Writing in lockdown, or Cassandra redux
Or should that be NOT writing, or at least, not writing a great detail. Last year’s tally included two short stories and a fair amount of work on a novel, including a lot of research and a synopis. However to date I have only written about 5,000 words of that novel. Not a lot to show for a year’s work. For like many other writers, I have found it difficult to write in lockdown. I mentioned that near the beginning of the first lockdown and things have not improved much. I still find it hard to focus – dealing with the situation seems to require the same sort of energy that I use for writing.
Much the same has been true of my reading life. I have been doing a lot of rereading – Ngaio Marsh, Nicholas Blake, Michael Gilbert – and when I have read something new it has tended to be Golden Age crime novelists, such as George Bellairs or E. C. R. Lorac. Either that or the latest novel in a series that I follow, such as the Ruth Galloway novels by Elly Griffiths or Christopher Fowler’s Bryant and May. I don’t want any nasty surprises. There are enough of those in real life at the moment. I want things I know I will like. I want comfort reading.
I was thinking of this recently when I put the novel on hold to write a short story and got stuck (won’t dignify it by calling it writer’s block). I have a file of ideas for stories, but nothing gripped me or seemed to offer a launching pad. And then I remembered that a kind blogger friend (Margot, are you reading this?) had remarked that she’d like to read more about Cassandra James, the Cambridge academic who was the first person narrator of my first three crime novels. The last one, Footfall, came out in 2006. That’s a long time ago and I found myself wondering what might have happened to Cassandra in the meantime. Had she solved any more mysteries? Did she have the second child that she and Stephen wanted? Was she still lecturing at St Etheldreda’s College? Perhaps she’d even been promoted? Only one way to find out and I could see how using Cassandra might fit well with one of my story ideas.
It didn’t take me long to slip back into Cassandra’s voice. The world in which she lives and moves is so familar to me and I know just what she’d think and feel about things. I like her and I like spending time in Cambridge, where I first met my husband. In short I’m having a lot of fun. Just as there is comfort reading, maybe too there is comfort writing.
12 Comments
Margot Kinberg
January 19, 2021Oh, yes, I am reading this, Christine, and thanks for the kind words. I am so delighted that you’re working on a new Cassandra story. I’ve often wondered what she’s been doing, and wanted to follow up with her. It’s so good to hear we’ll find out! Such great news!
I agree with you that there can be comfort writing, too. It does help us, I think, in a lot of ways. And that includes keep us disciplined about our writing.
Christine Poulson
January 19, 2021Thanks, Margot! It’s only a short story for now, but who knows . . . Yes, being disciplined is important and I think writing can support our mental health in a number of ways.
Helen
January 20, 2021P-L-E-A-S-E make it a novel! I’d so love another Cassandra having just finished re-reading them for lockdown comfort.
Christine Poulson
January 22, 2021Bless you, Helen! Your comment makes it all seem worthwhile. I will give it some serious thought.
Crysta Winter
January 19, 2021I keep my fingers crossed that it will be a long pleasant writing.
I think the virus and what is entwined around it also changes the inner feeling. Everything flows more slowly. And yet somehow faster. There is also hecticness and yet it feels like everything is not so important.
We have been wearing masks for months. So for months we’ve all had two faces. The one with a mask and the one without a mask. We live in a grave contrast on the outside. I think this must inevitably propagate inwards into the emotional world.
Christine Poulson
January 19, 2021Yes, I think the impact of the pandemic on mental health has been profound and will continue to be so. And I wonder if and when writers will want to tackle the subject. At the moment I would rather escape into a world without Covid!
Helen
January 19, 2021ooohhhh, this pleased me a lot Chrissie. I am very curious to hear about Cassandra and who knows perhaps updating her story will tempt her into a situation where another mystery unfolds in front of her. Like many find myself demotivated or frantically keeping myself busy. Take care and keep writing for your readers!
Christine Poulson
January 20, 2021Lovely to get this, Helen, especially on a day like today when it has rained non-stop and has never really got light! I have been getting slower . . . and slower . . . So thank you! xx
Brad Poulson
January 23, 2021Yes Chrissie, Cassandra James in whatever format you choose. We often wonder whether happened to her. 🙂
Christine Poulson
January 23, 2021Thanks, Brad! I’m having fun!
Moira@Clothes in Books
January 26, 2021Fantastic news – I would love to read more about Cassandra.
Apart from anything else, Cassandra bears a huge responsibility – she’s the reason we got to know each other!
Christine Poulson
January 27, 2021It’s just a short story – I say ‘just,’ however, word for word, a short story is harder work than writing a novel. But I am having a lot of fun. And I am very much writing with you in mind, Moira!