Covid 19 Will Forever Change How I Write

[image error]Like a lot of people, the corona pandemic has changed my life. I’ve been very fortunate in that my loved ones who caught the virus were spared the truly horrible effects. However, my own habits have changed quite a bit. For example, I have become a crazy hand-washing, mask-wearing person who steers clear of all crowded places (even thought Michigan has lifted most of its regulations.) In the future, I plan to remain just as vigilant.

As I said in my last post, I’m nearly finished with the third book in the Restless Spirits series. The other two books, Restless Spirits and Deadly Spirits, both took place long before we’d even heard the word Covid. But as I’m editing this third book, I’m cringing each time my characters shake hands or go to a restaurant or kiss. All the carefree things we used to take for granted no longer seem so safe.

I’m not making any post-pandemic stylistic changes to Broken Spirits, but I’m in the pre-planning stages for my next stand-alone horror novel and I can assure you that all these mid and post pandemic concerns will play a part in it. It won’t be a book about the pandemic, but it will have a post-pandemic sensibility.

I won’t be afraid forever, but I will be cautious from here on out. Much more cautious than I ever was before. However, my future books will no doubt reflect the fear I’ve felt over the past year. Like it or not, things in this world have changed.