The world is in a pretty crazy place right now (wash your hands while you are thinking about it), and I think it’s good to have a reason to celebrate, even if it’s a holiday you’ve made up. I have a number of made-up holidays, but my favourite of them is “March 28,” which I proclaimed a few years ago “Writing Day” and have been celebrating annually every year since.
Why this day? Because on it I started writing my first novel, which led to more stories… and submitting… and gettings small pieces published… and starting a website so I would be ready when publishing small works turned to books.
I had been writing all my life, but this was when I realized that I don’t just love writing… I really love writing, and want to do it pretty much every day for the rest of my life, whether it’s in a journal, short story, poem or ongoing novel project.
One thing I’ve noticed during quarantine is that I’ve had a huge spike in creativity and writing activity (great things happen when your mind has time to wander). So do something creative today and make the most of this unusual opportunity! Start writing that story you’ve been dreaming about! Bake a cake! Try making homemade donuts (one of my March 28 festivities)!
With all the social distancing going on, a party seems opposite to our natural reaction to panic and hide, slowly going crazy. Stay connected with friends, whether it’s a video chat, email, text, facetime, zoom – anything! Just know that you’re not alone, and we’re all facing this together.
Who knows, on the other side of this pandemic, this experience could make for some rich writing material…
Abby Ciona 