You may find that your story comes naturally to you and if so, that's absolutely fantastic! But if you are feeling a bit 'stuck' or simply don't know how or where to start, here are some ideas to help trigger your writing and get you started.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to write about what you know. Try speaking from your own personal experience of the world. Remember, you are not writing a work of fiction but about real life, so you already have the information and research at your finger tips! When writing your story, you may wish to consider:
- When did covid-19 first affect you?
- What has been the most significant aspect of your life that has changed since it all began?
- How has the pandemic affected your personal relationships? Do you live alone and have you had to self-isolate due to an underlying health condition or did your household grow because your older children had to come home? Have you become separated from loves ones? Has your relationship with your partner flourished, or suffered? Are you a parent who has suddenly found yourself working full-time from home while trying to educate your children?
- Did your business have to stop as a result of the coronavirus or did you find that demand for your service grew? How has the pandemic affected your financial stability?
- How has being in lockdown affected your physical and emotional well-being? What have been your worst and best days?
- What have you found to be the strangest, weirdest, funniest or most bizarre aspect of this experience?
- What sacrifices have you had to make?
- Do you have a positive tale to tell? Perhaps you have fallen in love, written a beautiful song or found a way to connect people through music or art?
- How have you personally managed to get through each day? Perhaps you have taken up yoga or meditation, knitting or writing, or simply find that every day is a struggle to survive?
- Have you contracted the virus yourself or lost someone with covid-19?
- What is the first thing you plan to do when this is over?
Set some time aside for yourself and get writing!
We look forward to hearing from you. Stay safe!