The July–August 2020 issue of Poets & Writers features thirteen quotes by “Authors on Creativity in Quarantine.” Novelists, memoirists, and poets describe (not) writing, during the pandemic lockdown, and the writing life in general. Among the statements that fit me: “The process of writing poetry depends on being alone for long periods of time — almost reveling in solitude and slow time” (Author Janine Joseph quoting poet Philip Levine). This solitary process is true of all writing, not just poetry. That’s why writers joke about “gluing our butts to the chair” and Virginia Woolf craved a room of one’s own. For me, the isolation imposed by the pandemic isn’t much different than my life before lockdown. I sat alone and wrote virtually every day. While I feel the constraints of not being to go out for an occasional coffee with friends, and ache from missing evening “play dates” with my grandsons, my writing life has not substantially changed. My characters are good company and I’m grateful for their presence. I recite a daily blessing of thanks for the gift of writing that keeps my mind and body engaged. Work allows me to say without boasting or displaying false modesty that I like my own company. For more of my thoughts on writing, see REFLECTIONS.
