer to the link to Thomas Freyer’s tips. Once you have navigated to this link, scroll down to the section “Tips on How to Write a Compelling Letter.” 5) Editorial. For ideas, refer especially to the paragraph that discusses essential questions to ask regarding the pandemic and what they tell us about our world today. And perhaps you would prefer to make and create a video op-ed. See the link. 6) A Review 7) A How to guide, such as how to make a face mask. Other thoughts I have: recipes to give to friends and family members, a how to guide regarding a talent or hobby. 8) 36 Hour Guide on how to spend a weekend in a global pandemic. 9) Photo Essay. Check out the link to The International Center of Photography. Or simply, use social media as a platform for original photos and commentary, such as Instagram or a blog or website. 10) Comic Strip. Refer to the article for links, pointers, examples, and inspiration. 11) Podcast. Refer to links in the article. Also, consider a new and accessible platform such as Anchor if you are a newbie. You can create your own podcast from your smart phone! https://resonaterecordings.com/2020/02/review-of-anchor-podcast-hosting/ 12) Revising and Editing. Refer to the article for tips and inspiration.
My additional notes:
Publishing. Check out the excellent database of both fiction and nonfiction journals publishing writing: Duotrope’s Digest. It is kept fairly current and you can research using quite a few variables. It includes a variety of genres.
Fiction writing: Some of the article’s tips on poetry writing could easily apply especially with shorter forms under 1,000 words for example, or with word limits of 100 and 50. To write fiction, I will often use what is happening currently as a springboard or context for the story. I enjoy using visual and word prompts. The discipline of cutting down one’s writing that was explored in “found poetry” is a great way to create a powerful, compelling story. Constraints often bring out creativity. I have found it therapeutic to continue fiction writing during the current crisis, “telling it slant” as Emily Dickinson once said.
Form an online writing group: This is a great opportunity to meet with others to share work and read the work of others, to give and receive feedback. It is a great way to receive support, to build community.