To Include . . .
We’re still in the midst of the pandemic that has affected us for more than six months now. People get sick, and fortunately many heal . . . though not everyone does. And it’s affected us in ways beyond illness–economically, for example.
Even when things seem to improve some, they don’t always stay that way. Sometimes they get worse again. We still don’t know when things will settle down and start resembling normal once more.
And as a writer, I’m wondering when to use all of this.
Right now I’m still working on my third book in the long-running Colton series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, featuring characters in one of the many branches of the Colton family spread all over the country. I’ve known what has to happen in this one, and that’s what I’ve done.
Or Not to Include . . .
But I’m also plotting some other ideas. Stories that will take place at least a little in the future.
Should I mention the pandemic? The social unrest? What it’s all done to our economy?
Or should I assume that readers will prefer that I don’t go there, that I ignore all that nasty stuff and just create my own issues in my stories, the way I used to?
I’m pondering all of that even as I plot. But like everything else these days, who knows what the future will bring–and if things will ever return to what had been deemed normal before?
Of course, as a writer, I want to satisfy my readers. It’s okay to scare them in romantic suspense and mysteries, but we need satisfying endings in which all gets resolved in a reasonable, acceptable, perhaps optimistic way. Never mind what happens in real life. I write fiction!
Well, I’ll figure it out and decide which direction to go in each story I write.
And hope that reality gets better even as my stories continue.
~Linda
The First Two of Linda’s Colton Family Series
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Linda O. Johnston enjoys writing, romance, puzzles, and dogs. A former lawyer, Linda is now a full-time writer and has published 57 books—so far.
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If you saw my blog here last month, you’ll know that May was pretty busy for me. I had two new books published.
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It’s May 2022. And it’s quite a month for me. I’m having two books published! They’re numbers 56 and 57, so I’ve been pretty fortunate in my writing.
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Do writers ever go on vacation? Physically, sure. Mentally? Probably not.
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So what are some of my oddest inspirations these days?
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I totally understand what you’re saying Linda. I’ve been wondering the same thing.
We had the same sorts of discussions during the AIDS epidemic. Each author will have to decide how much reality to include in their universe.
I was writing then, too, but things seem even more far-reaching these days. But you’re right. Each of us will have to figure it out.
It will be interesting to see how different authors approach it, Jann.
I suspect there will be a lot of pandemic stories, but I think they are going to be set in 1918 or the Middle Ages. I think this will give both the author and reader a safe distance to sort their feelings.
That’s a great idea, Marianne. It can be realistic without, perhaps, being as emotional as something set around today.
Hi Linda, If you include the pandemic, your story will be rooted in that time period and event. If you exclude reference to the pandemic, then the story would unfold more as a timeless tale. So you would have to decide if you want to write a Covid related piece, or more of a timeless tale. I’m sure whatever choice you make, your story will still be great. Good luck.
Thanks, Veronica. Will have to figure it out with each new story/series.
Sorry, everyone, but comments didn’t show up on my computer till now.