Pandemic Complaints

Well . . . so much for routines and progress and getting things done. Ontario, where I live, is on lockdown again. And not just any old lockdown, this time it’s super duper double lockdown with a state of emergency tacked on just for fun.

This pandemic is getting kind of annoying. And the people who haven’t been follow the rules, like all those out-of-towners from the hot zones that snuck into our town to do their Christmas shopping are really annoying.

I ‘d better stop there before this turns into a rant. You’re welcome. LOL

On top of the lockdown, the weather has been unrelentingly grey and dismal. My solar batteries are completely depleted and according to the long-range forecast, I can’t expect a recharge any time soon. So I’ve got a double whammy I’m having to deal with.

But at least I’m not living in the U.S. where they have the Trumpocalypse to deal with too. So I guess there’s that little bright spot.

All of this is a rather long-winded way of saying I didn’t get a whole lot done last week. It’s a small comfort to know I’m not alone in this. Several of the writing blogs I follow haven’t been updated in a while, and many of the ones that have are variations on a theme – inspiration is at a low ebb these days.

But I’m not without hope. At least I’ve been getting my blog posts done (eventually), and seeing as shockwave is no longer supported, half the mindless games I used to play are gone. There may be hope for me yet. LOL

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Wordage Report

New Words:
None, unless you count the ones I added to Blood Ties during editing, but I didn’t keep track of what I’ve added/deleted.

I did do a couple of the 3-minute freewrites but kept forgetting about it.

Editing:
I did do some editing done on Blood Ties last week, but a little less than 2 hours.

Publishing:
I picked out a story to spiff up, and I’ve even figured out where to send it, but that’s as far as I got.

What I’m Reading:
This is the one thing I did well on. I finished book one of Shifter Shenanigans by Shelley Munro on my Kindle, and I’ve started book two. By rights I should have finished that one as well, but like I’ve said I usually read the ebooks on while on the exercise bike and well, you can figure that one out for yourself.

I received about 5 more of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J. R. Ward that I ordered from Indigo (before they gave me a 20% off coupon code), so I think I need to start reading a little faster – these are big books. I finished the King and I’m about halfway through the next one, the Shadows.

Goals

Yeah, I know I said last week I wasn’t going to do the goals thing, but I’m thinking maybe it might help me stay focused – I’d really have to report a complete failure at the end of the week. So, here are my goals for next week:

1. 500 words a day.
2. Editing for 1 hour a day.
3. Prepare and submit 1 story or poem.
4. Read for 1 hour a day.

I think that’s a pretty good start, and I can adjust it weekly.

World on Fire

Wow. I was tongue in cheek when I compared the COVID-19 pandemic to Stephen King’s the Stand last week, but it’s not so funny anymore.

Canada is basically on lock-down, until further notice. Grocery stores and pharmacies are still open, but we’re told not to go there unless it’s an absolute necessity, and the grocery stores are limiting purchases and the number of people they’re letting in. Our children’s children will be learning about this in history class.

Being diabetic I’m considered “at risk.” So’s the hubby, who’s only been cancer free for a couple of years. There have been 6 cases reported in our area but no deaths so far. I hope it stays that way. If you’re curious about the numbers around the world, check out the COVID-19 map.

One of those confirmed cases was at the granddaughter’s school. They’re being close-mouthed about what grade it was but the daughter is taking no chances. And her hubby works for a store that’s still open to the public, which pretty much puts them at risk too. So, while they’re still coming for Sunday dinner tonight, I’m off the hook for babysitting for this week.

For the record, I’m not liking this much.

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Wordage Report

Well, I’ll tell you. For part of the first three days of last week I enjoyed the company of the granddaughter. Thursday I just didn’t feel like doing anything, and Friday the hubby and I binge-watched the first season of Game of Thrones. Saturday I wasn’t quite as lazy, but still.

Wandering Wizards – +1000 words, -700 words.
There is this scene I want to write that shows Jessica is having misgivings about staying in the magical realm, but I just can’t seem to word it right. I wrote it three times, deleted it twice, and I might just skip over it on my way to the action.

Weekly Prompt – 424 words
My prompt story took a creepy turn (as my short stuff often does) and I’m not finished with it yet. Maybe I’ll finish it this week.

New Prompt
Use this as your first line:
I survived the magical experiment gone haywire by hiding in her library.

Happy Writing!