How are you? Not the pat answer you give without thinking, but the raw answer that comes from deep within after a few weeks of drastic schedule change because of a global epidemic.
Me? Overall, well. I am able to focus on the health of my family here with me and in my hometown in Upstate NY. My husband is still working from home and little has changed for him. Our kids are remote learning. Our son’s girlfriend is on the front lines at Dollar General ministering to a scared public with her smile and kind words. I do not take for granted what we have, nor the sacrifice friends and strangers are putting out there by showing up to work. I also have cried reading updates from fellow authors who have loved ones in the hospital or have even lost family members. It’s hard, and it’s important to admit that.
I’ve read that authors are struggling to focus even though many excuses that take us out of the home are gone. I can relate. I’ve spent more time trying to solve Dateline crimes than getting a word count in. However, I have pressed in and have been able to get some work done.
I do have a project outside of IR that is finishing a series where our teen daughter with special health needs is my co-author. We’re nearly done with You’re Brilliant, and being home together has helped us get a lot written.
In the IR department, I have a new series that I’ve fought to take from mind to laptop that I’m so excited about. Anchored is the first book in Surrendering Opinions, a series about sextuplets who stay in the national spotlight after tragedy. I took yet another break from writing to finish You’re Brilliant, but the story is always on my mind. In my time home I had a trial period with a stock photo company and I was able to download images for the six book covers. That’s huge. It’s helped me form a better profile of the characters, the family, and their personalities. I’m more excited than ever to return to writing.
I’d love to share a snapshot of what Anchored is about:
Jordyn Bell Collins is the first of the sextuplets, and she takes her oldest sibling role seriously. She’s following in her late mom’s footsteps as a reporter at the local news station with her eyes set on national news, just like her mom’s best friend, Julia Turmeric. Although Jordyn’s focus is a bit frayed with her dad’s new marriage and keeping track of her siblings, she’s ready to check off all her goals as complete before the “Collins Six” turns 25.
Spencer Hart never expected he’d be caregiving for his teen brother and his grieving dad after the loss of his mother when Spencer was in college. His vision was he’d graduate, marry, and be the six o’clock anchor at his local Upstate NY news station. When the executives call him in, he learns their ideas aren’t anywhere near his. They’ve tapped him and Jordyn Collins to co anchor the new morning show, Early Rise and Shine.
Can these two surrender their control and let God become the anchor of their lives?
It’s rough, but it’s a snapshot of what I’m working on. Now, to stop watching Dateline...
How about you? Are you ahead on projects during this time at home, or behind?
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
I am finding isolation not much different to normal times. We are home-bodies.
For me it’s a respite from what needs to be done outside, so I can focus on accomplishing some projects like unpacking and setting things up since moving apartments at the end of last year, setting up a balcony garden, reading and catching up on a myriad of things whilst indulging in the myriad of online opportunities that have become available.
Love the premise for Anchored and so admire co-authoring with your daughter! Thanks
Life hasn’t changed much for me except for attending church and grocery shopping once a week. I’m busy raking and cleaning up my yard and flower beds like always this time of year. I have started tomato plants for my garden.
Life hasn’t changed for me. I worked from home before, this is my slow time, and I can do what I want, when I want, for the most part. Today, I’m taking my 95 year old Mom to a doctor’s appointment made 8 weeks ago, then coming home to do laundry, and read!! I’m taking a book with me to her appointment (of course!!), so at least my hour and a half to two hours there won’t be wasted!
It depends on the day. Some days I’ve been able to be pretty productive and some days I’ve spent way too much time doing nothing.
Though I always work from home, my family is now here working from home as well, which has put a huge strain on our internet. We have to schedule things around one another and it still lags. We are getting it upgraded next week.
I am a lot more distracted and focus is a challenge due to having people in the house with me, but I’m adjusting.
Hanging in there.
I wish I had time to work on projects. I just wanted one day to haver everyone else’s “problem” of being home with time.
Any other current teachers/professors commenting in the blog? It’s just sooo much work and so many needy students.
I’m finding focus difficult, quite honestly, but I am making some progress. Now that snow is hopefully finally gone, I’m getting out more to do yardwork, which is a nice distraction!
Hi, Mary! I saw a picture that so describes our situation as well. The extrovert was climbing the walls. The introverts were reading. That’s been our case. We definitely want a cure and to see everyone, but we’re managing. Have a blessed Easter!
Hi, Dianne! A balcony garden sounds so beautiful! It sounds like you are making the most of this time. Good for you! Have a blessed Easter!
Lucy,
I bet the fresh air helps time pass quickly. I wish I could garden. My mom is so good at it, but I only have the indoor green thumb! Have a blessed Easter!
Trudy,
I’m glad things are going well for you, and I hope your mom’s appointment goes well, too. Have a blessed Easter!
Hi, Jessica!
From everything I’ve read, that is very normal. It sure is something I can relate to. Stay well, and have a blessed Easter!
Kimberly,
You raise a great point about the internet. We are a techie family and with everyone home, we have zoom meetings, Twitch, TV streaming…we’ve had to look at who has what going on where the others turn off the WiFi, and still, it lags.
I had a lot of anxiety when I realized everyone was going to be home all the time. I definitely understand, and I’ve been praying for everyone. I believe the next week is going to bring great breakthrough in ways we can’t imagine—good ways. habe a blessed Easter!
Priscila,
My sister is a teacher, as are many of my friends. What you share is very real. I know for her, they have to have everything ready via computer and it has been a lot of hard work. She also has a son who needs to keep up with his work. He misses his teachers and friends, and she misses her students.
If anyone else is readng this, I hope they take time to pray for you, and all the teachers/professors out there. You can count on me being one. (((hugs))) I hope you have a blessed Easter.
Valerie, I connected with another Canadian author and she said the isolation is one thing, but the snow is another. I know where I live, we are documented as one of the most cloud covered places in the world. Like Seattle and London clouds. It really wears on you. I’m glad the weather is clearing up, and I believe that focus will come back to all of us soon. Have a blessed Easter!
I have to admit spending too much time watching news.
We are doing a lot of yard work. I’m not sewing nearly at all , which is what I thought I would get caught up on. I just downloaded directions to make face masks. I’ll see if my daughter or son-in-law wantone. They are the ones going out once a week for groceries. We’re doing no contact pick up for groceries. Of course I’m reading when I have time in evening.
My oldest daughter is a high school math teacher who is teaching students and answering questions remotely. She also has four kids at home including a four month old. Usually we see them all the time but they are staying away since her husband works with others in a small construction company.
We’re healthy but the walls are closing in. I am getting some good writing done but it’s a first novel with no immediate plans to publish so the pressure is not there. Doing a lot of reading, watching some movies and watching the virus numbers from the state health department (infection rates are dropping, thank you Lord). I, too, have family in upstate NY. Everybody there is okay for now. Life on hold. Unfortunately, we are struggling with processing the estates of two recently deceased family members. Virus or no, facing the details has been overwhelming. Over all, we’re probably falling behind.
I’ve lost my focus. I need to be doing revisions, and I just can’t seem to get them done.
I am ok but I have to get out at times. I normally go for a bike ride even if only 5 – 10 mins a day. The past few days have been overcast and that doesn’t help. I have a few projects I am or want to do. I do much better in the sunny weather. I live alone with my 2 cats so I do like to get out as I like to chat even if its only a hello.
Mum use to be house bound and she loved a phone call but would rarely ring if she was feeling a little down. It use to annoy me but now I fully understand. When you are feeling a little lonely or down you don’t want to bring someone else down and its harder to reach out.
Merrillee,
It’s so easy to do. Last week I had to step back. I know God is in this, and good news is out there. Stay strong, and have a blessed Easter!
Diana,
God bless all of you. My sister is a teacher and I know there is so much on them right now that’s a completely new way of doing things. Praying you all stay healthy, and have a blessed Easter.
Lincoln,
My prayer is you find grace and peace in all that’s on your plate right now. The holding pattern is hard, I’m sure. May you all continue to stay healthy, and have a blessed Easter.
Denise,
You are not alone. There are so many facing the same thing. I’m not in revisions,but I have a deadline looming and the steam just isn’t there. I am really pressing in that this next week we see a shift in so many ways—good ways. May our focus be one. Stay strong, and have a blessed Easter.
Hi, AusJenny!
I am the same way. Where I live it is one of the most cloud covered places in the world, right up there with Seattle and London. It is so hard to get energized when it is so dreary outside.
I’ve made myself walk every day that it is possible, if only for a few minutes. I’m glad you’re biking. It really helps.
Hang in there, we will all get through this. I really believe that. Have a blessed Easter!
Not much difference for me since I am retired. But I have got a few sewing projects done and sorted and organized my craft stash. And I am almost caught up on my review reading. I ordered a player, so I could listen to books on CD. Boxed up several books to make room for more.
Hi. I am fortunate in that my current job is one that I don’t think much about it until I arrive. It requires 100% then, but I allow myself to let it go once I leave. I haven’t been in for over 3wks – so, that means I have had a lot of extra time for myself at home. I might have a very clean house and counters full of home-baked breads. Instead I have been reading – a lot – and getting outside in the sunshine as often as possible.
In answer your question – besides reading, I am quite a bit ahead in my yard work compared to other years which feels wonderful! While my situation is one of contentment, I realize most or many families are not experiencing a similarly quiet-filled time. I feel very blessed.