Home > Columns > Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston > Pandemic Ideas by Linda O. Johnston

the title "Pandemic Ideas" with picture of a small dog looking at the viewer

I’m a writer.  A fiction writer. And right now my world, and everyone else’s, has been highly modified nonfictionally by a situation I never imagined would happen: The Covid 19 pandemic.

Because I’m a fiction writer, my mind is always spiraling with ideas for new stories. At the moment I think I’ll have three new books published next year: two Harlequin Romantic Suspense novels plus a potentially stand-alone mystery that I’m currently writing.

All that keeps my mind and my fingers busy. But that mind of mine–well, when I’m not focused on what I’m writing, I’m always considering potential new ideas. They kind of just slip into my thoughts based on things I see or do, or don’t see or do but still tiptoe in and become creative plots or people or pets.

Or unusual backgrounds…

Yes, I’ve already done a blog here not too long ago about what to include, and what not to include, in stories. I focused more there on whether or not to include references in what I’m already writing to the pandemic and other current issues it has been causing.

Now, I’m wondering whether I ought to write something new that features the pandemic and how it involves a protagonist, probably in a mystery. At least my mind keeps telling me to consider it.

If I did, would people want to read it, or would they rather stay away from awful things like that which are affecting their real lives–even fictionalized versions of it?

Don’t know yet–but I’m kind of leaving my mind loose to consider it.

What do you think–would you want to read about it?

Because it’s me, the story would also most likely involve dogs, who are now being recognized as wonderful companions as we all stay far from others outside our households a whole lot more than we used to.

But of course no dogs would be harmed.

Author Details
Author Details
Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published 52 books so far, including mysteries and romantic novels. More than twenty-five of them are romances for Harlequin, including Harlequin Romantic Suspense and Harlequin Nocturne. Her latest release is Colton 911: Caught in the Crossfire, for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She has also written several mystery series including the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries and Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries and Pet Rescue Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Nearly all Linda’s current stories involve dogs! Linda enjoys hearing from readers.
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BEAR WITNESS

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BEAR WITNESS

UNLUCKY CHARMS

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UNLUCKY CHARMS

TO CATCH A TREAT

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TO CATCH A TREAT

COVERT ALLIANCE

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COVERT ALLIANCE

BAD TO THE BONE

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BAD TO THE BONE

PROTECTOR WOLF

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PROTECTOR WOLF

SECOND CHANCE SOLDIER

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SECOND CHANCE SOLDIER

PICK AND CHEWS

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PICK AND CHEWS

TRAINED TO PROTECT

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TRAINED TO PROTECT

VISIONARY WOLF (Alpha Force)

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VISIONARY WOLF (Alpha Force)

FOR A GOOD PAWS

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FOR A GOOD PAWS
COLTON 911: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
COLTON FIRST RESPONDER (The Coltons of Mustang Valley)

HER UNDERCOVER REFUGE

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HER UNDERCOVER REFUGE
UNDERCOVERING COLTON’S FAMILY SECRETS

GUARDIAN K-9 ON CALL

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GUARDIAN K-9 ON CALL

BEAGLEMANIA

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BEAGLEMANIA

THE MORE THE TERRIER

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THE MORE THE TERRIER

HOUNDS ABOUND

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HOUNDS ABOUND

SHIELDING COLTON’S WITNESS

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SHIELDING COLTON’S WITNESS

UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER

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UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER
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Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published 52 books so far, including mysteries and romantic novels. More than twenty-five of them are romances for Harlequin, including Harlequin Romantic Suspense and Harlequin Nocturne. Her latest release is Colton 911: Caught in the Crossfire, for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She has also written several mystery series including the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries and Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries and Pet Rescue Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Nearly all Linda’s current stories involve dogs! Linda enjoys hearing from readers.

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